Which knife to choose (between Gerber&Ka-bar)?

[Medusa]

At first, having knives are like a disease, with every knife bought there's "need" to buy some more.
So I have hard time choosing between 3 knives (rather for utility and general purpose, than self-defence, but still with useful military ability - low glare and heavy duty)
1. Gerber Sheridan http://www.gerbergear.com/product.php?model=1406
Looks cool, handles nice, looks strong.
2. Ka-Bar KBD1 https://www.kabar.com/product_detail.jsp?productNumber=1273&mode=category&categoryId=1,2,3,7&categoryName=Military/Tactical
3. Ka-Bar Fighter https://www.kabar.com/product_detail.jsp?productNumber=1271&mode=category&categoryId=1,2,3,7&categoryName=Military/Tactical
Both Ka-Bars also look nice and are handy, seem strong, worth the Ka-Bar fame.

All of you who have handled these knives, or know a lot more than me about knives (which is easy, as my knowledge is close to zero), what would you reccommend? The prize is about the same for all those 3.

Thanks,
Reimo S

 

[hso]

Medusa,

Of the 3 I'd get the Dozier designed KBar, but why limit your choices to just these 3?

Tell us about what you want the knife to do. Do you want to use it backpacking? Hunting? General camp tool? Are you in the military and intend to use it as a last ditch weapon? Do you want to carry it on the street for defense?

 

[Medusa]

Not really for SD, as I have other means for it. Yeah, I'm in military, applied to sniper school so after some time (years, like) I might make it (there is some shortage in this field, though the state issued Galil Sniper is something I'd hardly call a sniper rifle, it's a 2 MOA gun and standart ammo makes it the marksman rifle at the best). So it is military general-purpose and occasional throat-cutting . backpacking and hiking with family are also in plan.

 

[V4Vendetta]

I think that the Black KA-BAR KBD1 looks great.

 

[zerosignal]

Not to knock on Gerber or Ka-Bar, but you can get some very good knives for just a few dollars more.

Check out Ontario's adventure series here: http://www.ontarioknife.com/adventure.html

They sell in the $80-$120 ranges. All are made of 1095 or D2 steel, much like the Ka-Bar's but are better quality IMO. Just about the perfect general purpose fixed blades.

If you're looking for something more in the price range of a Ka-Bar, take a look at the stuff Becker Knife and Tool sells:

http://www.camillusknives.com/bkt/index.shtml

The Companion, Crewman, and Combat Utility are all great knives that run around $60.

 

[Boats]

I own the Ka-Bar 1271. I liked it better in the hand than the Dozier designed model. I wouldn't own a tanto in any circumstance I might use the knife for utility chores.

Positives of the 1271:

The blade is tough, even for a stick tang Ka-Bar. I have heavily pryed with this knife and it was not harmed.

1095 is still a pretty good steel, even for an "old" and "simple" alloy. It is also easier to field resharpen than a lot of "super steels." I like Ka-Bar's heat treatment consistency much better than Ontarios.

I like the Ka-Bar's ovalish handle profile much better than the typical Becker, which is rectangularish.

It is corrosion resistant because of the coating. Mine is worn in several spots and I have never had rust.

Often overlooked, but that index notch on the top of the spine is really handy to tell which way is "up" when/if you unsheath the knife in the dark.

Cons:

The standard sheath is kind of chintzy, put then again at the price, all makers' feature crummy sheaths.

It is a stick tang. You will not be able to do many pull ups with this knife as a climbing piton.

A black Ka-Bar features a Kraton grip, which DEET will melt if one is not careful. Beckers and the Ontario TAK line will not suffer from DEET, but the Beckers have problems with their handles feeling like slick plastic.

Bottom line? Pay your price and pick your poison. Knives in the sub-$100 category all have build compromises in them.

You might want to consider a Benchmade CSK as well.