| The KA-BAR is a Combat Knife that is used by | | | | made it standard military issue for the troops. |
| members of the Armed Forces to be used in | | | | The USMC used several different types of knives |
| Close Combat scenarios. These days, the Ka-Bar | | | | during the war, but the KA-BAR was by far the |
| is used mostly as a Utility Knife. For example, | | | | most popular. |
| opening wooden crates, clearing out foliage, | | | | In fact the military liked it so much it also became |
| cutting down branches, etc.. It's also strong | | | | Standard Military Issue after WWII ended. The |
| enough to easily puncture a hole in a can. | | | | Marine Corps got to choose the final shape. They |
| KA-BAR knives are typically very heavy and | | | | made the blade longer so it could be used in |
| usually have a 7 Inch Long Blade. It is made of | | | | combat. They also wanted a fuller, which was a |
| 1095 Carbon Steel. The number 1095 stands for | | | | rounded or beveled groove that sat on the flat |
| the chemical composition of the metal as defined | | | | side of the blade. The KA-BAR company earned |
| by the Society of Automotive Engineers which | | | | millions of dollars during WWII by selling this to the |
| assigns SAE Steel Grades. Someone was | | | | military. |
| attacked by a bear before WWII. He survived | | | | The reason this knife became so popular was |
| the attack and wrote a letter to the company | | | | because they were very easy to manufacture |
| bragging that the knife saved his life when a gun | | | | and very cheap to purchase. This meant that |
| failed to do the job. The letter was written in | | | | they were also very easy to replace and |
| poor English and all that was readable was "k a | | | | performed most tasks that were required. This |
| bar" so the company used this name as their | | | | weapon was also being used in World War II as a |
| trademark. | | | | Diving Knife even though it didn't stand up to Salt |
| In 1942 right after the United States entered | | | | Water very well. The military still uses the |
| WWII, the troops were having issues with their | | | | KA-BAR, and so do hunters, fisherman and |
| old Mark I Trench Knives. They came to the | | | | outdoor enthusiasts. This USMC weapon has a |
| realization that they needed a better knive to | | | | long history that isn't going to go away anytime |
| engage in Trench Warfare, so the military picked | | | | soon. Semper Fi. |
| the KA-BAR from a catalog of hunting gear, and | | | | |