Ka-bar1095 Cro-van steel and water.

C

Cveezy

Joined
Feb 28, 2012
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Hi i have recently started collecting a few knives. I currently own a full size serrated edge combat/utility ka-bar with a kraton g handle. i was wondering how this knife might do against salt water, for example when i go scuba diving i have the kydex sheath also so that shouldnt be problem vs the leather sheath and salt water. Im also Looking to maybe buy the full size utility/combat knife with a leather handle, how does that fair against rain, sweat,and mud im guessing diving with it fresh or salt water is out of the question.

Thanks,

Caleb
 
If you're set on diving with a Kabar, I'd recommend looking for one of the Next Generation knives in 440A stainless rather than the 1095. You'll get salt water down in the handle against the tang and the 1095 will rust badly unless you absolutely flush it out and dry it completely. The stainless should hold up better.

The leather handles will soak up water if left untreated, but through normal use will darken and harden a bit from the oils/dirt/sweat from your hands. Getting them fully immersed will rot the leather, though.
 
I don't have much experience with this, but I do know that while 1095CV is pretty good in terms of rust resistance (for a carbon steel), it wouldn't be my first choice for a diving knife. For occasional rain and things like that, its totally fine, but for submersion in sale water... no.

Some snoseal on the leather handle keeps things totally fine for rain sweat and mud.

Good luck :).
 
Hey, I used to have that same knife. Sold it to a friend to pay bills and because I wanted one with out serrations. But as a dive knife... Since the steel is coated and that coating is also probably under the Kraton G handle, you are probably okay as far as the handle goes. The edge is the part that you'd have to worry about. The tang is thinner then some other hidden tang knives like the SOG Seal and Seal Pup (Elite also) so you'll have to be carefull about heavy heavy prying. Other then those two things, I don't see why it wouldn't work.

Just wash out the sheath and rinse the knife and dry it after a dive and you should be fine. If the edge does develope a patina or some rust, it will come off with use and sharpenings. :)
 
hawaiianhawk said:
If you're set on diving with a Kabar, I'd recommend looking for one of the Next Generation knives in 440A stainless rather than the 1095. You'll get salt water down in the handle against the tang and the 1095 will rust badly unless you absolutely flush it out and dry it completely. The stainless should hold up better.

The leather handles will soak up water if left untreated, but through normal use will darken and harden a bit from the oils/dirt/sweat from your hands. Getting them fully immersed will rot the leather, though.
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Did the next generation knives already come out? if so could you link me to them? I didnt think about the salt water coming down into the tang of the blade, im glad u brought that up.
 
The Next Gen line has been out for some time; they come in both 440A and D2. CutCo also offers a collaboration knife with Kabar (CutCo owns Kabar) that I believe is called the Adventurer or some such that is also in 440A. They're out there, just Google them. I'm not certain as to the rules on posting links to dealers here, so I won't.
 
Last time I checked - 1095 will rust pretty quickly (However, I personally love the steel)
To be quite honest I would probably just buy one of the those Spyderco Salt knives for diving and save the KABAR for land activities. just my $.2
 
OzarkCreekWalker said:
Last time I checked - 1095 will rust pretty quickly (However, I personally love the steel)
To be quite honest I would probably just buy one of the those Spyderco Salt knives for diving and save the KABAR for land activities. just my $.2
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Dude, thats some good thinking there!!

By the way, Seamen have been using Carbon steel fixed blades and folders aboard ship since there have been ships. A little mantenece goes a long ways. ;) After saying that though I have to admit that my fishing knives are all stainless steel. A pair of F-Dick Fillet knives, an old Gerber and a SOG Seal Pup. :foot:
 
I tatally agree with this. You really should not expose hi carbon steels to salt water. If you are going into this type of environment you really should concider the salt series. They are smaller and not as hard use as the KABAR but I really would prefer this in a dive knife. I would not want my knife in the way, but the salt is still very quick to deploy. The biggest benefit though is you do not even have to worry about the rust, because the salt series can't rust.
 
in the case of the plastic handled knives...

well, you COULD take the knife apart, and spray on several coats of hiviz epoxy type paint - easier to find than black knife...

and spray the EDGES too, everything. that stuff really won't get in the way until you need to cut something. then booyah.

replace the hardware with stainless.

assemble, and perhaps dip the handle once or twice in a bit of "tool grip" like stuff, to make it more grippy.

there's older models too made from stainless...

but i should think a dedicated dive knife (or two), and a seat belt cutter would be better.
 
Thanks for all the input and research guys. Ill have to look into an actual diving knife and keep the the ka-bar for land. i would hate to go diving with in then one day start using the knife only for it to break inside the handle lol.
 
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