alternitives to the classic usmc Ka-Bar knife

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Sasuke13Uchiha

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Jun 8, 2014
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I really like the look of the Kabar but i was wondering if there any better alternatives, while still keeping a somewhat classic usmc Ka-bar look?by better i mean better steel stronger tang better grip etc. :D Im hoping to use this knife for camping and utility, but also to have a knife with that usmc look. Also does anyone have good or bad experiences with the Ka-Bar brand
 
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First you'll need to tell us just what you want the knife for, and what the intended use is. Otherwise we can present some recommendations, but we'll basically be flying blind in our recommendations, and just spit balling it based on our own experiences.
 
Jericho Blades makes a very similar knife in full tang and different finishes/patinas

The model is the HellHound Mk VII
 
My son really wanted a "Kabar". I was actually shocked at the prices of the Kabar brand versions and was worried about the welded rod tang, if they still even do them that way. Anyway, it was his 12th birthday, so I bought him an Ontario Spec Plus version and an Ontario Kukri SP for not much more than the price of the Kabar brand knife alone ($35 for the Ontario "Kabar" and $50 for the khuk at a major online retailer). The quality of the blades seem fantastic. Very sharp (even the swedge) and holding a nice edge, straight, nice grinds, nicely coated. What I really like is I believe Ontario uses a much more substantial tang, like the full-length (to the lanyard hole), full width (but not quite full profile) type Cold Steel uses in many of their blades, but again, I'm not 100% sure about the Kabar welded rod system being used still. The Ontario sheaths are quite usable thick nylon backed leather, but not fancy by today's standards. Though they seem much better than the thin leather Kabar sheaths of old. For the price and quality of this Ontario, it's the one I would personally buy if I wanted that style, without hesitation. I was actually blown away by both Ontario blades and came away with a great appreciation for what a bargain their knives are. Good luck.
 
jdk1 said:
My son really wanted a "Kabar". I was actually shocked at the prices of the Kabar brand versions and was worried about the welded rod tang, if they still even do them that way. Anyway, it was his 12th birthday, so I bought him an Ontario Spec Plus version and an Ontario Kukri SP for not much more than the price of the Kabar brand knife alone ($35 for the Ontario "Kabar" and $50 for the khuk at a major online retailer). The quality of the blades seem fantastic. Very sharp (even the swedge) and holding a nice edge, straight, nice grinds, nicely coated. What I really like is I believe Ontario uses a much more substantial tang, like the full-length (to the lanyard hole), full width (but not quite full profile) type Cold Steel uses in many of their blades, but again, I'm not 100% sure about the Kabar welded rod system being used still. The Ontario sheaths are quite usable thick nylon backed leather, but not fancy by today's standards. Though they seem much better than the thin leather Kabar sheaths of old. For the price and quality of this Ontario, it's the one I would personally buy if I wanted that style, without hesitation. I was actually blown away by both Ontario blades and came away with a great appreciation for what a bargain their knives are. Good luck.
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Newer Kabar USMCs have a higher grind that comes to a thinner edge. They also don't use a welded rod tang. Newer ones typically come with a durable plastic sheath also. Kabar also run their steel to a higher rockwell than ontario does.
 
fzla226 said:
Newer Kabar USMCs have a higher grind that comes to a thinner edge. They also don't use a welded rod tang. Newer ones typically come with a durable plastic sheath also. Kabar also run their steel to a higher rockwell than ontario does.
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Good to know, thanks. It sounds like they just need to use some QC. Those Ontarios have handled being wacked on well seasoned mesquite without edge loss. I might question the need for a harder treatment myself, but I'm no expert by any means!
 
jdk1 said:
Good to know, thanks. It sounds like they just need to use some QC. Those Ontarios have handled being wacked on well seasoned mesquite without edge loss. I might question the need for a harder treatment myself, but I'm no expert by any means!
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Harder HT is fine paired with the right kind of an edge. A reprofile job on the edge to give it a nice convex grind would do best for that kind of work.
 
The classic marine corps knives came from the bayonets that were already in use in prior wars. I have always found the marine corp knife cool and certainly a classic look. But were never for me except as a novelty item. I have similar knives today. A better option might be the Kabar Becker BK-2, BK-10, or BK-7. The BK-7 was actually created as an alternative to the classic knife. Another would be an EK Commando knife or designs. Kabar will be making them in the future as they bought out EK.

My first "survival" knife was in fact an EK Commando bowie. Cool knife.

Added: Check out Randall knives or check out the poor man's Randall's (Blackjack Classics) made by Blackjack. Bark River makes these knives. It just depends on how far you want to stray away from the basic design of the USMC knife.
 
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There's fox cutlery's military explorer model.
There's a case knives USmc knife which looks a lot like an Ontario marine knife.
There's the next gen kabar extreme In d2 steel.
It's an iconic design.
Folks will still buy it even if better designs come along...
Guess the lore is strong with this one.
 
GIRLYmann said:
There's fox cutlery's military explorer model.
There's a case knives USmc knife which looks a lot like an Ontario marine knife.
There's the next gen kabar extreme In d2 steel.
It's an iconic design.
Folks will still buy it even if better designs come along...
Guess the lore is strong with this one.
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The lore and the design itself. There's nothing wrong with the USMC and how it's built, it's just all the negative hype against it is so pervasive by people who want sharpened crowbars.
 

alternitives to the classic usmc Ka-Bar knife
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When I first tested the Bark River Bravo-2, I likened it to a new millennium Ka-Bar.

A similar size knife with modern materials and ergonomic; a real workhorse of a field knife, much tougher then the original.


But I realize that the OP is looking for a knife with the look of the original, not just modern knife of similar size.



Big Mike
 
fzla226 said:
Newer Kabar USMCs have a higher grind that comes to a thinner edge. They also don't use a welded rod tang. Newer ones typically come with a durable plastic sheath also. Kabar also run their steel to a higher rockwell than ontario does.
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What type of tang do they use now?
 
TheJeepster said:
If you like the classis looks the Blackjack 1 - 7 fighter with stacked leather handle is a great looking knife and also made of a tool steel A-1.
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The BlackJack Model 1-7 is a great knife, the steel is actually A2 Tool Steel.

SoVMuuu.jpg


Mine has been modded to have a single quillian guard.



Big Mike
 
Always did like the classic buck general
scream_buck_120_knife_3d_by_rubenvoorhees1-d3g524d.jpg

though I think only the shorter buck special remains in production?
 
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