KA-BAR rarity

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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1967redrider
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Re: KA-BAR rarity

Post by 1967redrider »

Gunsil wrote: Fri Jul 09, 2021 4:24 pm I have seen those and they are junk in my opinion. A dealer friend of mine in PA ordered ten when they first came out, he sent eight back because the quality control was so poor. I guess some turned out OK but a lot of them had various problems.


Good to know, Gene. The S&M repros aren't cheap.
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!

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DM11
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Re: KA-BAR rarity

Post by DM11 »

Awesome score! ::tu::
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Re: KA-BAR rarity

Post by peanut740 »

Good score Gene.A dealer setup next to me at the Blade show bought a baby Grizz this year. ::tu::
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Re: KA-BAR rarity

Post by Byamb1 »

Gunsil,

My understanding was that the attached was the rarest KaBar switch. Thoughts ????
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1967redrider
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Re: KA-BAR rarity

Post by 1967redrider »

That one is really cool too. ::nod:: ::tu:: ::tu::
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!

You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
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Re: KA-BAR rarity

Post by wiseguy »

Both are outstanding ! i tried for years to complete that yellow celluloid group but never could, thanks for sharing those Gents. ::tu::
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Re: KA-BAR rarity

Post by Gunsil »

Byamb1 wrote: Fri Dec 17, 2021 3:22 pm Gunsil,

My understanding was that the attached was the rarest KaBar switch. Thoughts ????
The pictured knife may be the a very rare KA-BAR switch but it is not the rarest KA-BAR switch. That honor goes to a Korn's patent switch made by KA-BAR and there is another switch made by Union Cut marked Keenwel Mfg that is rarer. I'd love to have the pictured one though!!
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Re: KA-BAR rarity

Post by wiseguy »

Gunsil wrote: Wed Dec 22, 2021 2:45 pm
Byamb1 wrote: Fri Dec 17, 2021 3:22 pm Gunsil,

My understanding was that the attached was the rarest KaBar switch. Thoughts ????
The pictured knife may be the a very rare KA-BAR switch but it is not the rarest KA-BAR switch. That honor goes to a Korn's patent switch made by KA-BAR and there is another switch made by Union Cut marked Keenwel Mfg that is rarer. I'd love to have the pictured one though!!
Do you have a picture of that Korn’s made for Kabar? The Keenwell I’ve seen.
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Re: KA-BAR rarity

Post by Gunsil »

I'll try to dig out some photos, a friend owns it. It was not made for KA-BAR, it was made by KA-BAR. The knife has been closely measured and it is not the same dimensions as the other Korns switches. It also has stag handles that match other KA-BAR knives.
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Re: KA-BAR rarity

Post by Gunsil »

UnionKorn 001.jpg
UnionKorn 002.jpg
FullSizeRender.jpg
IMG_1590.JPG
FullSizeRenderS.jpg
Here are a few photos of the KA-BAR Korns. Sweeeet knife!!
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Re: KA-BAR rarity

Post by Steve Warden »

Sweeeet doesn't cover it!
That's gorgeous!!!
Take care and God bless,

Steve
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1980-2000

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Re: KA-BAR rarity

Post by Madmarco »

Sweet like cotton-candy! 8)
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Re: KA-BAR rarity

Post by Gunsil »

That fine specimen was sold on ebay 4-5 years ago. It was in a lot of cheap Colonial, Boker, Imperial knives. My friend was not the winner, he was third buyer and it cost plenty to him, the lot sold for 1500 on the bay. I had seen the ad but did not enlarge since 99.999% of the time such lots with cheap knives have just that. My tail is still sore from kicking myself, in fact had to kick myself again when loading the photos.
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Re: KA-BAR rarity

Post by Madmarco »

Gunsil wrote: Wed Dec 29, 2021 1:27 am That fine specimen was sold on ebay 4-5 years ago. It was in a lot of cheap Colonial, Boker, Imperial knives. My friend was not the winner, he was third buyer and it cost plenty to him, the lot sold for 1500 on the bay. I had seen the ad but did not enlarge since 99.999% of the time such lots with cheap knives have just that. My tail is still sore from kicking myself, in fact had to kick myself again when loading the photos.
I hate when that happens! ::doh:: ::dang:: ::facepalm:: ! 8)
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Re: KA-BAR rarity

Post by Jacknifeben »

KA - BAR 661 never sharpened. Don’t know if I want to polish the brass or leave as is ?
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Re: KA-BAR rarity

Post by Reverand »

As is. That thing is darned near perfect the way it is now!
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Re: KA-BAR rarity

Post by Madmarco »

Jacknifeben wrote: Fri Jan 14, 2022 5:16 pm KA - BAR 661 never sharpened. Don’t know if I want to polish the brass or leave as is ?
Your 661 is in the best condition I've seen these knives in, ::tu:: and they are selling for big bucks when you can find one! ::hmm:: Oh yah, my vote is leave it as is! 8)
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Re: KA-BAR rarity

Post by wiseguy »

Gunsil wrote: Tue Dec 28, 2021 11:35 pm UnionKorn 001.jpgUnionKorn 002.jpgFullSizeRender.jpgIMG_1590.JPGFullSizeRenderS.jpg

Here are a few photos of the KA-BAR Korns. Sweeeet knife!!
Wow man ! I’ve not heard or seen this before now… thanks for sharing it Gunsil 👍
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Re: KA-BAR rarity

Post by Jacknifeben »

Thanks, not much information on this one.
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Re: KA-BAR rarity

Post by Jacknifeben »

Here is a small folder of KA- BAR knives I have never seen before, my 661 is priced pretty much same as the big 21105 switch blade at 4.20 and 4.60.
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Re: KA-BAR rarity

Post by Jacknifeben »

Nothing else to say.
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Re: KA-BAR rarity

Post by Jacknifeben »

Bought this KA-BAR / UNION CUTLERY tri folding knife. Trying to find some prices and found a Case knife in an old Sargents 2nd edition in the same pattern. Hope mine is in the same price frame.
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