The Ka-Bar is a legendary knife that has an incredible history. It was originally developed for the US Marines, but soon found its way into widespread civilian use.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| KA-BAR Full Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife | Best Overall |  |
| KA-BAR TDI Law Enforcement Knife Fixed Blade | Budget Pick |  |
| KA-BAR BKR7-BRK Combat Utility | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. KA-BAR Full Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife
The Ka-Bar Full Size US Marine Fighting Knife is the official handmade knife of the US Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy. It is standard issue to all Marine Corps and Navy combat troops. It has nothing fancy, no grips or coatings. The leather sheath is standard issue in the military, as cheap and utilitarian as it gets. Yet this knife has seen duty in every conflict of the past 100+ years. It has served with the US Marines in WWI, the Pacific during WWII and with the US Navy Navy SEALS in Vietnam. It has served soldiers in Korea, the Gulf War, in Iraq and Afghanistan. It has been used on the Bataan Death March, in Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge, at Iwo Jima and on D-Day. It was the 2010 Infantry Combat Knife. Marine Corps and Navy issue.
USMC KA-BAR Fighting Knife: The USMC Ka-Bar Fighting/Utility Knife is a knife with a classic double-edged blade. The blade is made from 1095 Cro-Van steel. It has a 7 1/4" straight edge blade. The edge is sharpened to a full-tang cutting edge. This sharpness is further enhanced by a black powder coating.
2. KA-BAR #1213 Black Straight Edge Knife / Hard Sheath
Pros:
- Concealed Carry Hook, belt clip or carry
- Black coarse finish is ready for use straight out of the box
- Fits sheath of standard and premium leather
- With a wide range of knives on the market, we've been looking for solid and inexpensive compact knives for everyday carry for some time now. The Ka-Bar is a classic.
- A karambit fixed blade for the outdoors, the ergonomics of the handle and grip are amazing.
- The tip of the karambit knife is one of the most distinctive features of this knife.
- There are a lot affordable knives out there, but they’re usually not very practical. However, this one most definitely is.
- One of the most popular survival knife blades in the world, a Ka-Bar is one of the top reasons to go camping.
- If you’re looking for a fixed blade for hunting and skinning game, then you’ve found the right spot.
- The Ka-Bar is one of the best knives on the market, without a doubt. It’s going to last you a lifetime and can be the perfect companion for outdoor activities.
3. KA-BAR Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade Knife
Pros:
- Made with 1095 Cro-Van Steel
- The blade comes pre-sharpened
Cons:
- The sheath is made with nylon
- CUTS WELL, FEELS GOOD IN YOUR HAND
The Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion is one of the best fixed blade knives that you can find in the market. It was a close call between this one and the Ka-Bar Combat Utility. I selected this one because it is newer and has a better sheath and handle.
The Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade is a good quality knife for the money. We have a lot of good things to say about this lightweight, balanced blade.
There are many things to like about this sheath. It is constructed better than most nylon sheath, with a clean design and a strong belt loop. The only drawback is that the belt loop is a little wide and causes the knife to swing more than it should.
4. KA1214-BRK USA Fighting Knife
Pros:
- Expected to last for more than 40 years
- Solid and durable blade
A Tonto Apache Drop-point blade mounted on a tough Kraton G handle, the USA Fighting knife is a folding knife with a wide, flat blade that’s measured 5.1/8” x 1”. It’s one of the best knives for outdoorsmen as it’s comfortable to hold, with a bolster at the base, and it’s sturdy enough for anything you throw at it.
The sheath that originally came with the knife lasted for a year and a half, but some users reported that the sheath can’t hold up as well as the knife.
5. KA-BAR BKR7-BRK Combat Utility
Developed by Ka-Bar in the 1980’s under the direction of Bill Harsey for the purpose of being used as a fighting knife by counter-terror teams, this Ka-Bar BKR7-BRK is now the professional’s choice for field and survival situations.
What makes this Fixed Blade knife to be included in this list is the Kraton handle that gives you a sturdy and slip-proof grip all at once. With its full tang drop point blade, you can be sure that the task is always going to get done well. The blade’s spine has its thumb rest, allowing you to better achieve your task.
It has a sheath that’s made from nylon, so you can well secure it on your belt. It’s also ambidextrous, so it’ll be a little easier to wear it.
6. KA-BAR Straight Edge Knife
Pros:
- Easy blade deployment
- Fixed blade knife
- High quality blade made of 1095 Cro-Van
- Full tang extra heavy-duty knife
- Easy to sharpen
- Black 10-inch leather material sheath
- Excellent grip
The KA-BAR Straight Edge Knife is an all-purpose combat knife that will be able to keep up with whatever you need to use it for. It comes with a black leather scabbard and measures 10 inches. It is 7 inches overall, with its blade being just under 4 inches. It weighs 12.8 ounces with a full tang.
This knife is basically a high quality version of a typical survival knife. It features an 8 inch handle that’s made of hardwood and a 3-inch blade made of 1095 Cro-Van. The black full leather scabbard completes the look.
The knife is made for soldiers to use in combat situations, so it may not be the best choice for civilian use. But if you’re a military collector, this would be a great addition to your collection.
