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    • KA-BAR Knives: The Most Famous Military Knife in the World — Still Made in Olean, New York Since 1898

    KA-BAR's story begins in 1898 in Tidioute, Pennsylvania, where a group of craftsmen established the Tidioute Cutlery Company. The company relocated to Olean, New York, in 1912 — the heart of what was then the most concentrated cutlery manufacturing region in America. The KA-BAR trademark was adopted in the 1920s, inspired by a fur trapper's barely-legible testimonial about using his knife to "k a bar" — kill a bear. The name stuck. In 1942, the United States Marine Corps adopted the KA-BAR Fighting/Utility Knife as standard issue — beginning an eight-decade relationship with the American military that continues today. Veterans carried their KA-BARs through Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Today, as a subsidiary of Cutco Corporation and based at 200 Homer Street in Olean, KA-BAR produces over 100 knives including the original USMC design alongside the Becker, Dozier, TDI, EK Commando, and Jarosz series. Knifeworks is an authorized KA-BAR dealer.

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    • Made in USA
      Olean, NY Since 1898
    • ⚔️USMC-Issued
      Since WWII
    • ✅Authorized Dealer
      100% Authentic
    • Limited Lifetime
      Warranty vs. Defects
    • Ships Same or Next
      Business Day
    • Expert Staff
      888-225-9775

    KA-BAR — America's Combat Knife Since 1898

    When U.S. Marines landed in the Pacific in 1942, they carried a new combat knife on their belts — a 7-inch clip-point fixed blade with stacked leather handles and 1095 Cro-Van steel. That knife was the KA-BAR, and it never came home. It stayed in service. The same knife, produced to the same specs, is still manufactured today in Olean, New York, at the same company that made the original.

    The name itself is a piece of American history. A fur trapper wrote to the company in rough English, describing how his knife saved his life when he used it to "kill a bear" after his rifle jammed. The phrase stuck. The company, founded in 1898 as the Tidioute Cutlery Company, eventually took the name KA-BAR as its identity — and earned a reputation that has outlasted wars, ownership changes, and a century of competition.

    Knifeworks is an authorized dealer of the full KA-BAR lineup — from the original USMC Fighting Knife to the Becker Knife & Tool series, tactical folders, and limited editions. Every knife ships same or next business day from Columbia, Louisiana. Questions? Call 888-225-9775.

    The USMC Fighting Knife: What You're Actually Getting

    The KA-BAR USMC Fighting/Utility Knife is the knife that made the brand. First officially issued to Marines as the 1219C2 in 1942, it replaced less durable predecessors and was carried across the Pacific, through Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm. The design hasn't changed because it doesn't need to.

    SpecDetail
    Blade Steel1095 Cro-Van high-carbon steel (Chromium-Vanadium modified)
    Blade Length7 inches, clip-point with false edge and blood groove
    Overall Length11.875 inches
    HandleStacked leather washers (original) or Kraton G (synthetic versions)
    Guard/PommelSteel crossguard and steel butt cap
    ConstructionFull-tang, USA-made
    SheathSewn and riveted leather sheath with snap retention strap
    FinishEpoxy powder coat (black) or brown — both standard
    Why 1095 Cro-Van? The Chromium-Vanadium modifier improves toughness and corrosion resistance without sacrificing the easy re-sharpenability that field use demands. It's not a stainless steel — it will patina with use — but it takes an edge fast with basic tools, which is exactly what military and outdoor use requires.
    Becker Knife & Tool Series — Built by Ethan Becker, Refined for Hard Use

    The Becker Knife & Tool line was designed by Ethan Becker, a culinary school instructor turned hard-use knife designer whose philosophy was simple: build it thick, build it full-tang, and don't compromise. KA-BAR acquired the line and manufactures it in the USA with the same 1095 Cro-Van steel that defines the brand.

    Key models in the Becker lineup carried at Knifeworks:

    • BK2 Campanion — The most popular Becker model. 5.25" blade, 0.25" thick stock, full convex grind. Camp, survival, and bushcraft benchmark.
    • BK9 Combat Bowie — 9" blade, heavy-duty camp and field knife. Full-tang with Ultramid handle scales.
    • BK16 Short Drop Point — Shorter, more nimble version suited for hunting and day-to-day outdoor carry.
    • BK18 Harpoon — 4.625" blade with aggressive clip-point geometry. Fast-handling utility and tactical knife.
    • BK19 Nessmuk — Traditional camp knife profile with modern 1095 Cro-Van execution. Micarta handle available.
    Handle note: Becker handles use Ultramid (glass-filled nylon) as the standard material — grippy, lightweight, and maintenance-free. Many models accept aftermarket Micarta or G-10 scales from third-party makers if you prefer a different feel.
    Steel Deep Dive: 1095 Cro-Van vs. Other KA-BAR Steels

    The vast majority of KA-BAR fixed blades use 1095 Cro-Van — a plain high-carbon steel with Chromium and Vanadium added to improve toughness and inhibit corrosion. But the brand also uses a small number of other steels in select models. Here's the breakdown:

