KA-BAR Full Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife, Straight

by Ka-Bar

• The most famous fixed blade knife design in the world
• 1095 Cro-van steel
• Leather Handle, USMC Fightning Knife
• 7" Straight Edge Blade
• Knife Made in USA, Leather Sheath made in Mexico

Product Description

Amazon.com

Originally manufactured for American troops fighting in World War II, this KA-BAR full-size hunting knife sports a leather handle and a 7-inch straight-edge blade made with 1095 cro-van steel. The knife features a U.S. Marine Corp. stamp and was made in the United States. Also included is a leather sheath made in Mexico.

Specifications:

• Weight: 0.70 pounds
• Blade length: 7 inches
• Overall length: 11 7/8 inches
• Shape: Clip
• Stamp: USMC
• Edge angle: 20 degrees
• Steel: 1095 Cro-Van
• Grind: Flat
• Handle material: Leather

How KA-BAR Knives Are Made Making a quality KA-BAR product requires the talent of experienced craftspeople performing dozens of processes with precision and skill. Each knife undergoes specific manufacturing processes to ensure corrosion resistance, strength, edge-holding ability, and an out-of-the-box, razor-sharp cutting edge. Some of these manufacturing processes are highlighted below.

• Blanking: Using a 100-ton blanking press, KA-BAR can blank out nearly 9,000 blades in one full day of operation.
• Tang Stamping: Tang stamping is often used to identify a product's manufacturer, the country in which the product was made, and an item number.
• Heat Treating: To begin the three-step heat-treat process of stainless-steel blades, KA-BAR first runs the blades through a 70-foot conveyor oven that takes approximately one hour to cycle.
• Cryogenic Quenching: The second step in a three-phrase heat-treat process, KA-BAR cryogenically freezes its stainless-steel blades to -120 degrees F to optimize blade performance.
• Tempering: Tempering stainless-steel blades for approximately seven hours in a walk-in oven enhances steel toughness. KA-BAR is well known for its three-phase heat-treat process in which tempering is the last step.
• Grinding: KA-BAR knives feature flat- or hollow-ground blades. Flat grinds are best for jobs in which there will be great lateral stress. Hollow grinds provide a fine, extremely sharp edge that is perfect for more delicate tasks.
• Leather Handle Compression: KA-BAR's famous oval-shaped leather handle construction is accomplished by compressing leather washers onto the tang, shaping and coloring them, and then fastening them on with a pinned-on butt cap.
• Cap/Pin Assembly: The butt cap or pommel is attached to the handle of a knife with a steel pin. The pin is inserted into the butt cap, driven part way through the tang, then ground off and painted.
• Inspection: Each KA-BAR knife is subject to a multiple-step inspection process before being released for shipping.

Manufacturer's Warranty
KA-BAR Knives warrants, to the original purchaser of the knife only, that this knife will be free from defects in material and craftsmanship under normal use and maintenance for the lifetime of the original purchaser. This limited warranty does not apply to any failure of, defect in, or damage to the knife caused by normal wear and tear or by improper use, including throwing the knife or using the blades as a can opener, chisel, pry bar, screwdriver, or digging tool or for any heavy work for which the knife was not designed. If the knife fails to satisfy this limited warranty, the company will repair or replace the knife or substitute a knife of comparable value, at the company's option.

About KA-BAR Knives
KA-BAR Knives, a subsidiary of Alcas Corporation, manufactures high quality military, hunting, sporting, and all-purpose utility knives.

What's in the Box?
Hunting knife and leather sheath

Product Description

The Ka Bar' was designed to serve our troops during WW II and is still doing its job, with honors, more than 50 Years later

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 13.4 x 3.1 x 2.2 inches ; 1.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Origin: Made in USA
• ASIN: B001H53Q6M
• Item model number: 1217
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (498 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,061 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)
  • #21 in Sports & Outdoors > Hunting & Fishing > Hunting > Hunting & Tactical Knives > Hunting Knives
  • #42 in Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation > Camping & Hiking > Knives & Tools

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

237 of 245 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Original - And Still Superb! June 18, 2009

By J3

Amazon Verified Purchase

Pretty much anyone reading this will be familiar with Ka-Bar and its history of hard-core reliability for everyday chores, as well as its unquestioned lethal efficiency in last-ditch combat applications.
Well- it is likely that anything you've ever heard about this legendary blade is true. The original pattern, almost identical to the one carried and relied on through WWII, Korea, and Vietnam and now in constant use by present day heroes serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and other places around the world, has always had features worth far more than its price would dictate. Exceptional steel, the blade will take, and hold, a shaving edge, and it can be re-sharpened in the field with just a bit of effort. ( I use a V-shaped ceramic rod sharpener on mine and have always been able to get that razor sharp edge again after just a dozen passes.)

