Soldier of Fortune Magazine The Journal of Professional Adventurers
by Austin Lee
The KA-BAR fighting knife has been a steadfast companion to U.S. Marines for more than 80 years, earning its place as one of the most legendary blades in military history. Adopted by the Marine Corps in 1942, the KA-BAR has slashed through jungles, pierced enemy defenses, and endured as a symbol of American warfighting grit. From its origins in the muddy trenches of World War II to its continued use today, the KA-BAR’s enduring design, robust materials, and storied combat record make it a blade of unmatched legacy.
Here’s a look at the knife itself, its design evolution, and its combat applications across decades of conflict.
Material Specifications: Built for combat
The KA-BAR Fighting/Utility Knife, officially designated the USMC Mark 2 Combat Knife, is the result of a masterclass in purposeful engineering. Its specifications were chosen to balance lethality, durability, and utility while conserving strategic resources during wartime.
Blade: The KA-BAR features a 7-inch (17.8 cm) clip-point blade made of 1095 carbon steel, hardened to a Rockwell hardness of 56-58 HRC. This high-carbon steel was selected for its toughness, edge retention, and ease of sharpening in the field. Unlike stainless steel, 1095 carbon steel is less brittle, making it ideal for prying and heavy-duty tasks without snapping.
READ MORE from Austin Lee: The AK-12K Rifle: Kalashnikov’s Compact Powerhouse for the Modern Battlefield
The blade is coated with a non-reflective black epoxy powder or parkerized finish to prevent corrosion and to reduce glare, critical for combat environments. The clip-point design, with a concave false edge, enhances penetration for thrusting while allowing effective slashing. The blade’s thickness of 0.165 inches (4.2 mm) provides the strength needed for tasks like digging or breaking open crates.
Handle: The traditional KA-BAR sports a stacked leather washer handle, hand-molded for a secure grip even in wet or bloody conditions. Leather was chosen for its availability, comfort, and ability to conform to the user’s hand over time, offering a low-tech solution for a reliable grip. Modern variants, like those used in Vietnam and beyond, often feature Kraton G, a synthetic rubber that resists sweat, chemicals, and wear, providing a non-slip grip in harsh conditions. The oval-shaped handle accommodates various fighting grips, from saber to reverse, enhancing versatility in close-quarters combat.
Tang and Pommel: The KA-BAR employs a full tang, extending through the handle to a steel pommel, ensuring structural integrity during heavy use. The pommel doubles as a striking tool, capable of driving tent stakes or delivering blunt force in combat. This robust construction ensures the knife can withstand battlefield tasks without breaking.
(Photo by Austin Lee)
Sheath: Originally paired with a leather sheath, later models included MOLLE-compatible hard plastic or Kydex sheaths for tactical versatility. The leather sheath, often embossed with USMC logos, was durable and could be repaired in the field, while modern sheaths offer quick access and mounting options for gear. The original leather sheath still endures, and can be seen being worn by modern USMC units in the field.
These materials were chosen to meet the Marine Corps’ 1942 specification for a dual-purpose knife that could serve as both a fighting weapon and a utility tool while minimizing reliance on scarce strategic metals like brass, which was used in earlier trench knives. The result was a knife that was cost-effective, easy to manufacture, easy to maintain a sharp edge, and exceptionally reliable in widely diverse environments.
Design Lineage: A Blade Born from Necessity
The KA-BAR’s origins trace back to the early days of World War II, when the U.S. military recognized the shortcomings of World War I-era trench knives like the Mark I, which featured bulky brass knuckle handles that restricted grip versatility and required intensive resources.
In 1942, the Marine Corps sought a modern fighting and utility knife, drawing inspiration from civilian hunting knives like Western Cutlery’s L76 and L77 Bowie patterns, which featured 7-inch clip-point blades and leather handles. Union Cutlery Co., later known as KA-BAR, submitted a design (designated 1219C2) that combined elements of these civilian knives with military requirements for durability and combat effectiveness.
