Ka-Bar Warthog Folder

R

rottwang

Joined
Feb 5, 2006
Messages
310
Pictures:

http://www.agrussell.com/var/storage/original/image/phpZVO7BI.jpg
http://www.theknifeconnection.com/ProductImages/theknifeconnection_1780_9400584.gif

After one day, I've decided I dislike Zytel. I was anticipating a real workhorse and that this knife would be a sturdy beater with a blade shape ideal for prying and digging, but -- the thin handle material is plastic, and easily bends under pressure. It is 'sandwidched' from several separate pieces of plastic, as opposed to being molded from a single piece. Like folding knives from frost cutlery (if you have ever had the misfortune of seeing one of those junkers,) the only metal lining in the handle is the liner lock.

If i were to use this for prying, or simply hold the blade with one hand and the handle with the other and exerted pressure in an attempt to break the handle, i'm not sure it wouldn't break. This is not a knife i would associate with the name ka-bar. (i won't be able to cut down a tree with it.)

Zytel is not just any plastic, but I still don't feel comfortable carrying a knife with a flexible handle!

Ergonomically the knife is comfortable in the hand, with an indentation on the blade for the user's thumb that allows for a secure grip while stabbing and cutting. the liner lock is hard if not impossible to accidentally disengage through regular use.

The fit of the blade and the liner is reassuring. it snaps into place and stays in the center of the blade, but it is rather thin, 1/2 to 2/3 rds the thickness of other liner or frame locks i have.

I guess this is suitable for light cutting tasks. Does anyone know of an affordable knife you could cut down a tree with?
 
you're looking at a fixed blade and not a folder for that (say under... 70 MSRP).

Machete? Becker/Camillus Companion? ---> I've heard good things about the D2 Dozier aluminum-handled folding hunter (see agrussell) but am unsure really how tough it is...

Having a folder with a blade thick enough and a lock strong enough....... no idea. Skirmish? Manix? I really liked one of the CHinook II's I held... tough, strong folder. The Manix was similar but seemed better at cutting.
 
Thanks for the suggestions! I'll look into those knives.

I prefer fixed blade knives, but I won't wear a fixed blade if it's partially concealed, to avoid trouble with the law. It's usually too cold and wet here in San Francisco to go without a jacket.
 
rottwang said:
Pictures:

http://www.agrussell.com/var/storage/original/image/phpZVO7BI.jpg
http://www.theknifeconnection.com/ProductImages/theknifeconnection_1780_9400584.gif

After one day, I've decided I dislike Zytel. I was anticipating a real workhorse and that this knife would be a sturdy beater with a blade shape ideal for prying and digging, but -- the thin handle material is plastic, and easily bends under pressure. It is 'sandwidched' from several separate pieces of plastic, as opposed to being molded from a single piece. Like folding knives from frost cutlery (if you have ever had the misfortune of seeing one of those junkers,) the only metal lining in the handle is the liner lock.

If i were to use this for prying, or simply hold the blade with one hand and the handle with the other and exerted pressure in an attempt to break the handle, i'm not sure it wouldn't break. This is not a knife i would associate with the name ka-bar. (i won't be able to cut down a tree with it.)

Zytel is not just any plastic, but I still don't feel comfortable carrying a knife with a flexible handle!

Ergonomically the knife is comfortable in the hand, with an indentation on the blade for the user's thumb that allows for a secure grip while stabbing and cutting. the liner lock is hard if not impossible to accidentally disengage through regular use.

The fit of the blade and the liner is reassuring. it snaps into place and stays in the center of the blade, but it is rather thin, 1/2 to 2/3 rds the thickness of other liner or frame locks i have.

I guess this is suitable for light cutting tasks. Does anyone know of an affordable knife you could cut down a tree with?
Click to expand...

That is exactly how I felt about this knife. "WHAT WAS I THINKING!" :o
 
I second the "what was I thinking"!!!!
Maybe some day I will have to make a new handle for it- that is where I see the faults as well
 
That's the problem with buying things online. "What was I thinking," indeed.

I've tried some mild torture on the knife. After torquing the knife with my hands to simulate prying in a clockwise motion, the screws holding the handle together became loose and needed to be retightened. Trying to fold the open and locked knife on itself, the liner lock dug into the blade slightly, and created a small dent.
 
rottwang said:
Does anyone know of an affordable knife you could cut down a tree with?
Click to expand...


1. No substitute for a fixed blade
2. Spyderco Manix (115-120 bucks online is afforable considering the toughness and quality)
 
rottwang said:
Does anyone know of an affordable knife you could cut down a tree with?
Click to expand...

Get a Victorinox OHT (One Hand Trekker) or it's sibling: Bundeswehr, the Bundeswehr has no toothpick and tweezer. The saw will take down a branch easily, with a thin main blade great as slicer, and the can opener / bottle opener strong enough for light prying!
The seller (Felinevet) is forum member and you can check him out here .. :thumbup:

Edited to add: plus it's very sheeple friendly, and the main blade locks!
 
Does anyone know of an affordable knife you could cut down a tree with?[/QUOTE]

Yes, don't laugh, but a Smith & Wesson Bullseye Extreme Ops is the biggest, heaviest most over-built folder i have seen, and with a 440C blade and G-10 scales you should have no problem with any size tree, if you use the baton method, for instance. And for $32 at Sportsman's Warehouse, it's actually below the "affordable" category.... I got one last week, very happy with it. I will post a review if anyone is interested. -hky
 
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