You didn’t bring up the really bad tang, it is legit a tiny stick of steel

I miss mine.... Always had it on my hip, lost it in a car accident. Paramedics cut my pants off, and that went with them, and they left my pants on the side of the road. Never saw it again. Cleanup crew cleaned them up along with the other debris from the accident. I'm sure if one of those dudes saw it and knew what it was, they acquired it. Hope it's being used and not just thrown away

I carried a KaBar in Iraq in 2005. Mostly for nostalgia and it worked just fine for what I needed…opening MRE’s, concrete bags, cutting rope and as an impromptu shovel/hammer. Also, Spartan is releasing an updated design soon with 3V.

It's always hard to see a knife treated like that, but awesome to see it perform

You forgot the Japanese soldier stab test

Just to clear the air, the kbar wasn't kept in the Marines because of its use in survival. It's really good at the whole stabbing thing. That's why we like it

I've had a k-bar that was manufactured from the '70s. I have had it since I was a kid in the '80s. This thing has been wonderful as a knife. I've never had any complaints. Never any issues used it all. My life had one little nick in the blade but that was my stupidity. You don't cut electrical cord while it's plugged into the wall. Did that when I was a kid and the sheath. The leather sheath finally wore out a few years ago so I replaced it with a kydex one that was made by K-Bar. I have had people tell me how stupid I was for having that knife or how stupid I was for using it camping. How stupid I was for needing a knife that big in camping. I took it on a trip with me to Canada on a boy scout trip and literally had several of the adults. Tell me that you don't need anything more than a pocket knife, but yet they had filet knives. They had other knives and it just was they were hating on me for that knife but when they needed a solid knife they came to me while telling me how stupid I was for having that knife I'd never trade my k-bar in for anything. Still have that knife today and it's still just as good as what it was when I had it when I was a kid. I also have a model o Navy knife that I've also had. Just as long things great. I've used it just as long it's I wouldn't trade it either

That flip and stick was smooth as butter

I wouldn’t really call it a survival knife rather more of a combat knife. When everything goes wrong and all you have left to fight with kinda thing. That said it’s still a good knife and fits it’s role well.

I have had my usmc kabar since 1974. It's still a go to knife when headed out camping/hunting the weekend in the forest.

I just started running across your videos and so far really impressed at how good they are and honest you are

I’ve had mine for years and it’s still as good as when I first bought it, great bit of kit!

Isn't this more for stabby stabby and less torture test in forest

I'm very impressed with the durability. You did put it through a lot of rigorous test.nice

One of the best American made knives ever 🇺🇸

My uncle still has his K-bar 40+ yrs after serving in the USMC and swears by it 😊

Honestly i think that the reviews by people who have no affiliation with the brand is amazing. Generally honest and intelligent people. I have a few knives and 2 i use for my duty kit. So this would make an amazing addition.

Was already subbed..liked and shared. Good point you made about the inability to discern orientation in the dark. But.. I do like this knife. It looks old school!

Love watching this guy review knives. My best friend was an avid camper and appreciated a good knife. I’m starting to plan out a camping kit for hiking out to our favourite spot, and been watching these videos to help me pick out a good knife

That was the smoothest knife flip I've ever seen

Bought one in 30 year's ago and still have it

I just found these videos and I'm really enjoying them. I really enjoy the stress testing of these knives

I love my Kabar. It was my grandfather's, bought while he was in the Navy sometime between 1949 and 1980.

I think you have to use the right tool to a certain task. It's easier to chop wood with an axe. Then keep your knife sharp for slicing tasks.

Knife: Is made for stabbing people. Him: "But can it cut fire wood doe?"

Man the only place I trust for legit knife and gear reviews. So refreshing!

Found one that was roting in the woods for at least 5 years still has the leather, mostly cracked and dry, but is still in fantastic condition. One of the best knives for sure.

My dad had one from the 90s, unfortunately someone stole it 3 years ago. He always carried it with him because of how sturdy and useful it was.

This is a great video. I stumbled upon you just a couple days ago and I really like the honest review you give a products as well as the honest beatdown to see if they can actually stand up. thank you

Calculated survival I really do appreciate your videos I watch them all the time so I can figure out with knives or machete to use for outdoor use

Leather stack handles always look so nice, beautiful knife!

K-bar hardcore knives hardcore lives! -gunny time. Does anyone else remember gunny’s tv show? He was one good marine and may he Rest In Peace

I really enjoy watching you test knives

I'm legitimately impressed. My dad's old Ka-bar from his time in the Marines had the tip break off a long time ago from something. I forget what he said it was, but it wasn't anything extreme. I still have the old thing, and part of me wants to re-profile the tip to make it sharp again.

