KaBar 1220 Fighting knife--thoughts?

Monofletch

Monofletch

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Jan 14, 2010
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I just traded for a NIB KaBar 1220 fighting knife.

US ARMY Traditional Fighting/Utility Knife
The same traditional fighting / utility knife offered with a US Army tang stamp and sheath
Features 7" blade. Overall length, 11 7/8".
Oval, stacked leather handle
Powder coated, high carbon steel blade (1095)

I was wondering if this is a user or am I way off? It has a great feel to it -- the specs are nice and the knife balances well in hand. I want to put it in the rotation, but I am unsure of the new rookie. Should I get it dirty? :D

Thx.

KABAR1220.jpg
 
Get it dirty? Hell yes!,... It's a Ka-Bar! go hard, generations of USMC's have
 
Monofletch said:
Should I get it dirty?
Click to expand...

Why carry it if you're not going to dirty it... I say get it dirty... dig a hole, pry a door or two open... stab something a few times... or do what I do, cut open boxes with an angry look on my face and mumble while you do it... your co-workers will leave you alone for a bit... and might even buy you lunch!!
 
While they are definitely "users", don't get the idea that because they were issued to soldiers heading into war that they are indestructable. Providing troops with the best, highest quality equipment is rarely the militarys primary concern, more like- what's the least amount of money we can spend and still supply the troops with something that will work reasonably well.

The Kabar was mass-produced and considered to be as disposeable as canteens and boots. I would imagine they were very cheap to produce. At the end of each war soldiers were required to return various pieces of equipment, but they were not required to return their Kabars. Not because the military wanted the troops to have a keepsake, but because like I said, the knives were considered to be disposeable.

I consider the old-style Kabar to be a cutting tool that would work effectively as a weapon. But not suited for prying or battoning. Sure it's possible to use them for such things, but don't be surprised if it breaks while doing so.
 
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I wasn't sure. The knife looks like it could be a display piece. I wanted to make sure-so I didn't ruin it!
 
These are great hard use knives, Ive been beating the hell out of my Kbar fighter for years and its taken it all.
 
They have several slight variations of the basic Ka-Bar out right now. Yours just says "US Army on the blade & sheath. It's otherwise just a stock Ka-Bar. I can see how the looks could confuse you. They do look sweet the way Ka-Bar does them up these days with the nice leather & the even, slightly glossy black coating. They're a must-have for most of us.
 
killgar said:
While they are definitely "users", don't get the idea that because they were issued to soldiers heading into war that they are indestructable. Providing troops with the best, highest quality equipment is rarely the militarys primary concern, more like- what's the least amount of money we can spend and still supply the troops with something that will work reasonably well.
Click to expand...

Very true.

Knives are for carrying and using though!
 
I don't know if I can force myself to use it!! I did the same thing when I bought my BK2--It sat for a week before I used it! LOL!
 
Modern KA-BAR replica of their WW-II knives. They are marked Army because, surprise, the company found that many army troops didn't really want to carry a knife marked USMC. KA-BAR hasn't had a military contract for this model since around 1945.
 
LOL! Maybe it will be trade bait--who knows. I have users- maybe just keep it as a spare.
 
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