USMC KA-BAR, BK7 or Short Heavy Bowie

sqoon

sqoon

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Jan 1, 2010
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I'm a big Becker fan, but I'm posting this outside of the Becker forum because I really want to get an extra perspective.

I currently own a BK7 that is unused. I bought it as a 7" combat/utility hiking/camping knife. The idea was that since I had a bunch of Beckers already, if I ever opted for Micarta scales, I could easily switch them onto the knife that I wanted to use for a given "expedition". Lately though, I'm finding that the scales work just fine for me on my BK2 and I have since traded my BK9, so I'm not looking to drop $40 on scales that I will only use on one knife. Secondly, the sheath on the BK7 is just awful. The idea was to carry it inverted on a shoulder strap, but with no retention on the sheath, this simply will not work. A custom sheath would set me back about $40 if not more.

I have also acquired a KA-BAR Kukri. What I really like about this knife is the handle. It really started to get me looking at the Bowie offerings that KA-BAR has including their Heavy Short Bowie. At .25" thick, it looks like a beast of a knife, but I'm wondering if it will be too heavy. The sheath is also a whatever sheath and not particularly suited to the above stated carry method I would like to employ.

Lastly we have the USMC KA-BAR with a kydex sheath. I've always liked the USMC KA-BAR. To me, it is the quintessential American knife. The steel is identical to the BK7 and the other dimensions aren't that far off either. The sheath looks perfectly suited to my needs. Basically, the knife seems perfect. My question is though weather or not it will be better suited as a working knife as oppose to a knife that was built for combat. I don't think I'm going to be facing as many foes as I will wood and other chores. It doesn't have the handle options that the BK7 does, nor can the handle be removed for lashing like the BK7. It isn't as thick as the Heavy Bowie, but then again, my BK2 doesn't plan to be that far out of reach of a slab of steel is really needed.

Am I going to regret giving up my BK7 for the USMC KA-BAR? I don't like to hang onto more than one knife that has the same purpose as another, so I think I am quite sure that if I do decide to get the USMC, the BK7 will be traded or sold.

Thanks for reading. If you're still with me I would love to hear your feedback.
 
Love the Ka- Bar. 1095 steel makes it a wonderful workable edge to have around. Mine was easy to sharpen the top of the clip to a razor's edge too, so it will cut both ways if needed. It is fairly heavy but not awkwardly, the blade is maybe just over 3/16" thick so girth is there. You can't go wrong with it imo.
 
The USMC is a perfectly suitable knife for basic work. If your wanting a knife for heavy chopping, I'd go with somthing bigger but the USMC Ka-Bar is a great knife for only $50.
 
i recommend the short heavy over the usmc very highly, it is a better knife. it is up to you to choose between the bk7, though. the bk7 has a similar design overall, but has an frn handle compared to the wonderful rubberized handle on the short heavy (+1 short heavy), and the bk7 has a SUPER chunky blade, whereas the short heavy has a much thinner (by comparison), higher ground blade with a swedge and will be lighter. the bk7 probably has a better sheath, though, the short heavies is well executed, just more old fashioned design.
 
I'm a big Becker fan, but I'm also a big fan of KA-BAR, too, so I'll call it like I see it.

I am, and always have been, a big, big fan of the KA-BAR USMC fighting/utility knife. I've had one since I was a child, and carried one for nine years in the Marine Corps — much of that in nasty jungles. I have never, personally, had a KA-BAR let me down.

Yes, I've seen them bent, the tips broken off, the handles destroyed, etc. The thing is, I can't think of many knives — with the exception of, perhaps, a BK-2 — that would have stood up any better than the KA-BAR did. Unless you've seen it with your own eyes, you wouldn't believe the things that Marines can do to screw up a perfectly good knife.

Almost all the problems I've ever seen with a KA-BAR USMC fighting/utility knife were due to really stupid prying, pounding and digging: things that knife really shouldn't be asked to do, yet, for the most part, it did those things pretty well.

Having praised the knife, I'll tell you what I think are the downsides, and there are only a few. The tip is too weak for my liking. The stick tang is another weak point for me. And, as odd as it may seem to you, I don't like round handles: they're more difficult to orient in the dark.

The BK-7, on the other hand, is — to my way of thinking — a much sturdier knife. It has exactly the same steel, but has a stronger tip, a strong, full tang, and a much better handle. All in all, I consider the BK-7 to be a much better field knife. No, it doesn't have the worlds best sheath, but you can always get a better sheath.

Another plus for the BK-7 is that you already have it.:D

If I were going into combat, I'd take the KA-BAR USMC fighting/utility knife. For a field knife though, I'd take the BK-7.

My suggestion is to have both, since you can't go wrong with either one.
 
I have the USMC Short and I love that knife, great kydex sheath that is ambidextrous too. One thing I will say is that the grind ends midway up the width of the blade which I've found to be a jamming point in tough wood. But for basic chores it's great.

I've heard good things about the Heavy Bowie too and for the price I don't think you could go wrong getting either. I'd lean towards the Heavy Bowie if you want to do chopping though.
 
You can always buy the upgraded sheath for the BK2 from Kabar. The retention on this sucker is great!

And dawsonbob IMO is right. If your going into combat buy the USMC Kabar. But if your just going into the field to hunt, hike or whatever, keep the BK7. It is, In my option the better built/stronger knife. The trade off in weight is worth it IMHO.
 
The guy who sharpens some of my knives told me my Kabar short heavy took 3x as much sanding belt [per inch of blade] to sharpen than most of the knives he does, so if that is an indication I'd say edge retention would be high for this knife.

Also the short heavy has the .25" thickness vs. .180" on the BK7 so I don't know what that other post was getting at as he had the thicknesses reversed but I think he was talking about 'width' maybe.
 
I have both and I must agree with the other guys that having both is definitely the way to go. They are both great but I would baton/chop so much with my kabar because of the weaker tang, but other than that it can do pretty much anything...especially self defense. but on the other hand the bk-7 is way more beefy and more clumsy but in my opinion a much better all around knife. If your planning on getting in a ton of knife fights go with the ka-bar lol. if you just need a sturdy all around do anything knife I dont think anything of any brand beats the bk-7
 
For heavy bushcraft work such as splitting wood/battoning/chopping, the BK7 will outperform the USMC all day.
 
Mrbladedude said:
For heavy bushcraft work such as splitting wood/battoning/chopping, the BK7 will outperform the USMC all day.
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This is precisely why I am about to order the BK-7 even though I have the USMC. The Ka-bar is a fantastic knife with a really nice sheath, and as others have said, should I find myself thrust into a combat scenario it is the knife I would want with me. However, for general woods bashing I'm pretty sure the BK-7 is going to get all my face time.
 
ozgooner said:
This is precisely why I am about to order the BK-7 even though I have the USMC. The Ka-bar is a fantastic knife with a really nice sheath, and as others have said, should I find myself thrust into a combat scenario it is the knife I would want with me. However, for general woods bashing I'm pretty sure the BK-7 is going to get all my face time.
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:thumbup:
 
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