gudel
Member
This is the first Ka-bar I have, I also have a SOG Tech Bowie on order. Does anyone have any opinion on that knife?
My 1st KA-BAR!
- Thread starter gudel
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Darthbauer
Member
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- Apr 1, 2007
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Ka-bars are nice knifes but with that extra money ya got there I would have bought something better.
MikeJackmin
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- Feb 24, 2005
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I love my kabar, it does everything I need it to do and it will almost certainly outlive me.
Take it outdoors and get it scuffed up.
Take it outdoors and get it scuffed up.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
I love Ka-Bars too.
Especially old GI ones.
As for that one with the black coated blade?
Not so much.
The coating will look like crap after the first time you actually use it for something.
rc
Especially old GI ones.
As for that one with the black coated blade?
Not so much.
The coating will look like crap after the first time you actually use it for something.
rc
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Which KaBar is that? If you've purchased a D2 or 1095 steel knife, you've picked a good KaBar.
I wouldn't purchase a working knife of the size of the SOG if it had an AUS8 blade.
If you've just purchased them to put on a shelf, it doesn't matter what our opinion is.
I wouldn't purchase a working knife of the size of the SOG if it had an AUS8 blade.
If you've just purchased them to put on a shelf, it doesn't matter what our opinion is.
HoosierQ
Member
I have the leather handled Camillus version of the same thing, third from the left below. I love mine.
possum
Member
i still have my first ka-bar, had it long before the army, and carried and used it on my first deployment. i love it and it has very special place in my heart, no longer my favorite, but still very special. mine is one of the USMC with the leather handle and sheath.
Piraticalbob
Member
Looks like a pretty good knife. It looks like it will be more resistant to the elements than the government contract versions, and will probably out-perform them, too. Ka-Bar still puts out a good knife, don't worry about comments to the contrary. Your knife should give you years of good service if you take care of it.
gudel
Member
This is the 1214 model, comes with the kydex sheath. I don't plan to abuse or extreme use of this knife, so I suspect this knife will probably lasts me a lifetime.
The 1214 is 1095 tool steel. It should stand up to any reasonable use.
Izzy77
Member
I like Ka-bar and the old Camillus. They are decent knives.
They were a better deal 5 years ago, but still a lot better than paying hundreds for slight improvements in an "all around" knife.
Like what?
They were a better deal 5 years ago, but still a lot better than paying hundreds for slight improvements in an "all around" knife.
Like what?
Like what?
http://www.amazon.com/Ka-Bar-Becker-BK7-Combat-Utility/dp/B001IPMG8K
For the ~$90 he could have gotten a BK7 and a Becker Necker and had all his bases just about covered for practical field knife uses.
OTOH, since the knives are because he wanted them and not because he intended to survive in the woods with them, the fact that he got what he liked the look of is enough.
gudel
Member
Yeah there's always something better out there 
I'm quite content with this knife.
I do have a SOG Tech Bowie in the mail, should be in tomorrow
I'm quite content with this knife.
I do have a SOG Tech Bowie in the mail, should be in tomorrow
Texas Gun Person
Member
I really like the Ka-Bar large bowie.
Will be getting on of these as well soon. Just cool to have.
Will be getting on of these as well soon. Just cool to have.
jakeiscrazy
Member
I have the knife as well. It's my edc and camp knife. I love it, I think you will to.
bernie
Member
I once read that the KaBar was not exactly the best combat knife designed for World War II, but it was an excellent "utility" sheath knife. This made the comment that even front line marines needed not a dedicated hand to hand knife, but one that could also be used to cut rope, pry open grenade crates, etc. I have to agree with the assessment. I keep one in my pickup truck, and it is a great utility knife.
There is better I am sure, but I like my KaBar. And even though mine is modern, I still feel a tie with my elders (and even current marines and troops) that have carried one in harms way.
There is better I am sure, but I like my KaBar. And even though mine is modern, I still feel a tie with my elders (and even current marines and troops) that have carried one in harms way.
hatchetbearer
Member
this is truth. I had a blade identical to yours with the exception that mine wasn't serrated. after prying open a door, cutting a hole into a 55 gal drum with it and a hammer, and a few other choice tasks. it looked like i took a wire brush to the blade. turns out it's a step above black paint.
