Kabar

Murdamook · Sep 17, 2019

Hey guys,

Just curious about what makes a Kabar Dog’s Head more coveted or better than, say, a Kabar 1014? Better materials, fit and finish, factory, etc.? Or is there no practical difference?

Thanks!

afishhunter · Sep 17, 2019

I think I read somewhere here on BF that the Dog's Head has a six inch blade and lacks a "blood grouve"?

Murdamook · Sep 17, 2019

afishhunter said:
I think I read somewhere here on BF that the Dog's Head has a six inch blade and lacks a "blood grouve"?

Thanks. I meant the folders though. I appreciate the reply.

flylock · Sep 17, 2019

I believe that folks just like the unique shape of that shield. I suppose it's kinda special, like a bullet shield on a Remington.

Railsplitter · Sep 17, 2019

flylock said:
I believe that folks just like the unique shape of that shield. I suppose it's kinda special, like a bullet shield on a Remington.

This is my assumption as well. That and "Kabar Dog's Head" just sounds cool.

Murdamook · Sep 17, 2019

Cool. That’s kind of what I thought. The price differences on the auction site are astronomical though. You could see a non-dog’s head for for 25$ (not deal spotting; these numbers are made up based on differences I’ve seen), then see a dog’s head of the same model go for 125$. Wild. I will say, I don’t know of a much more beautiful Barlow than the Coppersmith Dog’s Head. Had an opportunity to buy one when they came out but I wasn’t really into traditionals yet. I regret it some years later.

mrknife · Sep 18, 2019

were these made by the same makers though? I know Kabar farmed some of their traditionals to Canal Street

bikerector · Sep 18, 2019

I believe the dog's head were mostly made by Canal Street, but I thought I read some of the later ones could have been made by Queen after Canal Street closed. I think the dog's head are better materials, but I'm less familiar with the other models. I think the Dog's head were 440C blades and I know several had copper bolsters, or maybe that was just the coppersmith line, which were really cool.

The dog's head badge is one of my favorites, wish I could get a trapper. Had a large stockman for a while but got rid of it after I purged all of my folders with more than 2 blades.