The blade is stamped KA-BAR, OLEAN, NY in capital block letters and the pile side tang with a bold U.S.M.C. USMC Ka-Bar Knife Designīlades made to original specifications are hi-carbon steel hardened and tempered to resist breaking under severe pressure and to accept and retain a super sharp edge even in the field. In 1952 the company changed its name to KA-BAR Knives Inc. The success of the Ka-Bar and its close association with the legendary United States Marines made the Ka-Bar name a powerful marketing brand for Union Cutlery. The knife was definitely used in Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf War and continues to be sold and used today (see Vietnam photo below). And not just in the Marines - all services plus Seals and other Special Forces were fans of the Ka-Bar. However, it continued to be popular as "hand me downs" or by unofficial purchases at the PX. Over one million knives were produced by Union Cutlery alone during World War II.Īfter WW II the Ka-Bar was no longer officially issued to the USMC or other forces. Despite the ownership of the name by Union Cutlery, all knives of this general pattern became known as Ka-Bar knives. As a result, several other manufacturers were licensed to produce the same knife during the war. The knife was so successful in the field that Union Cutlery could not meet the entire demand. The first batch was shipped to the USMC from Union Cutlery on 27 January 1943. A revised design based on improvements to the Camillus Mark 1 was accepted as the "USN Fighting Knife, Mark 2." The identical knife, except its markings, is called "1219C2 USMC" by the Marines with nomenclature "Knife, Fighting and Utility." The Marine Corps version was manufactured by Union Cutlery, stamped Ka-Bar, and was issued as the standard USMC fighting/utility knife. The Navy already had a fighting knife, by Camillus, the Mark 1. Although the original design failed to meet USMC requirements, the company was able to work with the Marine Corps on improvements. Marine Corps for issue to fighting personnel. On 9 December 1942, one year after the United States entered World War II, Union Cutlery submitted a Ka-Bar branded knife to the U.S. The USMC KA-BAR Knife was developed early in World War II.
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