Hey everyone, David C. Andersen
here coming at you from the KnifeCenter. And on today's
episode of beat the icon, we're taking a look at the Ka-Bar
knife. It's undoubtedly the most iconic combat knife ever
created. And it's quite possibly the most recognizable fixed
blade in the world today. But is it the best introduced during World War Two,
a more technical name for this knife pattern is actually the
market to fighting knife. And that's because Ka-Bar is not the
only company that made this knife back in the day. Other
knife companies to support the war effort, we're making this
knife, I've got a vintage Camillus right here that I own.
As you can see, it's pretty much the exact same thing. And some
of those companies are still making their versions today,
including folks like case knives, you can still get their
version of the mark two as well. But just like major brand names
like Kleenex or band aid or even buck knife, the Ka-Bar name is
what became synonymous with this highly successful knife. As for
what it is, it's basically just a lengthened version of stack
leather hunting knives that were available at the time just sized
up for use on the front lines. What you get is a seven inch
blade they were made of various carbon steels at the time, this
modern Ka-bar version is made with 1095 CV, you've got that
classic clip point shape with a nice deep swedge for a very
acute tip, and a fuller along both sides to remove a little
bit of weight and alter the balance just a little bit. We've
got a stacked leather handle that runs over a stick tank
underneath the handle shape on these modern versions are oval
to help it keep from twisting in your hand too much it indexes
nicely, and grooves cut into it to add a little bit of extra
traction. Now the shape on some of the classic examples or even
like the modern case version here, don't have that oval
structure going on there more of a full rounded over thing. So
traditional historical examples may vary. At the butter, the
knife, we've got a rounded plate securing that full length stick
Tang, oftentimes these got used for hammering and pounding on
things. And the other defining feature is that stamped metal
crossguard not too big, but definitely enough to keep you
from sliding forward and to protect your hands from an enemy
combatants melee weapons as well. The nice thing about this
knife overall is it gives you a lot of reach a lot of
penetration power. But it's not something that was overly heavy,
it has a certain liveliness to it that a lot of modern knives,
even ones attempting to come after the Ka-bar, I don't think
quite replicate. But you've got that nice thing right here. Not
super thick on the steel but still sturdy enough to survive
the frontlines and to survive nearly a century at this point
afterwards. The sheath on the modern versions is just a
classic stitched leather affair right here with a drop loop and
retention strap, classic versions, new wartime versions,
sometimes the sheet materials may vary. I know on my Camillus
I've got what I believe is a Bakelite sheath audit. So that's
that but modern versions just nice classic leather like this.
As for other alternatives to the Ka-bar, there are some out there
however, let's see how they stack up. We're not going to
look far first, actually, because you can stay within
Ka-bars lineup and check out the extreme knife right here the D 2
extreme version of the classic Ka-bar knife, same size and
shape of blade but you've got D 2 tool steel here, a little less
tough than the 1095 Cv of the current models, but more edge
retention also swapped out the leather for Krayton G handles
they've got a little bit of a grippy texture, then instead of
the stamped metal crossguard, we've got a cast crossguard
right here, technically not a crossguard I guess it's mainly
mainly just on the index finger side. And the butt plate has
been extended the same way towards the direction of your
fingers, and added a lanyard lashing point on the back. So
this is also an option. In addition to greater edge
retention. On this version, you've also got a sheet system
with more retention. As you can see it's injection molded clicks
in right there. And you actually have to push that back a little
bit. In order to draw the sheath it disengages that little tab
right there. So that's the modern version of the Ka-bar
knife that Ka-bar still makes. But Let's wind the clock back to
World War Two a little bit and take a look at some of the
contemporaries of the classic Ka-bar. Because it was just one
answer to the call that was put out by the US government for
fighting knives for frontline troops. There were some other
companies that came up with their own solutions and they're
remarkably similar in many ways. Probably the most iconic and
possibly even deserving of its own beat. The icon episode is
the Randall model one. Here it is in stacked leather
configuration as you can see lots of similarities with the
classic Ka-bar, they would have been carbon steel at the time.
