Ka-Bar!

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Hombre
Posts: 123
Joined: Fri Aug 21, 2015 6:46 pm

Ka-Bar!

Post by Hombre »

I need help for a friend.... Is this a real Ka-Bar?
If I understand it right they started to produce Ka-Bars around 1942-43....
How can you see when a Ka-Bar is manufactured.... What to look for....
Is there any book produced about this kind of knife?
Any help at all very much appreciated!
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gravknife
Posts: 1499
Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2015 9:34 pm

Re: Ka-Bar!

Post by gravknife »

Hombre

I love the kabars but ageing them is quite difficult.

I read once that the rarest earliest ka bars had a red spacer just above the guard ,this dated that particular knife to 1942.

There are many forums that deal with fighting knives ,militaria that will have the info you need but ageing some knives that are this iconic,and unchanged in blade stamp is very difficult .....for instance a particular manufacturers machine part being changed ,may affect the pommel curvature .

There are identifying stamps on the leather itself that can be worn off .

The pommel rivet is rounded on the earlier examples and then the rectangular shape came in.
I believe the rectangular shape differed in its angle on later models.

The earlier Ka bars are parkerised which changed to a black powder coating aswell but i cant remember the specific date things change.

The clipoint was sharpened on earlier models and left blunt later .

I will look up more on this subject for you but there were a 1,000,000 Ka bars produced and the design was so perfect they didnt change it much at all.

I know one thing i would love a ka -bar and those you posted would suit me just fine .Its the best all round military fighting knife ever made .

I wish jimmi a member here would take a look he has sime great old American fighters and knows a lot more than i do my freind.

I hope your well and this helps a little hombre.

All the best.
Ian
Hombre
Posts: 123
Joined: Fri Aug 21, 2015 6:46 pm

Re: Ka-Bar!

Post by Hombre »

Thank you very much for your answer, gravknife. I really appreciate it!
I can understand that it is very hard to ageing a Ka-Bar if they have looked almost the same for a very long time.
I wish that someone have written a book about them but I haven´t seen any yet.

Best regards,
Stefan
User avatar
wazu013
Posts: 332
Joined: Sun Feb 27, 2011 2:20 pm

Re: Ka-Bar!

Post by wazu013 »

Here's a few links to some good info from the usmilitariaforum. It's where I check anytime a topic like this come up.
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ ... wtopic=499
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ ... wtopic=480
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ ... wtopic=510
“The difference between involvement and commitment is like ham and eggs. The chicken is involved; the pig is committed.”
Hombre
Posts: 123
Joined: Fri Aug 21, 2015 6:46 pm

Re: Ka-Bar!

Post by Hombre »

Thank you very much, wazu013. Much appreciated!
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