thoughts on ka-bars....

A

Alex C.

Joined
Apr 27, 2005
Messages
170
Hey ya'll. i usually tend to lurk in the knifemaker's area and don't get out of there much.
i was wondering if i could get some oppinions on the standard, straight edge USMC ka-bar, and the straight edge next generation. my brother has the USMC version, so i know generally what its capable of, and i trust the 1095 blade, but the guard/handle doesn't do much for me, and i think i like the next generation better. the only thing i'm worried about it is the 440A....:confused:

thanks,
Alex
 
The 440A is easy enough to sharpen, but the "good ole" carbon steel will take a much more wicked edge and is easier to sharpen.

If you want a real hard use kbar go for a D2 extreme, basicall the same as the next generation with D2 blade. Now it of course it is much harder to sharpen.

I own many of these knives, the ontario (use to own the camillus version), etc. and also the kabar d2 extreme.

When I was in the AF active duty (88-96) I used the ontario f/u issue version for many, many years. Even carried one through desert shield/storm. never failed, was (and is) a good knife. It was made to do a certain task, and it does it well. You can chop small saplings, branches, etc, with it. It is a good knife. It is "no frills", but it works well!!

So unless you are planning on building a log cabin? The basic kabar, ontario f/u, camillus, etc. will serve you just fine. If not, buy a becker Bk-9, or a marbles trailmaker, or an axe, etc.
 
rev, thanks for the reply. i already have a becker CU-7, which i'm desperately in love with. it's a rather sizeable knife though, and i'v been feeling the need (cough *want* cough) for a knife that's a little bit smaller. with that in mind, i've been considering the SOG seal pup, ontario RAT-3 and TAK knives, one of which i hope to acquire sometime this year, but i think i also want something to fill the gap. the D-2 extreme sounds good to me, especially after reading (can't remember his name)'s review here on BF.

Alex
 
The D2 extreme is a good knife, but you will find it much heavier than the other f/u's out there.

The heavy crossguard and pommel are much of the reason. But with that said, it is still a good knife.

Take note, you may find that the extreme is not "much lighter" then your Becker cu-7.
 
I had a D2 extreme for like a day and returned it the next. The handle is way too heavy for the blade, so the overall balance is screwed up. If you want to crush nuts with it then get it, it has a heavy-ass pommel on the back.
 
You are correct, the blade is lighter than the handle it is "slightly" off balance. But its still a good knife.
 
Personally, and with a little handle modification, this one's my favorite: https://www.kabar.com/product_detai...ryId=1,2,3,7&categoryName=All-Purpose/Utility

The grind on this blade is awesome - I like it more & more everytime I use it :thumbup: Plus, it is nearly neutrally balanced - just a tad blade heavy making it light in the hand for such a wide blade (makes for grip versatility from a tacticle standpoint).

What you can't see in the picture is that the handle has what amounts to a "shelf" at the blade / handle juncture; it serves as an effective handguard for safety & gives the knife a "gladius" type feel (especially with having shaved the handle down)...

This is also one of the easiest knives to resharpen that I own.
 
Anything KaBar will be outstanding quality for the money. The Black fighter and Heavy Bowie are two of my favorites as well as the Impact series. Regarding the Becker, you may wish to look at their smaller blades like the Crewman etc and either para cord wrap the handle or get the slab handles from Camillus which greatly improve the feel and grip.
 
I'm going to be the guy who ignores the thread and suggests a non-Kabar. If you want a Kabar sized fighter-utility that is lighter than the wide choppers but has a modern full tang design with good ergonomics and better steel than 440A, look at the Benchmade Offsider. Very nice balance, 440C (and there are still N690 First Production models around, if you want a steel upgrade - I know American Heritage Sports still has one), full tang. It's not any more of a chopping knife than an original Kabar, but it's a great slicer and a dependable fighter if needed. It goes for about $65-$70 online.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=10520

It looks like the plain edge, uncoated blade version has just been discontinued, you might want to snag one now if that's your preference.
 
These have been around forever! Why? They work! Nothing fancy, just cutting ability and ease of maintenance.
 
They do work, I still have my "low contractor bid" ontario f/u. thats seen a war (over 15 years ago), and plently of use.
 
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