The guard is made to be removed, which is why it’s tensioned by the scales instead of welded into place. Original Ek’s can often be found with no guard at all, and this is also why the scales could be removed in an era where pinning was the only thing considered acceptable. The name is pronounced “eck”. The knife didn’t fail. No disrespect meant, your understanding of it is what failed.

Hey news report… It’s a fighting knife not a camping/woods survival knife !!!

Dude, that's a fighter not a chopper. Wrong tool for the job.

that knife, and the model 4 dagger are combat blades. they're for killing. fighting knives. they're not a combat/utility knife like the usmc ka bar. the design is solely for fighting. with that being said, the knife didn't fail just because it rattled. the blade didn't break, and the handle was fine. a little bit of rattle doesn't mean the blade sucks. you can't hold anything against ka bar either. if they tell you the knife isn't for bushcraft and they don't cover chopping under the warranty, how is that a problem on their end.? they made the knife with a specific purpose in mind. if you choose to abuse knives that's on you, not the manufacturers. you and a lot of these other knife review channels need to understand that not every single knife is a bushcraft or survival knife. there are blades that are created and intended to be nothing but a combat blade.

Just need to loosen the scales, move them back up, then tighten . I do all kinds of stuff with mine, no issues.

I recently bought a EK 44 and it is essentially the same knife. I just took the handle scales off to put a light coat of oil on the metal itself and notice something. So besides using a knife for what it wasn't designed for you don't possess a screwdriver a piece of change or a rifle casing to loosen the three screws in the handle and retighten the hilt? The person who couldn't do that is also the same person who would try to baton with an EK 44.

You're talking about the guard loosening up as if the whole blade just snapped in half! Look I get that it should handle the use and not loosen up but saying a knife is an absolute NO NO just because the guard loosened up a bit is ridiculous in my opinion.

That knife is designed as a combat blade even more so than the typical Kabar USMC fighting knife. Which was and is used for a multitude of tasks. I think that John Ek, that's not his initials by the way, it's his surname, said Ek not E K. Made his knives for soldiers being deployed overseas during the second world war, made to kill the enemy, not baton or chop logs with. Keep in mind that those knives, really none of them failed, they all were quite capable of killing an enemy, even with that annoying loose guard. Which I'm sure a soldier, using the knife, in order not to be heard, would find a way of securing the guard when being used to dispatch a sentry, etc. Your opinion of a fail is not the same as others, if the knife is still capable of doing the job it was designed to do. How is that a fail? You bushcraft people are very picky, when in a combat situation you learn to adapt and if necessary, modify, such as securing a loose knife guard. If the tools were available you could even remove it and that knife would still serve you well, maybe even to chop your log without a rattling guard. I think you were a bit too excited about discovering a loose guard as if you had just found the Holy Grail. As long as the knife blade doesn't shatter and it becomes unusable or dangerous to the user, that knife can still participate in an active role. Testing what are primarily designed combat blades as if they were camp firewood processing tools is not fair. Try testing those types of blades by stabbing and slashing those ballistic dummies, the kind of activities such blades are accustomed to doing. I see this kind of misplaced type of testing with knives and survival gear constantly. Using a tool designed for a specific function and being disappointed when they get a negative result. Under the same light, would you use a pipe wrench to saw wood? That's a bit of an exaggeration but it expresses my point. Try to remember the difference between you voluntarily going out into the bush for a pleasurable bushcrafting experience. Where if something doesn't work, you can just replace it after you get home. And being in a combat role, where each piece of equipment you rely on to keep you and other members of your team alive. If something like a loose guard presents itself, you deal with it, you don't get to put your hands in the air, wiggle the loose guard and tell the enemy you can't play today until you get this replaced. And as you may of guessed, I have a John Ek double edge knife, never had any difficulties with it in the years I have had it, but then again, I don't chop trees with it.

I know this video was made 2 years ago ,but how about you gain some knowledge on knives and the intended purpose they have because you used a knife that’s solely for the purpose of fighting and has no utilitarian purpose whatsoever. I mean of course it’s going to fail. It’s a well made design that you used for the wrong purpose what would you expect? The other knife which you didn’t have a problem with is built for both utility and fighting so of course it’s going to work because that’s what it was built for use the right tool for the job. I’m not saying you don’t completely know what you’re talking about but it’s common sense

its a fighting knife. try to use a fairbairn Sykes for batoning or chopping it will fail also. The Ka bar is a real fighting knife designed to kill at hand by hand combat. try that!