So you can get them in carbon or stainless. But being a handmade
product versus a mass produced knife like the Ka-bar, wait
times on these are a bit longer. But essentially, you've got the
same liveliness, that the classic Ka-bar does, you've got
similar construction, although you do have a protruding
attachment point here at the back instead of the flat butt
plate, I would say the main substantive advantage that the
Randall might give you over something like the Ka-bar is the
ricasso area right here taking cues from classic buoy knives,
there is enough space to hook your finger in front of the
guard without your finger touching that sharpened edge. To
aid in removing this, if it gets stuck in a target, you've got a
little bit of space there on the Ka-bar, but you might be
touching the edge, you might have to go with the on the back
side to help you in that case on the Ka-bar. The other thing that
Randall is going to give you is a sharpened rear swedge, which
there's nothing to stop service members from sharpening the
switches on their classic Mark twos. But it's not something
that came from the factory that way, at least not typically. Now
if you don't have the money or the time to wait for a random
model one check out the blackjack, model seven less
expensive than a random is still quite a bit pricier than the
$100 a modern Ka-bar will run you however, the next World War
Two era knife to take a look at is the Ek commando model five.
This is a modern version of it, which interestingly, in the last
decade, Ka-Bar actually purchased the Ek brand name and
produces the current versions of it. Let's talk about it here.
Price on the modern ones about 127 bucks, you've got just under
seven inches of that 1095 CV carbon steel again, same factory
making it as the classic gay bar. Here it is next to the
classic Ka-bar. So you can compare pretty much the same
size, you've got the agility on this knife too, which is
interesting because you've got a full tang on this knife as
opposed to the narrower stick tank of the classic Ka-bar. That
and the fact that it's protruding here at the back, it
was actually advertised as being able to use to help pry open
crates and that sort of thing with that back end, so you lose
a little bit of the hammering potential, but you get something
else instead. Another advantage of the full tank design was the
way they did the handles back in the day. Now they're injection
molded and come with these x head fasteners bolting it onto
the full tank. But originally, they were actually supplies
supplied with wood. And the rivets were poured led, going
through both sides. And the advantage of that is if the
heart happened to start coming loose or getting a little
ratalie all you need is a rock or something to hammer on it and
you could literally pound them back into a nice tight
configuration pounded back into place and keep on going. So that
was a pretty cool thing and one of the differentiators back in
the day. And even though you're not gonna be able to pound them
back into place that full tank construction is still a
differentiator. Today, she system on this I should mention
very similar to that Ka-Bar Extreme injection molded, you got to push the backplate
out of the way a little bit to disengage it from the crossguard
Oh, and one more thing, because the crossguard on the thumb side
angles forward to a little easier to push off of then on
the classic keyboard are we've got one more contemporary to
talk about. And it's one that might not be obvious unless you
know the knife history. And that is the buck 119 special. This
was also designed and released in response to that call to arms
in World War Two. Very similar to the Ka-bar knife, it's a
little bit shorter, you've only got a six inch blade. But it
essentially follows the same playbook even though the
original versions did not have the fuller that was introduced a
little bit later, I think in the 50s. But remarkably similar in
that it was, again, just a lengthened version of hunting
knives that were available at the time. The modern versions of
this knife come with 420 HC stainless steel, you can also
get them with upgraded powder metallurgy versions, those come
with micarta handles or you can go with the classic phenolic
handle right here, which kind of echoes back to the original
construction. They those during World War Two that I know of
were never available with stacked leather handles you
always had. I think they were Lucite at the time. Actually,
the handles as a result are a little bit blockier than the
oval selection on the Ka-bar, but still quite comfortable and
you've got a little bit of hook at the back to keep the knife
from slipping forward. The guard on the forward section is a
little more subtle on the thumb side so it's a little easier to
get up and around if you wanted to do more detailed work with
it. As far as advantages over the 119 special over the modern
day bar is a little bit more compact, that could be a plus or
a minus depending on your needs, but it's going to be a little
easier to maneuver, it's going to be a little more lively,
actually, as well. Also, the price comes in about $75. So
it's, you know, 75% of the price of the standard Ka-bar. You've
also got, in my opinion, one of the best, at least one of my
favorite, if not my favorite production made leather sheath
on the market, you've got a retention strap to hold the
handle in, but it's the snap placement that really sets it
apart. It's on the backside and tucked in towards the body,
which makes it much less likely to snag and come come open than
other designs that oftentimes have straps that point forward
and snap from the outside. Walking past something kind of
easy for those to come undone. Sometimes this is a phenomenal
solution, just snap it on Snap it and it stays right out of the
way when you draw the knife. So now we're going to bridge to the
modern stuff. But there's one kind of link that I want to talk
about in between. And that comes in the Vietnam era with the Mac
V SOG. Knife or the Mac V SOG buoy. Now SOG the current
company didn't come around until the 90s. But they made their
name and produced a phenomenal version of that knife with their
SOG Bowie, you can get it with stacked leather handles and a
six and a half or seven and a half inch blade when you can get
them unfortunately, we didn't even have one on the filming
day. So I do have their Seal Pup here, which is smaller, but it
carries some of those same kind of design cues into their
lineup. The SOG Bowie, the seven and a half inch version is about
$250 off eight stainless stack leather handle. And this
distinctive spine treatment. I think where that sock buoy
really shines is it's got even more attitude than the classic
Ka-bar and even more size with the seven and a half inch
version or you know scaled back a bit with the six and a half.
