Kabar USMC and Buck Vantage Pro

M

mikellen

Joined
Jul 25, 2009
Messages
203
Hello,

I am looking for a bug out bag survival/protection knife and was thinking the Kabar USMC type knife would be an all around good choice for
protection, light wood chopping and utility knife while the Buck Vantage Pro would be a great pocket knife.
So I'm just about to purchase a full size Kabar (#1214 Black Fighting/Utility Knife - Combo Edge w/Kydex Sheath) and also a
Buck Vantage Pro folding knife with the S30V blade. Before I commit to the purchase I'd like to get some feedback on whether
these two knives are good choices or if there are other (better) choices considering the price range.

If anyone has experience with either of these knives it would be great if I can get some positive or negative comments about them.

Also if I decide to purchase the Kabar I'm not sure whether to get the standard clip point or tanto blade shaped version.
It would appreciate it if anyone can comment on which version would be the most practical for my intended use.

Thanks!
 
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You should be fine with those, the K-Bar isn't a great chopper, but it will work.
 
Ka-Bar is good and solid, if you can there are some Becker BK7's in certain big and internationally known electric fleabay...

Vantage Pro is good, my primary "tactical" carry in woods and house. Wicked sharp out of box.

Ka-Bar is good knife, has served me very well for 12 years and during my national service however: Finger guard on top intends to get away and press sometimes badly between thumb and index finger. It really doesn't need top guard. It does good job as chopper but blade design makes it stuck easier than Becker BK-7 I've beated living daylights out of my USMC Ka-Bar and it never has failed to me. Becker Bk-7 is just bit more modern and improvements made there makes it better survival / camp knife IMHO. But Ka-Bar will most likely not fail you.

No tanto... Clip is much more useful in woods...
 
I would probably default to a Rat Cutlery knife vs. the Ka-Bar, but both are good performers. The Vantage Pro is an excellent pocket knife in the $50 range. I have a couple (a user and a spare) and they work well for me. For a BOB, I keep a RC-3Mil & Leatherman multitool, plus various other things. I'll stow an RC-6 for more serious outings.
 
In that price range I'd go with Becker Combat Utility knife, also made by Ka-Bar. It has a better design for, uh, combat and utility. If you can afford to spend more then go with RC.
 
Sep said:
In that price range I'd go with Becker Combat Utility knife, also made by Ka-Bar. It has a better design for, uh, combat and utility. If you can afford to spend more then go with RC.
Click to expand...

Would that be the Becker BK7?

Thanks.
 
My Ka-Bar that I've had since I was a kid is still one of my favorite and most used knives. It is tough as nails and does just fine for lighter chopping and is a good utility knife overall. Luckely I've never had to use it for fighting but it is a fighting knife first and formost so it's an excellent weapon.
 
I just got a Buck Vantage Pro two days ago and I'm just completely blowed away! That all around outfitters company that begins with bass has them for $45! I walked around the first day with my jaw dropped open! If your a Buck guy in the least you have to get one if it fits you.
 
Let's just say I have a lot (too many?.....nah) of knives. I too just got the vantage pro a couple of days ago. Hasn't left my pocket since.:D
A great value in knives IMHO.:thumbup:
 
Like the others have said, Go with the BK7, you will like it alot better than the Ka-Bar USMC model. The Buck is a very nice knife for the money, I like my Vantage Pro...Great knife for $50 but IMO it's more of a dressy type knife, the G-10 handles are slippery & the liner lock is a little thin. Look at the Spyderco Endura4 PE. I have the Endura4PE waved ($76 NIB) & it's a solid knife that came scary sharp & is a very tough knife :thumbup:
 
How does a 1095 blade steel compare to an AUS 8 steel that is on the Seal Team Elite or the Cold Steel SRK? (I think the SRK has AUS 8).
Which would have better edge retention?

Thanks.
 
My experience is the 1095 is a great knife steel for it's toughness and ease of sharpening. Other than not being stainless, it is fantastic if properly treated. Aus 8 gives some of that away in exchange for being stainless, but it is still a tried and true knife steel. Just determine if rust resistance is a high priority and make your move.

One thing to consider about the Seal pup is the blade shape. The KaBar seems more usable for outdoor activities with it's size and grind profile. The SOG looks cool but I'd look at point strength and chopping ability. Plus SOG has had some recent intellectual property questions raised....cough.....cough....
 
dullone said:
Let's just say I have a lot (too many?.....nah) of knives. I too just got the vantage pro a couple of days ago. Hasn't left my pocket since.:D
A great value in knives IMHO.:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Yeah; I do too! I just went in there to exchange a Buck Canoe for a Buck 303 Stockman:foot:, and then when I seen that Vantage Pro I was like got to have it:rolleyes:! DallasSTB said it right 8A may have a slight advantage in edge holding and 1095 is very slightly easier to sharpen but the big difference is in stain resistance going to 8A. I do in my humble openion think 1095 is at least a little tougher. You can't go wrong with either!
 
Peter Parker said:
I just got a Buck Vantage Pro two days ago and I'm just completely blowed away! That all around outfitters company that begins with bass has them for $45! I walked around the first day with my jaw dropped open! If your a Buck guy in the least you have to get one if it fits you.
Click to expand...

Bass Pro Shops...
 
I definitely decided on the Buck Vantage Pro but now I just need to decide between the kabar USMC, Becker BK7, Cold Steel SRK, or SOG Gov Tac.
Any other comments or recommendations will be appreciated.

Thanks.
 
Out of those FB choices, go with the BK7.

1095 is the best steel for your purposes. It holds an edge very well and resharpens easily. Its a very hard use steel (wont chip or break, properly heat treated of course which KABAR is one of the top heat treaters in the business, unlike cold steel). Yes it has less corrosion resistance than any stainless (like aus-8) but I've been using 1095 for a LONG time and maintained properly it doesnt have any problems with rust.
 
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