KaBar USN Mark 1, initial thoughts

[SpookyPistolero]

I recently learned that Kabar was producing this blade, apparently a recreation of a past model. Specs and description can be found here:

http://www.tomarskabars.com/2221_INFO.html

Mine arrived two days ago from Tomar's (super fast shipping incidentally) so I thought I'd post some quick thoughts. I'm a huge snob about field blades in general, and this thing has me pretty impressed. Ka-Bar done good.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t259/Spookypistolero/IMG_3020.jpg

I have pretty big paws (long) and the grip is quite good. The curves are appropriate, and it's very natural to maintain a nice, high grip with this. The handle could use an extra 1/4" or so maybe, but it's nothing close to a deal breaker as-is. My palm doesn't ride the butt at all.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t259/Spookypistolero/IMG_3021.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t259/Spookypistolero/IMG_3022.jpg

The ricasso is pretty brief, especially considering it's a Ka-Bar. The fitting of the blade and tang is spot on (it's centered well into the handle without being too high or low, or at an angle. The cuts of the grind are even. The edge was quite even but for ~1/4" at the start of the edge; it was ground at a slight downward angle. It's only slightly off and will even up as I sharpen it over time.

I don't know the rockwell, but it's definitely a hard enough edge for my tastes. It's not soft enough to need sharpening every hour, but it's not hard enough that it takes a whole night to bring it back to life. (ETA: The above link says the Rockwell is 56-58)

The overall size is just about perfect! I like the blade length and the handle proportions make it great for just about any hold/grip. Chest/lever or reverse holds are quite comfy. With any new knife, I will generally sit down and carve for a half hour or so to check for controllability and hot spots, and to see if the edge geometry is right. I really didn't find any hot spots. I feel like the flat grind angle is just right for even carving and making fuzz sticks easily. The width of the blade doesn't interfere with carving the way something like a Becker will. The tip does a good job drilling an even hole for a bow & drill baseboard.

Oh, the Mk1 is of course a bit weighty compared to a Mora 2000 or something, but the balance point is far enough back that the blade moves with great ease & controllability.

Compared to a few other 'military-esque' knives...
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t259/Spookypistolero/IMG_3012.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t259/Spookypistolero/IMG_3014.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t259/Spookypistolero/IMG_3024.jpg

The sheath is awesome... if you intend to jump out of planes or regularly go ocean diving. Stealing from a locked bank vault takes less effort than getting the Mk1 out of the sheath! So, in lieu of some decent kydex, I discovered a cheap & convenient solution: the mk1 fits perfectly into the USAF survival knife sheath. Win!

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t259/Spookypistolero/IMG_3027.jpg

I can say this is a really contender for best budget bushcraft/fields/woods knife on our side of the pond. Certainly a Mora will perform admirably for most cutting chores, but for those looking for a more 'American' option, the Mk1 is a champ! This will be on my hip for the next several outings.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t259/Spookypistolero/IMG_3032.jpg

[SeriousStudent]

Nice review, I appreciate the work you put into it.

One thing I like about this blade is that they used 1095 steel. Easy to sharpen in the field, and will throw a spark when using a flint or ferrocerium rod. Good useable profile, too.

I'd like a little bigger guard on the blade as well, but it's not a deal-breaker, as you say. For a woods knife used when your hands are cold, bloody and slippery, a decent guard can prevent injury.

I've been pretty pleased with all the RAT-3's I have, but this would be a nice addition. I like that it fits in the USAF sheath, I can get one on ebay for cheap.

And I have always heard good stuff about Tomar's service as well.

Thanks again!

[Armati]

Wow. Great knife, great price. This is a real piece of field gear.

I fist saw this design 20 years ago when I was a young paratrooper. It was in the 82nd Museum and was called a 'paratrooper's knife'. It was a work knife used primarily when troops still rigged their own chutes. Brigade Quartermaster did a run of them and sold them as Paratrooper Knives.

I don't know the true history of this knife and I don't know what the USN angle is. WWII saw many knife contracts. Anyone know for sure?

In any event, I am glad a good company like K-bar is releasing a quality product at a good price. The real question for me is, will I replace my Benchmade D2 Nimravus with this knife? Seriously, I am thinking about it.