Modern Ka-Bar military-style fixed blades?

[Sid Post]

I see Spartan and Medford "military" style blades getting some traction in various threads on various forums. How does the grind of a Ka-Bar work for everyday carry and outdoor excursions? I am curious if it is mainly a marketing thing or if the blade design is actually practical for EDC things, camping, hiking, or in a rural setting. Compared to other blade options, I guess I am having trouble seeing the 'value' of a ~$350 Ka-Bar in a modern steel compared to a similarly priced fixed blade from a different vendor.

 

[19-3ben]

I'm not entirely sure I understand what this post means. When you say Ka-Bar, do you actually mean the classic Ka-Bar USMC model 1217? Or do you mean a different Ka-Bar product? Or are you using that as a generic term for a fixed blade outdoor/utility oriented knife?

 

[Sid Post]

I'm not entirely sure I understand what this post means. When you say Ka-Bar, do you actually mean the classic Ka-Bar USMC model 1217? Or do you mean a different Ka-Bar product? Or are you using that as a generic term for a fixed blade outdoor/utility oriented knife?

Yes, that one! Classic USMC pattern which I think today is made in 1095-CV by Ka-Bar. Not the more modern patterns from Vietnam.

I see references to them in various places and wonder if it is mainly nostalgia or if there is something in the pattern I don't see that makes one in CPM 3V with a $350 price tag a serious contender.

 

[cbach8tw]

Personally I will take the 1095 crovan in the classic style, not sure original design would be worth it with new steel for that price. At that price I expect a more modern design and well thought out functions. I would stay with the Becker 7 as a modern version of the classic. There are so many good designs for less. I think we see the Mark II classic out of nostalgia and and basic utility, easy to sharpen. There are some of the modern Kabars in D2 and Kraton that came out in the 90s. The next
Generation series. Even some in 440A.

Some of the criticism I have heard about the WW2 Mark 2 was the 1095 steel, but then I think we forget we were at war and it was easier to sharpen in the field by soldiers, and we could get enough to the troops once war production ramped up, arming the troops with basic tools was hard in the early part of the war. The other criticism was the leather handle would deteriorate in the topical climate of the Pacific theater. I like some of the theater made knives where they took Kabar blades and made new handles with various materials.

 

[cbach8tw]

See in another thread about the Kabar Extreme in D2.

 

[Tsujigiri]

I think a few makers have figured out that there's a market for expensive knives that look like military equipment and will hardly ever be used.

The Kabar is a classic but its design is a compromise of features that doesn't work the best for a lot of people. The blade doesn't have the mass to chop well, the grind is too low and thick to slice well, and the tip is too thin to take a lot of abuse. A lot of designers have tried to make their modern version of a knife meant to fill the same role, like the Busse Hell Razor II or Team Gemini, Becker BK7, or Scrap Yard Regulator. I'd go with one of those, personally.

 

[Tafkaag]

The Spartan Harsey, despite a shorter blade, actually has a full tang rather than a rat-tail tang with 90° stress risers. Also made by Ka-Bar, and with an MSRP/MAP of roughly $25 more than the original design, should be a much better performer.

 

[eveled]

cbach8tw Google search E.W. Stone knife.

He was a USN Machinist. He would sand cast aluminum handles onto those knives with rotted handles.

Quite the artist.

 

[cbach8tw]

cbach8tw Google search E.W. Stone knife.

He was a USN Machinist. He would sand cast aluminum handles onto those knives with rotted handles.

Quite the artist.

Yup, seen quite a few of them in my WWII theater made knives book. Wish I could find that book right now in my overcrowded guest room. Had a good article about them in another knife magazine too.

 

[Sid Post]

The Spartan Harsey, despite a shorter blade, actually has a full tang rather than a rat-tail tang with 90° stress risers. Also made by Ka-Bar, and with an MSRP/MAP of roughly $25 more than the original design, should be a much better performer.

The Spartan Harsey is one I have looked at and considered. Sounds like that is probably a better option for me at a moderate price.

 

[Choctaw Dan]

Yes, that one! Classic USMC pattern which I think today is made in 1095-CV by Ka-Bar. Not the more modern patterns from Vietnam.

There's not a nickel's worth of difference between the classic WWII Mark II made by Ka-Bar and those Mark II's made for the military by other companies. During WWII production, Ka-Bar made more variations on the design than any of the other three manufacturers, while Camillus made the least number of variations. In fact, should you place a WWII Camillus Mark II right next to a post-Vietnam Camillus Mark II, they're going to look virtually identical.

Ka-Bar has not made a single one of them under military contract since 1945. All those they've made since then are called "Commemoratives" and are for the commercial market. Yup, they're good knives. Yup, military units still use 'em. Yup, they're sold in the PX/BX, but they're commercial blades.