I want to see how many of you support the Ka-Bar or Buck 119 for an all- around knife. I have a Ka-Bar and younger bro Cody has a Buck 119. We had a debate about which knife is better for all around use. What do you guys think?
I was in the Corp-KABAR all the way-it's strong/proven/fits your hand and can be used to dig/pry/hammer and oh yal, its very sharp and holds a good edge......
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They really are for different purposes. They are ****ED close though, ! The BUCK is a hunting knife, which may serve as a survival knife/fighting, where the Kabar is a survival/fighting knife which may serve as a hunting knife.
If memory serves both knives have an equally hard edge, but the Kabar is thicker/stronger with a more utilitarian grip. For a truly "all round" knife, give me the extra weight for chopping/fighting/prying.
In all honesty though, they are both REALLY great knives, but the US infantry uses a kabar. That says something.
IF it were only a hunting knife. . . I'd probably grab the Buck. let's drop a few ounces and get a more ergonomic grip for carving.
I hope to out-do both of them
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According to the manufacturer the Kabar is hardened to RC 56-58 compared to the Buck 59.5-61.
MINOR difference, but the Kabar is supposed to be much tougher/stronger.
Kabar's D2 blades are supposed to be tougher still and hardened to 59-60
They are ****ed expensive though!
Yea. I got mine for free though, LOL. Gran got it for me when I turned 14. That knife cannot be broken.. Holds an edge very well too. Little bro is not gonna like the poll numbers, hehehehehe. He is gonna be .
According to the manufacturer the Kabar is hardened to RC 56-58 compared to the Buck 59.5-61.
MINOR difference, but the Kabar is supposed to be much tougher/stronger.
Kabar's D2 blades are supposed to be tougher still and hardened to 59-60
They are ****ed expensive though!
Don't mean to be contradictive here Barry, but while I am sure the Kabar is indeed 56 - 58, I find it unlikely that the Buck is as high as they have indicated. It is rare to find 440 C that is properly "treated" to achieve even 60 RC, and even harder to imagine 420 hc brought to that level. Although it is possible. D2 is indeed high, but may still be one of the best materials for a user knife. 1085 is 85/100s carbon content but will rust easily.
Tom
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Don't mean to be contradictive here Barry, but while I am sure the Kabar is indeed 56 - 58, I find it unlikely that the Buck is as high as they have indicated. It is rare to find 440 C that is properly "treated" to achieve even 60 RC, and even harder to imagine 420 hc brought to that level. Although it is possible. D2 is indeed high, but may still be one of the best materials for a user knife. 1085 is 85/100s carbon content but will rust easily.
Tom
Outstanding call! that's why your supposed to oil and take care of you blade "just like your Grandpa or your dad taught ya. ( Bunch of SISSIES)
While I have owned, and like both, I would probably go with the KA-BAR. In my experience, the 1095 steel on the KA-BAR holds an edge longer than 420HC, and is tougher, which I think would be important on an "all around" knife.
sorry...didn't vote because i don't believe in a "all around knife".
there are only "make do" blades. each has its own purpose.
i very rarely find myself without at least 2 even for evey day carry(swiss army and either a folding buck or puma).even if i carry a nonfolder(my sheath knife is a old western fighter) i'd still have a swiss or something for whatever purpose its intended.
for a "make do" knife the kabar would be hard to beat tho.
Don't mean to be contradictive here Barry, but while I am sure the Kabar is indeed 56 - 58, I find it unlikely that the Buck is as high as they have indicated. It is rare to find 440 C that is properly "treated" to achieve even 60 RC, and even harder to imagine 420 hc brought to that level. Although it is possible. D2 is indeed high, but may still be one of the best materials for a user knife. 1085 is 85/100s carbon content but will rust easily.
Tom
After only a little digging, I'm inclined to agree. 430HC isn't supposed to be hardenable above 59, and at 59, it would be very brittle. It's much more likely that the 119 is closer to 54-56 as other data for their pocket knives would suggest.
I think the source for my data (a retail site) got some lines crossed.
I've had a Buck 119 since I was 14 or 15...it has been used as a hammer, pry bar, and a screwdriver...and a few other illegitimate uses...
makes a handy spear when tied to a branch...etc...comes with a nice leather sheath...at least the old ones did
Either way, ya can't go wrong.
But being a cheap rascal...I enjoy my $20 Buck...and if it ever were to break, I'd go get another just like it.
Hey, if Jason from Friday the 13th uses one...it can't be all bad
Looks like Ghostface likes it too...sick minds think alike....hehehe!!
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Buck was the first outdoor knife I owned. I have owned several over the years. I also owned a Kabar. Never had any trouble with it. Now, my favorite outdoor knife is an Ontario Arms Task Force.
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! The BUCK is a hunting knife, which may serve as a survival knife/fighting, where the Kabar is a survival/fighting knife which may serve as a hunting knife. 
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