What do you guys think about Ka-bar?

Ka-Bars have always been reliable knives at a very affordable price. I don't know about this specific model, but the steel holds an edge quite well and can be field sharpened.
I personally would go with leather washer handles when buying a Ka-Bar, but that's just me. I usually prefer synthetic handle materials though, but on the Ka-Bars it's just so traditional.
 
Most people will tell you that the Camillus model is way better than this. It has a better coating on the handle, sheath, etc. I was looking at this knife with a serrated edge just because it looks cool. But if you want a real user, go with the Camillus model. JMO.


-DC2
 
I think they are great, simple weapons and tools...very tough, good looking (IMO) but you're not afraid to beat the snot out of it;).

I have 2 oldies:
- one my dad bought 20-30 years ago and has since given it to me 5-6 years ago
- another my grandfather just recently gave to me that served with him in China during WWII...he was able to smuggle it out of the USMC ;)

Someday I would like to get a Next Generation or D2 model:)

Warthog
 
I agree that the Ka-Bars look nicer. I would check out 1SKS. They have some excellent prices on the Ka-Bar knives. The Next Generation 1224 and 1272 are both very reasonably priced.
 
No quality complaints about KaBar, just wish Vector wasn't associated with them. Damn Cutco. :rolleyes:
 
Ka-Bars are fantastic knives. Not familar with that model but I am sure it is worth the money. Every time the question of KaBar quality comes up it reminds me of a conversation I had with an old friend.

He is an exSEAL. The real deal, did alot of nasty duty. So I asked him one day what he looked for in a military grade knife. He looked me straight in the eyes and said if I wanted to know the best military knife around I had to look no further than the Ka-Bar M2. He said every guy on his team carried one and there was "NO JOB" that it had problems taking care of.
 
THE SHEATH IS CHEAP. THE KNIFE IT SELF HAS NOT REALY CHANGED OVER THE YEARS. IT STILL HAS A BLOOD FLO SLOT AND THE STELL IS OF 1095 HIGH CARBON. OVER ALL A GOOD KNIFE. THE STOCK IS TO THEN FOR MY TASTE. GOOD LUCK !!
 
Ok... seriously now and for those who care... currently Military Issue is the Camillus Marine Combat (which is true honest to god mil-spec), in spite of what some of the marketers tell you, that's not necessarily a good thing, but if you just HAVE to have what soldiers carry... get the real deal.

As for Ka-bar the company, they've always been a tiny dot on the map, but in terms of fit and finish their kabars are the best... since their main market is civilians they go the extra mile to provide a little bit better sheaths, and finish and sharpen their production Ka-bars noticeably better, you'll also note they charge for this...

As for my opinions on the knife itself, most folks will concur that the tang is frighteningly thin when the blade meets that nice round handle, I've heard lots of stories of these knives snapping at that joint under various circumstances, but for those who've had better luck with the design, they will claim that the things are go-to-hell-and-back-tough, your decision is your own... I bought a Becker Knife & Tool Combat/Utility 7 instead...
 
Originally posted by R.W.Clark
Ka-Bars are fantastic knives. Not familar with that model but I am sure it is worth the money. Every time the question of KaBar quality comes up it reminds me of a conversation I had with an old friend.

He is an exSEAL. The real deal, did alot of nasty duty. So I asked him one day what he looked for in a military grade knife. He looked me straight in the eyes and said if I wanted to know the best military knife around I had to look no further than the Ka-Bar M2. He said every guy on his team carried one and there was "NO JOB" that it had problems taking care of.
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I'm sure that this fellow is speaking from his own experience, however, having broken 3 of these knives in my 11 1/2 months in Vietnam, I would, at the very least, spend the 50 bucks on the Becker 7. BTW, the 3 knives were 2 Kabars and a Camillus (which, BTW, always kept a better edge than the Kabars) and I was doing things that you probably shouldn't do to knives. They ALL broke at the junction of the hilt and the aforementioned, not-so-adequate tang. These knives saved my Randall #1 for more serious encounters (which, fortunately, never came to pass). Bottom line is, the Kabar style knives are OK, but far from my first choice in the $50-75.00 range. My 2 cents, YMMV.
 
Ka-bar's F-U model is fine, but the scabbard is lackluster, and I found the handle a bit to spongy. In the traditional leather handled version, my nod goes to Camillus, or the Case version(you're going to have to check these out by hand though) :rolleyes:.

I personally would check out the Becker line, or move up to the Kabar Next Gen. I've had one since they first came out, and they are great:D:).
 
Your question was: "Is this knife worth the money?" and the answer is yes, it is. Just remember that it's a knife and not a cat's paw and you'll have no trouble. My only complaint with the shorty is that the handle is a bit on the small side.
 
Originally posted by ichor
Bottom line is, the Kabar style knives are OK, but far from my first choice in the $50-75.00 range. My 2 cents, YMMV.
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Agreed.., not a bad knife.., but you can do better in the price range.


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
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