Ka-bar model 1188

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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Whitneyrifle
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Ka-bar model 1188

Post by Whitneyrifle »

Good day!
This is my first post and am hoping someone my be able to help this newbie learn something new. I own several Ka-bar folders and am fortunate in having two 1184’s. I recently won an auction for what I thought was an 1184, the filet blade is scalloped and the model is an 1188? I can not seem to find any information or record on this model. Can anyone shine some information in this model?
Any info is appreciated!!
You have to be trusted by the people that lie to you. So that when they turn their backs on you, You'll get the chance to put the knife in….
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OLDE CUTLER
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Re: Ka-bar model 1188

Post by OLDE CUTLER »

Whitneyrifle wrote: Sun Nov 21, 2021 6:00 pm Good day!
This is my first post and am hoping someone my be able to help this newbie learn something new. I own several Ka-bar folders and am fortunate in having two 1184’s. I recently won an auction for what I thought was an 1184, the filet blade is scalloped and the model is an 1188? I can not seem to find any information or record on this model. Can anyone shine some information in this model?
Any info is appreciated!!
Welcome to AAPK from eastern South Dakota. ::welcome:: ::welcome::
Let's see some pictures of the knives.
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zzyzzogeton
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Re: Ka-bar model 1188

Post by zzyzzogeton »

This is one of the "anomaly" models with Kabar, as I call it.

The 1184 is the 2 blade hunter.

The 1188 is the 2 blade "hunter with a scalloped edge fillet blade". I don't have a clue as to what Kabar advertised it as being.

The 1184 does not have a lanyard hole in the pommel bolster. The 1188 DOES have a lanyard hole in the pommel bolster.

Except when they don't.

I have seen 1184s with and without the scalloped edge secondary blade.

I have seen 1188s with and without the scalloped edge secondary blade.

I have seen 1184s and 1188s with and without a lanyard hole.

According to the documentation I snitched off of Kabar's website several years back, the 1184 was introduced in "the mid-60s" and was discontinued in 2000. Final retail price was $34.76.

According to the same documentation, there was never a model 1188 produced.

Unfortunately, Kabar's documentation track record is spotty at best and frequently contradictory.
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Whitneyrifle
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Re: Ka-bar model 1188

Post by Whitneyrifle »

Sorry, I was busy deer hunting. (Fruitful time, took an 8 pointer) Here are the pics of the 1188 I picked up…
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698275F9-145E-4800-A948-C555D1E39C58.jpeg
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Whitneyrifle
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Re: Ka-bar model 1188

Post by Whitneyrifle »

Better pic of the model number…
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0F2E9FFF-DF9D-40AC-B2FF-CF10C0A3092B.jpeg
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Whitneyrifle
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Re: Ka-bar model 1188

Post by Whitneyrifle »

Also, fully closed…
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01D2FFA3-BA04-46E6-A9D0-9DCD335C69C0.jpeg
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treefarmer
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Re: Ka-bar model 1188

Post by treefarmer »

Whitneyrifle,
That is a fine folding hunter! ::tu::
I have an 1184 and it has a lanyard hole in the bolster and does not have a scalloped blade like yours.
The springs are too strong to make it a comfortable knife to use. :(
I haven't used a fixed blade hunting knife for a long time, I love my old worn out #39 Queen, like a Timex watch, "takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'".
Comment on the scalloped blade if you will, I've never used one.
This is the old Queen and the Kabar, theyare almost identical in shape:
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Treefarmer

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Whitneyrifle
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Re: Ka-bar model 1188

Post by Whitneyrifle »

Wow! Both beautiful!
I was kind surprised, when I got this knife, it came with the original folder sheath too!
You have to be trusted by the people that lie to you. So that when they turn their backs on you, You'll get the chance to put the knife in….
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Whitneyrifle
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Re: Ka-bar model 1188

Post by Whitneyrifle »

Direct answer from KaBar, not very helpful:
Thank you for taking the time to contact us and for sending photos of your knife.

Our historian states that your knife was manufactured in the late 1960’s however was discontinued several years ago.

The knife is a #1188, 5 ¼” Hunter with clip blade and a serrated skinner blade.
:? :? :? :?
You have to be trusted by the people that lie to you. So that when they turn their backs on you, You'll get the chance to put the knife in….
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