Next gen. Ka-Bar

[Scout]

I just ordered one of these knives online.
I'd been planning on getting the black KaBar,
but found this for $45, and couldn't pass up the deal--everywhere else, they're around a hundred or more. Is the Next Gen. as good as the original? I know the hand guard is a minor draw back, but how's the knife over all?

Scout

[veil]

Scout,

The nextgen is a nice piece of steel, if you can get it for 45 bucks dont miss it :]

The handguard is indeed a stupid move, i dont know why they changed it... the pommel also isn't as good - the lanyard hole in it is a nice thing, but it's just not the same nail-pounder the original one had.

The grip is good, a vast improvement over the old leather ones. Overall balance of the knife is also better than the old ka-bars. Im not a fan of sandblasted blades but they did a good job on the nextgen - i'd still prefer titanium nitride though. The serrations are so-so, more like a short sawblade actually. It can get stuck in rope when you dont use enough force, but performs better on hard materials. The sheath sucks. Buy an eagle one, best ones in the market today. DONT use the original sheath, it's hardly better than no sheath at all :]

I personally prefer the nextgen fighter (wide blade) for added strenght and forward weight - if you see it somewhere for less, pick it up.

-Veil

P.s. nice to see everything back up & running again - hi to the lads.
- Veil

[Scout]

Veil,

Thanks for the comment. Ireally like the black KaBar better, but with this price, I couldn't pass it up! I've had an old leather
KaBar since I was 15, used it for hunting, camping, and carried it on my LBE for the last 2 years (yep, I'm a young pup). Its pretty beat up now. The serrations i've got mixed feelings about. they've got some uses but at a pain to sharpen. I like the feel of the grip, though. much better than the leather.

Good to be back. Good work, tom.

scout out

[veil]

1st blade i bought was a Camillus USMC Mk.2 black leather variant. Still have it around, besides a load of scratches on the black coating and some burrs it's still in perfect shape.

-Veil

[JY]

Hi Veil;

I think we all have some scratches and burrs on us 8) Good to see you back buddy! Best reason to carry a K bar is you don't have to woory about lossing it, like you would an expensive knife. Good knife and good price, always have one somewhere on my gear.

catch you latter, take care...Jim

[veil]

Hi Jim,

Yeah it's a fine design, and not without aesthetic value either http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/smile.gif

Haven't been around in a while, y'know. The usual backpacks, soaked BDU's, mud & rain weeks. Things look a little dead around here though. Lotsa new faces around, too. Nice to see the ol' ones though http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/smile.gif

-Veil

[veil]

Just wanted to share this with you guys :
http://www.agrussell.com/special/ka1281.jpg

Isn't it a beauty? http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/smile.gif

-Veil