Killed A Bear

[bullitt4001]

One of my pleasures collecting knives for decades has just been learning how some of them came to be. No story is more enthralling than that of KA-BAR. I know most here know it already but for new members and some guest here it is. I will embellish a little, but this factual story is found on their website.
https://www.kabar.com/customer/history.jsp
It was a brisk morning in the winter of ‘22.
John left his log cabin to gather some wood as he’s done thousands of times. But this day would be different. Suddenly out of the thicket charges a Kodiak bear, looking to make John its breakfast.
The bear knocked John to the ground and his rifle flew up and away. A life and death struggle ensued. John instinctively reaches for the measure of last resort he never left home without.
A long bladed hunting knife. He thrust his weapon repeatedly into the bears skull until it fell over dead. He skinned the hide as a trophy.
Later that night while cleaning up he had a thought. That damn knife saved my life.
I should thank the man who made it. Long story short, he mailed that hide to the president of Union Cutlery with a short letter of explanation which in part read “I killed that bar with your knife. Thanks for saving my life.”
Executives had an idea. If the strongest bear in the world was killed with the strongest knife in the world we should make it known. Hence KA-BAR was the name given. “K” stands for “Killed” and “A” for “A” and “BAR” for “Bear”. Killed A Bear or KA-BAR. Years later upon the start of WWII, the knife company sent the Marine Corps a blueprint for a fighting knife for consideration. The rest as they say is history.
I had to get one.
I’m mentioning this (in part) because that knife is listed this week along with another batch from my collection on EBay. If anyone’s interested. I’ve got a precious few left now of really nice older Case knives I bought in like new condition decades ago. Age and poor health is the reason I’m selling them all off. Hope they find a good home.

Regards
Mike

https://www.ebay.com/itm/125707972545?m ... media=COPY

[herbva]

Mike, I've heard a much shorter version of the KA-BAR story before, and I always just assumed it was a tall tale. Thanks for clearing that up for me, and I now believe every word of it. That's a very nice group of knives that you have for sale and I may have to bid on one or two or more.

[Case XX 6383]

So your ebay ad says he had shot the bear, this story says he was just out collecting firewood. Which is it?

John left his log cabin to gather some wood as he’s done thousands of times. But this day would be different. Suddenly out of the thicket charges a Kodiak bear, looking to make John its breakfast.

"Years ago an Alaskan hunter had shot a bear who then attacked him and knocked his rifle from his hands.

[bullitt4001]

Mike, I've heard a much shorter version of the KA-BAR story before, and I always just assumed it was a tall tale. Thanks for clearing that up for me, and I now believe every word of it. That's a very nice group of knives that you have for sale and I may have to bid on one or two or more.

Thanks Herb. It’s a great part of knife lore that should always be remembered.

So your ebay ad says he had shot the bear, this story says he was just out collecting firewood. Which is it?

John left his log cabin to gather some wood as he’s done thousands of times. But this day would be different. Suddenly out of the thicket charges a Kodiak bear, looking to make John its breakfast.

"Years ago an Alaskan hunter had shot a bear who then attacked him and knocked his rifle from his hands.

I said I would “embellish” some. Go with the websites version.

[Gunsil]

Sorry to say guys, but that story is total BS! The whole thing from start to finish. KA-BAR has no actual record of this supposed letter. Do you not think that if they named their knife brand after said letter that they would keep it for posterity? KA-BAR has no proof it even ever existed.

Now, I have in my possession an original letter written by Harlow Platts to his cousin Addie Case discussing Ferguson claiming the KA-BAR was derived from "Case Bros" (which is what Bernard Levine will tell you these days). Harlow definitely remembers their cousin Danforth Brown telling him he (Danforth) came up with the KA-BAR name from "cave bear" and it had nothing to do with the silly K A Bar story. There you have it, the truth about the name.

[bullitt4001]

Sorry to say guys, but that story is total BS! The whole thing from start to finish. KA-BAR has no actual record of this supposed letter. Do you not think that if they named their knife brand after said letter that they would keep it for posterity? KA-BAR has no proof it even ever existed.

Now, I have in my possession an original letter written by Harlow Platts to his cousin Addie Case discussing Ferguson claiming the KA-BAR was derived from "Case Bros" (which is what Bernard Levine will tell you these days). Harlow definitely remembers their cousin Danforth Brown telling him he (Danforth) came up with the KA-BAR name from "cave bear" and it had nothing to do with the silly K A Bar story. There you have it, the truth about the name.

Not so fast Kemosahbee. I didn’t pull that story out of the air but KA-BAR’s own website.
Click on the link (same as the one in my post) scroll down until you see 1920 and read what it says actually happened.
Regards
Mike

https://www.kabar.com/customer/history.jsp

[Gunsil]

Sorry dude, but you're the one with the quick draw. First of all, the KA-BAR brand was a brand of Union Cut Co who changed their name to KA-BAR inc in 1952. The company was then sold three times and now is a division of Alcas. There are no employees that had anything to do with the first iterations of the company, and they have very little in the way of records from when they were a fine cutlery company. I have spoken many times to the "company historian" and donated copies of antique KA-BAR catalog brochures to them since they had none. He has told me they have no proof of the existence of any letter from a trapper, it is just hearsay with no proof. Most people here regard Bernard Levine as the leading expert on knives, Bernard parrots Ferguson (do you even know who he was?) and says the KA-BAR name was derived from Case Bros. You seem to be one of those who believe that if something is written it must be true, we all know it isn't. Since you read the KA-BAR "story" online at the KA-BAR website, I will tell you that everything you read on the internet is true, Abraham Lincoln said so.

