Hey TW! Let's see your knives!

I've been thinking about getting a USMC KaBar fighting/utility knife. Will be used mostly as a utility knife, with the abiltiy to used for protection at home or camping.

Question for you guys, would you recommend a serated version, or smooth blade?

 

Smooth. But serrations are easy to sharpen with the proper sharpener.

Any big reason you want the KaBar? Could recommend better blades if you're interested.

 

Never liked that one. Nice knife, but hate that design!

 

EDC folder > EDC fixed blade

 

Not set on KaBar, just figured if the USMC issues them, they should be decent. What other brands would you recommend for a similar full tang utility/fighter? Trying to keep the cost down too.

 

I think and I could be wrong but these guys will correct me. KaBar used to be a great knife back in the day but arnt as good anymore. A lot of knives are like that due to outsourcing. I'm a huge crkt fan and there majority of there knives are made here.

Well all tell you different brands. I love crkt and opinel. But as a full tang fighting style knife idk what to tell you

 

Becker.

 

Never a GREAT knife, it's a basic full tang knife (rat tail tangs, but full length nonetheless). They were issued in huge quantities for decades, so any knife that has been used by so many for so long and doesn't break would be similarly revered. I have one, I don't know where it's made and it's about 15 years old. I have my grandfather's from WW2, also. Both are fine. KaBar is more of a great memory knife than a great knife. Either it saved your life, your buddies life, or your grandpa/dad had one just like it kind of a thing. All have their points.

I'd get a BK16 or a similar knife before I'd buy a Kabar. Kabar's are too big for "protection" as far as I see it, unless you're John Rambo. They also aren't great camp knives, in regards to the fact that you can buy a great camp knife these days.

KaBar's fighting knife has great historical lineage, but it's far from a GREAT KNIFE. If you're into the historical aspect it'll do just fine for you, but if it were me, that's not the route I'd go.

 

Do they make them in other than 154CM? Cuz their HT on that steel in their fixed blades can be pretty brittle.

 

I learn more in this thread about knives than I have anywhere else

 

Well that's good. Since we're Tacoma fanboys, it doesn't leave much room to say FUDB BRAND X IS WIN, ALL OTHERS ARE SHIT

So I suppose it's a good a place as any.

 

Yeah I used to be a jeep guy and everyone on those forums are overly opinionated and dicks. We're all understanding over here

 

Thanks Pee, Beav, Boogy.

Will look into the ones you guys are suggesting.

 

Check out http://www.usemadeblade.com

Owned by Whit, who is an American small business owner who only sells American made knives. He is fantastic to do business with.

 

Unless you plan on using a knife to baton a lot of hardwood, then I'd say buy the Mora Companion, the BK14, and a boys axe or hatchet. Fiskars X7 is a good hatchet with fiberglass handle, or you can buy a Council Tools hatchet with a wood handle and be well prepared.

 

If you want a bigger camp knife and don't want to blow a huge load of cash, check out Condor brand. They're made in El Salvador or some place, but don't get hung up on it. IF you buy one, I only suggest buying it from Baryonyx Knife Company. Get his "special grade" option if you wish, it's a good $3 investment.

Their QC isn't super tight, but he hand inspects all of his inventory and returns the bad ones, sells the "not perfect" knives at a discounted rate and only stocks flawless Condor knives. His special grade option includes a high polished, razor sharp edge.

His name is Benjamin, and he's an American small business owner out of Maine. Worthy of anybody's business. He also sells a lot more than Condor and Mora brands, check him out.

baryonyxknifeco.com

 

http://www.benchmade.com/products/910

 

My two most carried, zt566 and spyderco domino: