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KA-BAR
Love this knife. I've been wanting a high end Ka-Bar for quite some time. I missed out on Ricks in 3V so really happy when I heard Spartan dropped one. This is a beautifully done version of the armed forces fighting knife. Sending this to Scab at Choirboyz for a hard-use review and to see if the 5-star review lives up to it.
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Spartan Ka-Bar FDE
This is not an insignificant purchase for me, but this is the Ka-Bar I only wish I'd had access to when I was on active duty. I'll echo the other reviewer in that it handles and feels lighter than general issue. Balance point is just above the first ring on the handle, which makes me think the enclosed tang might be a bit more robust. Shaving sharp after a quick strop. The guard is much nicer, both in design (more like the utility, easier to choke up on the spine for precision) and fit & finish. This is by far the nicest knife in my collection and I can't wait to take it with me the next time I'm out in the woods {^_^}
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Work of Art
Couldn't be happier with this knife, my first Ka-Bar. The FDE finish looks great and to have a Ka-Bar in a super steel such as Magnacut is as good as it gets.
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Spartan Ka-Bar
Just received my Spartan Ka-Bar in Magnacut steel. When I went to USMC boot-camp 44 years ago I was of course bonded with the Ka-Bar and have a number of high-end ones (Medford, Hinderer, Red-spacer one, etc). When I saw this one being offered, I had no choice but to get one! Couldn’t be more pleased with it.
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Quality
This is now my 3rd blade I’ve purchased from Spartan and I continue to be impressed with the overall texture, feel, and material of the products I buy from this company. I have even purchased a collab EK dagger that Spartan did with KA-BAR a few years ago and I was stunned by the craftsmanship of forging the blade. I don’t buy every knife made, but when you take a classic knife and add a modern spin on it I can’t help but spend my money on such cutting edge blade. Well done Spartan Blades.
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Ka-Bar
Feels and handles lighter than the a regular Ka-Bar. Handle is more grippy, and feels a little but smaller than a regular Ka-Bar. Personally wish it came with serrations, but thats not a major deal breaker. Comes out the sheath pretty hard, so it wont just fall out, but putting it back in is like butter. Wish it had a snap, but the retention is so tight, I can see why it was not included. Overall great product in a great steel. It feels like a Ka-Bar refined. If Ka-Bar is Ford, Spartan Blades is Shelby, and this is a GT-500. You are getting 10 times the knife at 4 times the price.
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Magnacut; a Kabar first
This steel selection has elevated this already iconic blade. Opted for the FDE finish because Spartan does it best, and a kydex sheath to give a good amount of carry or mounting options. Knife came extremely sharp and the bevels were even. A collaboration winner for an iconic knife.
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Expecting much better
Blade had noticeable recurve, and the sharpened edge did not continue all the way to end of the plunge grind. Not deal breakers but I expected much better from a $350 knife.
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Spartan Magnacut
Great upgrade of the KA-Bar fighting knife..Great fast shipping....
On December 9, 1942, amid the onset of World War II, KA-BAR submitted a knife to the United States Marine Corps with the hope that it would become the standard issue for that military branch. Collaborating with the Marine Quartermaster Department, the initial design underwent revisions, leading to the production of an enhanced fighting and utility knife tailored for the Marines.
As the war progressed, USMC KA-BAR knives gained widespread recognition for their quality and abundance, with "KABAR" becoming a colloquial term for this knife pattern, regardless of its manufacturing origin.
The USMC KA-BAR found adoption not only within the Marines but also across the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and Underwater Demolition Teams. Long after World War II, these knives were unofficially reactivated in subsequent conflicts such as the Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and The Global War on Terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In 2019, KA-Bar expanded its horizons by partnering with Spartan Blades, LLC to establish Pineland Cutlery, Inc. This collaboration aimed to fulfill the vision of John Stitt, CEO of both KA-Bar and Pineland Cutlery, to produce an upgraded version of the iconic "KA-BAR" knife, boasting enhanced edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance. The result of this endeavor was the Spartan-KA-BAR.
CPM MagnaCut® was the chosen stainless steel for this project. Manufactured by Crucible Industries, a renowned American company specializing in specialty steels, CPM MagnaCut® was specifically developed for the cutlery industry and the exacting needs of discerning cutlers. Spartan Blades, assigned with the task of developing this knife, employed state-of-the-art processes such as CNC machining, deep cryogenic treatment, and PVD coatings.
Please note: A Flat Dark Earth (FDE) coated blade may exhibit streaking or staining when inserted and removed from the black leather sheath due to dye transfer. This is not permanent and can be cleaned with acetone, reoiled (WD40 or light oil), and wiped dry with a clean cloth to restore the original clean coatings finish.
Specifications:
- Knife Name: Spartan-KA-BAR
- Designer(s): KA-BAR Knives®
- Overall Length: 12”
- Blade Length: 7”
- Blade Thickness: 0.165”
- Blade Steel: CPM MagnaCut®
- Blade Hardness: 61-63 HRC
- Blade Style: Fixed, Flat Saber ground Clip Point
- Coating: PVD – Tungsten DLC (Flat Black) or ZrN (Flat Dark Earth)
- Handle Material: Kraton G®
- Butt Cap/Guard: 301 Stainless Steel, PVD – Tungsten DLC (Flat Black)
- Weight: 10.8 OZ (Knife)