Sorry Aaron last post, trying to help. EK is John Ek's Last name, it's eeeh-k, a strong finish on the K.

If you buy a fighting knife for hacking on firewood then continue using a flathead screwdriver on that phillips screw. It will work but it will work better with the right tool

Kabar just lost a sale, thanks for giving us a heads up.

I know this is an old video but the fix for the rattling guard is fairly simple, just remove the handle scales and place some good spot welds underneath the guard to the tang on all 4 corners then replace the handle scales and enjoy your awesome EK model 5 with no rattles. If you dont own a welder I'm sure jbweld would get the job done.

The 1211 has the rubber handle which I would assume is pressed up against the guard. So as you are striking the rubber is still flexing against the guard so you don't have any of that wobble. Versus the other one has the hard handles so any movement of the Guard would hit the handle it makes a noise

On a combat (or any) knife, the hand guard is meant to stop your hand from slipping up on the blade when using the knife in a stabbing motion. Pretty simple concept and easy to visualize as well. While you clearly showed a design defect, my question is simple. After what you term "failures", did the hand guard still function to protect the hand or was it somehow rendered incapable of performing its job? Looks to me like it would still stop the hand from slipping up onto the blade, but who am I? LOL

Original EK fighting knives didn't even have a guard, so I guess that kinda indicates how important guards were to the combat soldiers who carried them.

I own a 1st Gen 1211 when they first introduced the Kraton handle and absolutely love it, rat tang be damned. I agree with you that the 1211 is not an ideal bushcraft tool but it is as the cliche states: jack of all trades, master of none. I have a video in que to upload to my channel of me batoning through some thick knotty seasoned ash and then making confetti of a sheet of paper all on camera. A 20+ year old knife. It really seems that the quality of some manufacturers is a matter of what production line the knife is from. Most companies of repute have a line of budget and a line of high end and in between there's a gray area. I've owned 3 of the Becker line from KaBar; Bk6, BK7 and BK9 . . . all fantastic. I even own the KaBar Mule folder and that one is great for it's purposes. But this model you have here must be in the gray area . . . . It really is unfortunate they actually admonished you about the warranty coverage. Though they replaced it they obviously did it grudgingly. I'm curious what the MSRP is on it. Keep up the great work,I respect your honest reviews. Keep on truckin'!

I have two I got in 1995 a dagger and Bowie. The Bowie is the same design as the one in the video.

It's a fighting knife, and no it's not broke if the guard is loose

good review, but that is not the first brand knife to loosen up like that. Seems like if handle us out if spec slightly the hilt will loosen. Old fashioned fix is to coat some twine in epoxy and wrap it between the hilt and handle. Let it harden, and everything should be rock solid for several decades. Agree it should not happen.

Thank you. That is a problem. Sure, the knife will still perform, but it is annoying as hell. Mtech knives seem to do that a lot. I would have thought that a Ka-bar was built better. I get rid of knives that have rattly guards, so to me this would be a fail. Thanks for finding this out.

Thanks for the honest review. I've really wanted one of these since they first came out, not knowing about the design flaw. I can only justify/afford one or two quality knife purchases a year without feeling guilty (wife and kid and all that), so you saved me a huge disappointment. Sorry it came at your expense, though.

Did it really fail ? I don't think so it still does the job

Cette vidéo est l'exemple parfait de celui qui fait son beurre sur la légende. Le détachement de la garde n'est pas du tout un problème. Elle n'est pas soudée au départ, ce qui permet plus facilement d'entretenir cet outil de combat - Qui, rappelons le, n'est pas un couteau ESEE buchcraft. Donc ce type est un clown qui ne sait pas d quoi il parle.

So it rattles. It can't fall off. Tie a piece of string between handle and the guard. Good video.

