Standard KA BAR is the best knife ever!

[Roa Knives]

I have owned 2 Ka-Bars. First one I bought around 1995 and it seemed like it would never go dull. When that one was stolen around 2001, I replaced it and the second one would not hold an edge long. I figure it was from a batch of bad steel, or more probably a bad heat treatment.

 

[5.56]

If we are talking about military knives, yes the Kabar can hold it's own, but it is definitely not the best.

I think most people here will agree that Fallkniven makes a better knife currently used by the Swedish military(Air Force).

Fallkniven F1

 

[Jake Bauer]

For the money and it's history It's a good knife. It was my first 'Big" fixed blade, and I've taken it on several camping trips. Everything I've thrown at it, it has been able to eat. There are better, but for general camp/utility work, they're pretty good.

 

[mnblade]

Have you ever used one? I have, not my favorite. Problem I found with it is the size. Its too big to skin and too wide to reach the appropriate level of sharpness ...

Same here. Oh, man, how I lusted after a Kabar in my youth. Then I turned about 16 and realized how utterly impractical they are. They make a pretty gorgeous paperweight, I'll grant you that.

 

[Stainz]

While visiting my grandparents when I was about 16, I found my Dad's old USN KaBar from the So. Pacific in WWII. I still have it - sort of. The pommel and tang end broke off in my basement when I dropped it years ago, only to be replaced by a monel pommel and some JB Weld. It's approaching 65yr of age now - and compares favorably with the current production, save it's unsharpened upper edge.

One thing to keep in mind, it was designed as a 'utility knife' that could easily and economically be mass produced during wartime without demanding strategic war material - like certain steels and rubber. Thus, the 1095 steel and leather washer handle and sheath.

Before my earliest 'enlightenment', it was my camping knife. It is similar to a Buck 119 - or a 'ClassicBowie' (See below!) - in style. Compare my unused current production to the Bear MGC Bowie and Puma 'Original Bowie' below. Note the sharpened upper edge - which could make it illegal in some places. Still, it made many a walking sticks and loads of fire kindling/fuel - long before I knew there were better choices. Today, well, I have a newer one because it is a classic - but I have better woodsy knives, too. Still, it sufficed - when I didn't know better. Never my sharpest knife - but that was my ineptitude showing forth!

Stainz

 

[Leighman]

As mentioned, plenty of history for a so-so (by today's standards) utility knife.

Funny Ka-Bar story....mid 1970's (I was 10 or so)...drooling over a Ka-Bar that I spied in a local hardware store. It was something like $15.95.

I saved and scrimped until I had ebough $$$ to buy it. Finally, I went in, picked it out, and laid my cash down. The old guy behind the counter said, "Your parents allow you to buy this?" I lied but walked out of the store with a real "USMC Combat Knife."

While showing it off to my friends, I managed to somehow slice my knuckle to the bone and was unable to hide the injury from my parents. 5-6 stitches and my next trip was to the hardware store to return the knife and to also explain to the store owner that I had lied in order to purchase it. Ouch! That was more painful than any cut.

 

[Echo4v]

I carried my USMC Ka bar fighting knife through 5 yrs of hard service. It's the newer one with the rubber (type) handle and a kydex sheath. Through desert training, jungle training, cold weather and extreme cold weather training it served me well ( so well the blade coating is completely worn off )but the biggest advantage was it was just like everyone elses' knife and so wasn't likely to grow legs and walk into someone else's pack ( cause no one would steal from a brother Marine).

During that time I also carried several other field knives ( Marines are all knife nuts), several of which did grow legs. The SRK is an excelent field knife but so are many others.

To the poster who wants a Ka Bar for the uncle, a better option may be the Ka Bar pilots knife. Same profile and look but a little smaller and lighter, it also (if you get the traditional version) comes in a decent ( read usable) sheath with a two sided ( rough and fine) sharpening stone in a pocket on the front. I never had one of these versions but knew several Marines who carried them and loved them.

David