Ka-Bar, part II (D2 tool steel variant)

Submitted by Bar

You know, if you are wanting new technology and newer steels, Ka-Bar now makes the USMC combat knife with D2 tool steel as an option.  You can still get it with the stacked leather handle or a new fangled thermal plastic job, and with a partial serration if you must have that.  (I prefer the stacked leather!  The Corps is all about traditions... like winning!)

The design of the USMC Ka-Bar is a legend and there is no need to change it.  It's an all purpose general work, utility and fighting knife that can't be beat.

Just get one with the steel upgraded to the D2 and you have a winner in my book! and it sure isn't $300 either!

ED – Bar, I did some rooting around on the Ka-Bar site for the D2 variant and found this.  I assume this is what you’re referencing.

For the uninitiated (like me, who had to look this up) D2 tool steel is a high-carbon, high-chromium air-hardened tool steel often used for blanking dies. (A blanking die is a shaped metal punch that is used to cut a specific shape out of softer metal.  Think of it as a cookie cutter from hell.)  D2 tool steel has a Rockwell HRC “hardness” rating of 59-60. This steel has excellent edge holding ability but is very difficult to process.  The standard Ka-Bar is made from 1095 carbon steel, which is somewhat “softer” with an HRC “hardness” rating of 56-58.  I would imagine that the D2 version would be more corrosion resistant than the 1095 blade, more durable and hold an edge better than the standard Ka-Bar, but I don’t know how easy it would be to re-edge it if you, God forbid, gouged or chipped the edge (I use a mill bastard file on my Kukri, but then it’s made from POS leafspring steel too…)

And you’re right, it isn’t $300, but rather $144 (from the factory) which makes it about twice as expensive as the stock Ka-Bar.

Get the D2 Tool Steel Ka-Bar knife here

Comments

[steelcobra]

Personally, my Cold Steel Recon Tanto served me very well while I was out at Robin Sage as a G. It's a solid knife I used to hammer, cut, pry, break things, and occasionally threw at trees and it held up beautifully. The edge is nearly impossible to chip, and the protective coating held up to all kinds of abuse. The simple Kraton checked grip ensues confidence that it won't be dropped.

Finally, the stock molded Kydex sheath is tough, and the friction grips let you carry it around camp unstrapped without fear of it falling out.

While Cold Steel's site says $115, I got mine at the Clothing Sales shop for $50.

[J. Reynolds]

I still have & use my Ka-Bar knife that was issued to me as a Navy pilot during WWII. I served 28 yrs. as a Naval carrier pilot & carried my knife on every flight.

[Mark]

I carried a K-Bar in the Army Infantry for 14.5 years it even did a tour in Iraq I love it. The lether sheath is now 50% 100 mile and hour tape and 50% lether. I was going to get a new sheath for it but I can not brake up the set. I still carry it in my truck. I have had it for over 24 years now and its still going strong.

[cpl. Bryan]

Hey ceratied knifes are illigal in war!

DUH!

[Sax]

The original poster had to let his knife go since his sergeant berated him for having a USMC knife in the army. I thought it should be mentioned that Ka-Bar makes their knives with tang stamps for all the services, including the army. I'm not sure it'd fool the sergeant, it's still the same knife, but could be worth a shot at least; "It says US Army right here!" :-)

[John]

its "serrated". AND its not a "knife" its the worlds finest multi-tool ever created in basic form. OohRah!

[steelcobra]

cpl. Bryan, when you can spell words longer than three letters correctly, then we may be interested in your legal advice.

Besides, 90% of a big knife's use is out on field training or during mission prep. Most door-busters have two weapons systems prior to needing to go hand-to-hand.

[Paul Reamer]

I still have my k-bar on of my prised items. The fist leather sheath when it became 90% 100 mi an hour tape I retired it its now in my gun safe along with with my k-bar and the replacement sheath which has acquired nearly 50% tape. I received my k-bar from an Uncle who served in Korea. I then took it to Viet Nam and served one tour. I have no sons or grand sons. I am going to give it to some young man or woman who I have not met yet. I'll know who it is when I meet them.

[c.s.barlow]

this knife can be had for under $100.00 from this sight
http://www.osograndeknives.com/Ka-Bar/ka-bar_-_d2_extreme_fighting_utility_knife,_kydex_sheath.htm

[george gollnick]

I still have my USMC issued K BAR with leather sheath.
I served with the 3rd Marine Div. for 18 months in Danang, and KHE SAHN Vietnam, during TET 1968 to 1970.
The K BAR was and is the BEST SILENT WEAPON ON EARTH

[Snake]

Have mien from Nam. Used it in 1966-`68 1st Mar Div ANGLICO
Have used it "down south" since that time and On the "ridge line" over seas. It has never run out of ammo, quick reload, and built in silencer. Chipped the tip in a gook's head, but other than that, still works.

