Ka Bar (pronounced kay-bar), if you’re not familiar, is a legend in the world of fighting knives. It’s so well-known among military collectors and knife enthusiasts that the pattern of the classic USMC fighting knife is often referred to simply as a “Ka Bar” even when it’s a knockoff pattern or made by some other brand.
Either way, the reputation of the brand precedes it. That being so, here are 3 great Ka Bar knives, for those of you that landed here looking to expand your collection.
Ka Bar USMC Fighting Knife (Straight Edge)
This is the quintessential Ka Bar knife. First introduced during the Second World War and issued as a fighting knife to support our troops in action, the Ka Bar USMC fighting knife is one of the most famous and influential knife patterns ever designed.
Effectively unchanged, modern production of this knife features a 7” clip-point blade (stock thickness of .165”) with a broad fuller and a black Cerakote finish.
The knife steel used is 1095 Cro-Van, a high-carbon tool steel that is exceptionally tough and wear resistant. It takes a sharp edge, holds it well, and is easy to sharpen in the field.
The only ding this steel gets is that it’s not very corrosion resistant, but thanks to the blade’s Cerakote finish, that hardly matters much.
A crossguard and pommel help improve ergonomics and secure the user’s grip, while a stacked leather handle offers comfort and a sure grip, even in very cold and wet conditions.
A workhorse through and through, every collection should have at least one classic Ka Bar fighting knife.
Ka Bar Blackout Wrench Knife
The Ka Bar Blackout Wrench Knife is a modern production, and might look like a gimmick, but is anything but.
It is literally drop-forged from a single piece of 425 high-carbon stainless steel and treated with a black oxide finish.
In terms of sheer indestructibility, this knife gets some of the highest marks out there. You can dull the edge if you want, but there’s not much else you could do to make this knife flinch.
The 3”, drop point blade is flat-ground, making it well-suited to all-purpose utility, and it even comes with a Celcon sheath that is MOLLE-compatible and can be rigged a whole bunch of ways.
Ka Bar Warthog
For those of you that prefer folders, Ka Bar will not disappoint. One of their better designs is the Warthog, a liner lock folder with a 3.75” blade.
The blade is a D2 clip point with a satin finish. If you’re not familiar, D2 is an excellent tool steel that can raise a wickedly sharp edge and which is relatively easy to resharpen.
It’s also ridiculously tough. Like the USMC Fighting Knife’s 1095, the only real marks against D2 are that it can rust, but if you keep it clean and dry, you shouldn’t have a problem with that.
The GFN (glass-filled nylon) handle scales are light, offer good traction in a variety of conditions, and though not super-advanced, the liner lock is a staple that offers sure lockup and easy disengagement even with one hand.
All in all, it’s a solid folder and one that will perform well in a variety of roles.
Where to Explore These and Other Ka Bar Knives
Thinking your collection needs one of these Ka Bar knives? Want to see what else is out there? Visit The Knife Connection. They carry these and multiple other models from Ka Bar, Becker, and other top brands. A picture also often says a thousand words; visit their website and see what stands out.
