USN MKI DECK KNIFE

[eveled]

I collect USN deck knives. My dad had one made by PAL, and it was by far his favorite knife. He got it from his dad, who was in the Navy just before WW2 in China, (like the movie Sand Pebbles). So I don't think he brought it home. I think it was bought surplus.

My dads love of this knife, prompted me to find my own, in the process I found that the model known as the MK1 was made by many knife makers during WW2. So I began a quest to get one of each maker. The hardest one to find? A real KA-BAR version.

It is also in my opinion the very nicest version. Now most of you probably already know this. What you don't know, is I wrote to KA-BAR to tell them how much I liked their version of this iconic knife, and what a great hunting knife it was. I also told them that I thought it would be a great addition to their lineup, and I was sure it would be a great seller.

I got back a nice email saying thanks and that they were always looking for new ideas. Then low and behold less than a year later they released the modern versions of this knife. Now I can't say they got the idea from me, maybe it was already in the works? I don't know. (It would have been nice to get a hat or a sticker).

Either way I'm glad they are making the new ones. I bought all the versions for myself. I also bought one for a young man who enlisted in the Navy this last year. He was quite impressed with it. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[Tanker 1/66]

I'm also a MK1 Fan. I picked up all three versions of the new release.

 

[viking313]

A Kbar Mk1 is on my short list...

 

[eveled]

You won't be disappointed. The leather handled one is beautiful. But the kraton handle is fantastic for a user. Plus the kraton one comes with a very nice hard plastic sheath. Tough to choose, I bought both. LOL!

Only complaint I could see anybody having is the large sharpening choil, might not suit everyone's taste.

 

[Tanker 1/66]

Yeah the leather is just a little to slick for my liking. But it sure is Purdy

 

[eveled]

Beautiful is right. They seem to have that deep honey look, that most leather handles don't. Especially in the sun.

 

[Roguer]

Wished I'd of gotten the Mk.1 instead of that Karbar short.

 

[Tanker 1/66]

Wished I'd of gotten the Mk.1 instead of that Karbar short.

Tried the short once. Quickly sold it to fund a MK1

 

[1066vik]

the handle on the short is child sized.

 

[The Zieg]

It's on my list, for sure. Leather handle for me.

Zieg

 

[Tanker 1/66]

the handle on the short is child sized.

I that vik. It did have potential.

 

[gunsil]

Here are a pair of original KA-BAR MK1s. I like the saber ground fullered one better, a more robust blade for sure. I also like the gun blued blades more than the re-make's black coated finish. I don't really understand why eveled says the KA-BAR ones are hardest to find, they were among the highest number made, there are others with MUCH fewer production numbers. Of course finding them in mint condition is getting harder these days.

 

[Roguer]

I had some one asking me about shorter kabar knives, he was set on getting a short kabar but I showed him the one my shorted niece I let steal for the outings, I just said Mk. 1 when he looked just as disappointed when I got mine. I told him its short (from my point of view) and looks to be a good no frills fancy but all business knife. He likes his a lot. Mine gets used by the niece and nephews who are happy their uncle trusts them with a knife/tool on outings. The shorted niece might get it but she said she wouldn't trust her younger brothers around it.

 

[Tanker 1/66]

G gunsil Your MK1 with the fuller looks like my 471-5. Looks like Kabar changed the pommel and went with leather handles for the war effort. A pinned or peened pommel was definitely cheaper to make than threaded.

 

[gunsil]

Yup, the fullered one is definitely a model 71 derivative an it's bigger brother the 7" 71 was the forerunner of the MK2. Both the knives you show were also available in leather handles pre-war, the war effort had no influence on that aspect. The peened pommels were due to the lack of aluminum and brass as well as cheaper to make I think. The 72 you show was available in at least seven handle variations and both the 71 and 72 models were available with stag pommels.

 

[gunsil]

Hi Tank, here is a group of model 71s, top is the rare 7" one that became the MK2. Middle one is a 4710-5, the 0 is for stainless steel and this one has an etch for Fiala Arms Co. Fiala made a really cool .22 semi-auto pistol with interchangeable barrels, you may have heard of them

 

[LostViking]

The Mark I is a very capable, highly underappreciated, sleeper of a knife.

It has great lines, work all day strength, and it's affordable!

Woods, camp, kitchen, deck, Hard to beat really,

 

[Tanker 1/66]

View attachment 929042

Hi Tank, here is a group of model 71s, top is the rare 7" one that became the MK2. Middle one is a 4710-5, the 0 is for stainless steel and this one has an etch for Fiala Arms Co. Fiala made a really cool .22 semi-auto pistol with interchangeable barrels, you may have heard of them

Beautiful collection gunsil Impressive

 

[Roguer]

I need to get one of them, and hope the niece don't decide I can borrow it till her problem parent can say she can have one.

It seems to be a nice and perfect "short" knife that is made for a general purpose "Short" blade with the handle that works with it.

 

[Tanker 1/66]

The Mark I is a very capable, highly underappreciated, sleeper of a knife.

It has great lines, work all day strength, and it's affordable!

Woods, camp, kitchen, deck, Hard to beat really,

Viking your pictures belong in a sales brochure. Nice Nice Pictures for sure