Ka-bar 1211...

drrickso

drrickso

Joined
Nov 5, 2014
Messages
867
My sister in law bought me this for Christmas knowing I was into knives but didn't have an extensive fixed blade collection... It's a nice knife and very different from everything else I have. My question is, would this serve as a decent hunting/camping knife or is it strictly a fighter? My alternative hunting/camping/fishing knives are a SOG Woodline, ESEE Izula, and Spyderco Pacific salt... just wondering where this one can fit into my routine, or if it will strictly be part of the collection.

This is the one btw:
http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/KA...ck-Plain-Blade-Kraton-G-Handle-Leather-Sheath
 
Well you do everything with it but baton. It's a stick tang so I wouldn't do that. It can fine carve and chop pretty well but it is geared more as a fighting knife so it's really just personal preference.
 
So.... I have opinions. :)

The 1211 is best in a fighter role, and it's a classic.

It's a bit big for a hunting (field dressing) knife, but can certainly work. It has a good tip and belly for it, albeit a bit far from the handle. So practice choking up techniques.

The low hollow grind and stick tang are not ideal for HARD camping work (batonning & chopping), though certainly that's been done plenty with them. If you can relegate those abusive tasks to a hatchet or axe, then I suspect you will find the 1211 to be perfectly competent with the remaining chores.

The double guard is really the biggest drawback for a general use, in MY opinion, as it interferes with various grips. I would grind the top guard down to be flush with the handle, similar to the Ka-bar MK1.

So I think this classic blade can be competent in a hunting/camping role, as long as you recognize its quirks. Certainly it's a solid blade to have in your collection regardless.

BTW, there is a Ka-bar sub-forum if you want to really stir the pot.
Enjoy your new knife! :)
 
You either love it or hate it. It's a classic for sure given the number of soldiers that used them over the years.

I was given one as a gift years ago, mine was a Camillus version. I liked holding it and looking at it, but other than that I found little use for it.

Definitely not a good knife for skinning and field dressing game. Would not be my first choice for camping or fighting either.

Keep it and appreciate it's history but I wouldn't worry yourself trying to find a use for it.

You are going to get a lot of varied opinions on this matter, I know a lot of guys absolutely love this knife and use it for a variety of tasks, I am just not one of them.
 
Thanks for the insights everyone... I do plan on keeping this regardless (thoughtful gift and I have nothing else like it), but with all of the dedicated blades I have, I'm not in a rush to force it into a position it isn't meant for. It sounds like this will be a take out and admire blade but likely not venture out into the woods as a primary. Still a fantastic looking knife- and I do appreciate it's history.
 
I have the same knife. Got it back when the river store had a special offer of half price, but it only lasted for about an hour.

It's a good knife. The higher grind angle isn't a problem as far as I'm concerned. But having not done any wood processing with it yet, my experience is limited.
 
It has been good enough for a few generations of Marines, I think it will hold up just fine to a little field work. Go out and work it, have fun.
 
A regular leather KaBar was my go to camp knife for many years and mine has the wear to show for it. It's hard to beat the classic. Sure, there's better blade shapes, grinds, steels and handles to be had now-a-days, but there's nothing wrong with the classic.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top