Ka-Bar USN MK1 First Impressions

my pops had one of the original issued ones, it was confiscated early in my childhood , I cant wait to get my hands on one!
 
angelr15 said:
This was perfect timing I was just thinking I would like a good all around knife on the smaller size...my only question is the tang as stated above. That stripped one would look nice with some forced patina.
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If the tang on this knife is the same dimensions as the tang of the full sized Ka-Bar there should be n worries. I carried a full sized Ka-Bar for years at it handled everything I needed to do including light to medium chopping and batoning.

I've already done a little batoning with this knife making bow drill sets and had no issues with it.
 
How the hell did I miss the release of this knife monthes ago...? This knife looks like the perfect blade for me & my uses. I love my Ka-bars and had been admiring the SOG NW ranger for some time...but this is even better! - 1095 $45 - a steal! Thanks, Ka-bar!
 
Not to try to hijack a thread but I agree with Mistwalkers review of the MK1. Mine came in yesterday and I must say I'm very impressed with the fit and finish and love the sheath. It locks up well and has no rattling like many like it do, plus being a southpaw I love the ambi sheath setup. Wasn't sure how I would feel about the grip but I am very pleased with it. It also came razor sharp. One heck of a knife for $55. Here are a couple of quick pics of mine. You can't go wrong buying this baby ;)

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Thanks mistwalker for the pictures and review - they helped me make up my mind to get one of these. Definitely a good blade for my uses, and really well thought out. I thought the sharpening choil was a nice touch.
 
I really like the knife itself just fine, and years ago I would have absolutely loved this sheath. It is well designed for some of my modular kits systems I put together, but i wouldn't mind having a leather sheath for it to because a lot of the time my knife will ride in a front pocket rather than on a belt.
 
As others have observed, the handle is a little cramped if you are blessed with large-ish hands. The pommel tends to get in the way and the handle profile is just a bit off - Ka-Bar could have put a bit less swell in it and profiled it more like the USMC combat knife (which has a great handle profile).

OTOH, the blade size, profile and grind is great and the sheath is one of the better production sheaths I've seen in a long time.

Overall a very good package, and I can't wait for the leather handled version.
 
northingeasting said:
As others have observed, the handle is a little cramped if you are blessed with large-ish hands. The pommel tends to get in the way and the handle profile is just a bit off - Ka-Bar could have put a bit less swell in it and profiled it more like the USMC combat knife (which has a great handle profile).

OTOH, the blade size, profile and grind is great and the sheath is one of the better production sheaths I've seen in a long time.

Overall a very good package, and I can't wait for the leather handled version.
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I've got 2 of them up for grabs in a contest here. Check into it. :D

Moose
 
Sharp Steel said:
How does the USN compare to the Ka-bar USMC short?
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Thicker, more robust handle. Wider blade, and its got a full flat grind. Same stock thickness, but it out cuts the 3/4 because of that grind.

All in all, the only similarities are in the OAL, that's about it. The MKI is a solid bushcraft knife.

Moose
 
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I agree with Moose, the MKI will outperform the short Ka-Bar on virtually every utilitarian use. It is a MUCH better slicer and, to me, even with the short handle the fullness of it is still more comfortable to use for long periods of time. Though my hands aren't exactly the largest in the world and I don't really mind the length of the handle.
 
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Man! I seriously need to get one of these. Need to save up first and move this knife up to the top of the "to get list".
 
Varg, I got a contest going where you could win won. Uptop. :D

Moose
 
Does the sheath dull the edge? I don't mean make it dull enough to not cut, but lose the razor edge quickly. I've had two FRN sheaths and both kill the edge just by insert and draw the knife a few times, one is a Becker and another Spyderco, so now I'm nervous about these injection mold sheaths.

Also how is the handle length compare with regular USMC? I had one and the handle was a bit short for me, though MK1 doesn't have a upper guard so that alleviate the problem somewhat.
 
moosez45 said:
Varg, I got a contest going where you could win won. Uptop. :D

Moose
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Thanks. Went to my father-in law's this weekend with the intention of shooting some pics in the woods. Turns out he's been having a tough time of it lately (mother-in law passed away recently) and my wife and I had to deal with that instead. Thanks for the contest though. Just going to have to save up for one.

Congrats to the the winner though. It looks like a awesome knife.
 
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