Might give the new one to friends.

Semper Fidelis

GOD
Country
CORPS

Snake

[ed]

cpl?Bryan,(sea-lawyer)
They must be promoting anyone nowdays.
Do you even know what the serrations are used for ?
You really need to see something other than the inside of a school.

from an old school jarhead

[c5killer]

I never bought a K-Bar while I was in Corps. I didn't like the type of steel they used. If it would have been made out of D2 tool steel back then, I would have bought one.

[Fred Ryan]

I do a lot of traveling and camping on my motorcycle and like to carry an all purpose fixed blade knife in my saddle bags. My long time Buck has had it and I'm considering an original KA-BAR but when I checked out the regs in TX, a blade over
5 1/2" is a class 3 felony so now I'm considering the smaller KA-BAR although I'd prefer the original size. Anybody hear of cops actually enforcing this law? Or other comments? Thanks.

[Steve Dulan]

I'm a former US Army Infantry E-5 and currently an attorney. I'm curious CPL Bryan: Which law school did you attend? More to the point, I own one of these D-2 knives and have used it to cut up several Rocky Mountain elk. It holds an edge as well as, or better than, any knife I've used for hunting tasks. It is easily sharpened with diamond-coated sharpening tools, which are becoming more common.
However, I have one major bitch: the damn black paint flakes off. Sometimes in the meat. I'm just gonna go ahead and wire-wheel all the black paint off. RE: duct tape sheaths: the upgraded plastic and black nylon sheath seems worth the extra $ to me so far. Not been to war with it by any means. Just a few dozen hunting trips.

[Garandman]

If it don't fit my M-1 it ain't worth nothin.

[Robert Robinson]

Poor cpl. Bryan, I sure hope he
can read better than his spelling.I have an M-7 bayonet
knife with the M1-A1 scabbard.
The scabbard has little letters
"pvc" and the M-7 says "boc".
What kind of designation do they
mean? Also I would like to know
the hardness rating as compared
to K-bar an D2.Appreciate any
info. Thanks The Cowboy.

[sgt.mike(cobra)]

i had a k-bar in nam,66-68. very nice tool. someone stole it after i retired. cant afford a new one, but someday.
USAF. spent a lot of time with the corp. greatest guys i new. semper--fi.

[fl1946]

I still have mine with smoke and WP flare still attached to leather sheath by duct tape. Helped cut many an LZ's while up in Leatherneck Square, I Corps. Also good extraction tool for ham and cake in C rat cans. Now my wife swipes it to cut pineapples and large fruit! Happy holidays!

Semper fi,
Vietnam '67 Alpha, 3rd Recon; Delta, 1/9, Lima, 3/4, III MAF.

[Michael Z. Williamson]

D2 isn't significantly better on a large blade, as it's a bit more brittle. Since the 1095 is parkerized, it's as resistant as D2, which is only "resistant" not "Stainless."

However, I do like the improved grip and guard.

And I can make it fit a Garand very easily. Bayonet conversions are fairly straightforward.

Let me add my jeers to Cpl Brian, who knows little about blades or English.

[SFC, D Grant Cheesman]

If I buy a Kay-Bar; it will be stamped USArmy, period. The army always gave us bayonets and machettes. The Katiebar may be fine, I'll de-cide if it's fit. Platoon sergeant, USArmy (R) Still- serving. 62-83 DMZ to delta-, 65-71, second to none. Do not pee on your hands when pissing, no hand washing that way. Army lession one!

[Devil Dog]

Army-"Second To None"..... U.S.M.C-"NONE"

[Capt Bob Garlits USAF (RET)]

As a E-4 aircrew member on EC-47's during Vietnam I carried my K-Bar on 134 missions. Wish I still had it. I did buy one of the Vietnam commemorative (sp?) knives from K-Bar. Very nice.

[Daniel]

Don't feed the troll.

There is a certain type of individual that hangs around comment areas like this. They typically spell poorly, are misinformed and have a negative view of things in general.

Their comments are NOT meant to inform or socialize. They are BAITING you. your best action is to ignore them.

[WestHamUnited]

Daniel, in some cases you would be right about negative people who bait others as a form of amusement. In this case however, I have to believe that "cpl Bryan" is a legitimate knobshine. I just hope he isn't really a corporal...

[Pete Grandpre]

I did a hitch with the Corps and deployed to Iraq with the National Guard.
I carried my K-bar throughout my tour in Iraq. Everyone in my National Guard unit did not understand why I kept that K-bar on my body armor...

