KaBar Warthog blues...

S

sleeper

Joined
Jul 19, 2006
Messages
17
The Ka Bar Warthog looked so good to me in reviews and pics that I ordered BOTH the full size 1247 and the smaller model 1463 from their "impact Series" line... The knives arrived and I gave them a quick going over. First the smaller 1463- The blade on this knife is beautiful and very sharp out of the box the handle however is VERY SHORT. In my opinion it was made for a childs hand or something, the back of the handle puts a very uncomfortable pressure point on the palm of the hand. What a shame! As for the larger 1247 there is a USELESS blade guard at the top of the handle that BLOCKS the nice thumb rest on the back of the blade! The blade guards only use is to lock it into the sheath. I took the knives to work and let at least thirty guys (mechanics) try them and all felt the same way about the "Nice blade but poor feel" Now I am a amature knife maker and will be able to remove the handles from the 1463 and make longer more useful handles and I will also file down the top of the blade guard on the 1247 making the thumb rest useful but I feel that Ka Bar could have sold many more of these blades with better thought to comfort for the user... What do you think? =)
 
i have noticed the exact same thing with my smaller ka-bar (the original not the warthog. great blade, nice finish, easy to sharpen and a realy handsome leather wrap grip but the gaurd made it impossible to use your thumb to re-enforce the blade, i think i will file the backside of the guard off too.

but if you do grind down the gaurd on yours could you post some pics? im not very experienced with this kind of stuff, it would help to se how it comes out on yours.

and how do you re-coat the gaurd so it matches with the blade?
 
I have a 5 1/4 Ka-bar, and found the guard to be only a little troublesome. I just put my index finger over it and it wasnt in the way as bad for my thumb. Its not the best way because it could cause you to get cut, but I barely ever have to for what I use it for anyways. I really like Ka-bar products, but id like to see them update some of their designs, and come out with some entirely new stuff. I havent seen anything all that new from them, and I dont like any of their folders.
 
I agree and find the full guard on my Warthog, and USMC Ka-Bar to be uncomfortable. My Buck 119 as well.

I do not like full guards. Half-guards are okay but I prefer integrated guards or finger choils as they provide a more comfortable thumb ramp when the knife is in the pikal grip, which I often use to cut open strapped bundles at work.

A good example is the Dozier Model 6. The horns function as a guard, but also a thumb ramp whether the knife is in the standard grip or the pikal grip. Also, when using a caping/whittling grip, your index finger can go over the "horn" and rest on the otherside. It isn't optimal for caping or whitting, but it is pretty good for having the advantages of a guard and thumb ramp. Many Tom Mayo TNTs have these horns as well, including the Buck version.

Up with horns. Down with full guards.
 
I don't get it?? I don't feel the disconfort with the impact warthog.I find the handle fits the hand very well.Even when doing light chopping.In fact I find it one of the nicest field pieces I have.
Now the big Hog's guard I can't defend.I'm not a big fan of it,and I can't see the point to it when it was clearly designed to use your thumb on the back of the blade.
The blade as a whole is a very good slicer/chopper.Not to mention the stout blade looks bad-assed.The style of blade would serve hunters,campers and hikers well as a general purpose blade.
 
sleeper said:
The Ka Bar Warthog looked so good to me in reviews and pics that I ordered BOTH the full size 1247 and the smaller model 1463 from their "impact Series" line...
Click to expand...
I have had the same experience that you had....a knife looked great and got great reviews, and then when I actually got my hands on one, I hated it.

Nothing beats finding a knife store of knife show and actually getting your hands on a knife.

But before you start doing any mods on the knives, maybe you could trade them for different knives on the trading forums?
There might be another forum member looking for those very knives.
But once you modify them, they will be much harder to trade or sell.
Just some friendly advice.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
UPDATE!!! On the full size Warthog I cut off the top part of the guard with a hacksaw and ground it down to the same shape as the top of the grip. Then with a file I cut small notches into the thumb-rest about 1/8 apart... I now LOVE the knife!!!! It is 100% better and when I brought it back to work all the guys agreed that it was a fantastic mod! I would post a photo but don't know how... Sorry Thanks for the help
 
I guess it depends what you are doing with the knife. I sharpened the top edge on my full sized wart hog for a wicked back cut- so even if the top guard is a little cumbersome for intricate knife work- it is protecting my had from that top edge the same way the bottom does. i also LOVE the kydex sheath that those guards snap into- great for diving/ hunting. I also cut off the top strap too. the one on the bottom and guard snap are more than sufficient.
 
sleeper said:
UPDATE!!! On the full size Warthog I cut off the top part of the guard with a hacksaw and ground it down to the same shape as the top of the grip. Then with a file I cut small notches into the thumb-rest about 1/8 apart... I now LOVE the knife!!!! It is 100% better and when I brought it back to work all the guys agreed that it was a fantastic mod! I would post a photo but don't know how... Sorry Thanks for the help
Click to expand...

upload the pic to a service like photobucket, then post the link.

Or you could upgrade to a paid membership.
 
I appreciate the info in this thread...i am leaving for the Smoky Mountains Monday, and plan to stop in at SMKW while I am down there. The Ka-Bar Warthogs are offered for a good price there, and they are some of the knives I am considering purchasing. I definitely want to get one in hand before I buy it...for much of the same issues brought up in this thread.
 
I've had the large warthog for a couple of months now. I don't have the experience to criticize the shank compared to others but apparently this can be modified. I use it every day and love the steel. I can use the wide blade like a plane with 2 hands and use the butt for a light hammer. The more I use it the more I like it.
 
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