Every knife has a function. Please don't tell me that you know it is not a chopper and then chop with it and expect good results. Why not take a double-edge safety razor and shave kindling. This is a hand-to-hand combat knife. I am a veteran and used several Mark I Ka-Bar blades from 1973-1977. I still have my original issue. No one uses a flathead screwdriver when they require an ax. Give me a break already yet.

Have been eyeing this knife for a while....thank you for the real life testing , but like others have said....I don't think the knife failed....it was used in a way that it was not designed......i often see testers plunging the tip of knives into wood ......would you do that with a Fairnworth fighting knife ? No, because it was not designed for that.. ..you would either bend or break the tip......I do not think the design is flawed because it was never designed for cutting trees but was designed for cutting people......I doubt our soldiers would use a fighting knife to cut through logs....but it is also good that we know its limitations.....there are many other knives to chose for dispatching logs ....I would keep this one for dispatching people.....

Thanks for the honest reviews. I think you were very fair. I think I'm still interested, as long as I know that the guard is going to loosen. As long as I can pull th scales off of it, I can fix that with minimal effort. Does the scales look like they would come off easy? Thanks!

Well I "was" going to pull the trigger on this knive but I figured I would you tube it. Glad I did! Thanks Gid

I love that the Celcon sheath doesn’t dull the blade, unlike glass reinforced nylon sheaths. I wish blade manufacturers would stop using glass in their sheaths. I also really like Kabar’s locking tab mechanism on their sheaths. It prevents someone from yanking the blade out. I carry upside down on chest and find the retention very comforting to have. The EK5 has some perks over the 1211. The EK5 is full tang and weighs .1 oz less than the 1211. (EK5 10.3 oz, 1211 10.4 oz) The guard rattle is a minor annoyance. Stabbing hard into wood a few times will slide the handle scales forward, stopping the rattle.

First aspect, learn how to pronounce Ek, it's a man's last name. I bet you didn't do any research, very amateurish

Ka-Bar, Gerber and Schrade. Quality and customer service are iffy at best. Thanks for the heads up and another quality review. Hey, maybe it's our Colorado branches that are too tough for those knives.

wow, not good at all and disappointing for them to say that is not covered under warranty, by the way would love for you to review this knife. Terävä Jääkäripuukko

i had this same problem with the guard i just put some super glue on it and it hasnt come loose since although mine is the ek44 double bladed version

I have experience with this design that goes WAY back to before Desert Storm. I've owned these knives back when they were still made by EK. What you are seeing is not really surprising. When they were authentic they had a much thicker brass guard, not the thin stamped steel part on that one and WAY better fit and finish. Just looking at the design, I would think your result would be ABSOLUTELY typical and you will not find a single modern version that this does not happen to; in it's current configuration. The older ones were not perfect though, I have seen several of the "original" blades BREAK when they were still made by EK (think of the typical Gerber Mark 2 broken tip issue, etc.). The originals have a long storied history back to WW2 (when they became legendary), but since then they have been made by various manufacturers and they have never really been a premium line since. So in my mind, if it does not break doing what you need it to, then that's a win. A loose guard is in no way a big deal at all TO ME, but if it bothers you, then I can see how you would consider this an issue. The issue here is clearly the handle scales, on the Ka-Bar you have that nice polymer handle that squeezes up against the guard, on the EK, those handle scales are obviously too short. Can it be made better? YUP. SHOULD they fix it? THEY BETTER. But how much did it cost? Is it more/less or the same as the Ka-Bar? I ask myself seeing this, Is a loose guard a reason to dismiss a good performer? Not in my book. But I know where you are coming from brother.

Dang ka-bar costumer service. Had an issue with them a few years back. 1211 is a solid Knife though. Informative video as usual

Come on Ka-Bar fix the dang problem and make it right. Ugh thanks for the heads up. I am going to spread this around to my veteran brothers and sisters.

A little rattle to a guard that is designed to slide off, doesn't seem to be a big deal to me. So long as the blades integrity is good and the handle doesn't fail. I can live with a little rattle on a $100 USA made knife. But thanks for the honest review!

