Find myself wanting one of these.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **on:** January 30, 2009, 11:42:54 PM

Now I've no idea why, but I've always had a peculiar facination with this knife

, but the genuine article (Ontario, Camillius ect) are rare as hen's teeth over here $:-\$

So my questions are, what are they actually like to use in the field, as I've read very mixed reviews. How easy is it to get hold of a new example, and how robust are they

Oh and does anyone want to trade one for a Ti Lite

jzmtl · **Reply #1 on:** January 31, 2009, 01:05:23 AM

From what I see they are very stout, except the stick tang, which you have to be careful while batoning. Check out the kabar destruction test on youtube. http://ca.youtube.com/profile?user=noss4&view=videos&query=usmc

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #2 on:** January 31, 2009, 09:18:30 AM

Thank's fella

Dunc · **Reply #3 on:** January 31, 2009, 02:54:13 PM

I'd love one of these

https://www.kabar.com/product_detail.jsp?productNumber=1217&mode=category&categoryId=1,2,3,7&categoryName=Military/Tactical

Dunc

jzmtl · **Reply #4 on:** January 31, 2009, 05:34:16 PM

They are actually quite cheap as far as quality knives goes, $50 + shipping when I bought mine a year ago.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #5 on:** January 31, 2009, 09:51:04 PM

Quote from: dunc5 on January 31, 2009, 02:54:13 PM

I'd love one of these

https://www.kabar.com/product_detail.jsp?productNumber=1217&mode=category&categoryId=1,2,3,7&categoryName=Military/Tactical

Dunc

Yeah I quite fancy one too

, but more as a collectors item, as I know there a bit weak $:-\$

jzmtl · **Reply #6 on:** January 31, 2009, 10:17:10 PM

Quote from: Micky d on January 31, 2009, 09:51:04 PM

Quote from: dunc5 on January 31, 2009, 02:54:13 PM
I'd love one of these

https://www.kabar.com/product_detail.jsp?productNumber=1217&mode=category&categoryId=1,2,3,7&categoryName=Military/Tactical

Dunc
Yeah I quite fancy one too , but more as a collectors item, as I know there a bit weak $:-\$

As long as you don't directly hit the blade/tang joint they are as tough as they come really.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #7 on:** January 31, 2009, 10:21:15 PM

Quote from: jzmtl on January 31, 2009, 10:17:10 PM

Quote from: Micky d on January 31, 2009, 09:51:04 PM
Quote from: dunc5 on January 31, 2009, 02:54:13 PM
I'd love one of these

https://www.kabar.com/product_detail.jsp?productNumber=1217&mode=category&categoryId=1,2,3,7&categoryName=Military/Tactical

Dunc
Yeah I quite fancy one too , but more as a collectors item, as I know there a bit weak $:-\$
As long as you don't directly hit the blade/tang joint they are as tough as they come really.

But there pretty weak laterally though $:-\$

Not that you should use any knife for prying of course

jzmtl · **Reply #8 on:** January 31, 2009, 10:45:44 PM

What do you mean? From what I see in the destruction video even the tip can flex quite a bit before breaking.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #9 on:** January 31, 2009, 10:50:44 PM

Quote from: jzmtl on January 31, 2009, 10:45:44 PM

What do you mean? From what I see in the destruction video even the tip can flex quite a bit before breaking.

It's just that over the years I've heard and read of a lot of instances, there they've snapped after light prying $:-\$

Even John (HC) wouldn't use his while in the Marines, so low was his confidence in it

jzmtl · **Reply #10 on:** January 31, 2009, 11:03:45 PM

Hmm, never heard of it before, I'll go see what I can dig up.

Anthony · **Reply #11 on:** February 01, 2009, 12:11:14 AM

There's also a Spec-Plus version that Ontario makes of that knife which I believe is full tang. It's got a heavy duty synthetic handle.

http://www.ontarioknife.com/specplus_pg1.html

The leather/cordura sheath it comes with is really nice to...worth a look if you want to try that design, although it doesn't have the cool leather handle

jzmtl · **Reply #12 on:** February 01, 2009, 12:14:14 AM

Google didn't find anything about handle breaking, however did find people on diving forum talking about using it as a dive knife.

High carbon steel, leather handle, salt water...

hawkchucker · **Reply #13 on:** February 01, 2009, 02:54:53 AM

OK here is the skinny on the K-Bar

It is a piece of gear that every marine loves and cherishes. Mine is in my footlocker in the basement and actually went everywhere with me in the Corp. It is a symbol of the corp, and does tie every living Marine to each other. I would never really give up on the K-bar, and actually plan on it being burried with me. I know it sounds a bit corney but that is how we feel about out bar.

