Marine K-Bar

FAL Banger · July 25, 2012, 17:26

Is there a way to tell a Marine issue K-bar from, say one I buy from some retail outlet? It has Olean "stamped" on the blade near the hilt. The sheath has the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor "stamped", or embossed on it. I do not have this knife in my possesion. It belongs to a friend (no really) it does. So sorry no pics. I haven't even seen the knife. What would be the ball park value? Start at mint and go from there.

Deltaten · July 25, 2012, 18:15

LOtsa repros and commercial versions at each and every gun show. Unless yer friend can/will say that he drew it from stores as issue ... and will provide provenance in writing... it's just 'nuther K-Bar

NEWFNL1A1 · July 25, 2012, 18:24

I thought the issued ones were black leather handle, plain black sheath. Did the issue ones have the commercial sheath stamp on it?

added: Wait are we talking a WWII era knife?

FAL Banger · July 25, 2012, 18:25

Actually my friend bought it from a co-worker on a previous job who was in the Marines. Not sure where or how previous owner got it.

JasonB · July 25, 2012, 18:30

Issued as in when/how? Likely not.

http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/

**tdb59** · July 25, 2012, 18:51

When did the Corps isuue Ka-Bars ?

Pal USN Mk1 s, yeah.

But, I am an old guy...

aardq · July 25, 2012, 19:22

Can only comment on the ones that I saw 40 years ago. The only marking on anything was the maker's name, Camillus or K-bar. The handles were brown. The sheath was plain black. There might have been some kind of stamp on the sheath's underside.

Both makers made the same knife and sold them to the military and to the civilian markets with no way to tell the difference. But, that was 40 years ago.

Hopefully a real expert will answer soon and teach us all something new.
Dan

NEWFNL1A1 · July 25, 2012, 19:44

Saw an article on the net about black Kabars going to Afghanistan...it was a report no proof..

Here it is from 2004:

Black Ka-Bars

Back in 2003 we wrote about some official issue Ka-bars that we thought were just another round of private purchase knives just misidentified at official issue. Well we recently heard from our West Coast good friend Rich Sams with some interesting information. It seems Rich may have found what appears to be a Black Ka-bar that was issued and used in Iraq.

According to Rich: I was reviewing your previous 2003 Knife Knotes which included an item about an 'errant report' that Kabar was supplying fighting knives to the military. It appears that the report may not have been in error.
Our friend who is a USMC EOD officer recently back from Iraq advises that when he went to their supply point to pick up a new knife to replace his issued M-11, he was offered a choice: A Conetta marked Mark 2 or a genuine Kabar in a black leather sheath.
Although he is EOD, he has no clue about knives other than how to use one. Of course, hearing this very interesting information, we asked him to elaborate on the story feeling that he must have mis-spoken and that the knives in question were actually Camillus or Ontario.
He advised that his supply person allowed him to view the bins from which the knives were being issued. One bin was full of brown Conetta marked Mark 2 knives in brown leather sheaths, brand new. We must be scraping the bottom of the supply barrel to be able to churn up that many unissued Conettas this late in the game.
The next bin contained brand new black Kabar marked Mark 2 knives in black leather sheaths. My question was if they might have been PX knives for sale to the troops. He advised that they were being issued right out of stock and that anyone could have a choice of either a brown knife or a black one. Needless to say, the genuine KaBars were likely to be very popular.
He explained that the Kabars were much heavier duty than the Conettas and the handles are coated with some type of black sealant that is very durable. He also sent photos of his Kabar as issued as proof.
You will notice in the photos of the knife from Iraq that the sheath is riveted and that the black dipped leather grip does not appear to have the black plastic spacers. The thick pommel still seems to have the pin driven in a blind hole from one side as do all of the current 'repro' Kabars.

