KA-BAR USMC Full Size -- Love or Hate?

As the proud owner of four nine-inch Randalls, I think you're going to find that that's a little bit too big to be practical. But it'll be fun, that's for sure.
 
I carried a Ka-bar for 4 years in the Corps also.It's an old school classic with lots of history behind it.How can you not appreciate it?
 
I like the knife concept, i just think it is no where HD enough to be given to our troops as an issue knife. A Becker/KaBar BK-2 or a BK-7 is a far superior knife for the same money. Maybe if it had a full tang that was the same width as the blade & was visable around the entire handle---like it should have been, it would continue to gain praise & notoriety from our troops. Talk to some who have recently came from the sandbox & REALLY used thiers. The knife industry is selling more than ever now, many to friends & family members who send them/give them to thier soldiers who are or will be deployed. As far as a thick blade cutting ? I have no issues at all, either with my 1/4" thick BK-2 or my 3/8" thick OKC Ranger signature series. This IS America & this is JMO, no need to agree with me. :D
 
Love it! I have mine for over 20 years now and still going strong. My favorite large fixed blade. Recently sold my BK2 because it didn't have the soul that my Kabar does.
 
The USMC Kabar is a great knife. Every body should have one. True classics. They make for great gifts, too.

My wife isn't a knife person, but she knows the Kabar. Arguably the most recognized knife in the world.

I think if you did a poll, you'd find that more people own one than any other knife, by far.
 
TwinStick said:
I like the knife concept, i just think it is no where HD enough to be given to our troops as an issue knife. A Becker/KaBar BK-2 or a BK-7 is a far superior knife for the same money. Maybe if it had a full tang that was the same width as the blade & was visable around the entire handle---like it should have been, it would continue to gain praise & notoriety from our troops. Talk to some who have recently came from the sandbox & REALLY used thiers. The knife industry is selling more than ever now, many to friends & family members who send them/give them to thier soldiers who are or will be deployed. As far as a thick blade cutting ? I have no issues at all, either with my 1/4" thick BK-2 or my 3/8" thick OKC Ranger signature series. This IS America & this is JMO, no need to agree with me. :D
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I had actually several OKC Rangers.The 4-6-7.
They don't come close to the feeling of having a standard Ka-bar in my hand.
No handle ergonomics in the Rangers,those large flat scales with sharp edges dont do it for me.
And the tip is too fragile in comparison with the thick blade,in my opinion.
The Becker-2 is a tough knife,sure.
But sold that one too.
A Mora is almost of the same length and cuts like :eek: and is way more handy.
May be blasphemy to some ,but this is what I experienced.
And if ever need a knife in 'combat' as in a fight a regular/standard Ka-bar is the preferred knife for me.Lightweight and excellent grip,all for good use ;)
 
I really like them but not with leather , so I opted for the kraton/kydex model. The short Kabar would be great too only if they made the darn handle longer ( 5 1/4" blade with 4 1/2-5" handle instead) The short handle seems to be a common complaint.
 
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Interesting. I've never held the smaller knife. That really is a short handle.
 
hiwa said:
I really like them but not with leather , so I opted for the kraton/kydex model. The short Kabar would be great too only if they made the darn handle longer ( 5 1/4" blade with 4 1/2-5" handle) The short handle seems to be a common complaint.
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Same here,
I like the idea of a 5 inch blade Ka-bar very much.But that handle definitely is too short for me .
A 5 inch handle plus a the 5", 5 1/4" blade , but with the same blade-width as the 7" version.
That would be VERY nice ...

I also like the Kraton better than leather.
Like those in my Mora triflex and my Mora # 711.
Awesome grip.
Unbeaten in my opinion.
 
I used them for most of the time I was in the USMC (82-86) and they worked well for me in the field, but they do have limitations like any other knife.

It's a good knife that will serve well and would still be my 1st choice if I had to serve again.
 
Nothing there not to love. Guys weren't breaking them left and right on Iwo Jima or Tarawa or any place else. Sure, somebody, somewhere has broken one. I am sure somebody, somewhere has broken an ESEE-5 too.
 
I like them.

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FWIW, I slathered the handle of mine down with Obenauf's yesterday. It worked like a charm. Good stuff, Maynard.
 
HoosierQ said:
Nothing there not to love. Guys weren't breaking them left and right on Iwo Jima or Tarawa or any place else. Sure, somebody, somewhere has broken one. I am sure somebody, somewhere has broken an ESEE-5 too.
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In all my years in the knife world, I've seen a grand total of three bent ones and one broken one. That's not too shabby, all things considered.
 
Samael said:
Love. For the price, it's still one of the best buys in the knife world today. Don't believe all the hooey about the tang - it's worked just fine under some pretty extreme conditions for about 70 years now.

Mine's got a leather handle, by the way. Wouldn't consider anything else.
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I agree completely. Love 'em just the way they are. I don't ever forsee myself NEEDing any other fixed blade (not that I don't buy them because I WANT them, of course...).
 
i have my fathers 30 year old kabar he used in the corps its been to hell and back and its still going strong
 
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