On KA-BARs

[hawk002]

I guess ya'll didn't mind taking a look at the The Interceptor 911 if you're looking for a fixed blade, for example?? Their knives are nearly unbreakable!! I'm not saying that Ka-bar makes bad knives, I'm simply saying that there are alternatives, in my own opinion, much better quality knives to be bought. I have the StratoFighter Stiletto made here in the states, and would not trade it for another!! But that's my opinion!!!

[LittleLebowski]

I guess ya'll didn't mind taking a look at the The Interceptor 911 if you're looking for a fixed blade, for example?? Their knives are nearly unbreakable!! I'm not saying that Ka-bar makes bad knives, I'm simply saying that there are alternatives, in my own opinion, much better quality knives to be bought. I have the StratoFighter Stiletto made here in the states, and would not trade it for another!! But that's my opinion!!!

  Please elaborate as to what you put these knives through.

[Harm]

sorry man, they may make great knives, but I'll never know, I refuse to pay that much for a knife unless it's a custom.  Guess how many custom knives I have?     Not many.  Hell i have a hard time spending more than 80 bucks on a knife, usually I'm closer to forty.  Spending 200 plus just kills me.  Especially when these look like they've been designed just to be different.  Sorry man, but I'll go with a classic Ka Bar, china or not.  I'll go with a SOG seal Pup.  I'll go with a CRKT Razel.  Too many classic, proven designs that are cheaper. 

[TimGerber]

I have a Ka-Bar Mini.  It is just that, a miniature version of the classic Ka-Bar.  I think that it is the perfect knife.  I use it for everything, and it just keep working.  For example, the other night I needed to cut some kindling very thin for a fire, and the hatchet wasn't getting it done.  I used the blade of the Ka-Bar, and the back of the hatchet to cut some very thin oak strips.  Three swipes on the diamond stone, and the blade was right back to sharp.  They are good knives that hold up. 

Tim Gerber

[kdogmcg]

I guess ya'll didn't mind taking a look at the The Interceptor 911 if you're looking for a fixed blade, for example?? Their knives are nearly unbreakable!! I'm not saying that Ka-bar makes bad knives, I'm simply saying that there are alternatives, in my own opinion, much better quality knives to be bought. I have the StratoFighter Stiletto made here in the states, and would not trade it for another!! But that's my opinion!!!

Note to Dork Ops Knives: You need to pay to advertise on this site.

[Bo Smith]

Note to Dork Ops Knives: You need to pay to advertise on this site.

That's what I was thinking.

[hawk002]

Now look, this is the last post I'm going to make on this matter because this is quickly headding down the wrong path. I gave my sincere opinion on the type of blade that I preffer and that I own. I'm in no way involved with the company I work full time for a petrochemical company in southeast Texas, and I can't believe I'm being accused of having ties with dark ops!! I carry a folding knife from them in my pocket, and a SA .45 on my belt!! That's what I like and that's what I have!!! The good lord gave me the nessesary means therefore, was able to afford the items that I own. Yes while the knife is a little high everyone has the right to spoil themselves every once in a while. So in conclusion y'all can make any accusation on what I do for a living it really doesn't bother me, again that's just what I preffer that's my OPINION!!!!!   .   

[Irwin]

Chill your beans pal, you can appreciate how it looks, perhaps you could talk us through what you have done to your knife to make you trust it more than a ka bar?

[Thernlund]

Dark Ops is kind of a mall ninja brand, along with Hellfighter flashlights and Counter Sniper Scopes.  Not usually looked upon favorably due mostly to their crazy advertising.  That's why you're getting the ribbing.

But if you like it, yes, tell us.  Perhaps the brand has been misjudged.  How does the blade hold up?  Does it stay sharp?  What kind of steel are they using?  What have you used yours for that impresses you? 


-T.

[FMJ]

^^^And Extreme Shock Ammo too, no?

[Thernlund]

Well, there may be something to Extreme Shock.  Just not what they trump it up to be.  It's not much different than Magsafe or any other frangible ammo.

Counter Sniper, on the other hand, has been PROVEN to be junk.  I can't speak to the knives and flashlights as I have no knowledge of them other than they are made by the same company (which is, arguably, strike one all by itself).


-T.

[kdogmcg]

Now look, this is the last post I'm going to make on this matter because this is quickly headding down the wrong path. I gave my sincere opinion on the type of blade that I preffer and that I own. I'm in no way involved with the company I work full time for a petrochemical company in southeast Texas, and I can't believe I'm being accused of having ties with dark ops!! I carry a folding knife from them in my pocket, and a SA .45 on my belt!! That's what I like and that's what I have!!! The good lord gave me the nessesary means therefore, was able to afford the items that I own. Yes while the knife is a little high everyone has the right to spoil themselves every once in a while. So in conclusion y'all can make any accusation on what I do for a living it really doesn't bother me, again that's just what I preffer that's my OPINION!!!!!   .   

Well if you don't work for them you should. The "nearly unbreakable!!"  line is straight out of the Dork Ops marketing handbook. They love to make outragous claims with nothing to back those claims up as well. Couple that with the fact that spamming a legitimate, and respected web forum like WTA, is not beneath those 2 bit snake oil salesmen, and you can see how I made the mistake of assuming you work for them. Please accept my sincere apology. Won't happen again.   

