Ka-bar

tuhkis · May 21, 2001

I'd like to hear pros and cons of the "original" (leather sheath and handle) Ka-bar.
Thanks!

Sharktooth · May 21, 2001

Love the smell and warm feel of leather. Somehow micarta or synthetic materials just don't do it for me. Leather is my choice even though it may rot or loosen with time. The price of a replacement KaBar Mk 2 is never going to break the bank either.

tuhkis · May 21, 2001

Originally posted by Sharktooth:
Love the smell and warm feel of leather. Somehow micarta or synthetic materials just don't do it for me. Leather is my choice even though it may rot or loosen with time. The price of a replacement KaBar Mk 2 is never going to break the bank either.

I agree with you totally

AnklePocket · May 21, 2001

It's the only way to go.
Semper Fidelis.

swede79 · May 21, 2001

It's fine for a beater, but I was disappointed with the quality. For what I paid, though, I won't cry when it breaks.

Jeff Clark · May 21, 2001

The design is a little big for most of my utility chores except butchering a rather large animal like an elk or caribou. For chopping activities I would want a heavier blade. For most other use I would want a shorter blade. I kind of like the size of the smaller (3/4 size) Kabar.

If you want the standard size you should look at the same Mark II knife design from Camillus. They put out a high quality product. I wouldn't expect to wear out a Kabar or Camillus, the 1095 alloy blades are really tough. I've got several WWII veteran blades that only show surface wear. I know that one of them was used to dig a fox hole on a beach under heavy bombardment.

[This message has been edited by Jeff Clark (edited 05-21-2001).]

tuhkis · May 22, 2001

Originally posted by Jeff Clark:
If you want the standard size you should look at the same Mark II knife design from Camillus. They put out a high quality product.
[This message has been edited by Jeff Clark (edited 05-21-2001).]

Thanks - I'll think of buying Camillus instead of Kabar.
However, the truth is, it (Kabar or Camillus) would see quite a light usage.

Oh, about the leather sheath:
I've been told the knife shouldn't be put into it before the sheath has got it's alcohol "bath". Someone else ever heard about this?

Any other sheath care taking tips?

Regards,
Tuhkis

txmoonwolf · May 22, 2001

On the subject of Kabars, I was wondering about something that jumped out at me from the May 2001 _Tactical Knives_. In the "It happened to me!" column, the author mentions "Charles Karwan's method of treating the leather sheath and leathr washer handle with paraffin, thus waterproofing the knife and sheath." Does anyone know of this method? If so, please explain it so that I can try to use it on my USAF survival knife before the handle gets too dirty.
Thanks!

Sharktooth · May 25, 2001

Not sure of Karwan's paraffin method but it just occured to me that you could use "Snow seal". I've used it on my hiking boots for years and it works great. Don't see why it wouldn't work on a Kabar. Basically it's very simple. Just wipe on some of the snow seal and heat. As the wax is heated it melts and is absorbed into the leather forming a fairly water proof finish. Once it cools and is dried just buff the surface with a shoe brush to get rid of the excess.

On the subject of Kabars, I was wondering about something that jumped out at me from the May 2001 _Tactical Knives_. In the "It happened to me!" column, the author mentions "Charles Karwan's method of treating the leather sheath and leathr washer handle with paraffin, thus waterproofing the knife and sheath." Does anyone know of this method? If so, please explain it so that I can try to use it on my USAF survival knife before the handle gets too dirty.

txmoonwolf · May 27, 2001

Thanks for the info! This is one of those "why didn't I think of that?" moments.

Originally posted by Sharktooth:
Not sure of Karwan's paraffin method but it just occured to me that you could use "Snow seal". I've used it on my hiking boots for years and it works great. Don't see why it wouldn't work on a Kabar. Basically it's very simple. Just wipe on some of the snow seal and heat. As the wax is heated it melts and is absorbed into the leather forming a fairly water proof finish. Once it cools and is dried just buff the surface with a shoe brush to get rid of the excess.

On the subject of Kabars, I was wondering about something that jumped out at me from the May 2001 _Tactical Knives_. In the "It happened to me!" column, the author mentions "Charles Karwan's method of treating the leather sheath and leathr washer handle with paraffin, thus waterproofing the knife and sheath." Does anyone know of this method? If so, please explain it so that I can try to use it on my USAF survival knife before the handle gets too dirty.

willOthewisp · May 27, 2001

Have two Ka-Bars - a 1946-ish "Scout" and one of the newer black USMC's. The older one spent an untold amount of time lost in the forest before it's rescue, and, with the exception of some pitting in the blade and a loose pommel, is in great shape, stacked leather & all. The sheath has seen better days.

Durability of the newer Ka-Bars ...? Ask me in, oh, 50 years or so.

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