Speaking of knives...Ka Bar

[dcxplant]

...has anyone tried the hunting knives from Cutco?

Also, I have a Ka-Bar, Mk I I got in the 80's as a young Marine, which is now my go-to camping knife (it has skinned several rattlers over the years too).

Has anyone tried the new Mk II Ka-Bar?

I understand Cutco has been making Ka-Bars for eons, including my Mk I Ka-Bar which is stamped USMC OLEAN, NY. I just found this out, very interesting history.

I was at the mall, doing my Santa Clause impersonation shopping for my boy, and the Cutco rep was there. I was really impressed with all of the knives, bought five of them, and handled the Mk II Ka-Bar.

My initial impression is that this new Ka-Bar is one heavy duty knife!!

Any Mk II Ka-Bar users?

What big, heavy, knife can anyone recommend in the same price range (just under $200 bucks)?

One more question:

Has anyone bought a Khukuri from Khukuri House? A friend brought a Khukuri back from a climbing expedition in Nepal, he loves it. It is crudely made, but holds an edge well, and is one of the best all-around camping hatchets I've ever seen. They are made of railroad tie steel, should be pretty tough right?

[THE PILGRIM]

Much prefer my Negrito bolo from the Philippines. It's got genuine water buffalo horn handles.

[jlrhiner]

I have one of the MkII's. Bought it when it first came out. It's a nice all around camp knife, of good quality steel and you can keep it scary sharp with just a little attention. Don't care for the sheath though, just me.

And the price on the MKII was no where near $200.00. If I remember correctly (and rarely do) it was around $49.95. We are talking about the USN KaBar, right?

[1911a2bphil]

If you want a big knife in that price range, look at the Cold Steel Trail Master. I've owned one for almost 20 years. You can find one on-line for about 150.00. As far as the khukuri, I bought a khukuri machete also from Cold Steel 10 years ago and paid about 20.00. I use it to cut vines and small saplings mainly. I think its great.

[mc5aw]

If you like Kabar and want heavy duty, look at the Becker 9.

Khukri ---> Himalayan Imports.

[Texas Star]

If your budget will handle $200, maybe less, shop for a Fallkniven A-1. www.fallkniven.com The six-inch blade is heavy, sharp, and tough. Has passed stringent Swedish and US military trials! The S-1 is a smaller version, with about a five-inch blade. Versions with leather and alloy butt cap handles are available in the Northern Lights series, and somewhat resemble Randall handles in appearance. But they cost more than those with Thermorun or Kraton handles.

The best value in a basic knife of this type may be the Buck Model 119. Unlike the Ka-Bars, it is stainless, a real advantage for most buyers. I've read that some Wal-Mart stores have them in Cordura sheaths for about $40, more with leather sheaths. I've seen them with leather sheaths in other stores for some $79. The black phenolic and aluminim handles don't rot like the leather Ka-Bar handles. But if you're in a combat zone, you might want to put dull colored tape on the aluminum butt, to avoid reflections.

I've seen the SOG SEAL 2000 for $99 at big stores like Bass Pro. Keep in mind that it passed rigorous Navy trials. But I don't really like the wavy blade back profile and the sheath is sort of specialized for diving use. The style has also changed in recent years. But the original, at least, is a tough knife with a nice, long handle. That handle is also pretty slip- proof. I think it's checkered Zytel.

But if you haven't seen Fallkniven, check out that site. They have some very fancy folders, too. Prices are quoted in Swedish kroner, but they have US dealers. Personally, I think that Fallkniven makes the best knives of any current factory, and they perform on par with custom knives that cost more, using the same VG-10 or similar blades. And they pass very tough breakage tests from the Technical University of Lulea, as well as military trials. I understand that the S-1 will fit the sheath on US aircrew survival vests and is approved for unit purchase. Coated black blades are optional, if you want the tactical look. Sheaths are either leather or Zytel, your choice.

[THE PILGRIM]

Thing to remember about military knives is they are not designed to be a knife for life. They are relatively cheaply designed and made to provide adequate blades for the duration of the war.
I collect US military knives and especially like aircrew survival knives. I do not like the leather washer handles which a lot of these blades have.
Most all the knives the other posts have recommended are much better than the military blades.
Here's one I like.