You've also got on the full size sock buoy, you've got the space
to hook your finger above the your index finger in front of
the guard and help remove it from the target. It's got that
cue taken over from classic buoys as well. But if you don't
have 250 bucks and you want a truly smaller knife than the
classic Ka-bar, the seal pup here might not be a bad thing
coming in just over $90 for about a five inch blade.
Alright, let's pull it forward to more modern stuff. And the
cool thing about the modern marketplace for Ka-Bar
alternatives is you can really bracket the performance and
price point of that $100 1095 CV blade, we're gonna start with a
couple affordable options. Now Ontario did produce a version
with a stacked leather handle of the mark two up until very
recently, I hope they're going to keep producing it however,
with the new ownership they've recently undergone. But right
now you still can get the Ontario SP one which is very
affordable compared to the classic Ka-bar less than half
the price yet it's still made in the USA, it's coming in about 46
bucks. You've got a carbon steel blade, I believe they're 1075 at
the moment, just check the specs that is true. But it's the same
classic blade. You've got an injection molded handle with a
more stylish crossguard and a beak at the back. But it's got
the same cues with those grooves to give you extra grip even
though the rubbery texture here gives you grip. This truly while
you can still get it is like the like the cheap Ka-bar that you
can get. I don't say I don't want to say as cheaply built
because the spec Plus series that this is part of has been
shown to be insanely and very durable. Phenomenal value to for
that money. You are getting a fairly simple nylon sheath but
at about 45 bucks, it's really hard to complain. Bumping things
up a little bit price wise you've got the Taiwanese made
Cold Steel leather neck series. Here it is next to the classic
Ka-bar a little bit broader on the blade and the handle for
that matter. And a longer straight clip point going on.
price on these are about $68 So it's a decent chunk of change
less than the classic for that you're getting a German made D
two steel blade. Again, less toughness but more edge
retention than the classic. You've got a hollow grind on
this knife which I haven't really talked grinds so much
earlier. The classic K bar has a saber height flat grind. The
Randall comes with a hollow grind the Ek flat. The book also
has a hollow grind. The SOGs are also hollow I believe and then a
flat grind here on the Ontario but very stout very short, flat
grind So maintains a bit of strength versus going with a
full flat, which interestingly, early versions of the
Leatherneck did have a full flat grind. But the current versions
are going with this saber height hollow grind instead, handles
are rubberized with plenty of texture there, you've got very
similar backplate, or base plate to the standard Ka-bar. But you
can see the width of that full length Tang is definitely
thicker or wider than the classic Ka-bars there. So that
could give you some extra strength to compensate for the
less tough steel that it is using there. Same thing on the
geometry, it's just a hair thicker than the classic A
Ka-bar as well. sheath. Cold Steel always does a good job.
