My old war horse

[TimboKhan]

I have said on a number of occasions that a small folder was far more useful to me back in my Marine days, yet I did own and use a "Kabar". This knife was stolen from me and some jerkwad scratched the words "kool killer" into the blood grooves necessitating me scratching that out, but the rest of the wear on this knife is honest use. Honestly, this thing was used hard, put up wet, and then used hard again. Still tight, still good to go, and despite the small folder truism, I would not trade this ugly beaten up knife for anything. Anyway, nothing special, just a personal piece of my history! This knife saw use in Kuwait, Somalia, Okinawa, and several stateside trainings.

 

[hso]

Nothing better than a personal artifact from your days overseas!

 

[Deltaboy1984]

It is cool to have some things likes this.

 

[Sam Cade]

This knife was stolen from me and some jerkwad scratched the words "kool killer" into the blood grooves necessitating me scratching that out, but the rest of the wear on this knife is honest use.

I'd kinda like to hear the story of how you got it back.

 

[MudMarine]

Nice blade. The issue k-bar in 03-07 timeframe were all junk and not even made by k-bar. The new Usmc bayonets were good to go though.

 

[TimboKhan]

Well, pretty simple, really. I did temporary duty in Somalia as a convoy escort, and some weasel that was in support took it out of my hummer. I found it within about three days after asking around and took it back. I asked "nicely" in that I gave the thief a chance to give it back without having a punched face and he was smart enough to take it. What I really wish I still had was the sheath, but that rotted away long ago.

 

[hso]

Replacing the sheaths are easy. Just buy a new one.

 

[TimboKhan]

Yeah.. that sheath was nice though. Had my initials and stuff. One day I will remember to order a new one, or make my own kydex. I have the press and the material.

 

[hso]

I understand it won't be the same sheath, but you can make the new one like the old one if you want to recreate it.

 

[rcmodel]

some jerkwad scratched the words "kool killer"

It might have been after I found the jerk wad that stole it!!

rc

 

[Nighteyes]

Nice blade. The issue k-bar in 03-07 timeframe were all junk and not even made by k-bar. The new Usmc bayonets were good to go though.

The actual designation/name for the "Ka-Bar knife" is Mark II. To set the record straight, Ka-Bar has not made a single military-issue Mark II since the close of World War II. In fact, nobody made military-issue Mark IIs from 1945 up into the 1970s.

All of the post-WWII Mark IIs made by Ka-Bar are non-military-issue "commemoratives" intended for the consumer market. I'm not saying they're not good knives; they're just not mil-spec, or official military issue. They were, and quite possibly still are, readily available as private-purchase items in PXs around the world.

The OP's knife is almost certainly one of the commemoratives. In the pic the most obvious clue is the blade finish -- the wear-pattern clearly says "powder-coating." From its creation in 1943, nearly all of the Mil-spec Mark IIs have been parkerized; a few of the earliest ones were bright or blued. Again, I'm not saying the OP's knife isn't a good one because it obviously is.

And I agree -- the last Mark IIs to be made under military contract, by Ontario Knife Company IIRC, are of comparatively poor quality.

-- Nighteyes

 

[TimboKhan]

Nighteyes, good info. If it helps, it is stamped "kabar" and I bought it off the shelf of the PX in 29 Palms.

 

[Nighteyes]

Thanks for confirming, bruddah. And welcome home.

-- Nighteyes (1/327, 101st Abn, RSVN 1965-66)

 

[Nighteyes]

Twenty-Nine Palms isn't all that far from Casa Nighteyes. Been past it several times. That's some serious desert. Give me the woodlands or jungle any time...

 

[Outlaw Man]

Awesome stories! I'm glad you were able to get it back, even if it was defaced. That knife definitely needs to stay in your family

 

[TimboKhan]

Nighteyes, you ain't just whistling dixie. I love the Marine Corps with every ounce of my being, but I was not a fan of the stumps. At all. I know some people love the desert, but I am not one of those people!

 

[Nighteyes]

Nighteyes, you ain't just whistling dixie!

Being FROM Dixie, I am likely to 'whistle Dixie' at the drop of a hat. But your point is well-taken!

 

[Officers'Wife]

Very nice Tim...

One of these days I'll post of pic of the "war knife" that trades owners around here about once every six months. I think my brother has it now.

Sorry, it's an old Mauser artillery bayonet from WWI. On occasion the question comes up if it's a long knife or a short sword. Further proof the people in my family will argue about anything.

 

[Nighteyes]

Very nice Tim...

One of these days I'll post of pic of the "war knife" that trades owners around here about once every six months. I think my brother has it now.

Sorry, it's an old Mauser artillery bayonet from WWI. On occasion the question comes up if it's a long knife or a short sword. Further proof the people in my family will argue about anything.

If it's a bayonet, its a long knife...