Mistwalker
Gold Member
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2007
- Messages
- 18,688
Ok, the new Ka-Bar USN MK1 that I won if the fire starting contests arrived. Thanks Moose and Ka-Bar! This thing is sweet! I have been busy lately so just some detail shots and first impressions for now. Ill post shots from the field after I get it out next week.
I really do like this knife, it is the design I was wishing they had done back when I bought my first small Ka-Bar.
I really like the new style of rivets over what they used to use on these hard sheaths. Ive built several kits from their hard sheaths over the years that they have made them.
I also like how the retention strap rivet is not so tight that its a pain to switch sides with the retention strap for right or left hand carry, and various carry options.
Im glad to see locking mechanism on these sheaths. The first hard sheaths for the small Ka-Bars lacked the locking mechanism that the larger sheaths had and that made inverted carry a pain at times. Like the sheath, the locking mechanism is ambidextrous.
I have some mixed feelings about the absence of the upper guard, but mostly I do like it. It does make it so that the lower retention strap will not secure the knife from the spine side. I kind of like having that type of retention so as not to cut the retention strap drawing the knife quickly.
On the other hand, it makes some holds much more comfortable. Since this one may well be left inverted on a pack strap, now that it has the locking mechanism, I think Ill get along just fine without the upper guard.
Here are some other in-hand shots. The knife has a full handle that is easy to get a good secure grip on in various holds.
The grinds on the blade are very nicely done.
The sheath has 10 rivets that hold it together, and two sets of slots so there are lots of options there for carry and adding things. There is a large drain hole in the back to quickly drain any water, it has an attachment point for a drop system, and it fits on a pistol belt.
The knife also came with a good working edge. Not really hair-popping sharp, but easily handled some fine curls in some very hard seasoned sycamore so not bad at all.
Initial impressions are that I really like the knife a lot and Im glad they brought it out. I think it makes a great blend of tactical usefulness and in the field all-around functionality. I think it is going to be a great little knife.
.
I really do like this knife, it is the design I was wishing they had done back when I bought my first small Ka-Bar.
I really like the new style of rivets over what they used to use on these hard sheaths. Ive built several kits from their hard sheaths over the years that they have made them.
I also like how the retention strap rivet is not so tight that its a pain to switch sides with the retention strap for right or left hand carry, and various carry options.
Im glad to see locking mechanism on these sheaths. The first hard sheaths for the small Ka-Bars lacked the locking mechanism that the larger sheaths had and that made inverted carry a pain at times. Like the sheath, the locking mechanism is ambidextrous.
I have some mixed feelings about the absence of the upper guard, but mostly I do like it. It does make it so that the lower retention strap will not secure the knife from the spine side. I kind of like having that type of retention so as not to cut the retention strap drawing the knife quickly.
On the other hand, it makes some holds much more comfortable. Since this one may well be left inverted on a pack strap, now that it has the locking mechanism, I think Ill get along just fine without the upper guard.
Here are some other in-hand shots. The knife has a full handle that is easy to get a good secure grip on in various holds.
The grinds on the blade are very nicely done.
The sheath has 10 rivets that hold it together, and two sets of slots so there are lots of options there for carry and adding things. There is a large drain hole in the back to quickly drain any water, it has an attachment point for a drop system, and it fits on a pistol belt.
The knife also came with a good working edge. Not really hair-popping sharp, but easily handled some fine curls in some very hard seasoned sycamore so not bad at all.
Initial impressions are that I really like the knife a lot and Im glad they brought it out. I think it makes a great blend of tactical usefulness and in the field all-around functionality. I think it is going to be a great little knife.
.
