The Kabar Next Generation knife. Now, its History

[Phrandau]

My curiosity bubbles when I try to imagine what the elites of Kabar thought with the Next Generation series of knives. Their ambitions must have been boiling over, particularly after getting to hold one of these for the first time.

I recall being so impressed with the new styles, so much so that I found everything about them rising above the prior years.

These were some of my favorite pieces I’ve acquired, with one nursed and one seeing some adventurous days.

 

[Blue Sky]

I think the next gen’s were a good step toward modernizing an old classic, but could never understand the insistence on it having serrations, and no other option, for so long? Kept me from buying one for sure.

 

[Phrandau]

I think the next gen’s were a good step toward modernizing an old classic, but could never understand the insistence on it having serrations, and no other option, for so long? Kept me from buying one for sure.

In honesty, I’ve learned to appreciate serrated edges due to some of the work I’ve done with these blades. Some heavy cutting tasks go better with a serrated edge. Heavy straps, cardboard and some other materials

 

[wharncliffe]

I found these knives to have exceptionally comfortable handles. Speaking of history, Greg Walker wrote a 2001 book describing the development of the knives.

 

[GCG199]

Yes, Greg Walker was the main one responsible for this version.

Back in the mid-1990s.

 

[John A. Larsen]

The changing of the shape of the handle, removing the top guard, and the lanyard hole in the butt were all the ideas of the late Chuck Karwan, (RIP) who also wrote for "Fighting Knives" and later "Tactical Knives" magazines. His version was nick named the "KAR-Bar" after the first part of his last name. I have one in my collection. John

 

[Sitcomdad83]

I love mine but removed the serrations. The serrations design worked well but wish at the time I bought it they offered a plain blade one. It was my first d2 knife and learned kabar 1095 crovan and d2 require different sharpening methods ,took me forever on a basic stone to get decent edge on my next gen.