Ka-Bar Knives

Ka-Bar Knives stands as one of America's most storied knife manufacturers, with roots stretching back to 1898 in Olean, New York. The brand's distinctive name originated from a testimonial letter sent by a fur trapper in the early 1900s, who reportedly killed a bear with one of their knives—though the damaged letter only showed the fragments "ka bar," creating an enduring legacy that would define the company.

The brand achieved legendary status in 1942 when it became the official combat knife supplier for the United States Marine Corps, producing the iconic Mark 2 Fighting/Utility Knife. This partnership cemented Ka-Bar's reputation for manufacturing battle-tested tools capable of withstanding the harshest conditions. Today, the company continues specializing in military and combat knives alongside hunting, survival, outdoor, and tactical tools that carry forward this heritage of uncompromising durability.

Ka-Bar's signature design philosophy centers on stacked leather-handle fixed blades, combining traditional aesthetics with proven functionality. The company manufactures many of its knives using 1095 cro-van steel, a corrosion-resistant material that balances edge retention with ease of sharpening. Their product line also includes collaborative designs developed with military and tactical experts, ensuring their tools meet real-world operational demands.

The knife community consistently praises Ka-Bar's legendary durability, with military service reviews noting they "put that thing through abuse for decades and it kept asking for more". Industry experts at KnifeCenter have described Ka-Bar as producing "the most iconic combat knife" with battlefield performance that has become the benchmark against which alternatives are measured. While some users note the knives' heavier weight compared to modern lightweight alternatives, this robust construction is precisely what has made Ka-Bar synonymous with reliability across generations of military personnel, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts who demand tools that simply won't quit.