Review Request: Ka-Bar USMC as wilderness knife

lagarto

lagarto

Joined
Oct 26, 2001
Messages
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Okay, what I specifically want to know is how well does the knife handle being used as an all round outdoor knife. I know it was designed as a tactical/fighting knife, but after handling one a few days ago I get the impression it could handle a whole lot more. I never really thought much of them until I held one. It's a lot more massive than I realized and seems about right for a general purpose outdoor knife. Thanks for any information you can provide.

Lagarto
 
ive got one and dont use it very much anymore. the blades too skinny , doesnt have a real full tang , the grind makes chopping unthinkable, and you cant efectively baton with it due to the sharpened topedge.try a becker c/u 7 flat grind and you will see an immediate diference in performance for about the same price. overall its a descent all around knife but ....... ka-bar makes other knives that are more geard for survival/camp than the old classic. personally i think the original ka-bar is more of a fighting knife than anything else.jmho anyway.
 
From all accounts the KaBar has probably served every conceivable wilderness use in the U.S. since WWII. G.I.s came home with them, they had them, so that's what they used as camp knives, skinning knives, etc.

All told though, there are much better choices out there for this type of duty. Knives that are less expensive, WAY more durable, and with more cutting power.

Check out Cliff Stamp's website (AKA "the knife torture-testing zone") for possible picks from a man who uses/tests his knives till they cry uncle.

My 2 cents,

Cameron23
 
I don't see the Kabar on Cliff's reviews.

Anyway, for $45, get it. Hacksaw off the top portion of the guard, file what's left to match the profile of the leather handle and it will do everything you want a camp knife to do.

The Camillus version is also good but the Kabar's handle feels better to me plus the Camillus sheath doesn't have a full welt were the Kabar's sheath does.

Sharpening...it comes razor sharp from the factory and if you free hand sharpen, it will end up with a convexed edge and actually perform better than new. I wouldn't attempt to convex the factory edge though, let the convexing happen over time.

I'm always amazed when some tries to knock the Kabar. I used the hell out of mine and it's fine. I've never seen one break in the field. This knife was recommended by our CO and I was reluctant but got one anyway. I quickly fell in love with it and almost 20 years later, I still am.

Collecter
 
I've used mine many times in the woods for light chores.It's too light for a chopper but it cuts very well for food and fire prep ect.I use mine as a back-up to my tracker.
 
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