Bountyhunter

I've been looking for one, and there seems to be about 1 million different models. I'm looking for a fixed blade fighting style knife. There are different handle styles and materials and colors as well as blade lengths, etc. Anyone have one? Any comparable brands out there?

kim

If I was gonna buy a fighting knife it would be a Cold Steel copy of a Randall No1. They're about a hundred and a half, but you can't beat them for style and dependability. That's not to say a K bar isn't a good knife, about a million Marines can't be wrong and I had one once myself. If you're gonna do a K bar, I'd stick with K bar. Look for one on line.


Molon Labe

Kim

Bountyhunter

I looked on eBay and they have a ton of them listed, I just don't know if there is much difference between them. Are all the blades made from the same steel? I guess I couldn't really get a bad one, huh?

kim

I'm not really a Kbar expert, but I think they're all the same steel. I will do some research and let you know.


Molon Labe

Kim

Machinist

I had a 7" Kabar. I gave it to my wife's nephew when he went to Iraq. It was a good knife but the blade was not as thick as I think a fighting knife should be and the point was more rounded with too high a point, in my opinion. A sharper point profile penetrates easier though you may loss some strength. Thus the thicker blade. The best profile depends on your most important use. To me, a blade longer than 5" or so is mainly a fighting knife. The shorter ones are more versatile and may have other priorities. Again, it's the use.

To me a fighting knife needs a thick enough blade not to snap off under rough use with the leverage of that long blade against the base. The Kabar just needed more weight with that long blade. It was about 5/32" thick when 3/16" or more would have been better. Quality of alloy will be important in balancing hardness against toughness but frankly, the skill in manufacture will be more important. Go with a good maker.

Caveman

You can dig a latrine with it. Is that rough enough use?

Machinist

You can do that with a garden trowel.

Bountyhunter

I suppose you could.

I see that the Kabars come from over seas. That's why I was wondering if some of them are made with crap steel. I want something that will dig a latrine, and punch thru leather and open a paint can, and slash a tire, and.... It''s just got to hold up without the blade snapping off. I'd like it to hold an edge, but not be a complete pain to keep it sharp. I know nothing about different steel. The numbers are just all greek to me.

XLCH

http://www.agrussell.com/Articles/a/109/

XLCH

http://www.agrussell.com/Steel_Guide/a/73/

XLCH

http://www.agrussell.com/ka-bar-us-army ... /p/KA5019/

Bountyhunter

That's pretty much what I'm looking for, Danny. I'm hoping to find a used one in good shape on eBay. I can save a bit of $$ then. I don't have much to spare. I need the M1A you know.

Machinist

That's happening a lot.

Bountyhunter

Machinist

Many blades from Japan are excellent, they have a history of fine blade making. China and other Asian countries are another matter, perhaps. 1095 is plain high carbon steel. It is cheap and will do but the hardness must be limited to avoid brittleness. You will need to keep after the edge but it should be easy to sharpen. The coating shown in the link is fine but the exposed part of the edge will rust so you will need to care for it. A.G Russel makes great knives. If cost is critical then it might be the best compromise as it is common and that brings down the price. Again, the maker is more important than the type of steel in most cases.

44s Rock

BH, Now I'm going to have to check but I'm sure mine says made in U.S.A. There are several good all around survival knives.
Ka-Bar & EKC

Ruana

Cold Steel

Randle

Machinist

44s, Very nice collection!

BH,
See the Bowie at the top of the picture of Cold Steel knives? That is a good design. The tip is lowered to the middle of the blade making the front edge a much shallower angle as it comes up to the point. This will penetrate better than the high point style on the Kabars shown. The front angle there is too steep, you must push that edge into the target. The point should be at or just above the center of the blade for best penetration.

Bountyhunter

Yep, I see it, Mac. That's one reason I like double edged knives so much. But they are illegal in a lot of states last I knew.

Nice kinives, 44's.

Check your PM's also.

kim

44's, the last picture, 3 knives, the one on the left, is that a Randall?


Molon Labe

Kim

44s Rock

It's made by Randall now. At one time Randall allowed Blackhawk to make carbon steel versions of his knives then later bought the company and merged it with his, that one is actually a Blackhawk.