It's injection molded, you've got versatility in the
attachment options if you don't like the included nylon strap
that has a snap and velcro to help you remove it when you want
it to but stay put when you want it to do that retention snap on
the front. But if you want to attach aftermarket stuff,
there's plenty of versatility in that design. So now let's go to
the opposite end of the modern price bracketing of the classic
Ka-bar. You've got this right here. Spartan blades made this
version of the Ka-bar and because Spartan blades and
Ka-bar actually have a business relationship together, this is
actually marked K bar on the back. There you go. It is
virtually identical to the design or the shape of the
classic Ka-bar the main difference being the guard as
you can see the thumb side, easier to get around it when you
want to. But the big news here is the blade steel. Everybody's
favorite nowadays, CPM MagnaCut. It is a stainless steel that is
both very tough and holds an edge a long time in a
combination of those three traits that no other steel has
been able to achieve today, which is a very impressive
thing. And very cool to see. On a classic design like this. They
come with coated blades less for corrosion resistance, since you
don't need that, with MagnaCut. More to kind of double down how
shiny and bright they are. Because MagnaCut is so much
better. When Wet than a carbon steel blade. It seems
appropriate here that they went with a rubberized handle, but
same oval shape, same grooves for extra grip, and backplate
here at the bottom. Really awesome knife price however, is
going to cost you 335 bucks nowadays. I should mention also sheath on
that knife is black leather, but it's essentially the same as the
modern Hochevar leather sheets. Next up, we've got something
that leans a little bit more into the vibes of more modern
survival knife design. And that's the Becker BK7, which was
actually designed as an exercise of remaking the classic K bar in
a Becker format. Now here it is against the classic Ka-bar you
can see you've got a seven inch blade all around broader on the
Becker straight clip point, high flat grind on the backer, so a
bit slice here, but thicker. So bit more toughness, there are a
bit more strength I should say. Here's where things get extra
interesting. The modern Becker knives are also produced by Ka-
bar. So this is the third knife here where like the Ka-bar is
best competition is another Ka-bar in a way. The most
impressive thing to me, however, is the Becker even though it's
got a full tang, construction and thicker steel is barely
heavier than the classic Ka-bar is like two or three ounces is
the difference between the two which is really impressive
because it does feel like you're getting significantly more
knife. And that weight differences primarily the handle
is the biggest thing. Leather. When you stack them up like that
on the classic Ka-bar, the weight adds up. These handles
are injection molded and hollowed on the inside. So
there's a lot less weight to deal with there. But man the
shape of a Becker knife handle if you've ever held one, you
know it is very, very comfortable. Indeed. The other
difference over the the Becker being only the second full tang
knife we've looked at so far, it does have a protruding full tang
here at the back. Maybe not quite as good for prying as the
Ek knife from earlier. But with the three sixteenths inch thick
blade steel, you might be able to do some hammering if you're
accurate, but other pounding tasks will be well served right
here. I mentioned the higher flat grind on this knife that's
going to increase the versatility on this knife for
outside of the combat roles. And same thing with the guard here
and that there really isn't one. There's a little bit of forward
finger guard protection, but very easy to get around not
obtrusive and you do have a thumb ramp on the back but no
guard To get in the way, the sheath on the backer also leans
into more modern survival style trends. You do have the strap
there on the back with Velcro on a snap so that it stays put when
you want it can be removed when you need it to retention snap on
the top for the handles and an extra pocket on the front for
storing extra goodies sharpeners, what have you and a
little sheath for a companion knife the Becker Remora will
also fit in there which is pretty cool. Next we're going to
continue with some knives kind of constructed along the same
veins that is bolted on handles. Cool thing with the Becker you
only need one driver on the one side because the other side is
captive hex basically not captive but it is hex shaped to
hold the hex bolt in place. This next knife is the halfbreed
blades, large infantry and it uses kind of the similar you
know bolted on handle style. In this case it is g 10. But the
blade obviously Hugh's way more closely to the classic K bar
than the Becker right there does price on it is a bit more dear.
