[TheDisturbed1]

I am really really attracted to these knives... not only the look, but the fact that theyre made in AMERICA and theyre set to last...

$62.99 for What I'm looking at... its over $70 anywhere else in town.

It would be my first "Full-Sized Fighting Knife", and I'm going for it.

My question is...

Which is best for "General Purpose" uses... Like, if I wanted to carry this around (especially in the wild/woods)? Serrated edge, or Straight edge?

Both are the same price, and I think the serrated blade has (what looks like) rubber grip while the straight edge has the leather grip.

I would be happy with either, but some input would be appreciated! :D

[steveracer]

And for $40 they are a good knife. For $70, there are better ones out there.
The Ka-Bar is an excellent combat knife, meaning it is very good at stabbing someone who is on you when you wish them to NOT be on you. It is not, however, a very good camp knife. I'd get the BK&T BK-7 or any of their line. You get a much better slicing blade, and still tough enough for camp work. Stay away from serrated edges unless you are a total hack when it comes to sharpening. In Alaska I'd go with the BK-9, simply because everything in Alaska should be really big.
I love the Ka-Bar, but there is a reason the Marines went to the new bayonet. They don't do things like that lightly.
If you really want a Ka-Bar, send me a PM, and I'll get you one here at the Marine Corps exchange. With shipping it will still be cheaper than you are seeing in your location.
Steve

[hso]

I hate when folks ask, "I like "X, Y, Z, what shoudl I get?", and folks say, "Get A or B!", but this is the type of situation where you're going to get a lot of folks saying don't get the KaBar and others saying get it.

I don't like them for many of the reasons already stated. They're not a bad knife, but there are others much better and almost as readily available. Look at Ontario's RAT line or grab a BKT if you can find one.

[markk]

It would be my first "Full-Sized Fighting Knife", and I'm going for it.



Go for it.
Even if it doesn't suit your needs 100% it"s still a dang fine knife which will last you for many years to come.

A wise man once said "There is very little to do with a serrated edge that I can't do with a sharp straight edge."

Get the straight edge.Keep things simple.

[Pax Jordana]

DO IT.


I have a camillus pilot survival knife that my dad gave me when I started hunting.


Get the straight edge. Less of a hassle to sharpen, cuts just as well. I can see the use of serrations of a smaller knife, but you've got enough blade to make great big slices with something that big.

Oh, buy yours off the interwebs - they're cheaper here. Unless you have a real reason to buy it wherever you are (mom&pop FFL run by a disabled vet is a good reason, pawn shop run by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Mary, &c &c.)

[fishman]

I got the straight edge. They are very very sharp from the factory. Serrated looks cool but I don't think I needed one.

[6_gunner]

Here's my $.02: Get the Ka-Bar with a straight edge, then get one of those mini Ka-Bars with a serrated edge.

Don't spend $70 on one, though. :what:
You can get one for a lot cheaper if you look around some.

[mp510]

I would recommend a plain edge for the purposes you describe.

BUDK sells them online for 39.99 + shipping. You may want to look into that.

[CWL]

Straight edge like everyone else posted, the main reason is that you will not be able to easily sharpen a serrated edge in the "wild/woods" as you post without carrying an additional tool. In a pinch, a rock, properly cleaved, will adequately sharpen any straight edge. Serrated edges will not be as useful for chopping or battoning.

[TheDisturbed1]

okay, Thanks a bunch for your input! I will check around... Any recommended sites?

[markk]

dont know if they ship to Alaska
but I like http://www.knifecenter.com

[mp510]

okay, Thanks a bunch for your input! I will check around... Any recommended sites?

These guys recently sent me a catalog advertising the Kabar for $39.99 +PP. Most of the stuff they advertise is crap, but the Kabars seem like the real deal. I intend on ordering one in the near future from them.

budk.com/default.asp

[Sodbuster]

Nice offer by Steve. Good price by mp510. Wholesale Hunter has them on sale now. I've never prchased from them, but I've heard good things. Cost is $46 but I don't know what shipping is.

http://www.wholesalehunter.com/asp/deals.asp

Other suspects: KnifeCenter (already mentioned)

Others who may carry the KaBar: OneStopKnifeShop, NewGraham, Grand Prairie Knives

[possum]

they are great knives i have two the full size and the small both with the leather handles. i carried them both in iraq for a year and they did great, i have used them many times before that and since them they are awesome, and definetly worth the money. both of mine have the serreated blades.

