KaBar Dog Head Swing Guard

JPD1998

JPD1998

Gold Member
Joined
Oct 18, 2004
Messages
3,572
I came across this knife while browsing the clearance section of a well known vendor's site. I'd seen it before , but the price was always more than I wanted to spend. So seeing it on sale for almost half off was enough of an arm twist for me to open my wallet.

I don't know if this is a reproduction of a knife that ever really existed, but when I received the knife in the mail I was blown away by the quality. It's also a pretty big knife.

According to what I could find out about the knife , it was made by Canal St Cutlery ( plus CS is stamped on one side of the guard). The blade is D2 and although it's a slipjoint, the guard doubles as safely keeping the blade locked open. It's a very substantial looking knife, even my wife commented on how nice it was. The packaging was pretty impressive too, the knife was packed in a vintage type box, wrapped in tissue paper with the Union Cutlery logo.

Canal St can definitely build a fine knife.


picture.php


picture.php


picture.php
 
Overall it's about 5.5" closed, the blade is almost 4.5". It's a big knife... I have a large cordura knife pouch with 5" pockets and the knife barely fits.
 
The stamp on the swing guard makes me think at least the guard was used on other knives...it may be common knowledge to some and on which ones, sorry I don't know though. Either way that's a beauty.

Did you get it from combat tactical?
 
That is a reproduction of a dogs head that KA-BAR made back in the day. So yes, it was made in the 20s and 30s. Great knife.
 
Tony Bose said:
That is a reproduction of a dogs head that KA-BAR made back in the day. So yes, it was made in the 20s and 30s. Great knife.
Click to expand...

Thanks Mr Bose , I've seen the Dog Head shield on vintage Ka Bar's , but never this particular pattern.
 
Here's another picture, the knife was wrapped in the Union Cutlery tissue paper and packed in the vintage style box ( along with a certificate and Dog Head lapel pin).

picture.php
 
Very nice knife. Does to top of the bolster have a notch for the gaurd? is that how it locks?
 
navihawk said:
Very nice knife. Does to top of the bolster have a notch for the guard? is that how it locks?
Click to expand...

Yes , that's how it locks , the guard slips into the notch when the knife opens.

At first I didn't see it and couldn't close the knife.
 
your knife is an exact repo of an authentic ka-bar production knife. it was in the small union cut. catalog reprint i bought in 70s.cat. was issued in 1921 i beleive.to my knowledge their were very few old knives with the notch in the bolster for the swingguard.mine is in stag 99% mint ,has been cleaned.paid 1200$ for it about 4yrs. ago.pulled it out of safe & compared to yours.i probably got burned on price but knew it was authentic.when i sold my collection which i started in 1975 i decided to keep one great ole timer to show youngsters what they used to build. your knife is a great copy ,keep it should go up in value in years to come
 
Hay JPD, That swing guard Dog head is really sweet. I found one in a antique
store earlier this year, it is a old one. I was so happy to find it. It has a long
crack on the mark side, also the bone jig is alittle different. Tang stamped
KA-BAR Reg. U.S. Pat. Guard is stamped like yours. I have never posted pic's
on this froum. Just read and learned mostly.
 
Thanks to both of you for the information , it's slowly becoming one of my favorites.

I'm going to try and pick up the trapper too.
 
I'll say, I normally don't care for those swing guards but yours is exceptional! The guard looks to be well made and locks the blade. That's a neat design. Do all swing guard style knives lock the blade? The handles are great looking also. Very nice.
 
glocktenman said:
I'll say, I normally don't care for those swing guards but yours is exceptional! The guard looks to be well made and locks the blade. That's a neat design. Do all swing guard style knives lock the blade? The handles are great looking also. Very nice.
Click to expand...


I have a few different modern swing guards from Hen & Rooster, Puma and Bear ( under the Remington brand), they're all regular lock-back designs.

This is the first I've seen, where the knife functions as a slip joint but the guard locks it open. I don't know if any other manufacturer is using this vintage design... I wonder if Canal is making others?
 
I ended up getting two on these on a great deal. They are the design of a 1920s model made by Kabar....Very nice knives for sure!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top