So it seems we have a link, albeit hearsay, that the black Ka-bars are being issued to Marines in Iraq. The knife is unlike any made for the commercial market that we know of lacking the black plastic spacer. The coating on the handle is similar to that used on the Vietnam era knives being a dipped process to coat the leather. More information is needed on this area to provide the facts of the case. Does anyone know if these Ka-bars were purchased by the government in a contract built to the latest MIL-K-20277 specifications? Can we get any documentation on this? Your input would be greatly appreciated. An e-mail sent to Tara Troutman-Warner at Ka-Bar crushed the hope that Ka-bar was back in the supply business. Ka-bar Knives has not had any government contracts on the 1219C2 knife since World War Two. So with that established as proof they did not come from the factory, just where did they come from? Was it a private purchase or a credit card purchase of knives from a dealer? Lots of questions but a little short on the answer side so far.

http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/knife_knotes_10.htm

tac-40 · July 25, 2012, 20:12

I got mine from USMC supply in 1972. It had a black parked blade, brown leather handle, parked steel pommel and a dark brown leather sheath with the Bird and Ball pressed into the leather sheath. Blade is stamped KABAR. Took black shoe dye to the sheath. Still have the knife and it is still razor sharp. And still my favorite (+ go to) blade.

Jbird · July 26, 2012, 20:14

In the early '90's, the armory was full of Ka-Bars. Some made by Ontario & some made by Camillus (sp?). All of them had a plain black sheath with stitching & rivets. No USMC emblem. The knife handle was coated with some type of black preservative.

The Ka-Bars for sale at the PX had the brown leather sheath with the USMC emblem & staples instead of rivets. The knife handle was also brown & had been sanded/ground down to a smaller diameter & the "gripping grooves" were shallower than the issue knife. Made by Camillus.

It has been a while, so things may have changed.

Brian in MN · July 26, 2012, 20:32

Well, you might start here: http://www.kabar.com/most-famous-knife

It isn't like they have not been made for 50 years.

If you want to know about collector value of something old you are probably going to have to round up a book as this knife is a bit like Mauser rifles or FALs, there is no end to the variation.

**sturmgrenadiere** · July 26, 2012, 22:58

I've been issued the all black version on a few occasions during the past 22 years...

**MAINER** · July 27, 2012, 11:06

Known makers of the MkI/MK2 knife.

U.S.N. Mark 1
Henry Boker & Co.
Camillus Cutlery Co.
Colonial Knife Co.
Geneva Forge Inc.
PAL Blade Co.
Robeson Shuredge
Union Cutlery Co.
Western States Cutlery Co.

U.S.N. Mark 2 / U.S.M.C. 1219C2 Fighting Utility knife
Camillus Cutlery Co.
Conetta
M.S.I.
Ontario Knife Co.
PAL Blade Co.
Robeson Shuredge
Union Cutlery Co.
Utica Cutlery

Anybody know who M.S.I. refers to?

NEWFNL1A1 · July 27, 2012, 11:23

I lost a cherry Camillus Cutlery Co. MKII w/ correct sheath in the fire...had that knife since the 70's....bought it at a garage sale for 10.00

**tdb59** · July 27, 2012, 11:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAINER

Anybody know who M.S.I. refers to?

Manufacturing Specialties, Inc. of Texas - made 5500 only.

Learning more trivia today !

**MAINER** · July 27, 2012, 18:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdb59

Manufacturing Specialties, Inc. of Texas - made 5500 only.

Learning more trivia today !

Thank you most kindly! Always like to learn at least one thing each day even if it won't make me rich.

aardq · July 27, 2012, 20:57

Mainer, Thanks for posting that list of makers. My turn to learn today. I'd have sworn that a few that I saw were made by K-bar. Now I wonder who made the non-Camillus knives that I saw.

Dan

STGThndr · July 28, 2012, 15:58

I had a commercial KaBar obtained in 1971, USMC marked. Funky cheap leather sheath, chromed blade. Yes chromed and it was purchased new. The grip was hardened leather rings, sealed but untinted. Wish I had it back, I got rid of it and got a Buck General 120.
I have a Camillus which @ 1980, all black. Original sheath was discarded by the original buyer and replaced with a heavy nylon sheath with an extra pocket for a folder or stone, or? I have a Swiss Army and a small Ark stone stuffed in that pocket. This particular knife was in the Gulf twice with the original owner, who said he never used it for anything (and it looks it).

