USMC KA-BAR Combat Knife - Its Military History and Purpose

The KA-BAR is a Combat Knife that is used bycatalog of hunting gear, and made it standard military
members of the Armed Forces to be used in Closeissue for the troops. The USMC used several
Combat scenarios. These days, the Ka-Bar is useddifferent types of knives during the war, but the
mostly as a Utility Knife. For example, openingKA-BAR was by far the most popular.
wooden crates, clearing out foliage, cutting downIn fact the military liked it so much it also became
branches, etc.. It's also strong enough to easilyStandard Military Issue after WWII ended. The
puncture a hole in a can.Marine Corps got to choose the final shape. They
KA-BAR knives are typically very heavy and usuallymade the blade longer so it could be used in combat.
have a 7 Inch Long Blade. It is made of 1095 CarbonThey also wanted a fuller, which was a rounded or
Steel. The number 1095 stands for the chemicalbeveled groove that sat on the flat side of the blade.
composition of the metal as defined by the SocietyThe KA-BAR company earned millions of dollars
of Automotive Engineers which assigns SAE Steelduring WWII by selling this to the military.
Grades. Someone was attacked by a bear beforeThe reason this knife became so popular was
WWII. He survived the attack and wrote a letter tobecause they were very easy to manufacture and
the company bragging that the knife saved his lifevery cheap to purchase. This meant that they were
when a gun failed to do the job. The letter wasalso very easy to replace and performed most tasks
written in poor English and all that was readable wasthat were required. This weapon was also being used
"k a bar" so the company used this name as theirin World War II as a Diving Knife even though it
trademark.didn't stand up to Salt Water very well. The military
In 1942 right after the United States entered WWII,still uses the KA-BAR, and so do hunters, fisherman
the troops were having issues with their old Mark Iand outdoor enthusiasts. This USMC weapon has a
Trench Knives. They came to the realization thatlong history that isn't going to go away anytime soon.
they needed a better knife to engage in TrenchSemper Fi.
Warfare, so the military picked the KA-BAR from a