Survival knives

[HENRY JONES JR.]

As far as I know, they have been 1095 carbon steel all along, and currently 1095 cro-van. They didn't use stainless in the USMC knife until the mid nineties when they came out with the Gen 2, and that also came with a Kraton handle and partially serrated blade.

Last week, I bought a vinatge KA BAR knife. It's from the 60's, but there is no Identification number on it. It appears to be a hunting knife, however, it's virtually the same knife as the Military issue 1208. Same size and dimentions. 6 inch blade. A couple things are different. Mine doesn't have the blood groove, and mine has a leather wraped handel. Also, mine has a slightly different butt plate for hammering on it. Pretty much the same, but a slightly different shape. Also, the sheath is virtually the same too. Basicly, I own the civililan model. The 1208 can be seen on ebay.

Just like the military version, the blade is chome plated. Mine has the words; "carbon chrome" written on the blade.

So, what is carbon chrome? I'm guessing it's a chome plated carbon blade. But what type of carbon??

I couldn't find anyone to sharpen the blade for me while I wait (I'd have to drop it off for a few days), so I sharpened it myself. It's not done by a pro, but it is sharp.

[HENRY JONES JR.]

I CAN'T FIND A PHOTO OF THIS KNIFE ANYWHERE ON THE INTERNET!

Mine was sold to me as a RARE vintage CARBON CHROME Ka Bar knife. I have no idea what model number it is. I've looked for a photo of it all over the internet for hours. Nada. Perhaps this model IS rare. It appears to to be somewhere between the Military 1207 and 1208. Perhaps closer to the 1207.

On first glance, it looks like the 1207, but when you really study it, it isn't. This is a very strong knife. The blade is 6 inches, it has a drop point, it's full tang, 11 inches overall. I personally sharpened it, and it's now as sharp as a razor! I WOULD trust my life to this knife as a survival knife.

It was hard to sharpen. Not sure if it was because it was dull, or because it was a very strong metal. I feel this will hold an edge. It's not super heavy, but it has good weight to it. The sheath is stamped "KA BAR", but no other information. I still think it's from the 60's, but that is just my guess. It could be older, but it has the same craftsmenship, and visual look of 60's knives. I wish I had a book on the subject so I could look it up. I got it on a sale at a private seller in an antique store who was parting out his collection. I bought it for under $55.00. I think it was a bargin.

It's not as huge, or impressive visually as a RAMBO knife, but this is what most experts say is really what is a useful length (I think 6 to 8 inch blade). I pollished the brass hilt to make it look newer.

[SD Jones]

NICE FIND!! Take some pics if you get the chance, I'd love to see it.

I'm guessing it's a leather sheath that came with it? If you're interested(and want to preserve the leather one), I have an extra ka bar kydex sheath that was too short for mine that I bought it for. It's for the regular sized KaBars and it's been sitting around for about 5 years now. Looks like this.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Kaba...2F%3B500%3B227

[HENRY JONES JR.]

NICE FIND!! Take some pics if you get the chance, I'd love to see it.

I'm guessing it's a leather sheath that came with it? If you're interested(and want to preserve the leather one), I have an extra ka bar kydex sheath that was too short for mine that I bought it for. It's for the regular sized KaBars and it's been sitting around for about 5 years now. Looks like this.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Kaba...2F%3B500%3B227

Your correct, it is a leather sheath. It's in fair condition. The leather strap that snaps around the knife handle (to hold it onto the sheath) had snaps that rotted out of the leather. I have basic leather working skills, so I added a brand new snap, and it actually is snugger, and holds the knife in place better than the original did.

I might take you up on your offer, not sure. I forgot to mention that the leather wrapped handle has 3 finger slots for better grip.

I'll try to take some photos to post when I can.

My fantasy sheath would be one that had a front pouch (like on the original movie FIRST BLOOD knife's sheath) for a sharpening stone, but I would fit in a magnesium bar for fire starting instead. (Ever used one of those fore starters? They work great!) I could have one custom made, but that would be expensive. I don't have enough skills to make one very well. I've looked for one on the internet that would hold a 6 inch blade, but nothing to my satisfaction.

Thanks for the interest! I'll try to post some photos.

[HENRY JONES JR.]

NICE FIND!! Take some pics if you get the chance, I'd love to see it.

I'm guessing it's a leather sheath that came with it? If you're interested(and want to preserve the leather one), I have an extra ka bar kydex sheath that was too short for mine that I bought it for. It's for the regular sized KaBars and it's been sitting around for about 5 years now. Looks like this.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Kaba...2F%3B500%3B227

This is what mine looks like. It's the same as mine with one difference. The butt of this one is not the same as mine, as mine is more rounded. Mine is in really very good condition, while the one on ebay is in poor condition without the sheath. Still don't know what style number this knife is.

Remember, mine is in much better shape than the one offered on ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-KA-B...item2ed569ae74

[SD Jones]

I gotcha now.

A friend of mine had one that looked exactly like the one in the link if in an even rougher shape. I think it belonged to his father or grandfather before him.

[HENRY JONES JR.]

I gotcha now.

A friend of mine had one that looked exactly like the one in the link if in an even rougher shape. I think it belonged to his father or grandfather before him.

Wish I knew what the official name, or catalog number this one is called.

See what I mean when I say it looks somewhat like a 1207, and very much like a 1208? Both of those are military.

[HENRY JONES JR.]

Just bought a vintage Buck 120 knife. Not really sure it's a survival knife. I guess it could be. Not sure what it was made to do. Mine is a vintage 120 that was made between 1972 - 1986. The blade steel is either 440C if mine was made between 1972-1980, or 425M if it was made from 1980 -1986.

I bought it at an antique store. The have discontinued it from the Buck catalog and website on and off again. It's available again, but even though it now has a superior 420HC blade steel, I prefered the one I have as the blade is longer than they offer now. Now, their blades on the 120 is 7 3/8, but mine is a full 7 1/2 blade! The older ones have the longer blades, so I prefered them. After checking with knife website forums, they say that there isn't too much difference between the 440c, 425m, and the 420hc. 420 hc is the most corrosion resistant, but the 440c will hold an edge longer than the other two.

Here's an ebay picture of one that looks identical to mine.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Buck...item418046bf51

It's lightweight, and the blade is razor sharp!

I can't hammer with the end, like my KBAR knife, but it's a really nice knife. I'm guessing it won't be my last knife.