**MAINER** · July 28, 2012, 20:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by aardq

Mainer, Thanks for posting that list of makers. My turn to learn today. I'd have sworn that a few that I saw were made by K-bar. Now I wonder who made the non-Camillus knives that I saw.

Dan

Not sure I understand your comment here? Are you saying that K Bar did not make Mk 2 knives in WWII?

I got that list from a "Military Knife Collector" website. I think the list should have been titled "WWII makers of MK I/MK 2 knives besides KA-BAR". Not entirely sure about this.

I'm hoping my memory returns with the location of my old KA BAR sometime soon.

slade797 · August 01, 2012, 11:29

Some Ka-Bar trivia:

"Our name dates back to the early 1900's from a fur trapper testimonial. He wrote that while trapping, his gun jammed leaving him with only his knife to kill a wounded bear that was attacking him. He thanked us for making the quality knife that helped him to kill a bear, but all that was legible was "K a bar". Honored by the testimonial, the company adopted the phrase KA-BAR as their trademark."

http://www.kabar.com/about

Ironhandjohn · August 01, 2012, 16:34

I bought my kabar 10 or 12 years ago and I think it was a factory 'second' or something. Blacked-out leather grip, parkerized blade in a black leather sheath, but with a few dings in the upper part of the blade, just forward of the hilt. Nothing that affects function in any way but it may explain the price, less than $20 if memory serves correctly. The only markings on the blade are 'Camillus NY USA'. A nice blade, one I don't have to worry about hurting.

**def90** · August 07, 2012, 16:11

Do any of the actual "issued" Marine KABARs even have the corps logo? Seems like the emblem would just be extra wasted fluff on a real military item and that would be something added for commercial sales.

NEWFNL1A1 · August 07, 2012, 17:08

The surplus ones I've bought or seen for sale were black handle, black sheath but those were all recent (90's) Ontario versions...it sounds like the supply chains were flexible at times if troops were issued knives in commercial trim. I worked for the state for years and if an item was on state contract we bought it or if it was out of stock we were sold and equivalent item...we could also write justifications if the state contract items didn't meet our requirements...I guess the military might have some mechanism to commercial purchase too.....I'll ask my cousin if I see him...he was in supply for 20 years back to Nam then after as a civie contractor.

Dirt1042 · August 09, 2012, 12:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by def90

Do any of the actual "issued" Marine KABARs even have the corps logo? Seems like the emblem would just be extra wasted fluff on a real military item and that would be something added for commercial sales.

Yes, I remember seeing EGAs on K BAR sheaths. I remember the straight black ones as well. Commercial or issue, Charlie doesn't care what he's getting sliced and diced with, he just knows it sucks. You have to remember historically Marines are used to getting hosed on issued gear, they'll use whatever they can get their hands on.

Now it seems all of the newer gear has EGAs all over it. From boots to uniforms and everything else for that matter.

daimok · August 10, 2012, 09:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by STGThndr

I had a commercial KaBar obtained in 1971, USMC marked. Funky cheap leather sheath, chromed blade. Yes chromed and it was purchased new. .

I have a chrome "kabar" made by camillus that i posted here on the boards for more information , After doing research I found it was the commercial version called the TRAILBLAZER. it is a very nice looking knife , i bought mine in 1979

STGThndr · August 10, 2012, 10:56

Yes thats the very one!. only the second I've seen thanks for the pic! Mine was definitely "Kabar" marked.

NEWFNL1A1 · August 10, 2012, 11:37

Ontario makes a version too...not issue though.

http://www.ontarioknife.com/catalog/item/62

STGThndr · August 10, 2012, 16:15

Ive handled Ontario "kabar" type knives. They are crappy quality control.. soft leather for the grip...not polished up...and 420 STAINLESS @50Rockwell + or-!!.
Better go Kabar.. they still make the right stuff.

NEWFNL1A1 · August 10, 2012, 18:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by STGThndr

Ive handled Ontario "kabar" type knives. They are crappy quality control.. soft leather for the grip...not polished up...and 420 STAINLESS @50Rockwell + or-!!.
Better go Kabar.. they still make the right stuff.

