The American USMC KA-BAR Fighting/Utility Knife became one of the most successful knives being used. Created by the Union Cutlery Company in 1941 this all-purpose survival tool was exclusively government order and designed to work as a defensive weapon, hammer, can opener, digging tool, and cutting tool.
The foundation of the first prototype from the KA-BAR, the 1219C2, had its roots in The first world war.
The first world war
The stalemate entrenchment of World War I officially brought the fighting knife to the battlefield. The trench systems in Belgium and France extended for hundreds of miles and close-quarter fighting between your Allied and German troops continued within the environment from the trench. Soldiers were required to cut-down their 1800s long-sword bayonets that many nations still issued. These cut-down weapons enabled close-quarter hand-to-hand combat.
It became apparent throughout the end of The first world war that the new knife design was needed to meet the demands of not only close-quarter fighting but versatility of usage. After detailed comparison of the trench weapons then being used america and France began production of the Mark I Trench Knife, in 1918, over the past months from the war. Many of these weapons were never issued.
The Mark I was a cast-bronze knuckleduster. The pommel was secured to its cast-bronze hilt having a nut that had a substantial point which if combined with enough force could fracture a man's skull. The weapon might be carried while crawling and kept securely within the hand. Having a 7″ double-edge blade, it had been helpful for thrusting and cutting. Yet, due to expense and soldier complaints of blade breakage, the objective I had a short production life and just 120,000 mercurial pas cher were made.
Using the wars end in 1918 the evolution and development of the military fighting knife continued.
World War II
Once the United States entered World War II in 1941 most Americans were equipped with the pre-World War II 16″ M1905 Pattern Bayonet (later renamed M1942); and also the U.S. Army had just one fighting knife ' the objective I.
The Marine Corps issued the Marine Raider Stiletto to the elite forces however the stiletto was most useful for silent killings instead of general utility tasks. Many Marines obtained their very own knives before deploying. These were typically the hunting/utility knife L76 and L77 by Western States Cutlery.
The proposed reproduction of the Mark I was rejected and also the U.S. Government requested military knife suppliers to build up specifications for a modern fighting knife using the designs of the objective I and also the civilian hunting/utility knife patterns.
Several changes to previous pattern designs resulted in the 1219C2 prototype. Created using thicker blade stock, added fuller, straight cross-guard and peened pommel; it also had the now famous compressed leather washers at the handle. The 1219C2 was later coated with a non-reflective matte phosphate finish to reduce glare. (Marines to this day still add one more coat of black paint for glare reduction and corrosion resistance).
On November 23, 1942 the United States Marine Corps adopted the 1219C2 which it later re-designated the USMC Mark 2 Combat Knife. The United States Navy also adopted the 1219C2 as the US Navy Utility Knife, Mark 2.
The objective 2 became general issue to the United States Marine Corps, and returning veterans were impressed by its combat effectiveness.
The Union Cutlery Company stamped their Mark 2 Combat/Fighting Utility knives with the "KA-BAR" trademark, and as early as 1944 ' regardless of manufacturer ' all Mark 2′s became referred to as KA-BAR.
Used in eight wars ' World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, Grenada, Operation Just Cause, Gulf War, Afghanistan, and Iraq ' the KA-BAR has hit the mark among the best knives made.
Today's KA-BAR consists of 1095 Cro-Van Steel, flat ground, easy to sharpen, and features a 20 degree edge angle and it is effective like a combat knife and utility tool. With a hardness rating of 56-58 HRC mercurial pas cher, the moderate carbon and low chromium steel combination enables the blade to carry its edge quite well.
'and also the legend born during World War II continues, and also over seventy years later the dual-purpose design continues to be doing its job.
The foundation of the first prototype from the KA-BAR, the 1219C2, had its roots in The first world war.
The first world war
The stalemate entrenchment of World War I officially brought the fighting knife to the battlefield. The trench systems in Belgium and France extended for hundreds of miles and close-quarter fighting between your Allied and German troops continued within the environment from the trench. Soldiers were required to cut-down their 1800s long-sword bayonets that many nations still issued. These cut-down weapons enabled close-quarter hand-to-hand combat.
It became apparent throughout the end of The first world war that the new knife design was needed to meet the demands of not only close-quarter fighting but versatility of usage. After detailed comparison of the trench weapons then being used america and France began production of the Mark I Trench Knife, in 1918, over the past months from the war. Many of these weapons were never issued.
The Mark I was a cast-bronze knuckleduster. The pommel was secured to its cast-bronze hilt having a nut that had a substantial point which if combined with enough force could fracture a man's skull. The weapon might be carried while crawling and kept securely within the hand. Having a 7″ double-edge blade, it had been helpful for thrusting and cutting. Yet, due to expense and soldier complaints of blade breakage, the objective I had a short production life and just 120,000 mercurial pas cher were made.
Using the wars end in 1918 the evolution and development of the military fighting knife continued.
World War II
Once the United States entered World War II in 1941 most Americans were equipped with the pre-World War II 16″ M1905 Pattern Bayonet (later renamed M1942); and also the U.S. Army had just one fighting knife ' the objective I.
The Marine Corps issued the Marine Raider Stiletto to the elite forces however the stiletto was most useful for silent killings instead of general utility tasks. Many Marines obtained their very own knives before deploying. These were typically the hunting/utility knife L76 and L77 by Western States Cutlery.
The proposed reproduction of the Mark I was rejected and also the U.S. Government requested military knife suppliers to build up specifications for a modern fighting knife using the designs of the objective I and also the civilian hunting/utility knife patterns.
Several changes to previous pattern designs resulted in the 1219C2 prototype. Created using thicker blade stock, added fuller, straight cross-guard and peened pommel; it also had the now famous compressed leather washers at the handle. The 1219C2 was later coated with a non-reflective matte phosphate finish to reduce glare. (Marines to this day still add one more coat of black paint for glare reduction and corrosion resistance).
On November 23, 1942 the United States Marine Corps adopted the 1219C2 which it later re-designated the USMC Mark 2 Combat Knife. The United States Navy also adopted the 1219C2 as the US Navy Utility Knife, Mark 2.
The objective 2 became general issue to the United States Marine Corps, and returning veterans were impressed by its combat effectiveness.
The Union Cutlery Company stamped their Mark 2 Combat/Fighting Utility knives with the "KA-BAR" trademark, and as early as 1944 ' regardless of manufacturer ' all Mark 2′s became referred to as KA-BAR.
Used in eight wars ' World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, Grenada, Operation Just Cause, Gulf War, Afghanistan, and Iraq ' the KA-BAR has hit the mark among the best knives made.
Today's KA-BAR consists of 1095 Cro-Van Steel, flat ground, easy to sharpen, and features a 20 degree edge angle and it is effective like a combat knife and utility tool. With a hardness rating of 56-58 HRC mercurial pas cher, the moderate carbon and low chromium steel combination enables the blade to carry its edge quite well.
'and also the legend born during World War II continues, and also over seventy years later the dual-purpose design continues to be doing its job.
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