Ka-Bar's unpopular MK1

A.L. said:
Been intrigued many times but like said before there has always been something else. The coating puts me off too. Something about leather stacked handle and coated blade doesn’t work for me. I think they also could offer the sheath without the USN stamp - no disprespect but because I’m civilian.
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I think that's one of the reasons why I picked up the MK1 in the first place ... I was in the Navy 1980-1985 (submarines). My Kraton-handled MK1 came with a hard plastic/nylon sheath which is unmarked, but the blade is stamped "USN". I like that.
 
I always liked that knife,especially the rubber handled version, but i just have no use for it...
 
Dang... I' ve got more knives than I'll ever need, but that Kabar MK1 looks pretty cool... and affordable, plus the sheath looks pretty good.
 
One of the always the bridesmaid but never the bride knives; looks good and good at multiple different tasks, but is it really "great" at anything by today's market, is it the most attractive or most comfortable?
IMO it's is a really good all around knife, but it osn't necessarily "great" at anything to where it would stand out.
 
Kostik said:
My wife's only complaint is that it's not really long enough for the task. Opening the durians involves a little bit of everything: stabbing, chopping, slicing and prying.



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You forgot that it also requires a gas mask or at least a clothes pin for the nose. 😆😆😆
 
As a few others have said, short handle. All the Kabars in the USMC fighting style (not a Kabar Becker) with a 5.25" blade have a 4" or 4.125" handle. As someone who wears an XL/2XL glove, it is not comfortable for me. The 7" Kabars do have a 4.75" handle but I'd rather have a 4.5-5.5" blade for a woods/camping knife.

If the handle on a 5.25" bladed (great size imo) Kabar USMC fighting style knife had a 4.75" handle, I'd probably own one.

I have the same complaint about the Buck Pathfinder, nice 5" blade but the handle is either listed as 3.75" :oops: (original) due to the nob on the end or 4.125" (the newer premium S35VN one).
 
Yes, I have a couple. Would make the same comments about the handle. However, this knife would be a very good choice for after shtf - more functional and easier to carry than the standard 7" blade models. Another choice (and better in my estimation) is the now, discontinued TFI model.
 
F Finn Wolverine I like the edges you have put on your Mk 1 and BK-15. The Mk 1 and BK-15 are my favorite Ka-Bar knives. Kiitos!


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Zieg
 
My dad served on USS Menhaden (SS 377), a diesel submarine in the '50s. He says he remembers seeing and possibly using a Mk 1 when serving on other vessels before sub school and the Menhaden (no use for a deck knife on a sub, I guess). He likes mine but prefers a smaller Buck folder :).

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Zieg
 
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