Case makes a good one too. The issue Ontario issue knives are still ok..the all black carbon steel ones. The only stainless steel I like is in the SAKs. That Swiss stainless steel is great!

STGThndr · August 12, 2012, 10:59

Ditto on the Swiss knives. Mine represents one of the best cutlery investments Ive made. And I regret not having jumped on one of those swiss bayonets when they were around!

NEWFNL1A1 · August 12, 2012, 11:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by STGThndr

Ditto on the Swiss knives. Mine represents one of the best cutlery investments Ive made. And I regret not having jumped on one of those swiss bayonets when they were around!

You can still find those bayonets sometimes, they're just 3-4 times the price. I got one made by Wenger for $20.00 at a flea mrkt..it's un-issued I believe. I wish I'd gotten more! Both Wenger and Victorinox made them.

gates · August 12, 2012, 22:32

The one I have is a RAZOR! - I'm not willing to fuk around with it - it's a "break glass in case of WAR" type of knife... I have SERIOUSLY fucked myself up checking sharpness levels on HIGH dollar blades - if I had done my "tests" with the K-Bar... I would be an amputee... flat out TRUTH!

152 · August 13, 2012, 16:49

Where can we get this?

Thx

July 25, 2012, 17:26	#1
FAL Banger Registered FALaholic #: 19744 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 99	Marine K-Bar Is there a way to tell a Marine issue K-bar from, say one I buy from some retail outlet? It has Olean "stamped" on the blade near the hilt. The sheath has the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor "stamped", or embossed on it. I do not have this knife in my possesion. It belongs to a friend (no really) it does. So sorry no pics. I haven't even seen the knife. What would be the ball park value? Start at mint and go from there. Last edited by FAL Banger; July 25, 2012 at 18:14.

July 25, 2012, 18:15	#2
Deltaten Registered FALaholic #: 124 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Lancaster, PA USA Posts: 8,502	LOtsa repros and commercial versions at each and every gun show. Unless yer friend can/will say that he drew it from stores as issue ... and will provide provenance in writing... it's just 'nuther K-Bar __________________ All or Nothing! Senator McCarthy was right! and as always......FYB!

July 25, 2012, 18:24	#3
NEWFNL1A1 Out standing in his field Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 43401 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tx Posts: 3,322	I thought the issued ones were black leather handle, plain black sheath. Did the issue ones have the commercial sheath stamp on it? added: Wait are we talking a WWII era knife? __________________ Neo-Luddite - Traigo Mi Cuarenta y Cinco - Inch Guy I'm just a peckerwood who lives in the hills with too many hours on Call of Duty. I watch my Fake TV every evening....not much different than cable.

July 25, 2012, 18:30	#5
JasonB Registered FALaholic #: 7430 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: 90° N 0° W Posts: 9,639	Issued as in when/how? Likely not. http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/ __________________ 3/2001 - 6/2013 Search: Posts Made By: martin35 ; Forum: Weapon Specific Forums Showing results 1 to 2 of 2

July 25, 2012, 18:51	#6
tdb59 Grey Haired Pict Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 63177 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: I am here Posts: 2,450	When did the Corps isuue Ka-Bars ? Pal USN Mk1 s, yeah. But, I am an old guy... __________________ " Two things drive most humans in society. Being right, and looking good. "

July 25, 2012, 18:25	#4
FAL Banger Registered FALaholic #: 19744 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 99	Actually my friend bought it from a co-worker on a previous job who was in the Marines. Not sure where or how previous owner got it.

