Original Ka-Bar Warthog 1247 mystery....help me solve it

W

wild turk

Joined
Dec 6, 2007
Messages
14
Im a huge fan of the Original Ka-Bar Warthog. I have 1 that is 12 or 13 years old and another that was recently purchased (and is also likely the same age). I figured when I came across one I'd grab it since its my favorite knife and when mine wears out or God forbid gets left on a mountain somewhere I'd have another. The "new" one arrived the other day and there are numerous differences between the one I had and the new one. I realize the latest iteration (1278) is a completely different knife, and thats not what we are talking about here. We are talking about (2) 1247s with a bunch of differences.

I doubt that either of these is a fake or repro. Who would fake a knife that originally retailed for $53, and if there were fakes going around they'd be for sale in a bunch of places. I found exactly 1 for sale from someone who bought it in the mid 2000s and never used it.

See pictures but here are the differences in these two specimens that I assume should be identical:

  • Blade dimensions are the same but the angled areas on the knives are different. Forgive my ignorance of terminology but there are 3 angled sections on the blade. The false edge, the cutting edge, and a middle section. The middle section is about an inch longer on one blade. See the pictures.
  • Roll-mark- Both say "Ka-Bar Olean NY" but the font is different. On the opposite side the USA 1247 is identical
  • The Sheaths have different rivets, different holes (including different shaped drain holes) and one has a retention notch that grabs the guard and one doesnt.
I purchased the older one with the ugly camo job myself from Kabar or an authorized dealer, and if one is real and the other is fake Im assuming its the camo one.

Changing sheath designs wouldnt surprise me much but different roll marks and blade grinding threw me for a loop.

Anyone here have any ideas or know anyone who works at Ka-bar who can solve the mystery of the mismatched Warthogs???

Thanks
Here's my attempt at including pictures using imgur. We shall see if it works out.
https://imgur.com/VKaueNF
https://imgur.com/Z1quIoY
https://imgur.com/EzVMnom
https://imgur.com/UGvYexP
https://imgur.com/IOVqosr
https://imgur.com/lucFCod
https://imgur.com/gM30Svv
https://imgur.com/9hAsFdM
https://imgur.com/C9oyIg5
 
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I was intrigued so I went to my stash and looked at my Warthogs (2). Mine look like your non-camo'd one. Sheath says Ka-bar, has 2 retention straps and the plastic rectangle in the belt loop. Blade and handle look like your nice one.
My guess is that your camo version is a chinese knockoff. Or it's the exceedingly rare prototype escaped from the factory. (Which one is more likely?)
 
Unimogbert-

I really appreciate you digging out your (2) warthogs for comparison. That helps a lot. Finding anything to compare mine to is very difficult. I owe you one.

There is no way I happened upon a mythical unicorn of a Kabar prototype. The thought that I carried a chinese knock off kabar around for 15 years all over North America on hunting trips was too much to bear. That would disrespect my family, the sport of hunting and dare I say...America?? In the hopes that I can avoid this shame on my family and country I did some further research. The one with the camo paint job (admittedly ugly and applied by me) was purchased through Tomars Kabars I believe. The sheath does say Ka-Bar and but was painted over. I have 5 Kabars and Beckers so Im not certain but it would have been purchased through an authorized dealer or through Kabar directly.I think its unlikely its a knock off but anything is possible. The clean and new looking one has an unknown history and I had to buy it from an individual since it was discontinued many moons ago.

After looking at every image I can find of the Warthog 1247 and sheath I notice many images of two distinct sheath styles (different rivets on the nylon webbing, and one includes a notch where the guard snaps in place, one doesnt). So perhaps half of these or knockoffs. What I think is more likely is that Kabar made subtle changes in the blade profile and sheath design over the years that this knife was made. The blade profile changes are so slight it may not have even been announced. Unless you tilt it into the light, its tough to tell that the middle section is smaller on some knives.

Are there any Kabar employees or experts on this forum that can provide further info?

Here is an example of both sheath styles.

Thanks!
4I0MWDj
4I0MWDj


https://i.imgur.com/4I0MWDj.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/srB0klc.jpg
 
Interesting. I wouldn’t sweat it though. If you purchased it from Tomars, then I’d bet they’re both genuine Kabars. They do change up the grinds from time to time; I remember they raised the grind on the 1217’s to touch the fuller a few years back. Hopefully @OFFICIAL_KA-BAR will eventually see this and chime in. I’m sure he’s still recovering from Blade.
 
Welcome to the Kabar forum W wild turk . I've owned a few warthogs but none in my collection at this moment. I have a bunch of pictures im going to review. But everything I've seen from you tells me they are the real deal just slight changes for what ever the reason during production.
 
wild turk,

Both of your Warthogs are KA-BARs.
The Camo pattern was an aftermarket job but other than that, both are good.
Remember; "The Manufacturer reserves the right to change, modify or discontinue a product without.......
Sheath manufacturers come and go; Grinds are sometimes changed to facilitate manufacturing processes; Stamps change as Stamp Manufacturers go out of business.
You know the story.
Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
V.P. of Engineering
Ontario Knife Company
 
Toooj-

That helps immensely especially given that it seems you know all there is to know about Kabars and worked there as an engineer.

The camo job was done by me after I bought the first one.

Thanks so much for helping ease my mind that the second Warthog I searched for and finally found is genuine.

Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge.
 
Toooj said:
wild turk,

Both of your Warthogs are KA-BARs.
The Camo pattern was an aftermarket job but other than that, both are good.
Remember; "The Manufacturer reserves the right to change, modify or discontinue a product without.......
Sheath manufacturers come and go; Grinds are sometimes changed to facilitate manufacturing processes; Stamps change as Stamp Manufacturers go out of business.
You know the story.
Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
V.P. of Engineering
Ontario Knife Company
Click to expand...


Sir, I
was told that you are the man to talk to regarding the 1247 warthog.
I was lucky enough to buy 2 brand new in the box 1247's from a sporting goods shop going out of business in Virginia. These had been sitting on a shelf for the past 12 or so years untouched and I snagged the pair for $40.
I understand it is a discontinued model and my question is, what were the production dates for this model? I can't find much info regarding this model on the interwebs. Just curious as to the history of this design. Thanks in advance for your help.
Dan
 
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