I had four original John Ek knifes back in the 1990's, that I loved a lot. I lost all those knifes plus about 20 more knifes in the 200 - 300 Euro range due to my divorce. She sold them to make me miserable, the day after I left, not knowing the value of the knifes. Not talking about the personal value. Those John Ek knifes have been used a lot, and were built like tanks. The Pig Sticker, two knifes dedicated to a campaign, a single edged and one with one and a half edge, and the officers dagger, all of those have been really great and stable knifes. It feels a bit as if Becker wanted to throw quite a cheap made knife on the market, making money with the good name of a great knife maker or lets say knife designer. Just my two cents.

I have a old Kabar mk2 and a 1211 as well, my older mk2 I have used as a all purpose utility knife around the yard or in the woods camping for the last 10 years that I wouldn't hesitate to use like this. He is right when he says it should be able to handle some light hacking, that guard was loose before he even did any work on the 2nd knife. With what you pay for one of these EK45's they should at the very LEAST come with a guard that stays tight.

Kabars guards sometimes loosen like that too.

The history of EK type knives are for fighting not utility. The EK 45 model is easier pressed into a utility role than the EK 44 due to blade shape but the primary role is anti personnel. You couldn't abuse a Fairbairn Sykes knife in the same manner either and expect it to do well, yet it has a long history of doing fantastic at what it WAS designed to do.

If there is a cheap diy fix for the rattle post it here. If you see it like it. If someone likes the knife but wants it to be a little more multifunctional then good for them. Seems like a bit of rubber jammed in there might do it. Thoughts? Let's enable people to do what they want.

Thanks for posting another truthful video and steering me away from a disappointing purchase, and a disappointing warranty! I like Buck Knives warranty much better.

Hopefully they will listen. I am not gonna knock them as a company yet.

Have the figured out the problem, I know its been 3 years..I looking for US Army full size fighter to mount on my battle belt , I originally bought one at Ft Sill while in the Army , was feeling nostalgic

Exactly why Gary Ek says they’re a blemish to the Ek reputation. Have a Hamden beater #2 in my carry rotation. Even the Effingham models are better quality than the Kabars. A lot of crappy reviews of the 44 presentation model having a 💩guard as well.

Have you tried tightening the handle scale screws? Seems like those are backing out a little and letting everything loosen up. The fix could be as simple as using loctite on the screws. I think you should try it out and do an updated review if it fixes the issue. A lot of people will ignore it based on this review.

Once again, Ek is a name. Like heck without the 'h'. John Ek was a person. If you like to know these things, Ek is Swedish for Oak, so Mr. Ek was likely of Swedish or Norwegian extraction. His company and knives are named after him. Perhaps they were better before Ka-Bar bought the name.

Its not designed for chopping wood, its a fighting knife so you should cut something to resemble flesh as if you were cutting someone instead of wood.

This knife is designed to kill not as a bushcraft survival knife. It holds a nice sharp edge. has a long, thin, skinny blade to reach vital organs. Would you put a fairbairn Sykes combat knife through the same abusive tests?

Thanks for letting us know about your poor experience with Kabar so others are forewarned.

I have the 2 different EK dagger versions (the 1095 EK Dagger and the 440C EK dagger). Some of the best daggers I've ever owned. They come sharp enough to shave a puckered butthole.

I experienced the same issue try removing the grips and flipping the guard over then reinstall grip panels should be tight.

A very comprehensive, honest review. Too bad because I'm a long-time Ka-bar user. Thank you.

The handle scales probably shifted slightly, you could most likely fix that by loosening the handle screws and shifting the handles up a little before tightening the chainring bolts

Not an appropriate test for that knife. While I agree that it is important to test any potential survival tool to the breaking point when possible, this knife did not "fail". At least in the manner you suggest with your click-bait title. I've always enjoyed your videos and valued your opinion on myriad products. You videos have often helped me determine if I should buy a particular or not. I am dissappointed in this video.

"Ka-Bar JOHN EK BOWIE EK45 MODEL 5 FIGHTING COMMANDO KNIFE" try testing it for what it was designed: FIGHTING (not "fighting/utility"). I'm not a knife fighter, if buy a knife like this (and did) I do it just for the collection and keep it there. In the woods I take "utility" knives.

I mean that's nothing a leather washer or two won't fix. Thankfully fixing that design shouldn't take more than adjusting the placement of the wholes that they use to affix the handle.