July 25, 2012, 19:22	#7
aardq Registered FALaholic #: 18645 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Flint Area Posts: 1,168	Can only comment on the ones that I saw 40 years ago. The only marking on anything was the maker's name, Camillus or K-bar. The handles were brown. The sheath was plain black. There might have been some kind of stamp on the sheath's underside. Both makers made the same knife and sold them to the military and to the civilian markets with no way to tell the difference. But, that was 40 years ago. Hopefully a real expert will answer soon and teach us all something new. Dan

July 25, 2012, 19:44	#8
NEWFNL1A1 Out standing in his field Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 43401 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tx Posts: 3,322	Saw an article on the net about black Kabars going to Afghanistan...it was a report no proof.. Here it is from 2004: Black Ka-Bars Back in 2003 we wrote about some official issue Ka-bars that we thought were just another round of private purchase knives just misidentified at official issue. Well we recently heard from our West Coast good friend Rich Sams with some interesting information. It seems Rich may have found what appears to be a Black Ka-bar that was issued and used in Iraq. According to Rich: I was reviewing your previous 2003 Knife Knotes which included an item about an 'errant report' that Kabar was supplying fighting knives to the military. It appears that the report may not have been in error. Our friend who is a USMC EOD officer recently back from Iraq advises that when he went to their supply point to pick up a new knife to replace his issued M-11, he was offered a choice: A Conetta marked Mark 2 or a genuine Kabar in a black leather sheath. Although he is EOD, he has no clue about knives other than how to use one. Of course, hearing this very interesting information, we asked him to elaborate on the story feeling that he must have mis-spoken and that the knives in question were actually Camillus or Ontario. He advised that his supply person allowed him to view the bins from which the knives were being issued. One bin was full of brown Conetta marked Mark 2 knives in brown leather sheaths, brand new. We must be scraping the bottom of the supply barrel to be able to churn up that many unissued Conettas this late in the game. The next bin contained brand new black Kabar marked Mark 2 knives in black leather sheaths. My question was if they might have been PX knives for sale to the troops. He advised that they were being issued right out of stock and that anyone could have a choice of either a brown knife or a black one. Needless to say, the genuine KaBars were likely to be very popular. He explained that the Kabars were much heavier duty than the Conettas and the handles are coated with some type of black sealant that is very durable. He also sent photos of his Kabar as issued as proof. You will notice in the photos of the knife from Iraq that the sheath is riveted and that the black dipped leather grip does not appear to have the black plastic spacers. The thick pommel still seems to have the pin driven in a blind hole from one side as do all of the current 'repro' Kabars. So it seems we have a link, albeit hearsay, that the black Ka-bars are being issued to Marines in Iraq. The knife is unlike any made for the commercial market that we know of lacking the black plastic spacer. The coating on the handle is similar to that used on the Vietnam era knives being a dipped process to coat the leather. More information is needed on this area to provide the facts of the case. Does anyone know if these Ka-bars were purchased by the government in a contract built to the latest MIL-K-20277 specifications? Can we get any documentation on this? Your input would be greatly appreciated. An e-mail sent to Tara Troutman-Warner at Ka-Bar crushed the hope that Ka-bar was back in the supply business. Ka-bar Knives has not had any government contracts on the 1219C2 knife since World War Two. So with that established as proof they did not come from the factory, just where did they come from? Was it a private purchase or a credit card purchase of knives from a dealer? Lots of questions but a little short on the answer side so far. http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/knife_knotes_10.htm __________________ Neo-Luddite - Traigo Mi Cuarenta y Cinco - Inch Guy I'm just a peckerwood who lives in the hills with too many hours on Call of Duty. I watch my Fake TV every evening....not much different than cable.

July 25, 2012, 20:12	#9
tac-40 Moderator Armed Curmudgeon FALaholic #: 12090 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: SC-Low Country Posts: 4,554	I got mine from USMC supply in 1972. It had a black parked blade, brown leather handle, parked steel pommel and a dark brown leather sheath with the Bird and Ball pressed into the leather sheath. Blade is stamped KABAR. Took black shoe dye to the sheath. Still have the knife and it is still razor sharp. And still my favorite (+ go to) blade. __________________ Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you.....Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom. Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. USAF ______________________________ If you do in fact have a problem, you have the rest of your life to solve it. How long your life lasts only depends on how well you solve it.

