Kabar USMC for hunting?

[Heaven&Hell]

Any one cary/use a kabar usmc hunting? How does it hold up?

 

[Steve6387]

I just got mine so have not used it on any game yet... but a suggestion that I believe has been brought up here at some point.

If you get #15 rubber O rings from your local plumbing store, they pop right into the handle grooves and make the knife MUCH grippier. I can see this being very helpful when the knife gets bloody / gutty.

 

[Heaven&Hell]

I just got mine so have not used it on any game yet... but a suggestion that I believe has been brought up here at some point.

If you get #15 rubber O rings from your local plumbing store, they pop right into the handle grooves and make the knife MUCH grippier. I can see this being very helpful when the knife gets bloody / gutty.

Thanks that sounds like a great idea.

 

[daizee]

IMNSHO, the USMC is a fighting knife. A hunting knife is for field dressing etc. after the fighting is done. VERY different jobs with very different ergonomic and mechanical requirements. Unless you're hog hunting, or planning to quarter moose (are you?) I'd go with a 3-4" blade with no guard or a single guard only. This will give you dramatically more control. If you love the USMC style, the MK-1 is in the same family, and a bit more appropriate. The BK-14, 24, Gamestalker, and the new small Snody Boss (in particular) are just about ideal.

I'm sure the USMC would hold up FINE for hunting, but I wouldn't say it's suited for it.

If you're hog hunting, go big or go home.

 

[wfsltt]

I have used them before and found them to work as good as any other knife of this size. I qualify my answer because they are a little bigger blade than typically used for hunting. KA-Bar has many, many knives that work perfect as hunting knives.

 

[buckeyejake]

The only issue would be the blade length and possibly the guard . I have used Ontario pilot knife and a kabar warthog . The kabar sheath is one of the best for secure carry , and 1095 is a great knife steel . That knife is fine.
Jake

 

[collim1]

Its not the knife I would want to field dress a deer with it. I have field dressed quite a few deer over the years and my knife of choice has gotten shorter, thinner, and less fancy over the years. I have been using a Mora for the last few years and its the best I have found. I think you would be better served with a thin blade that takes a very sharp edge.

A Mora Companion is a very affordable knife with a nice rubber grip for field dressing game. It is also a very capable knife for most food and camp chores.

 

[Diamondshooter]

I have taken mine on several archery hog hunts, works great for what it's for,
But not an all around hunting knife.
With that said I absolutly would not go hog hunting without it.
I could see the bk&t 17 being a great field knife.

 

[wildmanh]

The USMC Mark II design, is based off General Purpose Hunting knives that were popular at the two. Two examples being the Western L48 series and Marbles Ideal's. My Western L48-4 only has a lower guard, my old Marbles Ideal had a double guard, but I cut the top guard off to make it more handy.

I have three Western 6" Shark knives, two from WWII and they have all done kitchen duty. From Cubing beef to de-boning a turkey, cutting veggies and cheese to whittling spatulas. One of my WWII Shark knives was used to scale and filet a Huge carp. We got 4 good sized Filets off the fish, deep fried it and ate it for Sunday lunch.

A 7" Bladed knife is pretty big and can be harder to use then say a 4-5" blade, but it still works. If not, Marbles wouldn't have sold so many 7" Ideals over the years. Personally, I'd opt for the 3/4 Ka-Bar or something smaller for the initial skinning and gut work on an animal, but the bigger will work. Slicing the meat into roasts or steaks after it's skinned is where the larger blade on the MK2 would come in handy. . . The Becker BK11/14 would make a great Skinning knife to go with something larger.

Edited to Second what the poster above me said about the Becker BK17. . It has the same blade shape as the MK2, but it's shorter with a higher grind.

 

[Garandimal]

While I have civilized my KA-BARs... the 7" Utility is still mostly a camp knife.

I usually carry the Short KA-BAR on my belt, and the MkI Navy in the pack.


Both are good, and I plan on Scandi or high-grinding the Short KA-BAR this Spring.

The MkI Navy has had a pommel reduction that Really helps out w/ the balance and handling.

GR

 

[Heaven&Hell]

While I have civilized my KA-BARs... the 7" Utility is still mostly a camp knife.

I usually carry the Short KA-BAR on my belt, and the MkI Navy in the pack.


Both are good, and I plan on Scandi or high-grinding the Short KA-BAR this Spring.

The MkI Navy has had a pommel reduction that Really helps out w/ the balance and handling.

GR

How did you remove the epoxy coating? Looks nice.

 

[Garandimal]

How did you remove the epoxy coating? Looks nice.

CITRISTRIP and a razor utility blade.

They I acid-washed'em w/ vinegar to protect the surface.

Handles are wire-brush and Sno-Seal.


O-Rings schedules are:

O-Rings for KA-BARs
(Five groves from Guard to Pommel)

- Drag the grooves w/ a loop of string to clean/clear them.
- Work from Pommel to Guard.

Full Size Fighting/Utility Knife (1217) Leather Handle:

- 5X #15

Short Fighting/Utility Knife (1250) Leather Handle:

Guard
- #12
- #13
- #13
- #12
- #10
Pommel




GR

 

[Swampdog]

I keep a Ka-Bar USMC attached to my hunting pack for general use and to finish off wounded deer and hogs when archery hunting.

I use other smaller knives to process the meat of wild game; the USMC is my "beater" knife for heavy cutting.

 

[dpowers311]

I used a 1252 for several years and did not have any issues.

Dave