[22-rimfire]

Get the knife. Go plain edge. Easier to sharpen. If you want a serrated edge knife, buy one with the whole edge serrated. A better choice is the SOG Seal Pup Elite knife for about the same price (with the plain edge).

I usually shop at New Graham first for most factory knife purchases. If they don't carry the particular knife, I look elsewhere.

There are lots of choices when it comes to choosing a knife. A year or so ago, I purchased a Kershaw military boot knife. I liked it at first and still do, but it is not very practical for the uses where I might employ a knife. It sits in a box full of other knives unused for the most part.

I recently purchased the Kabar Machete Cutlass (their label). I like it. It also sits in the same box for the time being. :)

[proud2deviate]

I loves my Ka-Bar :) Bought it new off the 'bay for about $35.00 (of course, it's been a few years, prices might have gone up,)

If you don't mind buying one used, you could probably drum up an exceptionally decent deal. There's quite a few of them floating around out there.

One small note; If you get the leather sheath, (new, that is,) it will positively reek of oil for weeks after you take it out of the box. Probably not good if you expect to take it hunting any time soon. (I'm not sure if they use oil, but that's what mine smelled like. Super Oil or trombone slide oil are compareable. Very sharp and annoying.)

[Oohrah]

I still have my orginial KBar with it's straight edge. They hold an edge
well and the statement of the Marines picking a bayonet over it is a
first to my ears. Issued to those with crew served weapons like BAR
Machine gunners, and such as a bayonet on those weapons???? Recon,
Sniper teams and others also issued Ks. It is a fighting knife, and
may prove large for small game use and suppose a good folder is better
suited for these kind of tasks. Would never part with mine at any price
Semper Fi:D

[Mac Attack]

$70 bucks for a Kabar? Man I remember buying mine from the PX for less than $30. I still have it and it still is in decent shape considering it was my primary camping and outdoor knife for many years.

[swampgator]

I paid $20 for my Camillus Marine Combat knife back when I was in the service. For the price, it can't be beat as an all around knife.

[Nicolai]

Try www.knivesplus.com. They've got a lot of KaBars on their website. Don't know anything about their shipping and handling costs to Alaska. PM me if you're interested in previously owned, not abused, Camillus versions.

[TheDisturbed1]

Okay, I found myself with the money... I was in the store... And I swear it was calling my name... How could I resist? :D

I got it... I love it... And the finish is niiicce, A+ from me ;)

Thanks for all your suggestions... I would have been thinking "straight, or serrated?" all the way to the sporting goods counter :D

[markk]

CONGRATS

we love PICS:)

[coelacanth]

1) congrats-you got a great basic knife there 2) if you intend to use it primarily as a camp knife consider the following mods : cut off the top of the guard flush with the handle (allows you to change your hand position on the knife for different tasks) you can also reshape the perfectly round handle to a more oval shape with a belt sander which gives you a better grip for some tasks and allows you to index the knife in you hand either in darkness or when wearing gloves. If you intend to use the stock sheath I'd wax the crap out of it and if you intend to do any climbing or rock scrambling ( chance of a fall ) I'd reinforce it to prevent the knife being pushed through the thin leather and into your hide.

[SniperStraz]

coelacanth
If you intend to use the stock sheath I'd wax the crap out of it and if you intend to do any climbing or rock scrambling ( chance of a fall ) I'd reinforce it to prevent the knife being pushed through the thin leather and into your hide.
Can you give us a little more info on these two please? Especialy the reinforcement. Thanx in advance.

[coelacanth]

one of the places that Kabar saves a little money on this excellent production knife is on it's sheath. They are a bit flimsy and none too water resistant if you live in a wet climate. Commercial waterproofing works reasonably well but I like melted beeswax mixed with a little neatsfoot oil to really penetrate the fibers of the stock sheath. Closest thing I've found is Pecard's Leather Dressing which works very well. It also does a nice job on the leather handle. The sheath reinforcement can be done by using any heavy leather and forming a secondary sheath outside the original. I glued mine in place ( prior to the wax job ) then stiched the edges and trimmed off the excess. The leather I used came from an old worn out pair of Red Wing boots that were beyond help. Probably the best sheath for this type of knife was the WW2 phenolic resin sheath that was issued to Navy personnel - find one of those and your problem is solved but as they are collectable there aren't many around. Hope this is helpful.

[hso]

Nice job coelacanth.

How'd you stitch the leather? Awl?