However that does not mean it is our Excaliber. I used my first K-Bar for Hand to hand training, and a trip into the field. As a fighter it really has not a lot of equals. It is perfection in ballance and in thrusting. Not to mention it slashes in a horrific way. If I was going to a knife fight there is no other blade I would take. With that being said I dont go to many knife fights lately so I guess it is a moot point.

For field work it is a perfect piece of kit also. It has perfection in its grind, and it can dig like a tank. However the weak point of the K-Bar is the tang. I snapped my first trying to scale a wall. I jammed the blade between two rocks and stepped on the handle. When I bounced to jump up the tang snapped. Right at the guard. Now that is abuse of the blade, but an accepted and instructed use of the knife. After that happened, I bought the second. When I was sent to Coranado For buds I was issued the Cold steel SRK. I dont know how Lynn T talked himself into there, but he did. And I am glad. I have had that SRK now for 15 years and it is still going strong. Tons of time in salt and standing on the hilt. Ands it comes back for more.

So unless you are going to breach the castle.. Dont worry about the Bar it works great. But I still like the srk more.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #14 on:** February 01, 2009, 10:04:47 AM

Quote from: Corrugated on February 01, 2009, 12:11:14 AM

There's also a Spec-Plus version that Ontario makes of that knife which I believe is full tang. It's got a heavy duty synthetic handle.
(Image removed from quote.)

http://www.ontarioknife.com/specplus_pg1.html

The leather/cordura sheath it comes with is really nice to...worth a look if you want to try that design, although it doesn't have the cool leather handle

Now I do like that

, but I'm really keen to try the original

Great Post John

hawkchucker · **Reply #15 on:** February 01, 2009, 11:02:14 AM

Thank you.

I hope it shines light on the subject of the old Girl.

jzmtl · **Reply #16 on:** February 01, 2009, 05:32:44 PM

I'm always scared of using mine because I don't want it to rust and lose edge quickly so it's still mint condition. Thinking about picking up one of those fusion fixation bowie to use instead. I duno, maybe I shouldn't be so chicken and just use it.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #17 on:** February 01, 2009, 05:45:13 PM

Just use it for light duties, then you've the best of both worlds

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #18 on:** February 01, 2009, 06:52:34 PM

I have a couple of them, an '89 Ontario and a later Camillus. I can't say I've used them much. if I wanted to carry them afield I'd grind down the false edges down...so they couldn't be construed as double-edged knives.

Both makes are good in my opinion. The Camillus has an odd curve to the tip which lmakes it look a bit fragile.

I also have the Spec-plus Ontario somewhere...too lazy to dig around for it

I've had the odd notion for years to take one of these and rework the bevel into a Scandi-grind or convex...haven't gotten around to it yet.

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #19 on:** February 01, 2009, 07:03:57 PM

Here's the sewn in sheath for the knife on the SV-2B Aircrew Survival vest. Behind it is the revolver pocket, you can see the cartridge loops on the front of the knife pocket.

Benner · **Reply #20 on:** February 01, 2009, 07:04:22 PM

Quote from: jzmtl on February 01, 2009, 05:32:44 PM

I'm always scared of using mine because I don't want it to rust and lose edge quickly so it's still mint condition. Thinking about picking up one of those fusion fixation bowie to use instead. I duno, maybe I shouldn't be so chicken and just use it.

You've gotta try it mate.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #21 on:** February 01, 2009, 07:10:38 PM

Quote from: SporK on February 01, 2009, 07:03:57 PM

Here's the sewn in sheath for the knife on the SV-2B Aircrew Survival vest. Behind it is the revolver pocket, you can see the cartridge loops on the front of the knife pocket.

Love the vest mate

That'd be a lot of steel to work through to make it a scandie

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #22 on:** February 01, 2009, 07:16:14 PM

My "users"

Top to bottom - Ontario, shortened Camillus, reworked Baby-K and a rescued WW2 Ka-bar.

The Ka-bar was found with a broken tip and a completely rotted handle. It had apparently been used as a garden trowel by the original owners widow for years.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #23 on:** February 01, 2009, 07:17:15 PM

Quote from: SporK on February 01, 2009, 07:16:14 PM

My "users"

Top to bottom - Ontario, shortened Camillus, reworked Baby-K and a rescued WW2 Ka-bar.

The Ka-bar was found with a broken tip and a completely rotted handle. It had apparently been used as a garden trowel by the original owners widow for years.

Now that is a sad story

At least you gave it a happy ending mate