Need a hand with this piece of history(?)

I was initially inclined to raise the BS flag because I have never ever heard of any Kabar with an 8" blade. Everything I've read says Western was the only company making an 8" blade in the "kabar" style made famous in WWII.
More specifically, this style of handle is consistent with the kabar Mark I design, with 6" blade. The follow-on Mark 2 design had stacked leather handle and 7" blade and flat pommel piece.

So I am hugely interested in the history of not only this particular knife, but any Kabar with an 8" blade. GREAT POST !!

Cheers,

Carl
 
Thanks so much Toooj/Paul(sorry, don't know what you prefer). You, sir, are the hero of the day. I've passed this info along to my old man too, so he knows too.

Like I said earlier, you guys here at this forum all rock! :)

I have cigars and single malt for anyone that visits. :)
 
That model with the 5" blade was, IIRC, the first sheath knife made by Union Cutlery for the Boy Scouts, pre WWII (BS Model 1553).
 
Brian,

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, the Browns competed (copied ;)) with Webster Marble far more than with their Pennsylvania Cousins.

Thomas Linton,

Great call. Thanks.

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
 
Hi Paco, your KA-BAR with the 8" blade was called the "Trailblazer" The same pattern was made with 5,6,7,&8" blades, and the 7 and 8" ones came in sheaths with "Trailblazer" embossed on the front. They are from the late 1930s. The old hunting knife brochure I have shows a 12" blade listed, but I don't know anybody who has ever seen one. I also have the 8" in an original sheath that doesn't have the "Trailblazer" on the front.
 
All,

For those not familiar with gunsil; he is one of the foremost authorities on old Union/KA-BAR knives.
Welcome on board. Glad to have your input.

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
 
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