Kabar Sharpfinger (Precission Hunter 1444)

[Codger_64]

Several American manufacturers have introduced their versions of Henry Bare's Sharpfinger since July of 2004. Some are outright copies with minor changes, some are variations on the theme. Here is the latest one I have come across, and I must say I am impressed, at least by the picture and posted specs. What do you guys think?


Ka-bar USA Precision Hunter with sheath.

Total Length: Aprox. 7 1/4"
Blade Length: Aprox. 3 3/8"
Handle Material: Black rubber (Kraton G) sure grip handle with lanyard.
Tang Stamp: Ka-bar USA and 1444 on reverse.
Other Information: Features a 440A high carbon stainless hollow ground blade (R-55/56), edge angle 15 degrees, and comes with new leather belt sheath.
WT: .2 #
Origin: USA
MSRP: $32.55
Best price available: $20 +/-
Varients: 1443 drop point, 1443BO Orange drop point, 1444BO Orange skinner, 1446 guthook, 1446BO Orange guthook, 1447 clip point

Codger

 

[woodsbum]

Useful and attractive basic design, Ka-bar quality, reasonable price: what's not to like? Another plus for me is that the Kraton handle is more likely to go on my belt than on the wall.

Re: knife designs - Are basic fixed-blade designs like the Sharpfinger copyrighted or patented somehow to try to control copycats? Or is it, "Hey, I like that design, think I'll make me a coupla zillion of 'em" and devil take the hindmost when it comes to marketing?

 

[Codger_64]

The Sharpfinger basic design was protected by the inventor, Henry Baer, for a time during the 1970's/ early eighties. A design patent has a limited lifetime, and this one had expired a long time ago. The ownership of the design was simply respected by the competing American cutlery companies as long as Imperial Schrade was in business. Taylor Brands LLC (formerly Taylor Cutlery) now owns the trademarked names and copyrights, and whatever few patents are still current and valid (presupposing they have paid the maintenance fees), but most of the knives now being made in the U.S. and China on the Schrade patterns are now public domain. You can't call it a 152OT Sharpfinger Old Timer, but you can make them to your heart's content. Evidently the respect and honor shown the former Imperial Schrade company, and the Baers, does not extend to the new owners, or to Taylor Brands LLC. Imagine that!

Codger