Non military KaBar?

You can get the black, FG, or tan kraton handled version w/o USMC on it?

The Smith and wesson is no where near made as well as the KABAR. dont fall for that.
 
Yeah, I learned about the S&W knives the hard way, which is actually what brought me into the knife world.

I'm really just looking for a brown stacked leather kabar with no military markings :) But that's just not gonna happen.
 
Yeah, I learned about the S&W knives the hard way, which is actually what brought me into the knife world.

I'm really just looking for a brown stacked leather kabar with no military markings :) But that's just not gonna happen.

have you thought about maybe contacting kabar themselves and asking them if there is anything they can do for you?
 
I suppose I could write them a letter asking then to start a non-military "military-traditional" line. But I think it'd be kind of silly.
 
or maybe call them up and see if they can get you one made up.
the only difference is the handle correct? would it really be that hard for them to switch up the knife handles for you.

or you could just piss and moan about it and post a silly comment.
 
sorry for hijacking but...could you tell me what the current issue Marine combat knife is? i thought itd always been KaBar.

Its made by Ontario and has a weatherized leather stacked handle, and a phophated blade. It is the milspec version, and is labled 498 and has an NSN Number (NSN: 1095-00-392-4102). Trust me, this is the knife that is "issued". It is issued to those Marines who are not issued a bayonet, and those who go to the Mountain School or SERE.
 
As nice as that one looks I'd really prefer the classic KaBar. I guess emailing the company couldn't hurt.
 
I know they at least used to make them--we used to carry them at the shop I work at. Can't find it on the company website now except in the mini version. I'd send them that email. :)
 
So KaBar got back to me really quickly. The fellow told me that they only offer the 3/4 scale kabar short and a Tanto version without the military markings. :( I am out of luck.

They did suggest I look at Tomar's as well.
 
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It certainly can't hurt. The worst they can say is no, and the only thing you're out is the 5 minutes it takes to send the email. May be even faster if you give them a call. Sometimes that human touch takes it over the top and gets you the results you are looking for.

Brien
 
So I emailed KaBar back and asked if they would produce a custom version for me, with the standard Bowie Blade, unmarked and then a brown stacked leather handle.
I'll let y'all know what they say.
 
I got another email from Joe at Kabar and he mentioned the Desert tan and foliage green models. They don't have a military stamp on them. What do you all think of replacing the synthetic handle from one of these with a stacked leather handle from a USMC?

Joe didn't really answer my question, but I don't believe that KaBar will make a knife just for me. :(
 
Joe emailed me again. I think that if I'm going to get what I want I'd have to put a lot of work into it and I still might not be exactly what I want.

If I do end up buying a Kabar it will probably be one of the new synthetic handled ones.
 
i would buy a black handle model and then buy some ring spacers from texas knife.

and see if you can take the original handle off and replace it with the ring spacers. the also sell other stuff that might help.

other than that i have no idea what else you can do. i'm sure someone on the board could custom make you a leather stacked handle if you send them a kabar knife to work with.
 
I have the black version of this:

411zl5ogRoL._SL500_AA280_.jpg


Ka-Bar 7" Fighting/Utility Knife. IIRC a 5" version is also available.

"USA 1211" on one side with "KA-BAR Orlean, N.Y." on the other.
 
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