KABAR worth it?

M

maverick3981

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Jun 26, 2009
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I am assuming that with a good design, price tag and the 1095 steel, the KABAR USMC knife would be a good buy. However, I do not see them so popular on this forum or elsewhere.

Overall what do you fols say to this as a camp knife and for survival purposes?
 
I love my Kabar USMC, it will handle a lot, but you have to keep in mind that the tang is a weak spot. for the money you would be better off to spend the extra $20 and get one of the Kabar Becker knives. they are much tougher IMO, and have a full length full width tang that will stand up to chopping or other hard use tasks much better.
 
maverick3981 said:
I am assuming that with a good design, price tag and the 1095 steel, the KABAR USMC knife would be a good buy. However, I do not see them so popular on this forum or elsewhere.

Overall what do you fols say to this as a camp knife and for survival purposes?
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Nothing special about KA-BAR other than their military contract. Quality Control is a grab bag with KA-BAR and KA-BAR Becker. My father can get them for $40 wholesale but I can do better for less. I personally believe the Cheaper Than Dirt Rough Use knife is better and have used it camping without a problem. Also it did better on Knife Test
 
kinda like comparing a classic Colt Peace Maker with a Model 1911.
sure you can use it as a general purpose knife.
but ye ole Ka-Bar USMC is a golden age classic (worthy of every respect) but given the currently age we live in, perhaps it's best not to place too much willful expectation from an old standard.
 
As much as I like the original Ka-Bars, which I carried for years, I have to say go with the Becker. Far stronger knife.
 
I have the Camillus version. I love the look of it, it takes a good edge and is pretty tough. My biggest complaint is not the leather handle (just fine), the guard (easily fixed) but the blade length itself. 5" would be easier to carry and give more point control. 9" would chop worlds better. 7" is neither here nor there. Get a BK2, or a BK9, depending on what you want to do with it.

Frank
 
I have both the CASE and the Kabar version, CASE is better imho. Not as big, way easier to sharpen and the build quality is a bit better. The thing is a razor I'll say that for it and the sheath is of excellant quality. You can find them ebay for cheap if ya look. keepem sharp
 
Kbrasmodeler said:
Hey syltetoy, who makes the cheaper than dirt rough use knife, and where can I find it?
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Just Google for Cheaper Than Dirt then search their site for Rough Use Knife

Its an extremely tough inexpensive practical knife. I like the Bowie style the best ; )
 
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I have Ka-bar USMC and that is my one of favorite fixed blades. I've used it pretty hard nearly a decade and it still cuts like champion. Its sheath is bit substandard but knife is superb.

But I think going for Becker might be wiser...
 
To be totally honest, before I was enlightened, my dad's old WWII S. Pacific KaBar, a Western fb hunting knife, and a SAK shared camping duties. I was quite happy - the KaBar, which should have been retired for it's earliest service, served me well - until I dropped it a quarter century or more ago in my basement and the pommel broke at the tang reduction. It would be two decades before I would replace the then lost washers and pommel, the latter with a monel piece. Modern KaBars are equivalent - only differing in some having a sharpened secondary bevel - and a bit thinner looking sheath. If you recall that it is neither a bushcraft nor a survival - not even a fighting knife - you'll 'appreciate' it more. It is a utility knife made of 'non-strategic materials', it just isn't a bad camping knife.

Of course, enlightenment introduced me to a myriad of Buck, Bark River, Marbles, Rat Cutlery, etc knives better suited to bushcraft use - and all at much more than the KaBar in cost.

Stainz
 
If you use it as an knife, the tang is more than enough.
If you use it as like an idiot, you can break it.
It's a good knife overall, but a bit clumsy. It's a good general utility knife, but I would pick something else as an survival knife (or like I say: outdoor knife).
 
maverick3981 said:
I am assuming that with a good design, price tag and the 1095 steel, the KABAR USMC knife would be a good buy. However, I do not see them so popular on this forum or elsewhere.

Overall what do you fols say to this as a camp knife and for survival purposes?
Click to expand...

Its what I've used for two years. Last month I saw an older man hiking (Basically scrambling) in a high altitude mountain chain up here with his rusty old Kabar, probably 30-40 years old, strapped to his hip. From the way it had been sharpened it looked to me as though his knife had been used and maintained the entire time. They are a timeless design, battle proven and manufactured by a well known, quality company. That said the Becker series is more of a camp/survival knife compared to the USMC fighting knife design.
 
The Kabar USMC is labeled as a utility/fighting knife, so it wouldnt make the best camp/survival knife, but it'll work. However, it wont be my first choice, but if you like it, buy it. Its a classic so it wouldnt hurt to have one in your collection.
 
I'm a MK II fan. I have three of them, but objectively, the Becker BK-9 and BK-C/U 7 are far stronger. The most cost-effective knife for camping/ survival is the Cold Steel Bushman. It's a very good knife costing a mere $29-$25.
 
syltetoy said:
Nothing special about KA-BAR other than their military contract. Quality Control is a grab bag with KA-BAR and KA-BAR Becker. My father can get them for $40 wholesale but I can do better for less. I personally believe the Cheaper Than Dirt Rough Use knife is better and have used it camping without a problem. Also it did better on Knife Test
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I always look forward to your glowing views on kabar :jerkit:

Give it a break already...
 
SilverFoxKnows said:
I have the Camillus version. I love the look of it, it takes a good edge and is pretty tough. My biggest complaint is not the leather handle (just fine), the guard (easily fixed) but the blade length itself. 5" would be easier to carry and give more point control. 9" would chop worlds better. 7" is neither here nor there. Get a BK2, or a BK9, depending on what you want to do with it.

Frank
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They do make the "short" version which is in the 5" range. That's probably the one to get for camping/hiking.
 
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