July 26, 2012, 20:14	#10
Jbird Registered FALaholic #: 12189 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Jacksonville, NC Posts: 117	In the early '90's, the armory was full of Ka-Bars. Some made by Ontario & some made by Camillus (sp?). All of them had a plain black sheath with stitching & rivets. No USMC emblem. The knife handle was coated with some type of black preservative. The Ka-Bars for sale at the PX had the brown leather sheath with the USMC emblem & staples instead of rivets. The knife handle was also brown & had been sanded/ground down to a smaller diameter & the "gripping grooves" were shallower than the issue knife. Made by Camillus. It has been a while, so things may have changed.

July 26, 2012, 20:32	#11
Brian in MN Registered FALaholic #: 289 Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 4,927	Well, you might start here: http://www.kabar.com/most-famous-knife It isn't like they have not been made for 50 years. If you want to know about collector value of something old you are probably going to have to round up a book as this knife is a bit like Mauser rifles or FALs, there is no end to the variation. __________________ Kalashnikov: The most successful point and click interface in the world.

July 26, 2012, 22:58	#12
sturmgrenadiere Moderator Gold Contributor FALaholic #: 1010 Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Quantico, Va Posts: 2,550	I've been issued the all black version on a few occasions during the past 22 years... __________________ They had Kings and Queens, we had a flag. The grass is neither greener or better. It is just grass, and it still itches. No rubber dogshit out of Hong Kong yet, but I am waiting for that mission...

July 27, 2012, 11:06	#13
MAINER Old Fart Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 18465 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Maine Posts: 6,351	Known makers of the MkI/MK2 knife. U.S.N. Mark 1 Henry Boker & Co. Camillus Cutlery Co. Colonial Knife Co. Geneva Forge Inc. PAL Blade Co. Robeson Shuredge Union Cutlery Co. Western States Cutlery Co. U.S.N. Mark 2 / U.S.M.C. 1219C2 Fighting Utility knife Camillus Cutlery Co. Conetta M.S.I. Ontario Knife Co. PAL Blade Co. Robeson Shuredge Union Cutlery Co. Utica Cutlery Anybody know who M.S.I. refers to? __________________ Joe Biden for President.

July 27, 2012, 11:23	#14
NEWFNL1A1 Out standing in his field Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 43401 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tx Posts: 3,322	I lost a cherry Camillus Cutlery Co. MKII w/ correct sheath in the fire...had that knife since the 70's....bought it at a garage sale for 10.00 __________________ Neo-Luddite - Traigo Mi Cuarenta y Cinco - Inch Guy I'm just a peckerwood who lives in the hills with too many hours on Call of Duty. I watch my Fake TV every evening....not much different than cable.

July 27, 2012, 20:57	#17
aardq Registered FALaholic #: 18645 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Flint Area Posts: 1,168	Mainer, Thanks for posting that list of makers. My turn to learn today. I'd have sworn that a few that I saw were made by K-bar. Now I wonder who made the non-Camillus knives that I saw. Dan

July 28, 2012, 15:58	#18
STGThndr Registered FALaholic #: 14583 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Southern Colorado mtns and desert Posts: 3,409	I had a commercial KaBar obtained in 1971, USMC marked. Funky cheap leather sheath, chromed blade. Yes chromed and it was purchased new. The grip was hardened leather rings, sealed but untinted. Wish I had it back, I got rid of it and got a Buck General 120. I have a Camillus which @ 1980, all black. Original sheath was discarded by the original buyer and replaced with a heavy nylon sheath with an extra pocket for a folder or stone, or? I have a Swiss Army and a small Ark stone stuffed in that pocket. This particular knife was in the Gulf twice with the original owner, who said he never used it for anything (and it looks it). __________________ Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity. W.B Yeats

August 01, 2012, 11:29	#20
slade797 Registered FALaholic #: 38446 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 262	Some Ka-Bar trivia: "Our name dates back to the early 1900's from a fur trapper testimonial. He wrote that while trapping, his gun jammed leaving him with only his knife to kill a wounded bear that was attacking him. He thanked us for making the quality knife that helped him to kill a bear, but all that was legible was "K a bar". Honored by the testimonial, the company adopted the phrase KA-BAR as their trademark." http://www.kabar.com/about __________________ "They call us 'civilized' because it's easy to sneak up on us." - Chief Dan George, "The Outlaw Josey Wales"

