KA-BAR Knives - The Military Classic That Surpasses Many Others

 Besides the Camillus folding utility knives, Ka-Bar is the other brand often associated with quality military knives.  I own two Ka-Bar knives, one military, one domestic.  In 1942 the United States Marine Corp chose the Ka-Bar as its official knife.  My knife is the 1211 Fighting/Utility Knife with a 7 inch blade. It boasts a black epoxy coated 1095 Cro-Van high carbon steel blade, guard and buttcap, and  contoured black Kraton G handle.  Given that this knife can easily retail for over $100, I felt very fortunate to secure one for $20 at a military show.  Camillus Cutlery Co. was the first and largest manufacturer to produce the knife. The steel is 1095 Cro-Van, a high carbon steel that is easy to sharpen and has good edge retention, but it will rust unlike stainless.  It came with a Kydex sheath, although the same model also comes with a leather sheath.

The other Ka-Bar knife I own is a fixed blade knife and hatchet combination, Model 1331.  One site claims that it is "very rare".  The hatchet is 11 inches long with a head that is 4.25 inches wide.  The overall length of the knife is 8 inches long with a 4" blade.  Apparently it was a poor seller in its time and thus the reason it was eventually discontinued.  Now it is considered an obscure collector's item.  That said, it doesn't seem that the quality is all that high for a knife or hatchet.  This was my father's and I have not really used it, so I can't speak for its usefulness.  It might have been manufactured sometime in the

1960s.