Dude that is a nice knife and this video gave me more faith in my own personal kbar

Gotta love the USMC KA-BAR knife an absolute beauty!

I really like your knife comparison videos. You earned a liker and subscriber! The KaBar has always been one of my favorite knife designs.

This needs to be a regular series. I like how you beat the shit out of the knife. I can’t seem to find a video on the 11” holtzman fireline in which someone beats on the knife.

I know one really bad thing about that knife, actually. It isn’t full tang, meaning the metal in the handle is thinner than the blade. If the knife gets stuck, the handle bends and even breaks very easily when trying to get it out. If you take off the leather rings around the handle, you can clearly see the small tang and understand how easily it would break. Good temporary knife, but it should never be your go to if you’re using it for survival.

People on reddit will still call it a poop knife.

Dude! That detail about knowing the orientation of the edge of the knife just by the feel of the handle was neat AF!!

Thanks for your videos! Helps me know what knives to trust!

Honestly the surprising part for me was how easily it just punched through that ammo tin. Especially after the wood chopping.

There for a split second I thought Mr beast got into survival videos 🤣🤣

I had a great friend that was in the conflict beruit, Lebanon. He told stories of his "sh*t mates" he done tours with. One in particular he would often repeat, and the way he would he'd break into tears after a fifth of his favorite drink, scotch whisky. I could never get tired of his stories... May God rest his soul. Semper Fi.

Love mine, was my old man's, holds and edge like no other! Glad to see Olean can make something useful.

I was kind of surprised to see it did the paper after the wood. If you give me the knife I'll give it to my 11 year old for his birthday. After I fixed it up a bit of coarse. Lol.

Some say you can still hear the knife screaming to this day after being brutally penitrated into metal

As regards your remark, that you would not know if the blade was upside down or not in the dark, due to the oval handle. The blade is drawn from the sheath with the cutting edge downwards, if you are right handed, as you appear to be. The retaining loop around the handle would also give an indication of which side the cutting edge faced. The blade will also fit in the sheath contrary to the curve in the leather sheath. So left- handed users could also have the cutting edge facing downward if they mounted the leather sheath on their right hip. Following the curve of the blade tip would also indicate which edge was the cutting edge. I can't imagine any realistic scenario, where you would use any blade, where it is too dark to see what you are doing. Stumbling around in the pitch black, with a drawn knife would not be a good idea, due to the risk of tripping and impaling oneself on it.

Great job on ALL of your videos! Thank you!

Cool knife. I really need it because I could be homeless soon.

For a knife that costs $114 at Cabella’s it better be the absolute best knife ever

I have one that belonged to my grandpa. He got it from a friend of his, who carried it in Vietnam. The quality difference in the new Ka-Bar knives vs the old ones is VERY noticeable.

Commenting on this journey has to start with the context for the Ka-bar. It was adapted in 1942 for the Marines to replace the Mark-1 which had many issues and the handle was a big one. The Mark-1 had brass finger grooves but in WWII there were rations on metal as most metal was used for more important military applications hence the stacked leather handle which served its purpose well. The entire knife was created for specific tasks over 80 years ago which most people don't take into account, usually they compare it to newer knives but in 1942 it was an incredible feat. It's a great knife and it did its job flawlessly and for that reason it has been kept around for as long as it has. It's a great knife and it was not made for the abuse this guys giving it. It usually only has to be sharp & strong enough to be pushed through humans not ammo cans. I love this video, Calculated Survival is a great channel, and this knife is one of the greatest of all time. It digs fox holes which is great when you're trying to hide in the ground before getting your ass shot off. The butt of the handle was a great stand-in for a hammer, and many other applications. The USMC Ka-bar is a great knife and thank you for your service bro.

really wanting one. great review, great channel

military grade doesn't mean good. it means as cheap as possible.

Will you ship it in that ruined steel box?

I love watching your videos and they do provide great information

I've always wanted a kabar, I'm starting to collect and make knives and a kabar has always been one of the most prized goals I've had, good luck to everyone and have a good day

Love your reviews bro!

Always wanted a kabar fighting knife, ill add one to the collection eventually, thanks for sharing!

I had one years ago that disappeared when I PCS’d to Sicily. Awesome knife and need to get another one!

I've had mine for nearly 40 years, it's traveled around the world with me, better now than when I bought it.👍👍👍👍👍♥️🇺🇸

This design has been in the milltary for over so many years it is just so cool and iconic

I’ve got the Kabar Fighting/Utility knife (an inch longer than your standard Kabar), a Kabar Mark I (Navy knife), and a Kabar Mule Folder, half-serrated. Love them!

