Id like help identifying my G-pa's Kabar

The KA-BAR brand originated as a trademark of the Tidioute Cutlery Company. Tidioute was later taken over & renamed the Union Cutlery Company which continued making the brand until Union eventually adopted it as the company name in 1952. Cutco Corporation later acquired the company in 1996.
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Drshingler
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Id like help identifying my G-pa's Kabar

Post by Drshingler »

Hey everybody, new member here. I looked around a bit but couldn't find what I needed so I thought a new thread was the way to go.

I got this two blade folding Kabar from my grandpa and I have no idea of its age or anything else. I love this knife, it's my daily carry. I was wondering if I could get any information at all about it?
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Doc B
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Re: Id like help identifying my G-pa's Kabar

Post by Doc B »

I can't give you much info, on your knife...other than to say, she's seen a lot of use, in her day! That's one of those "If knives could talk" ones...that certainly has some great stories behind it. Not much can beat a family knife.
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Mumbleypeg
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Re: Id like help identifying my G-pa's Kabar

Post by Mumbleypeg »

Looks like a trapper pattern. Can’t make out the tang stamp very good so if you’ll post a clear in-focus picture of it, someone here will be able to tell the approximate age of the knife.

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zzyzzogeton
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Re: Id like help identifying my G-pa's Kabar

Post by zzyzzogeton »

The Upper/Lower case Italic font of the shield and tang stamp indicates that it is post-1953. No model number on any blade indicates pre-Cole National days, so prior to 1967.

Based on the handle material appearance, I'd say pre-1961.

Hopefully, Gunsil will come along and confirm my analysis or shoot me down in flames.
Drshingler
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Re: Id like help identifying my G-pa's Kabar

Post by Drshingler »

Thanks to all for the welcome committee.

The tang just says Kabar. No other stamps on her besides the Kabar on the side.

Doc B, yes, I'd love to hear her stories and she will stay in the family. My son is 19 now and will have her eventually.

Mumbleypeg, my camera is the worst, I know.

Zzyzzogeton, thanks for that much info. I hope your right and Gunsil has more.
Drshingler
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Re: Id like help identifying my G-pa's Kabar

Post by Drshingler »

Mamma's phone hase a better camera...
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Gunsil
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Re: Id like help identifying my G-pa's Kabar

Post by Gunsil »

Not really anything to add, ZZyyyy pretty much got it. No way to narrow down a date between 1953 (some say 1952) to about 1967-68. I agree it is probably a 1950s knife, but it could look older from carry and use. I am unsure of the pattern number, I have a 1955 price list but it is not illustrated and it would likely have a different number than those made by Union Cut Co in their pre-war catalog. They were handsome knives when new, KA-BAR always used nice stag.
Drshingler
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Re: Id like help identifying my G-pa's Kabar

Post by Drshingler »

Gunsil wrote: Sun Aug 23, 2020 2:38 am Not really anything to add...

...They were handsome knives when new, KA-BAR always used nice stag.
You added enough. Thank you. And, I think it's still a great looking knife.

Thanks again to everybody, I appreciate the help.
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Colonel26
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Re: Id like help identifying my G-pa's Kabar

Post by Colonel26 »

Welcome aboard! What a wonderful family knife you have there. And what a blessing to own it!

Since no one else has mentioned it yet, I’ll share an AAPKism that we use to talk about knives such as this. We call them HOKs (Honest Old Knife), one thats been well used, but cared for. It doesn’t matter how many minty old knives a person has, we all still love a good HOK, and this one definitely is. ::tu::
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rea1eye
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Re: Id like help identifying my G-pa's Kabar

Post by rea1eye »

Nice old knife,

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tongueriver
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Re: Id like help identifying my G-pa's Kabar

Post by tongueriver »

It is indeed a nice knife. I would like to be as young as that knife, but, as a HOG (no; not what you think!!!)---("honest old geezer" :lol). I look to be in about the same condition, but instead of sharpening loss, I seem to gain! :(
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