My okc3s guard rattled in the cold of winter once it warmed up no rattle. Same as my ek 45

The guard is only tensioned by the handle scales - just remove the scales slip on a thin o-ring and attach the scales. The tolerances were clearly a bit off so the gap is larger than it should be, hence the guard wobble.

I don't know if I'd ever use a knife as a hatchet perhaps you need to test a machete

Thanks for the Heads Up , but I've had issues with Ka-bar in about the last six months, mainly the customer service reps, and a Knife, I've commented about getting a BK7, but I'm leary now about non Ka-bar knives made by them.

Its a fighting knife meant to kill people not trees!!!!

good find!, thanks brother!

I'll stick with my BK7.

Lots of comments. I need to tell ya. You WOULD NOT chop at a person that many times. #1. #2. It’s design is to stab, slash and kill... NOT CHOP A DAMM TREE DOWN. I personally like your videos. Their direct and accurate. But, I’ve been in LIVE Knife fights in the law enforcement arena...nobody CHOPS. Jab and slice. I believe the Knife will endure what it’s originally intended for. NOT. CHOP CHOP CHOP. Get an ax.... or esee Knife. These are commando killing knives not a camp knife. I’m sure it would do the JOB. Again. Your vids are great. I just think you have been over critical or expected this EK to be a chopper. One last comment. Razor knives commonly known as BOX CUTTERS can rip you apart in seconds..... Did you ever see one used as a tree chopper.

Have to say I was thinking of getting this knife and wanted to remove the guard anyway so thank you for telling me how to do it.

Up until las year you hadn't heard of this knife ? This explains why you think you made a fail video. The knife did what you wanted it to do which is not what this knife is meant to do, but does fine as demonstrated in the video. That loose guard is NOT and issue at all. Ka-Bar should have told you to get stuffed when you sent that first one in. Read up on the history of this knife design and it's intended purpose and you will see for your self. All the originals I have held never even had a hand guard. Also a good example of the tactical/bushcraft hipster.

Thanks for this Aaron. It is really beneficial to average customers when reviewers give them this kind of feedback. It helps them understand that there are very real financial consequences to poor quality.

Say Heah Aaron, I stopped buying the Ka-Bar U. S C. M.'s because the Guard's loosen up. I have some vintage W. W. 2 that served on some soldier's belt in the war and those knives are solid made. Corner cutting with the new 1211 are not as we'll made either. Infact I stopped buying the 1095 steel because I feel the more they recycle the steel the more it effect's it's integrity . So I like the CroVan for that reason, Although I understand the ALL the Ka'Bar 1095's are the 1095 CroVan, But what's up with them not knowing how to attach a hand guard on a knife. Didn't they learn from when they made them for that War. I guess they don't care anymore what they produce. I like the vintage ones I have. Infact I have one that the soldier was on a mission, because the markings were ground off, It's a Military issue, I know this for a fact.,,.

interesting I have used mine camping hiking al sorts of stuff not had a problem

I'd wager that it's the rest of the handle design and its material thats causing the issue. That funky EK handle shape worked well for a dagger or straight designed fighting knife. But for a combat/utility design? It's sorta quite dependent on the handle scales maintaining steady tight pressure against that guard to maintain the knifes fitment. There's usually no sort of bushing or shock absorbing washer between the guard and the handle scale material. And if that handle material has any give to it? Which Kraton or Grivory like plastic/rubber material that KaBar is using might? The shock running through the length of the blade could actually maybe have a miniature hammer and anvil effect at the thousands level between the guard and the tip of the handle scales, right where they contact one another. Causing the scales to change dimension just enough for the guard to losen. Me personally? I'd either yank those handle scales off and only use them as a template to fabricate new ones from hard wood or maybe G10. Or Dremel the existing ones down a smidgen and intro a thick rubber washer to act as buffer in the resulting slight gap. Either solution might help tighten up the hilt fitment. And save what seems to be an otherwise good blade.

Very good review, Aaron!! If you continue testing any other "combat knives", any chance you will test out a Tops Prather War Bowie? Thanks, keep up the reviews.