However, this is a $275 knife right here. It is thicker than
the classic Ka-bar as you can see. And the weight on this is a
bit more substantial. It has less of a like an agile flicky
feel to it in comparison, it feels like it's a little bit
more of a hammer in a way. Steel is D2. With a hollow grind, you
can get it with or without these partial serrations. You've got
plenty of jumping here if you are choking up onto the spine
with your thumb, which you can do because of that shortened
rear guard. But all the edges on it are chamfered. So even though
you've got that extra traction, it's not sharp under your
fingers, which is nice. Same thing with the handles there, it
looks like it might have some sharp edges due to its kind of
mounted tread style texture. But in hand, it's not that bad at
all. And if you're wearing combat gloves, it's going to be
unnoticeable, while giving you extra traction, the protruding
Tang on this full tang knife design does come to a slightly
rounded off point keeps it a little more comfortable in use,
but still is going to be able to concentrate force really
effectively if used as a striking piece, which is
something we haven't seen on any of the competition so far sheath
on this is going to be kydex it's going to come with a
Tek-Lok style attachment as well for a lot of versatility in
mounting options. Right? What if the seven inch blade on the
Ka-bar is just not quite enough. We'll give you another half
inch. How about the tops us combat knife, very, very clearly
influenced by the classic Ka-bar, but just gives you a
little bit more price on these is about $190 right now made in
Idaho. You've got a seven and a half inch blade very, very
thick. I mean that's a full quarter inch thick right there.
This definitely does not have the same agility as the classic
Ka-bar but it feels like you could almost get some light
chopping in maybe even more than slightly light chopping in with
a blade like this 1095 carbon steel with that kind of
thickness, it's gonna be very tough. You've got a very short
flat grind on it so the geometry is not going to be a slicey
thing. This is more just a combat wedge in my opinion, the
garden this is actually part of the knife blade itself rather
than a second piece. We saw that on the halfbreed just now as
well. And you've got linen micarta handles here. With that
same grooved texture or grooved pattern very inspired by the
classic Ka-bar. You've also got something that's a nod to the
other kind of survival knives that Topps makes the outdoor
focus stuff in that you've got a bow drill divot on either side
of this knife which can be used as a bearing block with a knife
in the sheath, I would always recommend for primitive fire
starting which is pretty neat. The sheath on the tops is much
like the Becker but you've got even more Molle compatibility on
the back. You've got the pocket there on the front, similar
basic style but maybe not super basic, little bit extra going on
here. Very durable. While we're talking bigger alternatives.
Let's show something a little more classic Ka-bar inspired
perhaps the Fallkniven Odin, Northern Light Bowie knife 7.9
inches on the blade, nearly an eight inch blade here quite a
bit more expensive $550 It's definitely a more premium combat
fighting style knife. And even though no one's probably
carrying this on the front lines, it is still leaning into
that combat kind of style and that is mostly due to the guard
I would say which is there but it's short enough you could use
this for other stuff pretty easily. It's very easy to get
the thumb around that as you can see. The steel here as you can
see is on the thicker side that's over a quarter inch thick
actually 6.5 millimeter Yeah, so point two six technically over a
quarter inch and it is a laminated steel, you've actually
got a VG 10 core on this blade with other steel sandwiched on
the outside. And it is a full height or very nearly full
height convex grind on this knife as well with no secondary
bevel, very different in cutting character to the rest of these
knives. So far easier to kind of point the edge right where you
want it to be when you're skating along something, which
is interesting, and maybe not a combat specific requirement. But
there you go. And you've got the stacked leather handle oval
style here going on no grooves. But that's a nice thing too, it
feels a little more comfortable for other types of work where
you don't need that ultimate grip. Very nice leather sheath
with this knife as well. I've got one other alternative here
to the K bar, which is actually made by Ka-bar yet again, it is
the Spartan blades, professional grade Harsey fighter, it is made
by Ka-bar for the Spartan brand. In this case, you've got just
over six inch blades. So it is a little bit shorter than the
classic Ka-bar. But when you stack it up from where your your
hand actually ends, one to the other. It's not as big of a
difference as the on paper measurements might make it seem
steel is 1095 CV, the agility on this knife, it's got that and
you've got an insanely comfortable handle here as well
injection molded much like the Becker and bolted into place
onto the full tang. So, so good, you've got a little more of a
manageable size. As I mentioned, even though on paper, it's more
than it is in person, what you do give up over the classic
Ka-bar in addition to that Scotia breach is like any of
these more heavily contoured knives, it's maybe less, less
conducive to larger handed folks, that's definitely
something where that classic Ka-bar has always excelled. It
works for just about anyone. So if you have really big hands,
the horsey fighter here might not be the thing you need. But
if you don't have really big hands, I have slightly larger
than average hands myself, they feel great. I'll mention the
sheath on this Harsey as well. It is injection molded, and it
clicks in you've actually got a safety button right there. So
even if the strap comes on down even if someone's trying to
remove this from your sheath when you don't want it to want
them to. It's still simple to get out
when you want to. Other quick little differences. Just to
mention before moving on, you've got a higher flat grind than the
Ka-bar but you've got slightly thicker blade stock might be a
little more spicy, but probably not too far different between
them. More acute tip with that long straight clip point in this
case, one more with contoured handles right here as a possible
other option and a little bit outside of what you might have
thought would be a Ka-bar alternative and that's from a
Condor knife and tool. With the Enduro right here, it's a bit
more expensive than the Ka-bar $129 420 HC steel, but it is got
that same roughly seven inch blade, and even though it's
slightly tanto wised, its form factor is living in like the
exact same neighborhood. Same zip code, same neighborhood same
street as the Ka-bar, check it out. You've got a saber height
flat grind, no swedge in this case, but the real star and this
one is the handles their paper micarta with a high polish, they
look great, the contour feels excellent as well. And even
though it feels a little bit heavier inside the actual hand
than the Ka-bar, it still has that same agility that is so
appreciated of that classic Ka-bar design. A part of the
reason for the price of this knife is actually the sheath.
