ZK User Thread

O

ocnLogan

Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
3,488
The title says it all.

While shopping for a large camp knife on a budget I ran across Kabars ZK line of knives. Sadly I couldn't find any reviews or photos of people actually USING their Kabar ZK knives. So because of that when I purchased mine, I have since done two reviews with it, and mine has seen quite a bit of use. I have been impressed with my ZK War Sword, and wanted to make thread for people to post up images and stories of their ZK knives getting USED.

Right out of the box :).
1003773i.jpg


1003761l.jpg


1003798s.jpg


Doing some chopping comparisons.
1003827.jpg


1003829t.jpg


Don't worry, this snapped right back to straight after I used the BK2 to break it out of this log :). Great HT on these things.
1003836e.jpg


1003839b.jpg


1003849m.jpg


Works great for feathersticks, as it actually feels smaller than it is.
1003847l.jpg


Here it is in the process of getting stripped.
1003905q.jpg


Fully stripped.
1003911e.jpg


I have more photos coming later, but wanted this to get going now to see if we can't get any other ZK owners to post shots of theirs :).
 
I am assuming when you stripped it you found grind marks like we see on the Beckers? I know they are made overseas but I am assuming the process is roughly the same?
 
Yep, there were some pretty decent grind marks under there. I asked Toooj about it in the ask toooj thread and was informed that yes it is the same process for all of their blades. The FFG on the ZK War sword (and any Kabar) is actually ground by a very large wheel so it is ever so slightly hollow ground. Also, apparently because of the length of the blade it can sometimes "wobble" a bit in there and you get a few grind marks that are a bit deeper. That happened to mine right in the middle of the blade, but its not that bad.

Also, I tried taking some photos of the patina I put on it... but I can't get anything to really show up in the lighting that I had. I'll try again tomorrow and see how it goes.
 
I finally got my hands on the ZK war sword this past week. My buddy that has one brought it when we went out to my cabin. I got to use it for a little bit and really liked the knife. It is a very different animal than the 9 that's for sure. The 9 is significantly heavier and not as nimble in hand but is a better chopper. The ZKWS is surprisingly smaller than what I was expecting. It felt really well balanced in the hand and I was basically using it like a grass machete with the factory grind so it was plenty slicy. I thought the bump between the first finger and middle finger would bother me more than it did. It didn't really get in the way for me while chopping. The steel seems good as well, when my friend was chopping a swing missed and hit a concrete paving stone. I took a look at the edge and didn't see and damage. Seems like another solid knife from Ka-Bar!
 
Anyone have info on the pestilence chopper? I heard it was modeled after a WW2 machete design.
 
can't help it lol!:

487088B1-orig.jpg


after mods, it's been slowly sharpened (finishing it up with a fine stone and strop later as I'm writing this) and taken care of some palm stalks, will run out in a bit and take shots.
 
green stumps from yesterday

palm.jpg


now you see it...

palm2.jpg


now you don't

palm3.jpg


had to take 3 swings as the fibrous bark at the bottom hung down - palms are quite flexible, but I will keep on playing in the backyard later today.
 
Sweet. I really love the look of this thing after it has been stripped. Debating getting one of these for my large blade. On the other hand, I may save up for the BK9 someday. Is this much lighter than the BK9? I like how this blade is close to the Rtak2 or Hoodlum. Very sweet.
 
yep, it's lighter than the 9, but not by much; when it comes to chopping, the 9 is better but then again, the 9 is a chopping monster. Get both!
 
more action shots:

5F9720B3-orig.jpg


the blade flexed while going in..

8D805C60-orig.jpg


but came out straight!

A83FA3A9-orig.jpg


and still sharp to curl

22A14BD6-orig.jpg


the rest of the evening was consumed by my first attempt at a swedish stove, so no more action for the ZK

DC44E474-orig.jpg


93A83BBA-orig.jpg


F733AA4C-orig.jpg


mixed some sauces and spices quite hurriedly, but the chicken came out good. Have to remember to keep log ends as straight as possible and shorter length, but this thing sure works

B5BE0A3B-orig.jpg
 
Sweet!!!

Mine's coming today along with a Condor Bushlore. I'm set on my big knives, smalls, and tweeners now!!!!

I'm going to to do some etching to both blades using the electricity technique and salt water. I'm not bad at artsy stuff so I've been practicing some freehand designs. I'll post pics when its all said and done.
 
Excellent posts man, I'm glad to see someone else out there USING their ZK knives. This is great.

I've got more photos of mine (still can't get the patina on it to show up well on camera though :(), I'll upload them later on today.

And yes, the HT on these things seems to be just about perfect, and can take quite a beating.
 
I dunno if you are familiar with guava tress, but their wood is very hard, specially when dry. At my friend's shop there's an old guava tree that's been dead for quite some time. A lot of branches were removed yesterday, and when I got there today I decided to hack away at a stump to secure some hardwood for future projects. Took a while, but the sword emerged victorious!

th_0F116BBB-orig.jpg
 
Last edited:
Here are a few more photos. I took the wrap off of the handle, and added a patina because this thing rusts pretty quick.

1003918t.jpg


Helped take out some of the branches that were leaning against the side of my apartment. You can kinda see the patina here. Also, it worked great for this light machete type work :D.
1003925m.jpg


Because this is FREQUENTLY discussed with these handles. HERE IS HOW you should hold them when chopping and when choking up.

First up, is how to use the handle shape with a lanyard while you are chopping.
1003926y.jpg


1003927j.jpg


Next is for close up work.
1003928.jpg


I can honestly say I don't think I ever see myself using the handle in the "middle" grip that the handle offers. Its either super far back for chopping, or choked up for small work.

Lets keep this up guys, there has to be more of these kinds of user ZK blades out there :D.
 
If money was a big factor would you recommend it as a survival/woods knife.? I know it can't perform as good as' let's we say a Becker BK9, but would you trust your life to this knife.

"I am the hunting knife, I am the talon, the beak and the fang of my master. My duty is ancient as is meat and blood"
"Eίμαι η μαχαίρα κυνηγιού, είμαι το νύχι, το ράμφος και το δόντι του αφέντη μου. Το καθήκον μου είναι αρχαίο σαν τη σάρκα και το αίμα"
 
Its a really good blade actually. For straight chopping I prefer the BK9, but the War Sword is a pretty good all around blade.

I'm still trying to find the time, tools and materials to make some bluejean micarta for it. After that, I think I'll try my hand at making a leather sheath :).

Get out and use that thing man, and post pics :).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top