Ka-bar vs Camillus

M

Mountainwind

Joined
Mar 13, 2006
Messages
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I know that Ontario isn't well thought of here, but what about Camillus?
I am going to buy another knife and have always wanted the Ka-bar fighting type knife, and was looking at the choices. Camillus looks good, but Ka-bar seems to be number one as far as a brand name.
What are the opinions on these knives. as far as metal goes and holding up under use?
 
Flip a coin. Both are fine knives if built for the military. I have a KA-BAR which I'd not part with for anything. Camillus built a fine survival knife. Take your pick or buy both, you won't be sorry.
 
I guess I should add that I am wanting it for survival, as well as a hunting/skinning/meat slicing and small chore around the camp knife.
And which blade style, serrated or plain? There are so many different type of them, it is really hard to choose. Some look the same, but have different part numbers, so I guess there is some difference.
 
I noticed that most go with Ka-bar and love it. I have a BK9 and 7 for large work, but my hunting knives just don't seem to be what I am looking for in a smaller survival type knife.
 
I wouldn't say that Ontario is not well-thought-of here. Lots of people like some of their products (including myself). As with any mid-range company, not all of their products are great, but some of them are quite nice.
 
puukkoman said:
I wouldn't say that Ontario is not well-thought-of here. Lots of people like some of their products (including myself). As with any mid-range company, not all of their products are great, but some of them are quite nice.
Click to expand...
Please detail.
What is junk and what aren't ? In you opinion..
 
I've heard Ka-Bars have better fit and finish but since I got mine second hand with the idea that it would do all my dirty grunt jobs it wasn't an issue for me. I've also heard that the Camillus holds an edge a little better but I haven't directly compared the two. Either will do just fine. Get the one that tickles your fancy or the one you can get the best deal on.

Frank
 
SilverFoxKnows said:
I've heard Ka-Bars have better fit and finish but since I got mine second hand with the idea that it would do all my dirty grunt jobs it wasn't an issue for me. I've also heard that the Camillus holds an edge a little better but I haven't directly compared the two. Either will do just fine. Get the one that tickles your fancy or the one you can get the best deal on.

Frank
Click to expand...

Check my link above. Don't think that you'll beat $35.00 for a Camillus survival knife. Even comes with it's own little touch-up stone.
 
Onterio make the current Marine Corps bayonet/fighting knife...8" blade and scary sharp on both the primary and the backcut edges. I have one but for me its just too big to be used as a "hunting knife".

I have 5 or more Ka-Bars including the D2 extreme. They are great knives for what they were made for, but once again I don't see them as good "hunting knives".

I have or have had almost all of the Camillus made BK&T line of knives as well as 3 talonite knives, and so many more that I can't think of them all while I am sitting here typing, however, I DO KNOW that all of the knives I have gotten from Camillus have been extremly well done and I can't think of a bad one in my collection of knives.

If you want a knife for hunting then I would suggest that you look at either the Fallkniven knives or Bob Dozier knives.
In the Fallkniven line it sounds to me like you would like the S-1 or F1(this is the official Swedish Airforce survival knife).

Tactical knives are fun for me to collect and just fool around with but I don't see hunting as a "TACTICAL" experience.

FWIW,
Ciao
Ron Cassel:thumbup:
 
Yes, Ka-Bars' tang extends the whole way. They have a hidden tang and stacked leather handle, which means that the leather washers are stacked over the tang, all the way to the pommel.

The RAT series from Ontario isn't bad, either.
 
I think I will go with the Ka-bar KBD1. Muzzleups post got me to thinking and I think this might be a good compromise.

KB1273.jpg
 
Both are different but I like both equally. I just did a search on ebay and this is the right idea. I love it, take a look...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Camillus-Kabar-...ryZ75235QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I can see the handle has been shaped to be more flat which IMO will give a better reference for handling the knife as apposed to the round shape. The Kabar handle is oval so it already has a reference for blade orientation.

This ebay knife even has the top of the guard removed. I think this is how these knives should come from the factory.

Collecter
 
To answer your original question, I would take the Ka-Bar over the Camillus…..

…..BUT…..For a hunting, you would be much better off with a 3 - 5” blade. 7” blades with sharpened clips and double guards do not make good hunting knives. 3 - 5” hunting knives generally make very good survival knives, particularly if you also carry a SAK with a saw.





- Frank
 
Mountainwind;
That is the first picture I have seen of that model. Is the back false edge really false or is it sharpened? It kind of reminds me of an EK Commando with a different handle. One of my EK's has a blade shape very much like that Ka-Bar and is sharpened 1/2 way back on the top edge.

But like you, I kind of like that model! Maybe my collection NEEDS another Ka-Bar.:D

ciao
Ron Cassel
 
Though I've never owned a traditional WWII style fighter by either company, I have a lot of respect for Camillus..... never had one with a heat treat that wasn't good. However IIRC, the Ka-Bar's handle has an oval cross section, while the Camillus fighter's is round. I generally find oval handles more secure and comfortable.
 
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