My 1st KA-BAR!

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I like the idea of having a knife in the woods for self defense from animals.

I know I am not going to chop or baton wood - I carry a folding saw for that.

I have a few firearms - never had to shoot or use them in self defense but I still have them.

I was a boy scout once and I like to be prepared.

HoosierQ - Whats the second from the left - I like the looks of it. Looks similar to an Ontario P3 Quartermaster.
 
vynx,

How many years have you spent in the woods? If you think you need a knife for defending yourself from animals you're better off making a sharpened staff first thing than depending upon just a knife.
 
I'd just like to point out, that in my opinion, whenever the brand KA-BAR is involved, a comparison of the effectiveness at killing bears is NEVER an unreasonable criteria.

:D
 
If you think you need a knife for defending yourself from animals you're better off making a sharpened staff first thing than depending upon just a knife.
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What he said.

I'd just like to point out, that in my opinion, whenever the brand KA-BAR is involved, a comparison of the effectiveness at killing bears is NEVER an unreasonable criteria.
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:D:D:D:D:D

True. But I didn't know the lore of the KA-BAR name till I was an adult.:neener:

So.... when a very young woodsbum,when I would come across fresh scat ,and get that "you are being watched feeling" my trusty KA-BAR (or BSA hatchet,or Cub Scout knife) would come out and I'd make myself a long,pointy stick.:) My inner cavechild would take over.

My Dad ( he grew up in the same woods) and I both knew,that yes, there are Black Bear in Ct. No matter what the State DEP said back then.

We just couldn't tell Mom.;) She never would have let me play in our woods.:eek:
 
A Man's got to buy what a Man wants to guy. Nice stout knife. I like knives, all sorts of knives. Gudel and HossierQ you both failed to post a "drool bucket" alert before your posted the knife porn! Social faux pas of that sort should never be tolerated! I hope the moderator puts you on notice! Now where is that mop bucket?:D
 
I think that a given knives bear-killing ability should be transformed into a rating system. It's something we can all relate (or aspire) to, and what with the recent rise in bear-related attacks nationwide, something that makes sense for the consumer to know. Perhaps the BK7 earns a 7 UDR (Ursine Death Rating) where as a Rough Rider folding only earns a 0 UDR.

The Bears must be stopped, people.
 
p where I live, only having a knife is like taking only a knife to a gunfight! The bears and mountain lions, and meth heads up the road a bit are better off meeting a firearm then just a knife. other than that comment, I love the knife! I want one someday when I find one for a good price.
 
HSO

Your posts come off as very arrogant and argumentative.

I said "I like the idea of carrying an knife..." - what is your problem with that?

If you would think instead of trying to start an argument you may deiscover a time when a knife may be more useful than a sharp stick.

Such as, when inside a tent, or climbing when you need both hands.

And while I aslo like to carry a walking stick, a knife can be used for multiple tasks, such as self-defense and dinner.

Furthermore, I have two hands, one can hold a stick and one can hold a knife.

I'm not going to answer your question about how many years I have spent in the woods because it is enough that I don't need you to judge me or make my decisions for me.
 
Who cares if the finish on it looks like crap after the first time you use it? It's a $50 knife that can take a pretty decent beating. It's not some safe queen collector item. A lot of companies coat their 1095 with something to make it a bit more resistant to rust. The only models Ka-Bar makes in that line that don't have that coating are made from 440a...and I'd rather have the 1095 one myself. They have the hunting line ones that are made from DIN 1.4116 which isn't anything special. I'd rather have the 1095 with the crappy coating on it.

When you get a nicer 1095 blade like something from Rat for instance, the finish will last longer but it will still end up wearing after it's been used for a while. The Rats cost twice as much though.
 
yynx, you may want to re-read HSO's reply again. As I read it they are asking if you have experience in the woods, as a better idea of defending yourself against animals is to make a sharp stabbing spear than trying to swing the knife around willy nilly. It's a valid point backed up by Todd A.

IMO, they are giving you good advise.
 
I think that a given knives bear-killing ability should be transformed into a rating system. It's something we can all relate (or aspire) to, and what with the recent rise in bear-related attacks nationwide, something that makes sense for the consumer to know. Perhaps the BK7 earns a 7 UDR (Ursine Death Rating) where as a Rough Rider folding only earns a 0 UDR.
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Need something else to "calibrate" the scale by.

I think this combo:
short.jpg
Should rate about an 11.

Back on topic, I got a lot of use out of an old 1095 Ka-bar, before the leather sheath fell apart and the handle turned green and fuzzy due to humidity and moisture. Ewww. The blade is still fine. One of these days I'll make a new handle and sheath for it. If I were buying one again, I'd definitely go for the synthetic sheath and handle, too.
 
Anyone know where I can buy a used Ka-Bar? Ebay I guess, but other specific knife sites with buy/sell/trade areas?
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http://www.bladeforums.com has a buy/sell/trade section, though you need a paid membership to sell, these days.

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I'd love to know a little more about that blade Ryan. Is it a HI?
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Yep, it's an HI Giant Chitlangi Bowie. They're a special order type item, rarely made (but you can probably special order one). I feel very very lucky that I got this one from a Deal of the Day. 24.25" long, 59 ounces, and a hair under 1/2" thick at the spine. Yet the balance is amazing, basically what I would expect of a European bastard sword of the same weight. It balances about 3.5" ahead of the guard, so it's much more controllable than you'd think, though it's definitely right on the upper end of what can be effectively weilded in one hand, by a very large, strong person.

The edge is also absolutely incredible. It's very close to a puuko grind (other than the double fullers), with a slight convex near the edge. I've measured the edge at right around 20-25 degrees total; i.e., each side is 10-12.5 degrees from the center. Needless to say, it cuts like a demon.

It's a great gun/knife combo with the Serbu Super Shorty. Short, squat, heavy, and ridiculously overpowered.
 
Ok, so mine arrived, and was 47 bucks. Then I called Amazon, and told them it wasn't advertised with the leather sheath, but the cordura instead was what was listed.

THEY TOOK ANOTHER 10 BUCKS OFF! I'm so stoked, got this knife for 37 bucks. I never get this lucky!

Still have to buy a kydez sheath, but was going to do that anyway.
 
I have a US Army "model" KA-BAR that I picked up brand new on Craigs list for $30.00. Didn't really need it but for $30.00 I just couldn't say no.
It may not be the best available but it's a solid knife great to have on-hand for whatever tasks I may need.
But I find that when it comes to knives rarely is any one particular knife the best. So I typically have a couple I carry when out and about. I'm not carrying them all on my belt. But I know I have them available. If I'm hiking I have a Swiss Army in my pocket. A Cold Steel Pendelton or Pro Hunter on my belt and a US Air Force Issued survival knife attavhed to my backpack. If I'm hunting I'll also have a nice soligen German made skinner and a Case XX skinner as well. Of course a stone to touch 'em up cause skinning does dull a knife fast.
If I'm just out camping from the car at Cades Cove in the smokies or Bandy Creek at Big South Fork, well then I have a few knives available as well.
 
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How many years have you spent in the woods? If you think you need a knife for defending yourself from animals you're better off making a sharpened staff first thing than depending upon just a knife.


Assuming that the bear/feral dog will wait patiently while you wittle your staff and whistle the tune from "The Andy Griffith Show" ! ; )
 
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