Ontario and Ka-Bar?

Z

zignal_zero

Joined
Apr 16, 2008
Messages
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could someone please explain the connection between these two knife companies? i understand that Ontario is in the habit of manufacturing other people's designs like Justin Gingrich's Ranger series and the "Ontario Rat Series", is that what happened with their Freedom Fighter Series? even my Spec Plus bares one striking resemblance to a newer Ka-Bar. is there some cooperation, here? patent disputes? simply coincidence?
 
I'm pretty sure no less than three different companies have been making the USMC 'kabar' style knife for many moons. My understanding is that Camillus, Kabar, and Ontario have all fulfilled government contracts for this style of knife in the past.

That would probably explain why you'll find examples of 'kabar' knives from all three companies.
 
Dorito Monk said:
I'm pretty sure no less than three different companies have been making the USMC 'kabar' style knife for many moons. My understanding is that Camillus, Kabar, and Ontario have all fulfilled government contracts for this style of knife in the past.

That would probably explain why you'll find examples of 'kabar' knives from all three companies.
Click to expand...

ok, that makes sense - they're both dealing to the same customer. so they're both making almost the same product.

thanks :)

ETA - it just seems some things would be pattented like the 5 rings cut into the kraton handle. similar to the way Spyderco's hole is.
 
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zignal_zero said:
ok, that makes sense - they're both dealing to the same customer. so they're both making almost the same product.

thanks :)

ETA - it just seems some things would be pattented like the 5 rings cut into the kraton handle. similar to the way Spyderco's hole is.
Click to expand...

Even if it were, a patent would have expired LONG ago. Marbles was making a Ka-Bar-like knife before WW2, then almost everyone got in on it during the war.
 
yea its a pretty common style of knife, ive seen a "ka-bar type" from a bunch of different companies over the years
 
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