[Lcpl Daley W]

I still sleep with my K-Bar under my pillow.

[Jadxia]

To: Mr. Reimer

I'm always up for a free K-bar :D

[JOHN]

Anyone in the Military NOE OR IN THE PAST. I would like to start by saying THANK YOU. You can get Kbars with a leather sheath for $50.00
or you can get other styleor knives at great savings by emailing me at bigjohnrwe@yahoo.com just leave me a way to reach you.or call me at 260-434-4017. SGT Mike (Cobra) please email. THANK YOU John

[Cpl D - USMC]

The original version is a fantastic knife. It never leaves the side of my bed. And there's not a single firearm in my home. Who needs one when you own a Ka-Bar!

[Ann Garrison]

Are you saying I
could buy one of these things as a civilian?

Or that recruits are now expected to
buy their own weapons?

-Ann Garrison, San Francisco, CA

[WestHamUnited]

Ann, you can absolutely buy any of these models that are being discussed, as a civilian. Recruits don't HAVE to buy their own knives - the military does supply them, but individuals can also furnish their own. Personally, I've always preferred to carry a few different types and sizes, which is what this is all about - deciding which is the best one for you, based on your own preferences and your own specific MOS. I was discharged in '82, but my son is in the Army now, and will train as an combat medic this spring, after he graduates high school. I read these reviews to keep up with new trends, so I can advise him. (Yeah, he can read himself, but it never hurts to have ol' dad looking out for him too, right?)

[JOHN]

Yes you can buy one too Ann NOT all recruits are given agood knife I get a lot of soldier never received one.
JOHN

[Kevin Garuda]

hooah!!!!!i m buyin one ASAP.

[Tom]

I have a Kbar.....the surprising thing is, it was a gift from one of the Ukrain shooters I worked with....he knew I was a Marine and felt it was his duty to outfit me with a Kbar.....I also have a Kukri I picked up in Katmandu when I repatriated a friends body to his family....but thats another story for a different time.

[Wolf]

I have collected the "Ka-Bar" better Known as "USMC Combat Fighting Utility Knife" for over 30 years. I have had 27 variations of it. For what it is worth the first one was not made by Ka-Bar. It was made by Camillus in New York. The origial name for it was "U.S.N. Mark 2 Knife".
For those who think the knife is no good in combat. All I can say is I left over 75 VC in South East Asia who will never return home because of the one I carried. Most of the things I have read posted here don't tell of ever having to use one in hand to hand combat. I have and still live to tell about it. I was in a special Army unit and still have that knife.

[S. D. Hicks]

I still have the "U.S.N. Mark 2 Knife" and hard gray sheath issued to me in 1961 at Little Creek, VA for deployment to South Africa. Carried it for almost 20 months there and got a new USMC K BAR with leather sheath issued to me in 1964 prior to landing with the 3rd Marine Div. in Danang, Mar 1964. Caried it for three tours of duty...Still have both of them....Retired USN 84.

[BigO]

The Kydex sdheaths were just getting to be popular when I got out in '99 and I knew a few guys who had them for their KaBAR's and other field knives, but I always remembered what my first DI said about the noise made by a steel knife coming out of a plastic sheath alerting many a sentry. Such as an ol' m7 bayonet. I still have my KaBAR, but it now lives in a nice web sheath from London Bridge Trading company who I am lucky to live near enough to so that I can pick them up whenever I need a new one.

[Al Butler]

Why change what history already proven works.Leave the Ka-Bar alone.The Marine has a long history of things that work,so leave tridition alone.

[steelcobra]

A marine ate an MRE heater though, too. :P

[brown john e]

sgt brown john e with the c.co/3.144.in in iraq sgt brown john c.co/3.144 in lsa.agdder apo.ae 09331 iraq tallil thank you

[Stephen A. Mangiameli Sr MSgt USMC (Ret)]

I just bought my D2 for $80.56 shipping included from Tomar’s KA-BAR Knives. I don't think you can get this knife with a stacked leather handle. This is also with a leather sheath. SWEEEEET!

[oldguy]

My son-in-law didn't get issued any knife except a bayonet when his USMC unit went to the middle east. Ka-Bar factory is just down the road a piece so I got him the original. He still prizes it highly as I do him and all those who serve.

[John H. Larsen]

I lost my seabag in Sept. 1950 when we sailed for Inchon,anyone out there know where I can pick up a USMC KA knife now? Semper Fi

a
bar knife now? Semper Fi

[shep854]

Not too long ago, I picked up a well-used USMC K-Bar with the brown USMC sheath. When I pulled it out, I could feel the grit of sand. I often wonder what that knife could tell if it could talk.

