KA-BAR Photo Thread - Post Your Ka-Bar Knife Pictures Here

1217, lightly used. :thumbsup:
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Few new ones turned up recently.:thumbsup:

These have the model numbers on the right side, so pre May 2022.
All Black 1211. (Came with leather sheath, but swapped it out for kydex.)
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All Green 5011
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Now old stock 1217 from 2016 mint in the box.
I was going to rehandle this one, but decided to leave it be.
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Ruari said:
Broke this one (bought in 2003) out of storage to compare it to a new one.
Only difference is the lower grind line.
View attachment 2031435

View attachment 2031436
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Apart from the lower grind,the newer ones also have a slightly different handle shape.
(I'm not a fan of it as I much prefer the older style like yours.)
As well as a narrower fuller and lettering sizes.


Here is an older version with the low grind blade,wide fuller, but with the current handle shape,circa 2011/12.
The differences when viewed from above are :-
The handle is thinner by about 1/8th inch compared to yours.
Also the thickest part of the handle on mine is at the second groove back from the guard.(yours looks to be closer to the middle,were it should be)
Where the handle meets the pommel is also different,the current versions are somewhat thin where it is up against the black spacer.
This, at least to me, looks rubbish and feels rubbish.
My understanding is this is due to the way the spacers are now made,eg the spacer is molded to the finished size.
In the past the spacers and leather washers were all shaped at once on the ginding machine,giving a nicer shape and cleaner lines that made the handle flow into the pommel.

Also note the chamfer on the forward edge of the pommel,dont like this at all.
Yours has the nicely rounded pommel, which I prefer.
Narks me Ka-Bar wont make them like they used to!
No matter for me though as this one is to have a full custom makeover,blade and handle, in the future.

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Here are some handle shapes.
From left to right:- 1991, 2022, 1990, 2020 Kraton G on a D2.
Although the leather handles are nicely constructed and finished,the current version,for me, is poorly shaped.
The 1990 version is my "Master" I use to copy if I need to make a new leather handle from the handle kits supplied by Ka-Bar.
(This is done by tracing each washer from the master onto a new washer from the kit.)
I like this one as it has the most pleasing shape,the kraton is very close to this one.
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LostViking said:
Hats??

We have hats???
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Fished this one out of the bay recently, still had the original tags on it!
Mid to late 90's vintage I think.
I like this one a LOT better than the current models.
Simply because it has a logo that is easily identifiable as "KA-BAR".
 
My latest, 1217 from 1992ish. Paperwork dated 1990 and 1992.
Looks like she was made yesterday.
Powdercoated blade has a very matt finish, not shiny like the current versions.
Handle shape is excellent, how they should be.
Blade edge is still sharp enough to cleanly shave hair from my arm despite sitting in a box for 30 years!
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Note the off center markings.
I will have to check, but I'm sure this is very close, if not the same as my "Ol' Girl" from the same era.

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