Share your favorites on Show & Tell

U.S.N MK 2 Combat Knife aka KA-BAR WWII

In Tools and Hardware > Fixed Blade Knives > Show & Tell and Military and Wartime > World War Two > Show & Tell.
Recent activity21898 of 237900Vintage Felix Chevrolet License Plate Frame Plus Bonus CarsBowl T361 - (Asta Strömberg) Strömbergshyttan late 1950s.
15
Love it
0
Like it

vcalvcal loves this.
fattytail2fattytail2 loves this.
SEAN68SEAN68 loves this.
gmarkhamgmarkham loves this.
fortapachefortapache loves this.
BlackWatchBlackWatch loves this.
blunderbuss2blunderbuss2 loves this.
ToyrebelToyrebel loves this.
bottle-budbottle-bud loves this.
vetraio50vetraio50 loves this.
bucketheadbuckethead loves this.
PhilDMorrisPhilDMorris loves this.
CaperkidCaperkid loves this.
fattytailfattytail loves this.
AnikAnik loves this.
See 13 more
Add to collection

    Please create an account, or Log in here

    If you don't have an account, create one here.


    Create a Show & TellReport as inappropriate


    Posted 5 years ago

    fortapache
    (3277 items)

    The U.S. Navy utility knife, Mark 2 was developed during WWII and was made by four different manufacturers. This version was made by Union Cutlery aka Ka-Bar and thus is an official Ka-Bar. The company changed their name to Ka-Bar although I am not sure when. Am thinking it was before WWII. This is marked KA-BAR on the guard which means 1944 or later. Earlier knives were marked on the blade.
    These knives were issued to those who did not have a weapon that would mount a bayonet. Machine gunners, bazooka teams, tankers etc. This one would have used by a marine most likely as the Marines are part of the US Navy. PT boat crews could use them too. There was an army version which would be the same aside from the markings.
    This was a very popular knife as it was not only useful in combat but useful as a tool. To back up a bit it replaced a combat stiletto which was good for taking out a sentry but useless as a tool. The blade on this knife goes all the way to the end of the cap on the handle making it very strong. Makes a good pry bar, can opener, hammer and so on.
    This example was improperly sharpened. Cuts down on the value but it is still a Ka-Bar.

    logo
    Fixed Blade Knives
    See all
    Vintage Gerber Guardian Boot Knife w/Sheath #27
    Vintage Gerber Guardian Boot Knife ...
    $86
    RARE 1950s STAG SOLINGEN GERMANY 12.5
    RARE 1950s STAG SOLINGEN GERMANY 12...
    $77
    Vintage Buck 120 General Knife with Original Box 1 Line Inverted #50
    Vintage Buck 120 General Knife with...
    $165
    Vintage Marbles Gladstone MI. Fixed Blade Knife & Sheath AA-11
    Vintage Marbles Gladstone MI. Fixed...
    $53
    logo
    Vintage Gerber Guardian Boot Knife w/Sheath #27
    Vintage Gerber Guardian Boot Knife ...
    $86
    See all

    Comments

    1. Toyrebel Toyrebel, 5 years ago
      I had one, iconic US knife.
    2. UncleRon UncleRon, 5 years ago
      Union Cutlery Co., Olean, N.Y. used the trade name KA-Bar from ca. 1925 and changed its name to KA-BAR Cutlery Co. in 1952. It later became Ka-Bar, then ka-bar and finally kabar, as the company went through a succession of owners. If you are paying for an original Union Cutlery KA-BAR knife beware the "KA-BAR" Collectors Club knives with a year date on the tang, or any non-Union Cutlery-marked knife with a pattern number on the tang, as these are all made after the 1960s.
    3. BlackWatch BlackWatch, 5 years ago
      Really cool knife. I wonder if USMC would've used these in the Pacific Theatre?
    4. fortapache fortapache, 5 years ago
      Thank you very much Toyrebel. I conic for good reason.

      Thank you very much Uncle Ron. I have two so far. They appear to pass the test for being real Ka-Bars.

      Thank you very much BlackWatch. I am certain they did.
      https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/111934-ka-bar-usmc-fighting-knife-olean-ny
      That is my other Ka-Bar.
    5. fortapache fortapache, 5 years ago
      Thank you
      Anik
      Newfld
      fattytail
      Caperkid
      PhilDMorris
      buckethead
      vetraio50
      nutsabotas6
      bottle-bud
      Toyrebel
      blunderbuss2
      Brunswick
      BlackWatch
    6. fortapache fortapache, 5 years ago
      Thank you
      gmarkham
      SEAN68

    Want to post a comment?

    Create an account or login in order to post a comment.