Would you recommend the Ka-bar U.S.M.C. fight knife for a survival knife?

[Grassroots89]

Would you recommend the Ka-bar U.S.M.C. fight knife for a survival knife?

[99explorer]

Affirmative, but I would prefer the Gerber Mark II with its double-edged spear-point, wasp-waisted blade with serrations.

[Edward J. Palumbo]

I was issued a Kabar, and I acknowledge it's a good utilitarian design that has withstood the test of time, but as a personal knife I would choose a Cold Steel Counter Tac I or SRK, a CRKT Ultima, a Gerber LMF II or the Gerber Mark II that 99 recommended, a version of which was in great demand during the Viet Nam years.

[ITHACASXS]

Edward Palumbo, your last name is a very common one in Buffalo NY (lots of Italians and Sicilans here). In fact, a Anthony Palumbo from Buffalo was killed in South VietNam in 1968. Within a few hours of his neighborhood finding out, the whole street and 'hood was flying the Flag for their fallen son and his grieving family.I just thought I'd pass that along.

[Treestand]

Any knife is better then NO-knife at all! The Kabar is good,But there is better out-there as 99& Ed.P stated! my pick is Gerbar Mark II,With a Case xx single blade in my pocket.

[PigHunter]

I've carried the Gerber Mark I when hunting and was not pleased with having to use a double edged blade for gutting and skinning tasks. I recomend staying away from any such knives for field use. My favorite 'survival' knife is the Cold Steel Bushman. Killed a large boar with one last September. Had the Bushman mounted on my hiking stick as a thrusting spear.

[FirstBubba]

The Ka-Bar needs to be a part of your outfit, just not the only cutting implement.
I prefer carbon steel over the hard stainless. Easier to sharpen.

[DesertWalker]

more than anything I have found that I never need just one knife. I live by the motto that my father gave me, "you can NEVER have to many knives or guns." fallowing this I normaly carry around three for different purposes. although my brother will sware by his KABAR, he will tell me "I trusted this to save my life in the war I can trust it to save my life anywere." as the gentlemen above have stated there are alot of good knives and in some opions could be even better than the KABAR. comes down to what you find to work best for you.

[NM]

The Gerber has had a reputation of breaking.

[AAM]

Yeah gerber also have a reputation of being very hard to resharpen, I should know I have a profile and dont even try to use it anymore.

[Edward J. Palumbo]

ITHACASXS,
I was born and raised on the Lower East Side in Manhattan (NYC) and my grandparents immigrated through Ellis Island around 1908-1910. I was in RVN with 1st Marine Division in 1966-67 and, as I remember, another Palumbo (Nick) from Manhattan was KIA at much the same time. There was some confusion and, when I returned, a neighbor commented, "I heard you were killed." I suggested there may have been some error. I am sorry to learn of Anthony (no relation) but I have met a few with the same last name in my travels.

PigHunter,
I understandably would not recommend a double-edged dagger, dirk or boot knife for skinning. It was my presupposition or error when I saw "survival knife" in the question that a combat knife was part of the thought process, and I should have been thinking in terms of hunting and camping.

[Bioguy01]

Yes

[ITHACASXS]

Mr. Palumbo, thanks for responding. Since describing your background, may I recommend a neat book that you might find interesting, it's from a fellow New Yorker(Brooklyn, really), Richard Gambino, he was a professor at Queens College it's called: ''Blood of my Blood''. As a grandson of immigrants as well, it kind of explained for me some of the old school quirks I was raised with.It was written in the '70's.Last but not least, thank you for serving during such a difficult time.

[Edward J. Palumbo]

ITHACASXS,
Thank you for the book recommendation. I read a steady progression of books, fiction and nonfiction, history, mystery and tongue-in-cheek humor. I will seek that one out.
As for my service, I was one of a great many but it was my privilege to operate with a number of idealistic delinquents, several of whom are still like my brothers to this day, and I value those relationships highly.
Ed

[barnhllo]

I just don't like the term "survival knife"...Any knife that you regularly carry, for whatever purpose, becomes a survival knife in a genuine emergency. Carry a three-blade stockman in your pocket and either a functional fixed blade or a 5" (closed) folder on your belt, and you will be prepared. Forget the Rambo or USMC knives; you don't need them.