The design was refined in collaboration with Camillus Cutlery Co., USMC Colonel John M. Davis, and Major Howard E. America, incorporating lessons from the Fairbairn-Sykes stiletto but prioritizing versatility over specialized thrusting. Adopted on November 23, 1942, the KA-BAR was first shipped by Camillus in January 1943, with more than one million produced during the war by manufacturers like Union Cutlery, Robeson, PAL, and others. Its name, “KA-BAR,” stems from a 1923 legend where a fur trapper’s poorly written letter described using a Union Cutlery knife to “kill a bar” (bear), inspiring the company to adopt the name.
The KA-BAR’s design endures because it strikes a perfect balance between form and function. The 7-inch blade is long enough for deep penetration yet agile for slicing. The clip-point tip excels at piercing, while the blade’s width and thickness allow it to chop brush, dig trenches, or open cans. The leather washer handle, later modernized with Kraton, provides a secure grip for diverse combat techniques. Its simplicity ensures ease of maintenance, while its robustness guarantees reliability under extreme conditions.
The knife’s versatility made it a favorite not only of Marines but also of the Navy, Army, Coast Guard, and Underwater Demolition Teams, cementing its status as a multi-service icon.
Combat Uses: A Blade for Every time and Place
The KA-BAR’s combat record spans every major U.S. conflict since World War II, proving its worth in jungles, deserts, and urban battlefields. Designed for close-quarters combat, the knife excels in slashing and thrusting, with a blade length that allows for vital organ penetration and a handle that supports multiple grip angles.
Its utility functions – from cutting rope, clearing foliage, digging fighting positions, and opening rations – made it an indispensable tool in the field. Here’s how it has performed through various conflicts.
World War II: The KA-BAR saw extensive use in the Pacific Theater, where Marines used it to slash through dense jungle, dig foxholes, and engage Japanese forces in hand-to-hand combat. Marines recall using KA-BARs for utilitarian tasks like opening ammunition crates or cutting vines, though some used it to extract gold teeth from fallen enemies. The knife’s reliability in humid, corrosive environments solidified its reputation.
Vietnam War: One notable combat example involves Marine Sergeant Robert Stogner. After his rifle was shot out of his hands, breaking his nose, Stogner wielded his KA-BAR to kill seven enemy soldiers, including four who were torturing a wounded Marine. His actions earned him a Navy Cross, highlighting the KA-BAR’s lethality in desperate situations.
In Vietnam’s jungles, the KA-BAR was a constant companion for Marines and soldiers. One Marine recalled using his KA-BAR to dig in clay-heavy soil, improving fighting positions under fire. Its ability to chop through bamboo and small trees made it a vital survival tool. The knife’s non-reflective coating and robust construction suited the jungle warfare environment.
Modern Conflicts: The KA-BAR saw action in Iraq and Afghanistan, with commemorative editions engraved to honor Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. Its MOLLE-compatible sheaths and Kraton handles adapt it to modern tactical needs, while its storied combat proven effectiveness keeps it a favorite within the modern military.
Why the KA-BAR Endures
The KA-BAR’s longevity stems from its timeless, adaptable qualities. The knife’s simplicity—free of complex mechanisms—makes it field-maintainable, while its robust materials withstand abuse. Modern updates, like Kraton handles and Kydex sheaths, bring contemporary blades without sacrificing core strengths.
KA-BAR Space Force and classic versions, with MRE’s (Photo by Austin Lee).
Marines today carry the KA-BAR not just for its utility but also for its heritage, a tangible link to the warriors of Iwo Jima, Khe Sanh, and Fallujah.
Conclusion: A Blade of Legend
The KA-BAR fighting knife is more than a tool; it’s a symbol of American resilience. From its 1095 carbon steel blade to its stacked leather-washer handle, every element reflects a deliberate choice for durability and versatility. Its combat record, from Sergeant Stogner’s heroics in Korea to its utility in Vietnam’s jungles, underscores its lethal, reliable nature.
Eighty years since it was adopted into use, the KA-BAR remains a Marine’s faithful companion, ready for any scenario that arises.
Austin Lee is the proprietor of Galilhub, and is a gunsmith and a competitive shooter. He writes frequently for Soldier of Fortune.
