Picking a fixed blade

N

neal8929

Joined
Sep 11, 2006
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9
I'm thinking of getting this...
KABAR Full-size USMC Fighting Knife 7" Fixed Plain Edge, Leather Sheath
KA1217.jpg


It seems good to me for $54. Is there a better quality fixed blade out there for that money? I'm looking for not only blade strength, but overall strength. Like you could throw it at a brick wall and not damage the knife... that kind of strong

thanks in advance:D
 
A classic.
While there are other good knives that might fulfill your requirements (except for the brick wall part;)), the Ka-bar is a classic and will take a pretty good beating. Go ahead and get it if you like it, you could do a lot worse...
 
well first off I'm sure with some internet looking around u can find that knife for cheaper...I got mine for 25$...And yes there are better knives out there for 50$+ but in order for me to better recommend one I would want to know what you would use it for...because a knife for the woods is diffrent then a self defense knife and so on...if you truly want to cut rocks with a knife I would recommend a saw in your other pocket across from a kick butt fixed blade... (also beside use how long do you want it overall and/or blade length, type of steel if you know or at least what you would use it for ie chopping and slicing should be done with two separate knives at least in my opinion...and yes some steels are very diverse..just a few things to think of)
 
The knife is not really made for heavy abuse. It has a fairly soft stick tang and the handle will bend if you throw it or really beat on it. I am not a fan of the grinds either, with the short hollow saber grind. It is really a fighter as opposed to a utility knife.
 
check out the kabar heavy bowie, its a bit bigger, tougher construction, and chops better. you can find them online for under $50
 
I've beaten, stabbed, copped, and sliced cheese with my USMC KA BAR. They are great outdoor knives.

If you find a knife that will cut through rocks.. let me know where you find it :)
 
Years ago, I didn't know any better and used one, my Dad's WWII friend from the S. Pacific, for camping. This included making firewood and starter fuzz, making walking sticks, making tent stakes, pruning trees & bushes. I recal using a pocket knife for small whittling then, however. I employed it as a 'utility' knife, which was one of it's original design goals. I did drop it many years ago on my basement concrete floor - and the pommel/tang broke at the juncture. Replaced with a few new leather spacers and a monel pommel afixed with JB Weld, it sits in a display case now.

For general camping chores, a Buck 119 is a smaller, more compact, easily found (WallyWorld $34), all weather (SS), and safer to use variant. The Buck 650 Nighthawk is more in the 'tacti-cool' vein, but still a user. For lighter woodsy chores, I like the 192 Vanguard even more. If you want an even more 'tacti-cool' knife at a budget price, the Gerber LMFII seems to sell in the $90 range these days. The ultimate, probably for finer slicing those bricks and rocks, is a Busse Combat - you could field dress a Studebaker with one - but get out your wallet. I guess it's all in what you really 'need' - and can afford.

Stainz
 
Sevorius said:
check out the kabar heavy bowie, its a bit bigger, tougher construction, and chops better. you can find them online for under $50
Click to expand...

The Heavy Bowie is more versatile than one might think. Mine has chopped down trees, diced onions... I love this knife. The only disadvantage might be the overall size of it.
 
Its a good basic knife, but for the money there are better options. I would suggest the Ontario, or Ka-Bar Black model to save some cash if you are set on that particular design. Might I suggest the Benchmade CSKII as an alternative for that price range. If you want something tough as nails you could hold out for a Ranger RD7, or one of Ontario Spec Plus Gen II designs.
 
neal8929 said:
I'm thinking of getting this...
KABAR Full-size USMC Fighting Knife 7" Fixed Plain Edge, Leather Sheath

It seems good to me for $54. Is there a better quality fixed blade out there for that money? I'm looking for not only blade strength, but overall strength. Like you could throw it at a brick wall and not damage the knife... that kind of strong

thanks in advance:D
Click to expand...

If tough and strong is what your after then avoid the USMC. A much tougher/stronger knife for about the same cost and size is the Buck Nighthawk. Based on my experience with it you should be able to throw it at a brick wall at least a few times and have it survive with ease. Also for about 20 bucks check out the Cold Steel GI tanto it's a very tough blade. It's a hell of a lot tougher then the USMC.
 
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I have been looking into buying a Ka-bar too. From all that I have looked at you should go with the Kraton grip and synthetic sheath instead of the leather. The synthetics hold up better in water.
 
cold steel recon tanto! damn strong! i talk about the carbon v version i dont know for the aus8 version,
 
i admire the long , honorable history of the Kabar, but i had one and wasnt impressed. after a time the leather washers must have shrunk and the hilt was loose and would be noisey.

my alternate choice would be a Benchmade Combat/Survival II ! its 1095, Kryton handled, great leather sheath, and a powder coating to protect the steel. also, the sheath can be hung from the belt loop or is MOLLIE compatable.

------- Eric
 
noss4 said:
If tough and strong is what your after then avoid the USMC. A much tougher/stronger knife for about the same cost and size is the Buck Nighthawk. Based on my experience with it you should be able to throw it at a brick wall at least a few times and have it survive with ease. Also for about 20 bucks check out the Cold Steel GI tanto it's a very tough blade. It's a hell of a lot tougher then the USMC.
Click to expand...

I have to agree with this regarding the Buck Nighthawk. The tang is definitely more solid, and I've beaten the hell out of both of mine.

But I haven't thrown them at any brick walls, so YMMV on that detail.
 
I do also have and love the nighthawk although its not as good of a slicer due to the thick blade, and it's not a very good chopper.

And I really like that CSKII. worth a look! Or save another $50 and but a Rat Cutlery RC4. That way when you kill your blade trying to cut through a rock or brick wall, RAT will replace it for free.
 
+1 Rat Cutlery 4 & 6. Good designs for a no nonsense knife.
A bit more money though.

If you want to abuse the knife, I'd go cheap and get the Cold Steel GI tanto.
 
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