[ruger357]

Just bought a full size USMC KA_BAR. WOW. Great knife. Anyone else have one if so how do you like it.

[davidtdm]

I've got two. One serated, one not. One of them was given as groomsman gift at a friends wedding. I thought that was cool.

...Dave

[ruger357]

Mine is serated .Opps I think I should have posted this in non-firearm weapons.

[Skunkabilly]

I wish they had the same thing without the 'USMC' then I'd buy one, or else I feel like a poser. Just like that Luminox Navy SEALs watch. :(

[nondescript]

Skunkabilly, I have a smaller Kabar with a sheath that just says Kabar USA, the blade has no military markings either. Blade length is about five inches or so, and the top of the clip point is sharpened. You might be able to find a "plain" full size one around; if not just buy yourself a smaller one. GREAT for camping.

[jdmac45]

skunkabilly - does that stop you from wearing a Lakers t-shirt (or whatever sports team you like?) Don't worry about it, think of it as a moniker attributing greatness to the users of the great tool you've chosen ;) as a former Marine I wouldn't think anything of you carrying a ka-bar with USMC stamped on the tang because it belongs on the ka-bar, the ka-bar has a long history that is inseparable from the Marines. It would be more insulting to have a ka-bar that didn't have USMC stamped on it, may as well scratch it off as a clear dissociation from what the Ka-Bar represents. The bozos who do irk me are the ones who wear around partial uniform pieces with badges, patches and insignias as a fashion statement that they obviously did not earn. Oh and I do have a ka-bar but it's mounted to a plaque that I received when I discharged, I need to get another one to play with :evil:

[Skunkabilly]

does that stop you from wearing a Lakers t-shirt

No, but I wouldn't wear it anyway, bright yellow and purple are not very tactical :D

Yaaaay Lakers won now let's turn over some squad cars :barf:

[motorep]

I've got one, an original. My dad carried it as a WW2 Marine. I've also got an original Fairbairn-Sykes stiletto he carried. They both stay in the safe.

[ruger357]

motorep,
Just wondering. Are the new ones made the same as the originals?

[motorep]

It's tough to tell, there are so many new versions. This one is marked USMC, on the reverse is KA-BAR OLEAN, N.Y. The handle is stacked leather washers, grooved. Can't tell if the grooves were standard or cerved in.The tang extends up through the round butt. 7" blade.

[jdmac45]

Skunk, do you always wear tactical clothing? You're scaring me dude - lol

Ruger - the one with the leather stacked handle is precisely like the one used in WWII, although if you don't have USMC stamped on it, it's probably a Navy or Army KA-BAR, they used them too actually. I forgot that I have a Navy KA-BAR that belonged to my uncle in Vietnam, it went through a house fire so it's not so pretty anymore, but I've got it all cleaned up and sharpened. There is a new KA-BAR for the Marine Corps but it's obviously not a 1943 issue - lol - high tech polymer handle, kydex sheath, bell and whistles, etc.

[jdmac45]

oh yeah, motorep, those are *blood grooves* :evil: and they're original ;) Some say they're meant to release blood from the prey to allow the blade to be removed more easily, some say it's an unproven myth and that they're there to lighten and stiffen the blade (this being the explanation for longer heavier flimsier swords of medieval times) but in any case I think the GI's were told the former definition just so they'd remember what those things were for - lol

[Volpe]

I've had one for a long long time and it has served me well. Its stamped KA-BAR Olean,N.Y. one side and USMC on the other. Its got stacked leather washer handle and "blood grooves". It'll still take a shaving sharp edge too....

[motorep]

jdmac45- I was referring to the grooves in the handle, not the blade. It does have the blood grooves in the blade, too.

[Bruce626]

Carried the USMC Ka-Bar in a previous life. Perhaps due to fond memories, a year ago I bought the Ka-Bar "Wart Hog" because it was the ugliest, toughest knife I'd ever seen, pound for pound. It is now an essential item in my bug out bag.

[Sgt]

Hey Skunk,

I can get you a great deal on an enlistment in my beloved Corps......then you won't feel like a poser :) They'd love to have a tactical guy like yourself, though you'd have to give up some of that carbon fiber;)

Semper Fi, Sgt

[Skunkabilly]

I can get you a great deal on an enlistment in my beloved Corps......

Oooh and an M-16 right?

[Sgt]

Depends on what kind of officer you want to be......but I can promise you that even if they have you working on computers.....you'd still have to qualify with the M-16 every year :) Even the Commandant has to do that!

Semper Fi, Sgt

[Tazz10m]

Back when i was a stupid kid (actually i'm still a stupid kid, but don't tell anybody) i had a old WWII Marine Ka-bar that i used to torture the hell out of because i just didn't know any better. That damn knife would take anything i put it too. I even used to use it as a full on pry bar. I could take that thing and jam it deep into a 4x4" wood beam with a hard slam with the heel of my hand, then pry that beam apart... and i did this many many times... without ever breaking the blade or even the tip of the blade. Absolutely amazing! That knife was also super easy to sharpen razor sharp, and would hold an edge forever! One of my favorite knives of all time. Definitely a knife you can count on!

[Skunkabilly]

you'd still have to qualify with the M-16 every year

Shooting again??? DO I HAVE TO???????

Every year? I start to feel slow if I don't shoot for two weeks.

[clem]

I still have my issue from the 60s.
What a great knife.
I also have a G.W. Stone custom fighting knife, but the K-Bar "feels" better.

[gearbox]

I've got the kraton handled version. Serrated. With the cheap-but-functions kydex sheath.
I just got it 2 weeks ago and haven't had a need for it. I keep it on my nightstand. We'll see how useful when I go camping or whatever.
Kinda makes you want a bear to attack you so that you can justify buying one, huh?