What is this? Camillus Ka Bar??? 1211

D

Davyd

Joined
Aug 24, 2007
Messages
324
Hi Would like some help from those more knowledgable


Just purchased this on ebay and having this shipped over as a knock around "camp knife" and would like to understand it a bit better. May modify the handle and guard later to be less militaryer.

Is it really an unissiued military, or a copy?
Blade material?
Age if not current
Is is equivalent in quality to Ka bar brand ??

From the description I assume that it was Camillus supply to the military of the 1211 pattern under contract fairly recently. Or have I been fooled and purchased a cheap chinese knockoff?

I would appreciate any insights

Below is the ebay description and link to the picture

Wow what a cool find, we have an original United States Marine Corps Issue Black Ka-Bar type knife complete with leather scabbard and leather handguard. The blade length is 7" and the overall length is 12". The only markings stamped on the blade are: Camillus :Our knife is in Mint Un-issued condition!!!!!!!!!!

http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e...rrent=OriginalUSMCIssueBlackKa-BarTypeKni.jpg
 
The kbar pictured looks more of an Ontario Marine Combat than a Camillus USMC.
The Camillus USMC comes in a red tan leather fittings (sheath & handle), whilst the black version has an anti-fungal coating on its handle which is dark brown with a black sheath. The Ontario comes entirely in black.
 
I have a Camillus Jungle Fighter that is all black, but the pommel is shaped a bit different... great knife, I love it.... Other than that it looks just like it.
 
It looks like the Ontario version to me. My Camillus is all black (handle, blade, and sheath). I know Camillus did make a brown leather version too but they never carried them in any PX I was in, just the black ones.
 
If you want it to look less military you may consider stripping the black stuff off the handle and blade. I did that on my Camillus and it looks more like a "hunting knife" and less like a "fighting knife". If it's an Ontario I'd think twice about stripping the coating off the blade, their blades are pretty rough under the coating.

Frank
 
Thanks

It arrived today - it appears to be an unissued Mk II. Starkly Utilitarian and a basic not particularly sharp edge with the original burr still intact on one side. No markings on leather sheath or knife other than camillus on the blade.

From a quick search this sounds like US Navy fighting knife Mark 2 pattern. Made for the Marine core (as it has the leather rather than the plastic sheath). I.e a kabar by another name. Simple rough black painted guard handle(leather washers) and pommel

What steel would it be made from? - and how good is the blade?
 
Thanks - a vey interesting read!!! 1095 carbon steel but with a marginally better heat treatment than ka bar. Interstingly mine has no military markings. And I agree it comes with a very basic rough edge (25 degrees apparently) and a decidely utilitarian finish.

Howwever fro my pruposes it sounds excellent - on par with the ka bar in performance if not beauty!
 
Davyd, trust this would be of great help to you in regards to the Cammi-Bar markings.
-http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/camillus.htm
-http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5836&st=0&p=35803&#entry35803
 
Welcome to Bladeforums!

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Thanks again -
It is now minus top guard and reprofiled/sharpened somewhat on a fine stone. To be further be sharpened tonight with the Spyerco Sharpmaker 204 that arrived today and is now under my desk - or should I wait for the Lansky deluxe probably arriving tomorrow?

Thanks

Further questions ( seem to have lost the thread I though I created on this)

Why did the knife, which comes from civilian background, have a double guard? The top guard would get in the way

How close is the Mk II design to the original hunting knife?

Cheers
 
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