I also have a recent K-Bar, for which I bought a synthetic sheath. The sheath has many more attachment options.

My usual fixed-blade field knife is a Camillus pilot's survival knife. The smaller blade is much handier for camp chores.

[Mike Sinclair]

Lets get one thing straight. I never saw a Marine issued any knife other than a bayonet. The bayonet is a great tool too but we never really had them on our side in the infantry in the early 80's. You also did not want to ruin one prying things and have to pay for another one. I did have a bayonet while guarding "Special Weapons" for two years. It was fixed at all times and we were trained to use it as another level of deadly force. First to slash then to stab. We did have some incidents where crazy sailors would ignore your warnings to halt. These same fools usually were kicked out of the Navy later on from too many NJP's. I was involved in more than one incident myself. A few blood curdling screams and a few stitches later usually led to a lesson being taught to the sailors who believed the rumor that the weapons were "not real" and that we were just being ass h***s during a "drill". The Soviet backfire bombers buzzing the carrier must have been a drill to them too. We had bayonets fixed on shotguns too. I loved the bayonet so much that I bought one in a store years later and still have it. You had to buy your own personal knife like a lot of other things a new recruit has no idea about. For instance, the Marine Corps tells you to lay on the barbed wire as a mat man so your buddies can step on you to get over it. They then say that your uniform is ripped and you have to pay to buy another one for an upcoming inspection. That was the Corps and you just accepted it. I went in thinking I would be issued a K-Bar but no dice. A lot of guys liked Gerber knives. I was from Brooklyn and the men around me from places like Arkansas would stand around and talk knife talk. Fun and informitive. They taught you some back woods knife tricks. How to dress an animal and so on. None of them used a K-Bar for that and the Corps never taught us any knife skills like kids think before joining. You learned that from the southern boys or Karate class at night. Ah, I miss those youthful days. One of my favorites was a small black scuba knife that I had. It had a great blade with strong rust proof steel and a plastic molded sheath and came with great rubber straps to fasten it to a leg or anything else. I put it through hell. I would hammer the top of the blade with an E-tool to cut wood. It was all black and cost 20 bucks. You had to push down on a flat springy lock to release it from the sheath. I would have used that over my K-bar in any fight. Of course when you are young, you look foward to the day that you can stick an enemy with one. You realize later that you were lucky not to have. The K-Bar is still a simple knife that can be used for a ton of tasks. It does not need to be so modern looking to get the job done. Sorry for the details but just a dose of reality. The K-Bar was not the main knife of choice when I served. I still love it though along with it's history. I take it camping along with other knives. BTW, there is a detailed account of a Marine using his personal knife on an enemy during some close indoor combat in the book No True Glory. I read that part of the book to my wife and she cringed. I forget the type of knife but it was pretty intense. This man had to do what most young servicemen wonder if they will ever be asked to do. I teach and would love to have my students read that passage but I would probably be fired ;)

[Pvt Kelley]

Excuse me gentlemen, it's a bit off topic but I was wondering about what Cpl. Bryan said: Is it illegal to carry a serrated knife in combat? Is it some sort of Geneva convention statute? Thanks for any answers - SEMPER FI, DO OR DIE

[steelcobra]

Pvt Kelley: I've yet to hear any doctrine or stories where a soldier knifed an enemy in OIF/OEF. You're just not going to be in a situation where you need to use one unless your convoy gets lost, ambushed, and nobody's weapons work. Even busting down doors, when both your rifle and pistol are empty, you take a knee and reload while your team covers you.

It's just as silly as the whole "if you are on a .50 you aim at a soldier's gear." The rule doesn't say that "this caliber cannot be used against personnel." The rule says you have to use the smallest effective weapon immediately available. i.e., on a Bradley, when engaging infantry, use the 7.62 Coax instead of the 25mm chain gun.

[Jess]

Re there have been no cases of a Ka Bar being used in hand to hand in Iraq,

The battle of Falujah there was one or two instances if I recall when the kids were going house to house where they were needed after they were wounded cut off and ammo was exhausted.

[Eric Daniel]

Pvt. Kelly,

The various conventions and treaties regarding wartime conduct prohibit the modification of weapons or equipment or the use of purpose-built equipment which is designed to increase the suffering of the enemy upon which it is used. This covers things such as the use of poisons, feces, hollowpoint or modified solid lead bullets, for example, but would not prevent the use of a serrated knife. The purpose of the serrations is to aid in cutting, and it’s a feature built into the knife. Wounds created by a serrated knife would be no different than those created by a straight bladed knife (yes yes I understand that at the forensic level the shape of the wound would be different, but for treaty purposes, a serrated knife is no more deadly than a straight bladed knife and the wounds caused by the two would not be any more or less difficult to treat.)

