I'm a fan of the K-bar, carried one almost all my life (fancied myself a "knife-fighter", although I really had no formal training...a legend in my own mind) before I ever carried a firearm.
Also carried it as a hunting knife for years, up until recently, even gutted a cougar with mine when I discovered it was the only knife I had with me.
After getting deep into bush craft and wilderness survival I have found that the K-bar just won't hold up to hard use, especially splitting wood. Little stuff, yes, but to make a fireboard for friction fire starting it won't take that abuse for long. Or at least mine didn't. (but I fixed it) My handle got real loose real fast.
For fighting, (people or animals) I think the design is great. You can/could skin or gut an animal with it not problem. It will work. Light camp chores it is good, and I sure can get a nice razor edge on mine.
My "solution" is to carry two knives, one for skinning/gutting, and a bigger one for heavy use. Actually I carry more than that, large knife, small knife, pocket knife at least. Usually bring a filet knife too, as they are so super light. Oh and a multi-tool with a knife. !!! Of course there are knives that probably cover all bases, with a bit of a compromise on each base, but I'd not want to leave the pocket knife at home.
Anyhow, got off track there, but regardless of the difference in quality between the new and old ones, the design of the knife. or of the handle leaves something to be desired for real torture testing. For anything short of wood splitting or "batoning", great knife.