[nemoaz]

I've had a couple of the older Camillus ones. They are going out of business I've heard. I could never get the USMC knife very sharp, but that's not really what it's for. It's more of a chopper or stabber.

Personally, I like serrations and the shorter blade (5") since I don't stab people in combat much. The serrations stay sharp and allow you to cut rope and cordage that you probably wouldn't be able to with the straight blade.

There are the thin sharpeners available at Wallyworld and every where else for almost nothing these days. You cannot sharpen serrations in the woods with a rock, but you cannot sharpen a straight blade well like that either. I'm talking about one of these http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/72911-5498-1294.html

But I used a straight blade 7" for years. The history of these knives are probably just as important as their utility. Much like having a former service rifle and just enjoying having that tool that outstanding men and warriors have used.

Bottomline: Get what you want.

[Onmilo]

For happies and smileys here is a picture of my small collection of K-Bar knives.
http://www.fototime.com/91708E6DF7C6721/standard.jpg
From left is a genuine K-Bar then a Camillus K-Bar, a next generation K-Bar in D2 tool steel and an Ontario Knife version.
On the bottom is my real work knife, a standard stainless next generation K-Bar.
Contrary to other opinions I really like serrations on the blade, they really work and I do not need to carry a small saw or axe to split the pelvis on large game animals.
As for sharpening I carry a ceramic flat stone and a diamond spike for sharpening the serrations.
All knives will require sharpening at least once while skinning and butchering a carcass the size of a deer, bear are even worse and K-Bars sharpen with minimal effort regardless of the blade material.
The handle is impervious to everything, has shown no signs of loosening, and will not stick to my hand in freezing weather.
I own and use several different knives but rest assured at least one K-Bar will have a place in my knife rack at any given time.
I do like these knives.

[SniperStraz]

That's a nice collection Onmilo. How do you like that Ontario?

[Onmilo]

Ergonomically the Ontario is excellent.
Ontario uses very, very good steel in their knives too.
I actually own several different Ontario knives and like every one I have ever owned.

I should also add that there are several different high quality polymer and Kydex sheaths with ballistic nylon outer covers available for K-Bar and any other type of knife.

I have never used the leather sheath with a K-Bar.
My first using sheath was a Navy Plastic MK-lll scabbard and I have since gone to Eagle Industries Kydex/nylon sheaths for these knives.

The Gen ll K-Bars come with kydex sheaths unless the buyer specifies a leather sheath.
I don't know why anyone would.

[inkhead]

The rounded handle ones are extremely hard to hand on to when wet or covered with blood, making it impossible to get a good thrust into something or someone.

[Onmilo]

Really??!!! Huh,,,,,,:rolleyes:

[hso]

nemoaz, sorry to say but Camillus laid off it's workers and closed it's doors in February of this year after over 100 years of business (1876-2007).

inkhead, can you cite a source for that information for us?

[Boats]

Force Recon's new knife, the Bark River Knife & Tool Bravo-1. Theirs are green canvas micarta.

Mine is this one--black & green linen micarta:

http://www.dragginganchor.com/Site/Sharp%20Object_files/P4300001.jpg

http://www.dragginganchor.com/Site/Sharp%20Object_files/P4300007.jpg

http://www.dragginganchor.com/Site/Sharp%20Object_files/P4300008.jpg

I gotta say I like it better than any Ka-Bar USMC I own, but it was four times as expensive.:D

[.45Guy]

My Camillus, free from the CEC armory. Being drinking buddies with the armorer has its advantages. It's literally been around the world with me.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g27/aguy123/madsen1.jpg

[coelacanth]

on the previous post works in a pinch but the one I described in my previous post is a leather over-sheath which was glued and then sewn around the edges for reinforcement. I actually marked the holes where the stitches would go with a felt tip marker and then used a tiny drill bit in a hand drill ( Archimedes drill ) to make the holes. Then using 2 glovers needles and polyester cord I did a double needle stitch which pulls from both directions simultaneously and doesn't cause the piece being sewn to warp as you pull the stitches tight. After that-wax it up and you're good to go.

[coelacanth]

+1 They make some beautiful stuff and I really like their choice of steel. To me they are the same type of company that Randall was during the sixties. Expensive but probably worth it if you can afford one. They don't really make an analog to the Marine Corps Kabar which was the original direction of this thread but if they did I'd be sorely tempted. BTW - does anybody besides me find a sharpened swedge inordinately useful?