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Which one to buy..Ka Bar or Ontario?
Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2013 12:49 am
by Kumarnishith
Well, thanks to Moin, Mack, Marthandhan, Mark, Slingshot et al..I am the latest one in the gun community to get hit by the knife bug
..I do own couple of Victorinox multi tool and cheap Chinese folders..they serve my purpose quite well but now I want to get hold of a nice fixed blade knife without burning a hole in my pocket.. I did a bit of research on internet and finally zeroed on Ka Bar 1257 short and Ontario Air Force 499..don't know about their practicality but I have fallen in love with the design..both the knife are quite similar in design, dimension, building material and cost. I am fairly confused between the two
I am providing the link below..Waiting for the expert advice from all the knife gurus
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ka-bar-Knives-S ... 5d38692312
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ontario-Air-For ... 4221651%26
Thanks in advance
-Nishith
Re: Which one to buy..Ka Bar or Ontario?
Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2013 1:21 am
by Moin.
Hello Kumar; Welcome to the Dark Side of IFG lolllzz. The Kabar has a proven pedigree. Good thing you did not select the Kabar Short with stacked leather handles. I have the Kabar Short is USMC flavour with stacked leather handles and it is quite unconfortable to hold. Sling shot has the same one but with the rubber handles and it is very comfortable to hold. Please note the Kabar short's handles are small so if you have large hands avoid. Hell I have medium sized mitts and I find the Kabar Shorts handle small.
Out of the two choices you have given IMHO Kabars way better than the Ontario.
Regards
Moin.
Re: Which one to buy..Ka Bar or Ontario?
Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2013 1:25 am
by slingshot
Kumarnishith, if you really like the KaBAR, I suggest that you go with the full 7 inch blade. Though I like the short KaBAR, the big brother is much better in ergonomics and handling.
Re: Which one to buy..Ka Bar or Ontario?
Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2013 1:30 am
by Mack The Knife
Neither.
Get yourself any of the following ESEE knives - Izula-II (with kit), ESEE-3, ESEE-4, ESEE-Laser Strike or ESEE-6.
I would recommend starting with the Izula-II.
Re: Which one to buy..Ka Bar or Ontario?
Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2013 1:33 am
by slingshot
Mack The Knife wrote:Neither.
Get yourself any of the following ESEE knives - Izula-II (with kit), ESEE-3, ESEE-4, ESEE-Laser Strike or ESEE-6.
I would recommend starting with the Izula-II.
Mack....Kumarnishith likes the KabAR
...though you are right...if i were to choose a better blade, then the ESEE 3 or Izula would be the go to blades
Re: Which one to buy..Ka Bar or Ontario?
Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2013 1:39 am
by Mack The Knife
That too with serrations.....
I am recommending the Izula-II because it's a great little knife that can do the work of a bigger one. Being small, he will end up carrying it with him and actually put it to use, rather than just killing imaginary Japs with his KaBar.
How was choir practice?
Re: Which one to buy..Ka Bar or Ontario?
Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2013 1:52 am
by slingshot
Sorry to go OTT, but Mack, The Shillong Choir is just ethereal. I have this silly beatific smile
You would have enjoyed the Handel
Re: Which one to buy..Ka Bar or Ontario?
Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2013 1:55 am
by Mack The Knife
And the reason I called, was to tell you to pick up a CD if they were selling one.
Re: Which one to buy..Ka Bar or Ontario?
Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2013 1:57 am
by slingshot
Will pick it up for you. Have struck up a good connection with the manager of the choir.
Re: Which one to buy..Ka Bar or Ontario?
Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2013 1:59 am
by Mack The Knife
Super and many thanks.
Mack The Knife
Re: Which one to buy..Ka Bar or Ontario?
Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2013 2:05 am
by Moin.
Kumar while the two distnguished gentlemen are busy discussiing Choir Practice lollzzz. If budget is a constraint for buying Esee's as suggested by Mack please do have a look at the Becker line up by Kabar. Ethan Becker designs made in Kabar Factory. Same 1095 as the Esee's. The coatings on the new ones are like the Esee's and the logos laser etched (not that it made any difference, looks cooler lollzzz).
Re: Which one to buy..Ka Bar or Ontario?
Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2013 2:23 am
by Kumarnishith
Moin. wrote:Kumar while the two distnguished gentlemen are busy discussiing Choir Practice lollzzz. If budget is a constraint for buying Esee's as suggested by Mack please do have a look at the Becker line up by Kabar. Ethan Becker designs made in Kabar Factory. Same 1095 as the Esee's. The coatings on the new ones are like the Esee's and the logos laser etched (not that it made any difference, looks cooler lollzzz).
Thanks for the prompt inputs Moin..
I would definitely go with the Kraton handles..what's your take on serrations? Is it of any real use?
Also, regarding the Becker/Essee line...How about these..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ka-Bar-Esee-Esk ... 1e77ed9161
Or
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ESEE-Izula-Dese ... 9709564%26
I think After tying para cord around the handle they would be fairly usable..And yes you are right budget is a contraint as it is my first purchase .. But as I mentioned before my heart still beats for USMC design..we have all grown watching Rambo movies..there's something nostalgic about the commando knife design..
-Nishith
Re: Which one to buy..Ka Bar or Ontario?
Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2013 2:24 am
by Mack The Knife
Don't leave out the bit about the Eskabar sheath that blunts a sharpened knife.
Beckers aren't bad but PLEASE steer him away from the prybars.
And any more jokes about choir practice and you will be singing in falsetto in late May.
Re: Which one to buy..Ka Bar or Ontario?
Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2013 2:28 am
by Mack The Knife
Just as I thought....the guy wants to kill imaginary Japs.
Kumar, if money is a constraint, it's all the more reason you should spend on something you can USE regularly.
Re: Which one to buy..Ka Bar or Ontario?
Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2013 2:33 am
by Kumarnishith
Mack The Knife wrote:That too with serrations.....
I am recommending the Izula-II because it's a great little knife that can do the work of a bigger one. Being small, he will end up carrying it with him and actually put it to use, rather than just killing imaginary Japs with his KaBar.
How was choir practice?
Thanks for the inputs Mack..Yes, you are right Izula II, Essee 3, 4 etc are all great knives and I would love to own them one day
Also I totally agree regarding the practicality part of The Ka Bar knife..I know it won't be put to any use but then I am not planning to "EDC" it and my purpose is pretty much served by the humble Victorinox..
Regarding killing the imaginary Japs part..lolz
but then I am sure everyone in his life must have dreamt of becoming a commando at-least once sometime during his growing years
I am just awestruck with its design..
-Nishith