Marine (boat) version of Ka-bar?

B

boatblade

Joined
Jul 22, 2013
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I have used an old Ka-bar on my boat for heavy stuff like cutting away nets off my propeller, and things that I should be using a pry bar for. It gets rusted fast if I don't oil it constantly. Can anybody recommend something similar with better corrosion resistance?
 
Budget? I know most folks will suggest LC200N but those can be expensive.

IIRC, 12-14% Chromium in a knife is considered "stainless".

Maybe a Buck 119 or 120?

Kabar does make a Marine Bowie but the 1.4116 steel isn't as good as Buck 420hc in the same price range.
 
Ontario Knife Company has/had a model called the P4.
The blade is 440A stainless steel, which should fit your needs.

Here is a pic I found online of the knife I speak of...
QN-P4.jpg

I have two of them in their black coated blade form...
20220611_110617_(1).jpg

You wouldn't have to worry too much about the pommel and guard because they are made of brass, but they use the typical stacked leather handle. I don't recall whether or not they made/make them with a kraton handle.
 
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PocketKnifeJimmy said:
Ontario Knife Company has/had a model called the P4.
The blade is 440A stainless steel, which should fit your needs.

Here is a pic I found online of the knife I speak of...
Click to expand...

Now that you mention it, a handle without the leather to turn green would be better for marine use. Otherwise perfect


PocketKnifeJimmy said:
View attachment 1846698

I have two of them in their black coated blade form...
View attachment 1846699

You wouldn't have to worry too much about the pommel and guard because they are made of brass, but they use the typical stacked leather handle. I don't recall whether or not they made/make them with a kraton handle.
Click to expand...
 
gazz98 said:
Budget? I know most folks will suggest LC200N but those can be expensive.

IIRC, 12-14% Chromium in a knife is considered "stainless".

Maybe a Buck 119 or 120?

Kabar does make a Marine Bowie but the 1.4116 steel isn't as good as Buck 420hc in the same price range.
Click to expand...
I would like it to be under 150 bucks or so. Otherwise I will feel bad prying things with it.
 
Sometimes the Ka-Bar Next Generation knife, which is basically a stainless, kraton handled model, can be found NIB for $135-150 on Ebay sometimes -

1221.jpg
.



The San-Mai stainless version of Cold Steel's SRK is on sale at very attractive prices right now at some places -

s-l640.jpg
.

Edit - The Cold Steel Leatherneck is on sale lots of places too, it's coated D-2 and kraton -

61omE4XN22L._AC_SX425_.jpg
.
 
What kind of steel is used in the Space-bar?

EDIT: : I found it. 1095 Cro-Van. Not stainless...
 
I second the Spyderco Salt or Enuff fixed blade in LC200N (if I'm not mistaken).
If not, 440A knife like Jimmy said.
 
eveled said:
Buck 119 would be my choice.
Click to expand...
Was thinking this too, I have heard of the steel standing up to quite some salty/aquatic abuse and come out alright. I didn't wanna test the hypothesis out with my 119, but I was wondering.
 
boatblade said:
and things that I should be using a pry bar for.
Click to expand...

boatblade said:
Can anybody recommend something similar with better corrosion resistance?
Click to expand...


How about a pry bar for the tasks that you "should be using a pry bar for" and then just about any good stainless knife for cutting tasks.

For what it's worth, my boating knife is a Byrd CaraCara Rescue. It's under $30 so if it goes in the drink, I'm not going to cry, it's built well, and the serrations cut cordage such as:
boatblade said:
cutting away nets off my propeller,
Click to expand...

perfectly.




I know, crazy stuff. Right tool for the job. Who'd have thought?
 
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LimpCroissant said:
There's the Spyderco SALT fixed blade. That things gonna be about as corrosion free as you can get besides a titanium blade. The serrated edge would work real good for cutting wet rope and weeds too. You can get them in plain edge also.
View attachment 1846715
Click to expand...

Get one while you still can. Last week Sal said the FRN molds for the Aqua Salt were worn out and they were considering discontinuation of the model.
 
Boye makes, hands down, the best salt water hard use knives.

That being said they are not for prying; knives are for cutting. A marlin spike or a bar are for prying.
 
eisman said:
Boye makes, hands down, the best salt water hard use knives.
Click to expand...
They are great, but a little over his budget. I picked up the folder a couple of weeks ago, and now.....they are on sale. Murphy is alive and well.
 
$150 will get you a quality knife and pry bar.

One thing about the Buck 119 or 120 I mentioned earlier. If you have a big hand, they might not be for you. I use a 2xl glove and they aren't comfortable for me with the little knob at the end taking up valuable hand space. YMMV.

Do you need/want a 7" blade like on your Kabar?

If you think 4-5" is long enough (:D) then maybe ....
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Cold-Steel-Master-Hunter--6879 as T tltt mentioned
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Buck-Pursuit-Pro-Large-Fixed-Blade--115698
 
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