7. KA1245-BRK Black Tanto
Pros:
- Folding blade of 58-61HRC
- Full tang blade of 1095 Cro-Van for 90-95HRC
- High quality heat-treatment
- Excellent blade geometry, the spec is 2.5mm thick in the front and 3.5mm at the back.
- Handle is made of high-quality black rubber
- Full-size 8.5 inches overall, weight is two pounds
- Very sharp! Blades have a very fine edge.
- It comes with a custom leather sheath and has a lifetime warranty
This is a knife that is part of a family of Ka-Bar knives that are made out of the famous 5CR15MOV steel.This material is one of the best knife steels for making a survival knife.
However, what really makes this blade unique, is that it has a plain edge on one side with a tanto blade on the other. So you can cut in normal mode or stab into things.
The plain side is a bit duller, so that it gets to you sharper and you can actually use it to cut or chop wood and do things. On the other hand, the tanto side is more rugged and you can use it to cut through some materials.
8. Ka-Bar 1282 D2 Extreme Fighting Knife
Pros:
- Versatile, high-quality materials
- Easy to slide the sheath
- Great craftsmanship
The Ka-Bar 1282 D2 Extreme Fighting knife is one of our top choices for KA-BAR products. It’s short enough to carry but long enough to provide you with some serious protection.
Made from the same material as the military, this knife is a pleasure to use and even more of a pleasure to own. Steel this tough is hard to find in most commercially available products, which is why KA-BAR is one of the most trusted brands in the tactical knife category.
The D2 steel is the perfect balance of rust resistance, toughness, edge retention, wear resistance and corrosion resistance. This high-carbon steel is hardened to 60 HRC. It’s also resistant to rust without sacrificing the edge retention necessary for a knife to be used in a tactical environment.
9. KA-BAR TDI Law Enforcement Knife Fixed Blade
Pros:
- Great blade steel
- Solid steel pommel cap with lanyard hole
This Ka-Bar knife is a great EDC knife that will serve well in a survival situation. The handle is shaped for a comfortable grip.
The full-tang, black ceramic coating blade is made out of top-quality 8Cr13MoV steel.
The KA-BAR TDI Law Enforcement Blade is a top-notch knife for when a tool is needed to cut through tough surfaces and materials. The toothed blade serrations on this knife make it an ideal tool for cutting through clothing for rescue build a shelter from natural materials.
10. KA1218-BRK USMC Fighter Serrated
Pros:
- It has a comfortable handle
- You can easily swap out the serrated blade for a straight edge blade
- The sheath can be attached to a belt
The Ka-Bar USMC Fighter is an economical knife that is a best seller. It comes with a 7 inch 1095 cro-van steel blade that is sharp and easy to maintain. It has a non-reflective black blade coating.
The carbon steel blade holds an edge well. It is a perfect camping knife or survival hunting knife.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which Ka Bar knife is the best?
The Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade (7OT or 7 oz). This is the most popular and best selling knife out of all the Ka-Bar knives. Plenty of reviews back it up and Amazon just named it their best of 2015 in the category of hunting and fishing! Not only that, but they added it both the best new release AND the best seller knives of 2015! Some of it’s top selling features are:
This knife is sturdy and strong, made from one solid piece of steel.
It has a fixed blade, so it stays stronger than a typical folding knife would.
The handle is made from micarta, which is an extremely durable material that resists bacteria and is easy to clean.
And, it comes with a leather sheath to protect the blade during carrying and not in use.
Are ka bar knives any good?
Ka-Bar has long been known as one of the best knife manufacturers in the world. They are hand crafted in the United States and come with a lifetime warranty. Their biggest offering is the Marine Corps Fighting knife which many veterans still use to this day. After all, it is recommended by the USMC for its durability and quality manufacturing.
Another quality product is the Ka-Bar Becker BK2 which is extremely popular amongst outdoor enthusiasts. It is manufactured in the same way as the Marine Corps Fighting Knife and the only difference is the design. It is manufactured with a different style for people who prefer a more tactical look.
Do Marines still use Ka Bar knives?
Yes, actually they still do. There was a time around World War II where Marines used the blade as a makeshift screwdriver. But these days they use them to perform a wide range of functions including cutting, stabbing, chopping, slashing, and even scaling fish!
Where are Ka Bar knives made?
All Ka Bar knives are made in the USA. The majority of them are being made in Olean NY, but Ka Bar is increasing its production capabilities and moving some of the production to its Portland and Franklin Maine branches.
Some of the blades are made in Taiwan and are imported into the United States for assembly.
Conclusion
When it comes time that you are shopping for the perfect combat knife, you will run across many different options. Whether is Ka-Bar or some other popular brands, finding the best combat knife will take some time. We suggest reading our buyer’s guide to help you find the best Ka-Bar knives in the market right now. We include a few different features that you should look for when shopping for combat knives. We also provide a few example products that come from companies like Ka-Bar. Without further ado, let’s get started.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| KA-BAR Full Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife | Best Overall | |
| KA-BAR TDI Law Enforcement Knife Fixed Blade | Budget Pick | |
| KA-BAR BKR7-BRK Combat Utility | Upgrade Pick | |