Great news, getting my first kabar.

H

Houlahound

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Aug 2, 2017
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I want an authentic usmc production - there are so many models what do I have to check to verify it is usmc spec.

Would you get leather sheath or modern kydex or whatever they call it.

So excited.
 
True words, I can keep the leather indoors as a collectible and use the nylon sheath for actual.

Question is what blade steel, length, etc is mill spec. Product number or sumthin would help.
 
One of the advantages of the KaBar knife is the sheaths.
A) it’s a great sheath. It rides well on the belt. No rattles. Sturdy and well made. This goes for both the leather and plastic.

B). Easily replaced. Sheaths are consumables. They don’t last forever and it’s nice to be able to buy replacements so easily and cheaply.

C). The hard plastic one is very well made and highly functional too.

I found a deal on the USN marked leather sheaths and bought a bunch a while back. I think I paid around $8 each.

The 1217 is the standard one that is the military spec. Full size leather washer handle no serrations.

They used to make tribute knife that had a darker blade finish with staples in the sheath instead of rivets. This one was made to exact ww2 specs. It came in a white box that had technical drawings on it. You may be able to find that one somewhere.
 
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Can confirm, got full specs on 1217, 7' cro van steel blade with usmc stamp on tang.

Fact finding mission complete.

Thanks BF.
 
I love my ka bar 1211 got both sheaths for it kraton handle plain blade good user I had it years and love the ka bar shorty same one but the short for a smaller knife used that a lot there really reliable good knives you won't be disappointed with any 1095 knives from ka bar
 
Houlahound said:
I want an authentic usmc production - there are so many models...
Would you get leather sheath or modern kydex or whatever they call it.....
Click to expand...
Ontario knives marine combat is mil spe.
It has an official usgi "US" tang stamp
and is grey phosphate coated.
If you want a mil spec knife with
a factory sharpen swedge, this is it.
The leather handle on an Ontario
is not its highest score...though the
heavy duty leather sheath is soldier proof.
Also Case knives (which may be
an OEMed product by ontario)
has a shapen swedge as well.
The ka-bar is the prettiest knife by far.
It also has a much preffered oval handle
as opposed to the simpler
rounded handles of its rivals
Also its metal parts are covered in a
smooth pakerised black finish.
There are advantages in synthetic
handles and sheaths.
Notably, it requires less care than
traditional leather materials.
The plus side of plastics is that it doesn't
soak in water and sprout mould dew...
But i figure anyone who wants a genuine
Kbar experience should start of with an ontario.
And kept a presentation ka-bar to admire
and be fully confident to break the glass
case when the call to arms sound.
But you would first need to sharpen
the false edge swedge...
Can't have a fighting knife with
no effective back slashing and needle sharp
point piercing capability now, can't we? ;-)
 
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Houlahound said:
I want an authentic usmc production - there are so many models what do I have to check to verify it is usmc spec.

.
Click to expand...

Houlahound said:
Question is what blade steel, length, etc is mill spec. Product number or sumthin would help.
Click to expand...
Sounds like you want this one.
As you want 'authentic' go for a leather sheath.

https://www.knifecenter.com/item/KA...ch-Plain-Blade-Leather-Handles-Leather-Sheath

Houlahound said:
True words, I can keep the leather indoors as a collectible and use the nylon sheath for actual.
Click to expand...


eveled said:
One of the advantages of the KaBar knife is the sheaths.
---------
Easily replaced. Sheaths are consumables. They don’t last forever and it’s nice to be able to buy replacements so easily and cheaply.
Click to expand...
Leather sheaths can last a long time. I have a bunch of knives in their original WWII leather and some of the sheaths still work. Ive brought several of the sheaths back from the brink by way of some TLC. Most of these knives went to war and back and were then used for decades by the men to whom they were originally issued and those who followed. The knives and leather sheaths were used hard. Few if any of the sheaths saw much care prior to me getting my mitts on them, if any.
 
BladeScout no doubt they can last a long time. Still nice to be able to replace them when needed.

For everyone that came home from war probably 10 rotted away in a jungle.

Just because something is ww2 vintage doesn’t mean it saw any use in the war. There was lots of new surplus being sold into the 70’s.
 
The 1217 is the correct model. Ontario is what they issue to weapons platoon. Everyone else gets the ontario bayonet, when they actually hand them out(never). I prefer the kabar for the namesake.
 
Confusing me here with Ontario V Kabar.

Same spec, different company or???

Which actually supplied DOD?
 
Why does it matter? If you’re going into the Marines they’ll give you something to stick people with. If you’re not, why does it matter?
 
AntDog said:
Why does it matter? If you’re going into the Marines they’ll give you something to stick people with. If you’re not, why does it matter?
Click to expand...

That question hardly needs answering or even asking on this of all of forums.
 
Kinda does. Why does it matter to you?

You started the thread expressing your joy over getting a kabar, then went on to ask a bunch of stuff about it. If you don’t know what a kabar is (THE kabar Marine fighting knife, the one, the only, not to be confused with any other freaking model) then...
 
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