I love the KA-BAR . Wish i could get one. But they are too expensive in my Country. Love your videos. Thank you for making them.

I admit that I always admired the K-BAR knife but it isn’t perfect. I copied aspects of it when I was a professional blade smith but added my own custom features, since I was a US Marine years ago and am well aware that you must be able to rely on a knife in the field! Great channel and information! Thank you very much and please keep it coming!

I have always wanted one of these. I love the look and the history of the knife.

Loving the videos and recommendations ! 👌🏻

The ka-bar is a solid field knife with its only issue I have ever found being the handle, the tang is definitely the weakest link in the knife and the leather washers that make up the grip are very prone to rot and UV damage. It is a fine knife for hunting/camping trips and to stab someone but I would not choose it if longevity was an important concern.

keep up the good testing your knowledge is appreciated

Great channel. Love everything about it. Love from Idaho

I love these knives. Always wanted one myself. It performed about as well as I expected.

Bought mine at Camp LeJeune PX in ‘83 ~ still going strong 💪

It’s an icon now, it’s not that good of a survival knife - but it’s a lot better than no knife 👌🏻

Always loved my Kabar. Didn't need one for any reason whatsoever, but I carried it on me all throughout my time in Iraq.

Thanks for doing these videos! Bought a new knife on your review. The gerber Strong-arm. Keep it up

K-Bar has made some pretty cool blades. I'd love to have it! Great video and review..👍

As others have mentioned the little rat tail tang tends to break but then it isn’t made to be a pry bar. Good review!

I always have loved the look of the k-bar knives. Its simplistic blade with the stacked leather handle goes great togather.

Always wanted a KBar. Thanks for the info.

When I was in Boot camp in Parris Island my senior drill instructor brought his out. After telling us how useful they are all the things he had done with his and then stabbing it into a filing cabinet he ended with if you are smart buy one ASAP when you hit the fleet. That's what I did and I still have it today.

As much as I am madly in love with the KaBar and it’s history, the fact that it has a fatal flaw (its partial or narrow tang) means it is time for official makers of the KaBar to upgrade the design into a “FullTang KaBar”! Also, with new and much better super steels out there now which are tougher and with much better edge retention, it is time to change that out as well! “Winkler” Knives and Hatchets are designed and made for top tier special operators for some time now. He uses 80CrV2 with a special type of heat treatment which makes the steal extremely tough and durable, while holding a great edge and yet is still serviceable in the field. (His basic words) There is a newer steal called “MagnaCut” which seems to be almost right smack dab in the middle of toughness and hardness (for edge retention) which could be a solid contender. I know Medford makes the “Fighter” which is their version of a KaBar but with a full tang and using a super steal. Check it out. Problem is? It’s like 500.00 plus bucks and back orderd by like a year or more! There’s a colab that just built a Becker but using a super steal. Could be very solid. Anyway, those are a few thoughts! 👍🏼😬👍🏼

You're right it's not a choper. I used mine to cut saplings in Peru to make survival huts, but that's not what it's for. Its primary purpose is to put deep holes in soft flesh. And it does that quite well.

These are neat knives, my grandfather liked his a lot.

The best combat knife , long history of service.

The Ka-Bar has always been a dream knife of mine since reading Tom Clancy's without remorse. Just never knew which one to buy and was to scared to get a cheap one. Would love to with one you approve of

Idk when you posted this vid, but I love it. Ty

Your videos are great, Man! Keep it up.

I subbed not only because I love your vids, but because that epic as fuck knife flip at the beginning

Great videos!!! Like your testing methods

I love my Kabars. Only knife I will buy for hunting/fishing/camping etc.

I'd love that knife, I'm in the UK so I'm a long distance subscriber. That pretty much secures me the tool. 👍

Given one by my recruiter and carried it with me throughout my 6-yr enlistment in the Marine Corps, including an Iraq tour. Passed it on to one of my guys when I left. Bought another one later on. Great knife with an amazing legacy.

I have the Ontario 498 Marine corps Combat Utility knife and absolutely love it. Use it as a knife and it will serve you well for a long time.

I still have my old issued one, my issued handgun and rifle from back in the day. still use both firearms to this day with all my other ones.

My grandpa has one of these things. I’m jealous because Ive always wanted his.

Works well as a defensive knife. Don't trust the tang enough to call it the ultimate survival knife .God bless . Lee

Good point, I'd be interested in the optimal cross section based on hand physiology that enables night orientation awareness.

I had one years ago. Loved it