The leather-stack handle provides an excellent grip, and the balance of the knife is perfect. The shape of the blade is extremely well done - a very sharp point, sufficient curve, or belly, to allow slicing / skinning/ dressing, a long enough straight portion for anything else, and enough heft to make thrusting, chopping or slashing all second nature in a combat situation.
There ARE different blade sizes and configurations available in the Ka-Bar line, some of these come with partial serrations, some with a semi-tanto style point... I suppose to each his own. But this original style gives one a feeling of stone-solid reliability and confidence, like having a friend at your side who will always cover your back.

You can certainly find more exotic, more appealing and more 'tactical / cool looking' knives than this, and it is true that some military guys will shell out from 100 to 500 dollars for a high-grade custom style combat knife.... Fine. But if you only have fifty bucks or so, get this one and take it into whatever situations you deal with. It will never let you down. Read more ›

392 of 416 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A legend... April 15, 2008

By HG fan

In 1968 I was home on leave from the USMC before I shipped out. My father (a career Marine himself) handed me a package wrapped in oil skin and said "Here, son, you may need this some time. Keep it sharp." I said I would and he went back in the house. He was a man of few words and fewer emotions so it meant a great deal to me that he gave me the KaBar he had carried through the Pacific in WW2. His words were prophetic. I would not be here today if it weren't for that knife. Sadly, it was stolen shortly before I was discharged and I never recovered it. I was happy to hear that Ka-Bar is mfg these knives to the original mil specs. Many of our troops take them to Iraq and Afganistan. I purchased this knife for camping, but mostly as a rememberence of my father. 5 stars for sure.

74 of 84 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing July 21, 2008

By Nuno Silva

Amazon Verified Purchase

Well, at some point i was lookin for a knife, especially for camping and outdoor, but something like an "all around" knife that i could use in many situations.
After some research on the internet i found out this knife, that i didnt know of...(i am not really a knife guy), but the USMC Ka-Bar was highly rated in every site i looked.
I decided to buy it and am very happy with it...its a beautiful knife,very sharp, the weight is perfect,its not too big or too small,its very compact and the materials are awesome.
6 stars!!! ;)

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The original and still (one of) the best. May 25, 2011

By Don C. Peterson

As a former Marine I thought it was finally time to purchase a replacement for the KA-BAR that disappeared nearly 20 years ago.

No, the KA-BAR isn't a new technological wonder, but it's a well made tool. It is meant for fighting, but it functions beautifully as a utility tool whose uses are limited only by the imagination and the task at hand. It's built to stand up to heavy use - even abuse - and live to fight another day.

I like the fact that it's made from good old 1095 steel, yes it will rust if you don't take care of it, but it will take a razor sharp edge without having to use specialized sharpening equipment. I'm an avid hand tool woodworker so I'm very familiar with some of the more exotic tool steels such as A2, D2, M2 as well as O1 etc... Some of those steels require diamond plates and a lot of work and patience to sharpen. Not 1095, you can sharpen it on just about anything you have, including a slab of concrete or a smooth rock. Obviously using those won't yield optimum results, but in a pinch... I've also been a bit of a knife hound my whole life and have purchased many knives made from the 400 series of stainless steels, none of them takes or holds an edge as well as good old high carbon steel. The bottom line is that 1095, if treated correctly, offers about the best combination of ease of sharpening, taking a keen edge, and edge holding of any steel out there. About the only drawback is that you MUST take care of it when you are done using it or it will rust.

I see some comments by people whining that the knife isn't razor sharp out of the box. This is true, but good grief, if you are going to own a knife, you should know how to sharpen it. It took me all of 5 minutes to put a shaving edge on this thing....

The heft and balance of this knife is terrific, the workmanship is great and the materials are top notch. If you want a high quality knife that is built for the long haul, you can't go wrong with the original KA-BAR Fighting Knife, and if you are going to get one, you might as well get one stamped with the service that first adopted it and made it famous - USMC baby!

Oh, and do yourself a favor and skip the serrated version. Serrations are primarily useful for cutting bread, if you keep your knife sharp, there is no need for the stupid things, and it's almost impossible for the average person to sharpen a serrated knife. Read more ›

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars K a Bar November 29, 2008

By Christopher Bengivengo

I was looking for a knife that would last more than a few months and had a proven history. I shopped for several months and one knife just kept standing out. after looking at the website [...] I felt I had found a good medium. What struck me was the fact that the knife's design had very little change since it was first adopted. I own a few small folders and fixed blades but non of them would stand up to hacking at tree limbs and cutting through wires. The Knife has a wonderful edge, the wight of the knife gives it a good feel, and it is perfectly balanced at the first set of leather discs. the grip it's self is tough and the oval shape makes holding it less stressful on your hand. The sheath is the only part I can see that would need to be replaced with in the next ten years. The snap at the end of the sheath took some getting used to but it is very easy to pop open with your palm as you grab for the knife. I have read a few stories that seem a little out their but the message is true. This knife could SAVE YOUR LIFE. If a Marine will find precious room to carry this blade then chances are its good enough to throw on your belt when you go camping, or in your tackle box, any where, anytime is the right time for a Ka-Bar.