Nice job coelacanth.
How'd you stitch the leather? Awl?
How'd you stitch the leather? Awl?
Ka-Bar USMC
- Thread starter TheDisturbed1
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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.
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.
For happies and smileys here is a picture of my small collection of K-Bar knives.
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.
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
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That's a nice collection Onmilo. How do you like that Ontario?
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.
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.
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?
inkhead, can you cite a source for that information for us?
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:
I gotta say I like it better than any Ka-Bar USMC I own, but it was four times as expensive.
Mine is this one--black & green linen micarta:
I gotta say I like it better than any Ka-Bar USMC I own, but it was four times as expensive.
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coelacanth
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- Mar 5, 2007
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- 455
the duct tape field mod . . . . .
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.
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
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- Mar 5, 2007
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- 455
hey Boats, re: Bark River Knives . . . . .
+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?
+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?
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