This review is for the SHORT Kabar, in the NON SERRATED version. If you want the big Kabar, order it. The short Kabar is for folks who prefer a smaller knife than Kabar's original full-size USMC Knife.
Everybody knows the BIG KA-BAR, originally designed in the 1940s. It was and IS built from top quality, well-tempered high-carbon steel, has a full tang, a very durable pressure-compacted leather disk handle, etc. This design is still considered by many to be one of the best rugged duty knives in the world.
The "Short" KA-BAR is identical in every respect to the original but downsized to exactly three-quarters of the big KA-BAR'S size.
The short KA-BAR's size & rugged build quality, to my way of thinking, puts it "in the ball park" as a basic survival blade. The 5 1/2 inch blade is long and strong enough for heavier tasks, like splitting kindling while also being light enough to be manageable, for camp or survival tasks requiring more finesse (whittling a snare trigger, for example).
The Ka-Bars, though, were designed primarily as FIGHTING knives. Their ruggedness makes them suitable for SURVIVAL use also but to make the short Ka-Bar "all it can be" as SURVIVAL knife, I recommend some easily managed modifications:
1 - The finger guard at the base of the handle extends to both the dull and sharpened sides of the blade. When you try to rest your thumb on the back-side of the blade (desirable during some tasks) the finger guard is in the way. Using the file on my L-man, I removed and smoothed off that side of the finger-guard.
2 - The ringed leather handle gives a pretty decent grip but this can be easily improved upon. Just roll some heavy rubber O-rings (of the sort used in faucets) down into each of the five grooves that are cut there.
3 - If you like a lanyard, one can be fashioned from paracord by throwing a clove hitch over the end of the handle and then covering it over with a doubled "ranger band" (cut from a 700 x 35 x43c bike tube).
I have used this blade for just about every camp or survival task you can think of and it has held up well. As a point of reference, I also own a Cold Steel Carbon V SRK. The SRK is well known as a first-rate (and not inexpensive) dedicated survival blade. Aside from size and weight, the Ka-Bar (as described above) and SRK are functionally equal. I am fairly certain that if I were TRYING to break them, the Cold Steel's greater heft would prevail but trying to break your knife isn't a technique I have seen covered in any of the standard survival manuals.
The "short" KA-BAR is a lot of knife for the money.
Just a couple of things to wrap up:
1 - Like any other carbon steel blade, the Ka-Bar (or SRK) needs a bit of TLC. High Carbon steel takes and holds a scary sharp, razor edge very well but is more subject to rust than the more expensive stainless steel formulations of similar quality. If at all possible, wipe the blade dry before sheathing it. Also, lubricants like WD-40 or Sentry Solutions Tuf-glide applied to the blade will protect it from rust.
2 - You can use that hammer head styled butt cap for driving tent pegs if you like, but unless your aim is better than mine it seems like a good way to bust up the small bones in your hands. That butt cap certainly has some utility; discouraging mean dogs that you don't want to skewer, for instance. For hammering tent pegs, though, I am going to look for a nice rock. KA-BAR Short Kabar US Marine Corp Knife, Straight, Leather Sheath
This is a great Knife.Some people have said it is to short.Yes it is short and it's just the right size.
No it's not a full size knife but it has it's use for small things.I have a full size K-Bar also.This is the best price around.If you are looking for a good knife and a good price this is the place to buy from.Fast shipping,Good packing.Very Happy.
Thank You
Rob - Ka-bar'
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