Leather sheets can be fairly inexpensive to produce kydex
sheets however, cost a little bit more, especially since they
are molded to fit every particular knife. And that's
what you get with the Enduro a full fat kydex sheath comes with
a wraparound strap that helps hold the leather belt loop in
place. But if you'd rather attach it some other way, you
can get something like this large or this small Tek-Lok
which will line up with the riveted holes right there and
allow you to carry it horizontally or clip it to other
gear very easily. And last but not least, if we're talking
about beating the icon, everything so far has kind of
been a reinterpretation of the classic Ka-bar format. Well,
we're going to at least show one kind of token example of Modern
Combat Knife styling which has much the same size or can have
much the same size as the classic K bar. But don't always
hue to that clip point style that hunting elongated hunting
knife style. Check out this Hogue knife right here. This is
the EX F01 drop point or tanto blade shapes are available. But
it's got that same seven inch format that just works so well
it's a good enough size for combat usage, while not being so
big and so much that infantry aren't going to be able to carry
it, you've got a two tool steel here, which is plenty tough, in
addition to holding a good edge, almost a quarter inch thick,
definitely a little bit heavier than the classic Ka-bar. But I
don't want to say it's not too much heavier, there's there's a
noticeable difference there. So keep that in mind. When deciding
whether to include this in your kit. It's not an unmanageable
weight. But if you're going for, you know, ounces equal pounds
pounds equal pain, this might not be your first choice. But
you'll notice right on the back of this is another name that
truly matters. Elishewitz, Alan Elishewitz is a combat veteran
and knows a thing or two about designing knives and knows a
thing or two about the needs of the modern soldier and this
knife was his answer to that. And man, are they comfortable?
You've got contoured g 10. Handles, again, if you have
really big hands, you might lose out a little bit on this knife
because my slightly larger than average hands are fitting in
there, just so and they work really well. For me, you've got
the striking point on the back, thanks to the protruding Tang,
you've even got one of my favorite little features here.
Just a nice little easter egg, a little driver to adjust the
tension on those bolt on scales sits right there, right where
you need it. So you're not going to lose it most likely not gonna
lose it. There you go. Plenty of other modern combat knives are
available. Like I said, that is just one example. We have to
include it just for the sake of the argument. And the argument
is what's the best combat knife you can buy nowadays? Is it the
icon the classic Ka-bar, USMC fighter as this version is
marked US Marine Corps, or is it one of these other knives or is
it something that's not on the table right now? And that is
where we can't make the determination and we have to ask
you your opinions. Let me know in the comments. Do any of these
knives truly beat the icon? Or is there another knife out there
that does it? Let us know. In the meantime, if you want to get
your hands on any of these knives, check out the links in
the description they'll take you to KnifeCenter.com While you're
there, don't forget about our long running knife rewards
program. Because if you're gonna buy one of these knives today,
the cool thing is you'll get to earn some free money to spend on
a future one. I'm David C. Andersen from the KnifeCenter
signing off. Thanks for sticking around. See you next time.