[Bo Smith]

I feel about the same. Outrageous claims need compelling evidence. Even the Ronald McDonald of the knife world, Lynn Thompson releases videos of knife testing (not that I lend them much credence, considering the source- not third party). At least they're entertaining. As for real torture testing, I like the videos owners have made using and abusing Busses and Swamp Rats. I consider them more authentic, since they're not made by the company.

So, let's see some video of folks doing chin-ups with a Dark Ops knife, and maybe someone shattering cinder blocks with one.

[Bud]

getting back on thread.

I carried a USMC issued Ka-Bar the whole time I was flying in VN. The crappy little USAF knife was no where near as reliable as a Ka Bar. My buddy Jim (also here as "Blivit") had a Randall #1 along with a 38/44 S&W Outdforrsman. I coveted both, but Bo Randall was backed up for months when I was in Nam and when I came home I could never afford one.

When I went in the Army 1987 and then back to a field unit in 1989, I added my Ka Bar to my ALICE gear.  I did a really good job for one on my Commaders about 1991 and he surprised me with a Cold Steel Trail Master as a change of command going away type present. I replaced my KaBar with the TrailMaster and while I was in an Infantry unit, the TrauilMaster was always with me. It has a truly remarkable ability to slice right through one inch thick saplings and I was always amazed at how well it kept its edge.

When I returned to flying though, I put my KaBar back on my survival vest. It was somewhat smaller and offset the weight of the M9 pistol.

I think if anyone everyone asked me about the best all around survival/fighting knife i would have to pick the mil issue KaBar. It seems to fit all the roles nicely. May not be the absolute best in some things but nothing does every thing as well as a KaBar.

[Bo Smith]

Seems to me that the thin tang is the biggest complaint on this thread. I certainly have come to prefer knives with a full tang. It might be overkill, though. Still, just me preference.

[seanp]

It is a full length tang though, going all the way through the handle, not just a rat-tail. 

[moose42]

I've used my Ka-Bar to pound tent stakes into... un-cooperative ground.  I'd say it's tough.

I don't think the regular Ka-Bar is made in china, some of their other knives maybe.
According to their website, on all the "regular military" models.

Knife Made in USA, Leather Sheath Made in Mexico

[Bo Smith]

It is a full length tang though, going all the way through the handle, not just a rat-tail. 

Pardon me, full length, but not full width:

[hso]

I have a Camillus KaBar clone I've used and abused for about two decades. It's one of my favorite knives.

There's a lot of mythology around this knife.
Camillus, along with other companies (PAL, Robeson and including KaBar), made the WWII USMC Fighting/Utility Knife commonly referred to as the "KaBar".  Camillus held the government contract for the USN MkII, the designation for the same knife, after WWII after KaBar was no longer participating in the government contract.

As to tang terminology, Full tang means the tang is the width and length of the handle. Reduced tan means the tang is greater in width than a "rat tail" tang, but narrower than a full tang. Narrow rat tails, reduced width reduced tangs and full tang knives all have tangs that run the length of the handle to the pommel. You can't put stack washers on a full tang knife, like the USMC F/U and USN MkII have.

The best versions of this venerable knife still use 1095 steel or D2 (more exotic modern steels may be used as well).  Ka-Bar probably makes the best versions of the knife today, but old Camillus versions are just as good, if not better, than the current 1095 Ka-Bars.  Avoid the 440 versions since they will not perform as well as the 1095s.

Hope all that helps.

[alex_champ]

Are KA-BARs worth buying?

Yes definitely. So far it's still the best fighting knife for me because the grip is just perfect for me.

[GeorgeHill]

I was disappointed with KaBar at SHOT.  Too many of their products are made outside of the USA. 

[Precious Roy]

I was disappointed with KaBar at SHOT.  Too many of their products are made outside of the USA. 

A lot of that going around.  I got a sportsman's guide catalog a few weeks ago and they had all sorts of Browning knives and it looked like they were all made in china.

To keep on topic I bought my KaBar back in the late 80s.  Mine is made by Ontario.  My dad had one from the army but unfortunately it was stolen from me at Boy Scout summer camp.

[GeorgeHill]

A lot of that going around. 

BUCK is bringing back most of their production into the USA... which is a big step from recent past where most of their production was in China. 
I've made it a point to buy a lot of Buck and to sell a lot of Bucks.
Kershaw, also USA Made, gets my Dollars too.
Cold Steel?  Fewer and fewer products under 100 bucks are made in the USA... so I'm not buying so much Cold Steel. 

[Storyteller]

I still have the Randal #1 I bought at "great" expense the year of my 2nd VN tour. If i had to grab it on the way out the door, no problemo. I wouldn't feel a bit underknifed.  The "Dork Ops" knife kinda looks like something that tries to be everything, and doesn't do anything right. Keep it plain and simple and you will learn how to use it better.
I once heard Bill Jordan state, "Beware of the guy that brings 1 gun to the match, he probably knows how to use it real good". Same thing with the knife. Get 1, use it all the time, and you'll get pretty good at it.

[kdogmcg]

True, I'm not sure why it has a bottle opener. That's what your Galil is for.