KABAR: THE BEST KNIFE FOR A GUNFIGHT
By: Mac Caltrider /Coffee Or Die
The Corps began issuing Kabars to Marines in 1942, and they quickly garnered a reputation for being great utility knives. After hearing Marines sing the Kabar’s praises, the United States Navy followed suit and began issuing the knife to sailors deployed to the Pacific theater.
While Marines and sailors found the utility knife useful for prying open ammo crates and hammering in tent stakes, they also came to rely on Kabars to kill their enemies in close-quarters combat. In his World War II memoir, With the Old Breed, Marine veteran Eugene Sledge recounts what his combat instructor told him the day he was first issued his Kabar:
“Sure, you’ll probably open more cans of C- rations than [Japanese soldiers] with this knife, but if a [Japanese soldier] ever jumps into your hole, you’re better off with a Kabar than any other knife. It’s the very best and it’s rugged, too.”
Despite its century-old design, the Kabar remains a popular knife among both hunters and service members. Troops today are issued more-modern blades, like the M7 bayonet, yet many soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines still opt to carry the Kabar into combat instead.
Ka Bar Knives Will Never Go Away
Despite its century-old design, the Kabar remains a popular knife among both hunters and service members. Troops today are issued more-modern blades, like the M7 bayonet, yet many soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines still opt to carry the Kabar into combat instead.
As an homage to its rich military past, Kabar now manufactures versions of its knife that are specific to each branch of the armed forces, with either USA, USN, USAF, or USMC engraved on the blade. Even the Space Force has its very own Kabar, replete with a baby-blue handle.
