Kbar identification

gonebad395

gonebad395

Ironworker!
Joined
May 19, 2015
Messages
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Hi guys found this at a garage sale for 20 bucks I can make out kabar on one side can clean something on the other side it ruff but it's a kabar




 
I can't tell what the top line is on the pile side stamp, but the bottom line is "OLEAN NY", the town where Union Cutlery, aka KABAR back then, was, and now again is, located.

I think the model is a 638 and was called a BEARCAT, or something like that. But that might be wrong.

When Gunsil will pop in and tell us what it really is. :D
 
Hi, the knife is a model 662 "Faithful", and the back side once had Union Cutlery Co. over the present Olean, N.Y. The first six in the model number is for the jigged bone handles, if it had stag handle scales it would be a model 262. I have several super rare ones in genuine mother of pearl and they are 762s. The full designation for yours which may or may not be stamped on the guard (blade side) is 662-5, with the five being for the blade length although when new the blade was 4.5". In my opinion this is one of the most beautiful designs of KA-BAR hunting knives, or any other hunting knives for that matter. ZZY, the 638 "Bearcat" was not available in jigged bone, only stag or wood and did not have pinned handles, the stag or wood being one piece, and the blade design was a bit more stubbier without the very pronounced top grind as the 662 "Faithful"
 
Wow man ty so much for that information. My next question is even with the info you provided I can find nothing on this knife so is it worth fixing or is this one to far gone
 
Model 62 is shown in the first hunting knife catalog in 1923, it is not in the third catalog so it was likely discontinued around 1931-1932. Gonebad, have you looked at the blade side of the guard to see if there are the model numbers stamped there? I would not try to "restore" your knife. It would be impossible to replace the broken bone handles unless you had a donor knife to take originals from. To me the knife is a nice example of the model as it sits, you can buy a really nice one with proper sheath for ten times what you paid for yours, a mint one will cost you twice that or more unless you get really lucky and find one at another yard sale or remote antique shop. A pearl one will go over a grand in mint condition with or without proper sheath. Your blade is also a little short and that cannot be remedied either. You could have a nice sheath made for it and actually use it, the steel is superb and takes and holds a fine edge. Or just keep it as it is.
 
Thanks, Gunsil. I just don't have as good a knowledge of the early Kabars as I'd like. At least I got the "6" right. :foot:

The early catalogs and price sheets are so few and far between. Most of what I know about them has been learn here from you and a few others, or reading through old outdoors magazine looking at the ads in University library archives, trying to track down esoteric information.
 
IM not seeing a number anywhere on it and i looked hard i do know as said before there isnt really anything othere then here for info on this
 
They weren't all guard marked with the model designation, I was just wondering if your was. Two out of my three pearl 762a are unmarked and one is marked, and I still haven't figured out why some are and some aren't. I once thought the marked ones were earlier than the unmarked ones but I have a 272-G that has the model in salesman's ink on the blade and no mark on the guard and I believe it is a real early knife.
 
Hey do you have a value on this knife as it sits I might get rid of it it will only sit in my drawer
 
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