August 01, 2012, 16:34	#21
Ironhandjohn Registered FALaholic #: 11561 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: 1187 Hundertwasser Posts: 2,371	I bought my kabar 10 or 12 years ago and I think it was a factory 'second' or something. Blacked-out leather grip, parkerized blade in a black leather sheath, but with a few dings in the upper part of the blade, just forward of the hilt. Nothing that affects function in any way but it may explain the price, less than $20 if memory serves correctly. The only markings on the blade are 'Camillus NY USA'. A nice blade, one I don't have to worry about hurting. __________________ Stripping motivated people of their dignity and rubbing their noses in it... is a VERY bad idea!!

August 07, 2012, 16:11	#22
def90 Old Fart Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 50609 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: The Peoples' Republic of Boulder, Colorado Posts: 9,091	Do any of the actual "issued" Marine KABARs even have the corps logo? Seems like the emblem would just be extra wasted fluff on a real military item and that would be something added for commercial sales. __________________ There is no theory of evolution, just a list of creatures Chuck Norris allows to live. Public libraries cannot let the public decide what is allowed in the library, or it would be brimming with pornography and gun magazines.

August 07, 2012, 17:08	#23
NEWFNL1A1 Out standing in his field Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 43401 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tx Posts: 3,322	The surplus ones I've bought or seen for sale were black handle, black sheath but those were all recent (90's) Ontario versions...it sounds like the supply chains were flexible at times if troops were issued knives in commercial trim. I worked for the state for years and if an item was on state contract we bought it or if it was out of stock we were sold and equivalent item...we could also write justifications if the state contract items didn't meet our requirements...I guess the military might have some mechanism to commercial purchase too.....I'll ask my cousin if I see him...he was in supply for 20 years back to Nam then after as a civie contractor. __________________ Neo-Luddite - Traigo Mi Cuarenta y Cinco - Inch Guy I'm just a peckerwood who lives in the hills with too many hours on Call of Duty. I watch my Fake TV every evening....not much different than cable.

August 10, 2012, 10:56	#26
STGThndr Registered FALaholic #: 14583 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Southern Colorado mtns and desert Posts: 3,409	Yes thats the very one!. only the second I've seen thanks for the pic! Mine was definitely "Kabar" marked. __________________ Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity. W.B Yeats

August 10, 2012, 11:37	#27
NEWFNL1A1 Out standing in his field Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 43401 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tx Posts: 3,322	Ontario makes a version too...not issue though. http://www.ontarioknife.com/catalog/item/62 __________________ Neo-Luddite - Traigo Mi Cuarenta y Cinco - Inch Guy I'm just a peckerwood who lives in the hills with too many hours on Call of Duty. I watch my Fake TV every evening....not much different than cable.

August 10, 2012, 16:15	#28
STGThndr Registered FALaholic #: 14583 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Southern Colorado mtns and desert Posts: 3,409	Ive handled Ontario "kabar" type knives. They are crappy quality control.. soft leather for the grip...not polished up...and 420 STAINLESS @50Rockwell + or-!!. Better go Kabar.. they still make the right stuff. __________________ Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity. W.B Yeats

August 12, 2012, 10:59	#30
STGThndr Registered FALaholic #: 14583 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Southern Colorado mtns and desert Posts: 3,409	Ditto on the Swiss knives. Mine represents one of the best cutlery investments Ive made. And I regret not having jumped on one of those swiss bayonets when they were around! __________________ Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity. W.B Yeats

August 12, 2012, 22:32	#32
gates Registered FALaholic #: 129 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: phx az Posts: 10,429	The one I have is a RAZOR! - I'm not willing to fuk around with it - it's a "break glass in case of WAR" type of knife... I have SERIOUSLY fucked myself up checking sharpness levels on HIGH dollar blades - if I had done my "tests" with the K-Bar... I would be an amputee... flat out TRUTH!

August 13, 2012, 16:49	#33
152 Registered FALaholic #: 64591 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Mississippi Posts: 44	Swiss K bar? Where can we get this? Thx

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