    SteelWhere It AppearsCharacter
    1095 Cro-VanUSMC, Becker series, most fixed bladesTough, easy to sharpen, takes a working edge fast. Requires basic maintenance to prevent rust.
    D2Select tactical models (e.g., Dust II)Semi-stainless tool steel. Better corrosion resistance than 1095, harder to sharpen, excellent edge retention.
    425 High-Carbon StainlessRoscoe and select Les George designsStainless, low maintenance. Prioritizes corrosion resistance for field carry.
    S35VNDozier Folding Hunter premium versionCPM powder-metallurgy steel. Excellent edge retention and toughness in a folder platform.
    Field care for 1095 Cro-Van: Wipe dry after use. A light coat of oil (mineral oil, Ballistol, or similar) on the blade prevents patina from becoming corrosion. If you're using the knife around water regularly, consider a D2 or stainless model.
    KA-BAR for Outdoor and Survival Use — What Each Series Is Built For

    KA-BAR's reputation is military, but the lineup is built for anyone who works outdoors. Here's how to match the series to the job:

    • Camping and bushcraft: Becker BK2 Campanion or BK9. The convex grind on the BK2 handles batoning and wood processing without digging too deep. For lighter camp tasks, the BK16 is more manageable.
    • Hunting: The KA-BAR Hunter (clip-point or drop-point 4" blade models) or the BK16 Short Drop Point. Both have enough belly for field dressing without being unwieldy.
    • Survival/emergency kit: The USMC or Becker BK7 gives you enough blade for shelter building, fire prep, and defense without the weight of a machete. Full-tang construction means no pivot or joint to fail.
    • Tactical and military: The original USMC Fighting Knife remains a benchmark. The Jarosz Turok and Ek Model 4 (John Ek Commando Knife Co.) add purpose-built alternatives for collectors and professionals.
    • EDC fixed blade: The BK14 Beker or smaller BK models carry well in a belt sheath for daily outdoor work without the bulk of a full USMC knife.

    KA-BAR Knives — Frequently Asked Questions

    Where are KA-BAR knives made?

    KA-BAR knives are manufactured in Olean, New York — the same city where the brand has been rooted since 1912. The company moved to its current facility at 200 Homer Street, Olean, NY in 2003, and USA manufacturing remains a core part of the KA-BAR identity. The 1095 Cro-Van steel used in most models is sourced from Germany, then processed and finished in the USA.

    Is Knifeworks an authorized KA-BAR dealer?

    Yes. Knifeworks is an authorized dealer for KA-BAR Knives, Inc. Every KA-BAR sold by Knifeworks is 100% authentic, ships with original packaging, and is covered by KA-BAR's limited lifetime warranty against defects. Call us at 888-225-9775 if you have questions about a specific model.

    What is the KA-BAR warranty?

    KA-BAR offers a limited lifetime warranty against defects in material and craftsmanship for the lifetime of the original purchaser. The warranty covers manufacturing defects — not normal wear, misuse, or damage from using the knife as a pry bar, chisel, or screwdriver. To make a claim, return the knife directly to KA-BAR Knives, Inc., 200 Homer Street, Olean, NY 14760, Attn: Customer Service. Return shipping is at the owner's expense. KA-BAR will repair or replace the knife at their option.

    What steel does KA-BAR use in its knives?

    Most KA-BAR fixed blades — including the USMC Fighting Knife and the entire Becker Knife & Tool series — use 1095 Cro-Van steel, a high-carbon steel modified with Chromium and Vanadium for improved toughness and corrosion resistance. Select models use D2 steel (semi-stainless, better corrosion resistance), 425 High-Carbon Stainless, or CPM S35VN (in the Dozier Folding Hunter premium version). Steel is listed on each product page.

    Does KA-BAR still make the original USMC Fighting Knife?

    Yes. The KA-BAR USMC Fighting/Utility Knife is still produced in Olean, New York, to the same specifications as the original WWII-era 1219C2 — 7-inch 1095 Cro-Van blade, stacked leather handle, steel guard and pommel, sewn leather sheath. It's the most copied knife design in history, but the original is still made by the original company.

    How do I care for a KA-BAR 1095 Cro-Van blade?

    1095 Cro-Van is not a stainless steel — it will develop a patina with use and can rust if neglected. After use: wipe the blade dry, apply a thin coat of oil (mineral oil, Ballistol, or similar), and store in a dry location. If storing with a leather sheath, oil the blade first — leather can trap moisture. For touch-ups in the field, 1095 re-sharpens easily on any basic sharpening tool.

    What is the difference between the USMC knife and the Becker series?

    The USMC Fighting Knife is a design built for combat and utility — narrow blade profile, clip-point, 7-inch length, leather handle. The Becker Knife & Tool series is designed by Ethan Becker specifically for camp, bushcraft, and hard-use outdoor tasks — thicker stock, convex grinds, Ultramid handles, wider blade geometries. Both are made in the USA with 1095 Cro-Van. The Becker BK2 Campanion is often compared to the ESEE 6 as a bushcraft and camp knife benchmark.

    Shop KA-BAR at Knifeworks — Authorized Dealer

    Same or next business day shipping from Columbia, Louisiana. Questions about a specific model? Our staff carries these knives.

    Call 888-225-9775 Shop All KA-BAR Knives