[Seabeechief]

I have a K-Bar that I got in trade from a Marine for a ponco liner in '69. We were in Northern Quang Tri Province and he needed a poncho liner more than the extra K-Bar he had. That same K-Bar accommpanied a friend of mine to Iraq in '06. I hope one of my grandsons will take it somewhere, someday. From a Marine to a Seabee to a Master-at-Arms to whatever is next. Hooooraaaaaa!

[Pvt Kelley]

Thank you to everyone who answered my question, and thank you especially to Mr. Daniel, who answered my question completely with an extremely inciteful knowledge of the Geneva Convention. I'm headed back down to ITB today to finish up my infantry training. I'll pass on the knowledge. - Semper Fi Gentlemen

[grasshopper]

Viet Nam - May 1963 - 1st combatants dispatched - 1-3-3 USMC - never had any blade weapons except bayonets which we kept razor sharp. Would have been real cool to have a Ka-Bar but didn't have one or know anyone who did. Secret deployment, which was reported only in the L.A. times. So secret that we couldn't even be Court Marshaled when we p***ed off the captain of the sinking ship that was grabbed when it was in route to be scrapped in Pearl Harbor, since we were still officially in Okinawa but wound up in old Japanese POW barraks in Subic Bay under arrest till all the ships records and Captain's compartment suffered "spontanious combustion" one night and all records were lost. Then we could go into Olongapo without having to print up our own liberty cards and use the bridge over the "green river" we built out of pieces of the barracks, and bypass our guards. Nope, no Ka-Bars. Good for Hollywood combat movies though and stories to tell the kids and new recruits.

[ETurnage]

The KaBar is way over rated as a functional weapon. Most of it's diehard fans are hung up on tradion and cannot or will not see it's drawbacks. the thing is still issued to all USMC personnel who carry anything other than a rifle. If used as a weapon the probability of it snapping is almost w/o fail. Beside your opponents clothing and equipment you have to deal with anatomy. Hang a thin flat blade in a ribcage and see what happens. The M-7 bayonet is a far better piece of gear than any version of the KaBar.

[Derrty]

here's some enlightenment for those that obviously don't know much about steel quality. everyone's got their opinions about k-bar. those that don't like them that's cool but this isn't about kbar...it's about the D-2 steel that kbar is introducing to their knives. i saw a few people talk about being able to break the knife real easy...again.....this is about D-2 steel. for those that don't know....D-2 is a high carbon steel. Carbon alloy is introduced to steel to increase hardness, durability, and edge retention. To correct the guy at the top...unless Kbar is doing something unusual, D-2 usually doesn't have a high chromium content. Chromium alloy is introduced to steel to increase corosion resistance. Most books will tell you anything over 13% chromium is considered stainless steel. That's surely not a quality of D-2. D-2 will usually rust easier than most steels and it's a royal pain in the ass to sharpen so to save you lots of time on a stone.....DON'T LET THAT FUCKER DULL!!! sharpen at least after every other use. It usually does hold an edge forever but keep it on a stone. When talking steels always remember....like most things, where you gain in one area you lose in another. D-2...you gain in hardness, durability, and edge retention but you lose in sharpenability and corrosion resistance. There isn't many steels that compare in overall performance. Some that do would definetly be the Carbon V that Cold Steel uses, anything considered an S30V steel, or even a 154CM (not quite as high as the others on the totem pole)....good stuff. Don't fear the new KBar....I think you'll like it.

And about Cpl Bryan....com'on man....don't be sayin ignorant shit like that. Serrated edges are used for cutting rope and twine and shit like that. I have heard from a soldier and a Air Force SF that just returned from the shit hole that blades over (something like) 3.5 inches were not allowed over there anymore...that includes combat knives. Can someone clarify that one for me? I'm thinking that if that's true that would be considered a...BUNCH OF SHIT!!!

[westernhunter]

Pardon my intrusion here, but what's all the B.S. about serrated knives being illegal in war?? Is anyone here actually aware that the US Marine Corps procured a new partially serrated 8 inch bladed bayonet/fighting knife and has been issuing it since 2005. It's called the OKC-3S Bayonet. The contractor is Ontario Knife Co. The same maker who makes the current issue US Army and USMC Mark 2 (so-called Ka Bar)fighting knife and the current issue USAF pilots survival knife. Look into it. It's one mean looking Bayonet.