On the 1211 the guard is trapped under great pressure. They don't fix them to the blade in anyway other than squashing it on with the handle. The screwed handle cannot do this. Take the scales off and weld a small supporting piece to the tangto stop it moving. Fallkniven did this. When you replace the scales cut a small rebate out of the back of the scales

This guy cracks me up!!!!

Great review. Glad to know this info.

no one on patrol hacks on branches thus telling everyone where you are. Also John Ek knives did not come with a gaurd because the handle design prevented slippage .you can remove the gaurd because its just hardware for people who dont handle them properly

As many other have said here...that is a fighting knife. Was designed to be cost effective for WWII. You shouldn't have said it "failed twice." All that said I'm still a fan of your videos.

Do you have the knife? I would buy it from you

Bro when you really need a knife that rattle will be your smalles problem . You need the knife not to break , hold an edge and be easy to work with and not fuck up your palm . I take full tang over 1211 rat tail any day

It's not an axe, hatchet or tomahawk.

Wow I’d have sent that back again with my own little Note lol. It’s a given with my issue Fixed Blade that it’s a Shovel, Hatchet, Can Opener etc. so it should hold up to chopping a small Branch. I have done everything you can imagine with my standard Kabar and same with my Cold Steel Recon in Carbon V steel and after 3 Decades plus they are still like new Tight with Zero issues. This is an Old Video so hopefully they got there S**T together.

I took the guard off..end of problem...i dont like guards any way. Great knife...great vidios bro. Keep up the good work.

Hey Aaron, do you like your gerbergear shirt? For some Reason, that is my favorite T-shirt. It is durable, light, comfortable, and dries easily.

Not exactly a fail as the guard will still function but properly engineering tolerances and pressing it on would prevent this from happening. This would be an extra step and add cost but should have been done on such a knife. I kinda like that knife.

I have a super rare Commando 5 that was made after Ek Knives was sold to Joker. Joker went out of business almost a year later. One of the guys from Joker went on to start Bark River, but before that he made limited runs of the Commando 5 in A2 steel. And it's not E.K. knives... It's Ek, that's the dude's last name "Ek"

It's a knife, not an axe. Cutlery has been known to fail when you dishonor it.

Great review! That took me by surprise.

Damn, I just received the EK 44. Great knife in my opinion but then, I didn't see this video till now. Looks like they've had FIVE YEARS to fix the issue... I hope to hell they did!

You said it: combat fighting knife. That doesn't mean hardcore bushcraft chopper.

Thanks for this good review and I think it's a fair review nothing personal.

Wow! I think what's even worse than the knife failing is the way that KABAR handled the issue! I don't consider chopping to be abuse at all, and that's just outright lousy that KABAR treated you that way saying they weren't gonna replace the knife again, ESPECIALLY when the the problem is on KABAR's end, NOT yours! I certainly won't be rushing back to KABAR anytime soon! I don't know about you, but I value customer service more than the product itself! Shame on you KABAR!

Kabar really need to add solid timber handles to these EK knives as per original blades as it may stop this problem if properly made.

I have the newer version Kabar USMC and wonder if it would have done the same if the handle material not been the rubbery type material whereas this looks like its hard and unable to squish up against the guard ,allowing for any play to be obvious. Just another reason why I dislike guards and especially ones that are not integrated.

I broke a kabar heavy bowie IN THE SHEATH. it was a clean snap at the handle to a tiny stick tang. i was holding it against the wall and turning off a light and felt it snap just pushing lightly on the wall........

The "EK cammando short" Just came out with only a bottom finger guard integrated into the tang. They seem a lot more suitable to outdoor use, and tactical instead of just a fighting knife. They have the clip point, and a drop point. I was never interested in the larger one because of the "pure" tacticalness (lol) of it. But I'm actually very interested in the shorter version. Maybe grab one to do a review on? Bring some redemption to the EK line up

not saying its worth fixing but since it was 80 or so bucks you could take the handle scales off any maybe slide a metal or rubber spacer up to the guard then screw the handles back on

A loose crossguard on this knife can be fixed very easily by simply loosening the handle scales a bit with a screwdriver, pressing them up into the guard, and then tightening them again. A 30 second fix and it won't wobble again unless you're hatchet-chopping with the knife (why would you be?) This video is basically crying over spilled milk.