What do you think about Ka Bars?

[offroadcmpr]

So I got one off of the internet and I like it a lot. I got the model 1211, the black Kraton G handle with the 7 inch blade. I will use it for camping and hiking. Of course I am relatively new when it comes to nicer knives, and every review of the knife I could find described it as "razor sharp, never gets dull, indestructible etc". There were a lot of people who described it as never getting dull. So I figured that that was the non knife guru opinion, so I am wondering what you guys think of it as many of you are knife fanatics also.
opinions?

And also. I am planning on flying back home for thanksgiving and was wondering if there were any rules about putting it in my checked baggage for the flight home. I looked on several websites and they didn't seem to say it was wrong or anything, but have any of you had past experiences with flying with knives before? I am planning on wrapping it in some clothes and putting it in the middle of my bag so that it would be harder to find.

Thanks.

 

[mossyoak]

I think they are overrated, everyone Ive ever heard talk about them brings up that they are military used, well that to me doesnt say much, because all that really means is that KaBar was the lowest bidder, murphys law clearly states "remember that you equipment was made by the lowest bidder" there are better knives for the money.

 

[LightKnife]

Well there are always better knives but kbar is pretty much the best in its price range.

 

[StuToffee]

For the money, I think its one of the finest fixed blades around.
I have the Original Marine Corps version, its scarily sharp, fairly easy to re-sharpen & I find the sharpened clip/swedge on the bag of the blade useful, too.
I find it very comfortable in the hand, heavy enough for chopping, light & small enough for finer tasks & cheap enough to abuse without worrying about wrecking an expensive blade.
I currently have two. One is a user & one is a "safe queen" that will either be a spare or given to my nephew (or son IF I have kids!).
Im not crazy about the leather sheath, but you can get decent aftermarket kydex or Cordura versions from many places.
I have other fave fixed blades, BK7, BK9 & my trusty SRKW Battle Rat, but I have alot of time for my Kabar.

 

[NA8]

Great knife. Good price for what you get. You've got a "real" Ka-Bar. The "lowest price" manufacturer is Ontario Knives who also makes a version of the knife and holds the current military contract. A good modern alternative to the KaBar is the Rat Cutlery RC-6, a 6.5" full tang 1095 design with removeable micarta slab handles. But they cost twice as much, and don't have the cool retro look.

 

[Closet_Flashaholic]

There were a lot of people who described it as never getting dull. So I figured that that was the non knife guru opinion, so I am wondering what you guys think of it as many of you are knife fanatics also.
opinions?

And also. I am planning on flying back home for thanksgiving and was wondering if there were any rules about putting it in my checked baggage for the flight home. I looked on several websites and they didn't seem to say it was wrong or anything, but have any of you had past experiences with flying with knives before? I am planning on wrapping it in some clothes and putting it in the middle of my bag so that it would be harder to find.

Thanks.

Ka Bars are nice. If you are worried about keeping a sharp edge, try the "D2" edition. Made using D2 grade tool steel. Keeps a very good edge, however, it is relatively brittle, so it's not made for prying, although most knives are not designed for prying either.

Re: packing in checked baggage: it won't matter much about wrapping anymore. Just recently I believe all domestic flights are now required to xray all checked baggage. I think this was already being done on all international flights. I probably wouldn't pack it, I would go to a shipper and ship back home to myself, if this is practical to do. More expensive, but safer.

 

[offroadcmpr]

Re: packing in checked baggage: it won't matter much about wrapping anymore. Just recently I believe all domestic flights are now required to xray all checked baggage. I think this was already being done on all international flights. I probably wouldn't pack it, I would go to a shipper and ship back home to myself, if this is practical to do. More expensive, but safer.

But is it illegal to do it? I mean if I pack it and the find it, are they required to do anything about it, or is it on the approved list so they will leave it alone. The reason I would pack it in the middle is because I have heard that it is usually not the TSA people who "steal" things, it is the luggage guys who do it, and if it is in the middle hidden, then they can't just open it up and grab it easily.
I don't really need to bring the knife back, just to show my brother who bought a new knife also. So I would either pack it or leave it.

 

[baterija]

It's okay to carry it in checked baggage according to the TSA here.

Sabers, swords, and meat cleavers are listed along with knives in the "sharp objects" section as being acceptable in checked baggage. :laughing:

 

[HoopleHead]

just remember that D2 is more prone to rust, upkeep and care is a bit higher than stainless


i see ka-bar as a decent value for an all around general purpose beater knife. if you are going to do specific tasks around camp then maybe go for a RAT or Bark River or Ranger or Fallkniven.

 

[mossyoak]

just remember that D2 is more prone to rust, upkeep and care is a bit higher than stainless


i see ka-bar as a decent value for an all around general purpose beater knife. if you are going to do specific tasks around camp then maybe go for a RAT or Bark River or Ranger or Fallkniven.

I have a rat-3 in d2 and have used it and really abused it used it in salt water in belize and put it back in its sheath and hosed it off a day later. No rust anywhere on the blade. For a good hard use utility blade I couldn't be happier. For a smaller utility knife I really like the bark river mini northstar with its stainless sanvik blade.

 

[Archie Cruz]

I LOVE the 14 " Bowie. Used it in the kitchen as a butcher's knife for a year. Took touch ups from the steel beautifully and just cut through flesh and bone better than my regular cleavers. hacks saplings no problem BUT the crinkle coating does bind in live saplings. A great Camp knife too. Incredibly comfortable handle and dirt cheap when compared to the competition. Quite honestly, it could easily be my 'go to' Big Knive.

 

[offroadcmpr]

I looked at the bowie, and while I like it, I don't think it is practical enough for me. But then again, what am I going to do with a 7 inch blade anyway.

 

[bullfrog]

I took the classic Ka-bar USMC knife to Africa with me when I lived in Kenya for about a year - it did the job and held a decent edge (the bowie would have been a better choice). I wound up giving it to one of the maasai living in our camp.

I used it for butchering (actually used it to slit the necks because it was 10x sharper than the other knives) and cooking more than anything else:

A friend whittling a stake with my Ka-Bar in the background

dinner

goat Kenyan spit style

 

[jzmtl]

What do they do with the goat skin like that?

 

[bullfrog]

jzmtl - they make grips for machetes and other tools, sheaths, ornamental shields, or they will use the leather as a backing for beaded necklaces, headbands and bracelets - here are a few examples from my collection (via camera phone - aint technology grand?):

Necklace:

Marriage necklace (the beads are on wire on a goat backing) - thought this was so beautiful I had it framed (along with 2 others):

(sorry to hijack the thread!!!)

.

 

[jzmtl]

That's some cool stuff, genuine too!