Izzy77
Member
Better is subjective. Yes the Becker is usually a more solid knife, but it comes with increased weight, and a well made Ka-Bar is usually sufficient. Both knives have a thicker edge geometry than i personally like.
Besides, why make some one feel bad about a purchase? It's not like Ka-bar has a bad rep.
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Izzy77, I agree.
I owned a Becker BK7. It is the superior bushcraft knife but the inferior utility/self defense knife. The Becker's blade is very wide and not suited to skinning game or fine work. The wide blade is also harder to thrust into flesh. Oh, it'll go in, but not as smoothly as the Ka-Bar's. And the Becker's handle is quite smooth -- good for chopping but disadvantageous for fighting/thrusting. The Ka-Bar's Kraton handle gives better purchase for combat, or when confronted by a bear or feral dog. And the Ka-Bar is, as stated, less weighty.
I owned a Becker BK7. It is the superior bushcraft knife but the inferior utility/self defense knife. The Becker's blade is very wide and not suited to skinning game or fine work. The wide blade is also harder to thrust into flesh. Oh, it'll go in, but not as smoothly as the Ka-Bar's. And the Becker's handle is quite smooth -- good for chopping but disadvantageous for fighting/thrusting. The Ka-Bar's Kraton handle gives better purchase for combat, or when confronted by a bear or feral dog.
And the Ka-Bar is, as stated, less weighty.Bill2e
Member
Man oh man, my k-bar didn't come with all those benjimans
Riot Earp,
How many bears or feral dogs have you taken with a Ka-Bar? It would be impressive to see the pictures.
How many bears or feral dogs have you taken with a Ka-Bar? It would be impressive to see the pictures.
well i like my kabar it"s a partial serrated almost a foot long 1/8 thick blade,i just happened upon it"s backup a buck nighthawk 10 1/4 inches long, 5 inch blade instead of 7 as on kabar and 1/4 inch thick steel,it impressed me.good ol american steel.
gudel-
About 5 years ago I bought my Kabar. It's the smooth blade, USMC model.
If I had it to do all over again, I'd get the exact model that you have.
The serrations aren't necessary if you keep the blade really sharp, but I'd like to have 'em anyway for rope and whatnot. I'd rather have the kraton handle and synthetic sheath so I don't have to worry as much about water damage on the leather.
But for utility, I wouldn't trade that 1095 steel for the world (except maybe the D2 version but I can't imagine it being so muchbetter that it'd be worth the extra price of admission). I have used this knife on camping trips, boating, general utility since I bought the knife. The edge of the blade sharpens really nicely and seems to hold for ever. It's a seriously tough blade.
Oh, and yeah the blade coating will get scuffed up. But even scuffed, it keeps the carbon steel blade from getting rusty so it's just fine by me!!! I love my Kabar. I think you'll love yours as well.
About 5 years ago I bought my Kabar. It's the smooth blade, USMC model.
If I had it to do all over again, I'd get the exact model that you have.
The serrations aren't necessary if you keep the blade really sharp, but I'd like to have 'em anyway for rope and whatnot. I'd rather have the kraton handle and synthetic sheath so I don't have to worry as much about water damage on the leather.
But for utility, I wouldn't trade that 1095 steel for the world (except maybe the D2 version but I can't imagine it being so muchbetter that it'd be worth the extra price of admission). I have used this knife on camping trips, boating, general utility since I bought the knife. The edge of the blade sharpens really nicely and seems to hold for ever. It's a seriously tough blade.
Oh, and yeah the blade coating will get scuffed up. But even scuffed, it keeps the carbon steel blade from getting rusty so it's just fine by me!!! I love my Kabar. I think you'll love yours as well.
You chose to major on one of my minor points. Nonetheless, spend some time searching and you'll find cases of hikers/campers/hunters who have successfully defended themselves against bears and dogs. I just read a story online of a man who killed a black bear with a Buck 119 when the bear attacked him and his dog. And in a recent issue of a popular knife magazine there was a story on the last page of a man who killed a charging pit bull, in his yard, with a knife.
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