Kabar and Buck

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Hermit_Knight

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Mar 19, 2018
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Hello I am wandering what the differences are between the Kabar usmc knife and the buck 119 besides the steel. Is one better then the other at certain tasks? Regards Hermit.
 
Hermit_Knight said:
Hello I am wandering what the differences are between the Kabar usmc knife and the buck 119 besides the steel. Is one better then the other at certain tasks? Regards Hermit.
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What do you need it for ?


a brand new Buck 119 special is made of 420hc, while the other is made of 1095 chrovan ( that's 1095 with chrome vanadium in it ).
The 1095 should in theory be tougher for a knife you'll be beating on while the 420hc from Buck ( this is for Buck's 420hc only ) should be a bit harder.
The 119 is an inch or so shorter than the KA-BAR, so the larger Buck 120 general should be a better comparison.
The 119 / 120 has a slicker handle than the KA-BAR but fits the hand very well and I don't imagine it being problematic for the hunting role it was designed for.
The Buck has a deep hollow grind, while the KA-BAR is not whatever this means to you.
The KA-BAR can rust and the stacked leather is not impervious to moisture, blood...ect, while the Buck will be much more rust resistant and has an impervious handle material.
If I didn't already own it I personally would choose the 119 as a knife for hunting if I needed one, because of these things.

Btw the Buck 119 also cost less and is much more readily available, it also comes with a great sheath while the KA-BAR sheath is often disliked by those who buy it.
Buck also offers a left handed sheath for the 119 if you need / want it.

Both are classics and I doubt you could go wrong with either one if not abused.

I love to carry my 119, but the KA-BAR I've yet to own as it's too large of a knife for me to carry for daily utility ( may get the short eventually ).
 
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Hickory n steel said:
What do you need it for ?


a brand new Buck 119 special is made of 420hc, while the other is made of 1095 chrovan ( that's 1095 with chrome vanadium in it ).
The 1095 should in theory be tougher for a knife you'll be beating on while the 420hc from Buck ( this is for Buck's 420hc only ) should be a bit harder.
The 119 is an inch or so shorter than the KA-BAR, so the larger Buck 120 general should be a better comparison.

The 119 / 120 has a slicker handle than the KA-BAR but fits the hand very well and I don't imagine it being problematic for the hunting role it was designed for.

The KA-BAR can rust and the stacked leather is not impervious to moisture, blood...ect, while the Buck will be much more rust resistant and has an impervious handle material.
If I didn't already own it I personally would choose the 119 as a knife for hunting if I needed one, because of these things.

Btw the Buck 119 also cost less and is much more readily available, it also comes with a great sheath while the KA-BAR sheath is often disliked by those who buy it.
Buck also offers a left handed sheath for the 119 if you need / want it.
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Thanks for the info sir, I just want it for general camp duties and skinning the odd rabbit, so the Kabar is perhaps more suited to combat while the buck more towards hunting and bush crafting?
 
If you want a 7” marine fighting knife the Ontario 498 is at most $50 (often closer to $40) and it’s blade is parkerized rather than painted; the handle is also leather but covered in black paint rather than polished. Kabar’s USMC knives are too pretty to use, imo.
 
Hermit_Knight said:
Thanks for the info sir, I just want it for general camp duties and skinning the odd rabbit, so the Kabar is perhaps more suited to combat while the buck more towards hunting and bush crafting?
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I'm not exactly a hunter, but I know many would consider the 119 the upper size limit for this.
For woodcrafting as long as you only use them as knives and don't baton with them I don't think you could go wrong with either.
My 119 will carve wood pretty well when I need it to though I don't know it would be a first choice if I was a woodcrafter as it's not exactly a neutral handle.
 
One isn't really going to handle any additional tasks over the other. Price point is about the same for similar blade lengths (you can get a short version of the Ka-Bar USMC), and both are rat tail tangs, so I'd go for the Ka-Bar for the following reasons: 1. 1095 will have better edge retention 2. better sheath 3. leather handle of the Ka-Bar is much grippier than the phenolic grip of the 119 4. Ka-Bar pommel is actually usable for some light tasks (tent stakes, etc...) Only con is the 1095 is less corrosion resistant. Just my 2 cents.

Skinning animals and cleaning fish - the 119 would make the job much easier.
 
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Both would be just as effective for skinning rabbits since all you'll ever use it for in that role is making a hole in the back (so you can stick your fingers in and pull the skin off).

For hunting the 119 would be better as it is shorter and more maneuverable. For general purpose I think they are both fine. Both are larger than I like for hunting OR general purpose usage.
 
Either one will perform the tasks you mentioned just fine. As others have already said the Ka-Bar is 1095 Crovan which is a carbon steel and will rust along the exposed cutting edge rather easily (the rest of the blade is coated and protected from rusting), the regular Buck 119 is made of stainless steel and will resist rusting much better than the Ka-Bar. Also the Ka-Bar’s handle is made of stacked leather which is more susceptible to the elements like blood staining and moisture rotting than the 119’s hard phenolic handle. The Ka-Bar can be bought with a Kraton handle which would eliminate the handle problem. The Ka-Bar should be easier to sharpen in the field than the Buck due to it being made of carbon steel. Either knife would serve you well I think. It mostly boils down to your preference.
 
I own both. I find myself gravitating towards the 119 around the house as it often comes into play carving meats and food prep. It's the clear choice if you need a knife for skinning larger game. Mine is from the 90 or 91 (425M steel, I think??). It's got the thick leather sheath with is superior to that of the KA-BAR as was pointed out.

My KA-BAR is a great general purpose knife that can do anything without being the best at any one task. It's more diverse in terms of the things it can do, hence it's designation as a utility knife. It's very much at home doing yard work or helping with kindling for my campfire and things like that. It's the perfect knife to keep in my camper or shed or toolbox.

Own both if you can but if I had to pick one, it would be the 119.
 
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Yonose said:
if you ride a Harley, the buck 119 is what you’d carry. If you ride a bmw, then the Kabar. Not much else difference, apart from the steel, guard, and handle material.
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i saw that posted on the last discussion. i left it alone then but cant now. what bike one rides has zero relevance to which knife. lets not keep this myth floating around..thanks:)
 
I would suggest trying to get your hands on them to decide. I prefer the KaBar but it's a feel thing. Both are cool knives.
 
I believe he's already got the 119 coming as per his Bowie knife thread.
I guess now he's just gotta have him some experience with his 119, then get a MK2 pattern to try sometime down the road to compare for himself.
 
Hermit_Knight said:
Hello I am wandering what the differences are between the Kabar usmc knife and the buck 119 besides the steel. Is one better then the other at certain tasks? Regards Hermit.
Click to expand...

Leather handle vs phenolic handle

Steel fittings vs aluminum fittings

7" blade vs 6" blade

Also the angle and style of the edge grind.
 
Both are great knives. You mentioned bushcrafting with the Buck which I personally wouldn't mess up such a beautiful knife, so I offer another vote for the Ontario version. Not as pretty but spectacularly utilitarian, 1095 carbon steel, and what I think is a more comfortable handle. Check it out! 5.5" blade or 7" blade both under $40 at BladeHQ who is a supporting dealer here!
Ontario-Spec-Plus-SP1-Marine-Combat-black-BHQ-75466-er.jpg
 
If an all around camp knife, I can see where you like the longer versions, however if just for cleaning game and small chores, I recommend the Buck 102, with a 4 inch blade similar to the 119, the handle can be a bit short though,or try the Kabar shortie in kraton handle, and you can get the plastic sheath too.
 
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