Looking for a good Kabar knife

[spidey07]

I'm camping a lot more now and really could use one. Absolutely want one that is partially serrated. The next generation with the hard sleeve looks good. Just want it for around camp, some wood, rope work and food prep. Maybe some digging.

I really want it next week so any recommendations and where to buy? Amazon gives me something about needing to verify I'm over 18 but I doubt my state requires that.

thanks in advance.

been looking at this
http://www.amazon.com/Generation-Fig...3880186&sr=8-4

-edit-
oh, and NO RUST. It's going to get dirty, wet, muddy, etc.

 

[BoomerD]

I have that knife. I used it on the barges for several years. Relatively easy to sharpen, stays sharp with use, doesn't rust, even when used in saltwater.

Is it the best knife for your uses? Maybe...maybe not, but it's a good knife that will serve you well for many years.

Here's the full Kabar catalog:

https://www.kabar.com/product.jsp

in it, you'll also find this one that may be better suited for your use:

https://www.kabar.com/product/produ...yId=1,2,3,7,8,9&categoryName=Hunting/Sporting

 

[shortylickens]

Thats like saying "I'm looking for tasty cheesecake".

 

[AndroidVageta]

Is Kabar the only brand you are considering? I have been using Gerber mostly and they are extremely good knifes...if not some of the best that are perhaps overlooked by most. For what you need check out the LMF II series:

http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-22-0140.../dp/B000G0HP5C

I LOVE this knife...I have 2 actually, one strapped to my Camelbak for hiking and one that I use to strap to my leg when setting up camp or what have you. EXTREMLY versatile and just as good if not better than a Kabar. Has full hard sheath with button clasp handle holders and quick release holding as well. Built in sharpener and a full range of ways to strap it to your body/gear.

Blade is full 420HC stainless steel and has stood up to continuous abuse over and over.

I dont know, I just feel that since Kabar is more well known most people only look at them when there are a very wide selection from numerous manufacturers that make knives that are just as good.

Amazon has this at a VERY good price as well, bought my first one for $175!

EDIT: Here is an EXCELLENT video showing all of the different design features of the LMF II:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHHOcUqVF80&feature=related

 

[Colt45]

all ka-bars rust.

 

[BoomerD]

all ka-bars rust.

From Ka-Bar:
"Stainless steel blade resists corrosion and with proper care is appropriate for use in water or wet conditions."

Obviously, if you leave it in the ocean for a long time, even stainless steel can rust, but it doesn't take much care to prevent any knife from rusting.

I carried a standard Ka-Bar for almost 2 years in Vietnam. Not a speck of rust on it...ever.

 

[lxskllr]

I like Ka-Bar due to the history. I don't have one, but I'd get a WWII replica if I needed a big knife.

Edit:
For something a little different, this is a nice blade to pack...

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...550102&cm_ite=0049088517835a&_requestid=88739

Very useful, and it isn't too bulky/heavy. It's not the best for briers, but for wood it's unbeatable.

 

[iGas]

I like Ka-Bar due to the history. I don't have one, but I'd get a WWII replica if I needed a big knife.

Edit:
For something a little different, this is a nice blade to pack...

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...550102&cm_ite=0049088517835a&_requestid=88739

Very useful, and it isn't too bulky/heavy. It's not the best for briers, but for wood it's unbeatable.

That is a nice tool, however it may be too large to pack around.

 

[lxskllr]

That is a nice tool, however it may be too large to pack around.

It's really small. It'll strap to the outside of a pack, and not overhang any edges. I used to use one for work all the time. I usually preferred my 24" Barteaux, but that's because it was better with briers(length kept your hands away from the action). The Woodmans Pal is better for woodwork, but it'll do briers to(wear gloves).

 

[Nik]

I have a couple KABARs, one of which is USMC stamped. Don't pay more than $40 for one.

 

[herm0016]

my pack knife is a 5 dollar stamped steel with a paracord warped handle. it has never let me down, i also always carry my multi-tool. I had to improvise things in the field and the multi-tool has been invaluable.

if i was going to replace it I would look at getting a custom knife. for mass market stuff my favorite is SOG. they make great fixed blade knives. i love their multitools and have had folders from them too. my current folding knife is from knives of Alaska and is also great, I do not know their fixed blade stuff, but their small carbon fiber folder is really awesome.

http://sogknives.com/store/fixed.html

http://www.knivesofalaska.com/fixed.aspx

 

[duragezic]

Dude, check out www.yourcornerstore.com. If they have it, it's almost guaranteed to be the cheapest price on the internet.

Check out www.youtube.com/user/nutnfancy and goto Playlists then Fixed Blade Reviews. The guy is a machine and has a ton of reviews, most of which include lots of wilderness use to show where his info comes from. I know he has reviewed some KaBar knives and competing options. And spidey, if you check out his political and philosophy videos I think you'd totally agree with him on most things.

If I'm buying some knife or gun or piece of gear, I'll definitely check him out for a review on it first. Some of them get pretty lengthy but the things I've bought I totally agree with what he said.

 

[spidey07]

Thanks all. Lots to look at.

 

[Colt45]

I carried a standard Ka-Bar for almost 2 years in Vietnam. Not a speck of rust on it...ever.

Hmm, for some reason I thought they were just high carbon steel, not stainless. Holds an edge better I suppose.

All the ones I've had have been powder coated, I assumed they did that for a reason.

 

[duragezic]

I think most are high carbon steel. Some of them have D2 which I think is a high carbon toolsteel but has properties that make it somewhat like half stainless as well, so it has good toughness but better rust resistance than regular high carbon steel.

Keep non-stainless blades with a coat of oil on them.

 

[SandEagle]

go with one of these instead:
http://www.surefire.com/EdgedWeapons

 

[deadlyapp]

Hmm, for some reason I thought they were just high carbon steel, not stainless. Holds an edge better I suppose.

All the ones I've had have been powder coated, I assumed they did that for a reason.

They wouldn't powdercoat it, most black blades are pvd or dlc I believe.

 

[BoomerD]

They wouldn't powdercoat it, most black blades are pvd or dlc I believe.

From the press release for the 110th anniversary blades:

"KA-BAR Knives, Inc., a subsidiary of Alcas Corporation, introduces three
Commemorative Knives to celebrate the Company’s 110th year of business.
Available in U.S. Army, U.S.M.C., and U.S. Navy blade and sheath options, these specially decorated knives commemorate the Company’s 110th anniversary. The epoxy powder coated high carbon steel (1095 cro-van) blades are pad print decorated with specially designed art. The handle is stacked and polished leather. The sheath is brown leather and features the corresponding military insignia. The overall length of the knife is 11 7/8” and the blade length is 7”."