The only explanation of the name written by relatives of the Brown Brothers is the letter I have and it is the most likely true story about the name.

Regarding your writing that whole bunch of trash in your attempt to sell a knife that was not made in any KA-BAR factory (that's right, there is no KA-BAR factory today) is amazing. By the way the original KA-BAR MK2 knives were derived from a KA-BAR model 471-7 commercial hunting knife.

Once in a rare while new information comes to light and changes old ideas on origins. I found the said letter four years ago in a trunk belonging to Addie Case (do you even know who she or Harlow Platts were) in Ellicotville, NY that was shown to me by Addie's grandson who kindly sold it two years later.

[bullitt4001]

Sorry dude, but you're the one with the quick draw. First of all, the KA-BAR brand was a brand of Union Cut Co who changed their name to KA-BAR inc in 1952. The company was then sold three times and now is a division of Alcas. There are no employees that had anything to do with the first iterations of the company, and they have very little in the way of records from when they were a fine cutlery company. I have spoken many times to the "company historian" and donated copies of antique KA-BAR catalog brochures to them since they had none. He has told me they have no proof of the existence of any letter from a trapper, it is just hearsay with no proof. Most people here regard Bernard Levine as the leading expert on knives, Bernard parrots Ferguson (do you even know who he was?) and says the KA-BAR name was derived from Case Bros. You seem to be one of those who believe that if something is written it must be true, we all know it isn't. Since you read the KA-BAR "story" online at the KA-BAR website, I will tell you that everything you read on the internet is true, Abraham Lincoln said so.

The only explanation of the name written by relatives of the Brown Brothers is the letter I have and it is the most likely true story about the name.

Regarding your writing that whole bunch of trash in your attempt to sell a knife that was not made in any KA-BAR factory (that's right, there is no KAA-BAR factory today) is amazing. By the way the original KA-BAR MK2 knives were derived from a KA-BAR model 471-7 commercial hunting knife.

I’m off to the kitchen for a donut and a cup of coffee. And you?

[JonTerry]

Anyway the only Bear Kill I know was a with an old Buck 110

Where is Excaliber these days or Jim Bowies Knife ??? .......................Asking for a friend

[OLDE CUTLER]

Anyway the only Bear Kill I know was a with an old Buck 110

Where is Excaliber these days or Jim Bowies Knife ??? .......................Asking for a friend

Just look on Ebay, some one likely says they own the original. lol

[Mumbleypeg]

Some of the most creative (and obvious) lies and “tall tales” I’ve seen or heard were attempts to sell a knife. Of course, they don’t compete with the lies told by politicians.

Ken

[herbva]

Sorry dude, but you're the one with the quick draw. First of all, the KA-BAR brand was a brand of Union Cut Co who changed their name to KA-BAR inc in 1952. The company was then sold three times and now is a division of Alcas. There are no employees that had anything to do with the first iterations of the company, and they have very little in the way of records from when they were a fine cutlery company. I have spoken many times to the "company historian" and donated copies of antique KA-BAR catalog brochures to them since they had none. He has told me they have no proof of the existence of any letter from a trapper, it is just hearsay with no proof. Most people here regard Bernard Levine as the leading expert on knives, Bernard parrots Ferguson (do you even know who he was?) and says the KA-BAR name was derived from Case Bros. You seem to be one of those who believe that if something is written it must be true, we all know it isn't. Since you read the KA-BAR "story" online at the KA-BAR website, I will tell you that everything you read on the internet is true, Abraham Lincoln said so.

The only explanation of the name written by relatives of the Brown Brothers is the letter I have and it is the most likely true story about the name.

Regarding your writing that whole bunch of trash in your attempt to sell a knife that was not made in any KA-BAR factory (that's right, there is no KAA-BAR factory today) is amazing. By the way the original KA-BAR MK2 knives were derived from a KA-BAR model 471-7 commercial hunting knife.

I’m off to the kitchen for a donut and a cup of coffee. And you?

Well, whether Mike's version is historically accurate or not, I like his story better. This discussion reminds me of a time when I was in Indiana on business and I asked the attendees at the meeting where the term "hoosier" came from. I wish that I had been able to record all the stories I was given.

[Waukonda]

The bear story has to be true, it is on Wikipedia!

[Dinadan]

I have no opinion on the facts of the matter. Here is a screen shot from the Kabar web page.

[Gunsil]

This statement is from a company that also says it's beginnings were in Tidioute, PA when actually the Brown Bros began in Little Valley, NY. This company only bears the name of the original KA-BAR, it is not really related to that original company and knows little about the original company or it's origins.

[knifeaholic]

This is similar to incorrect history of the founding of WR Case & Sons.

When he founded WR Case & Sons, Russ Case used his father's name (though WR had little to no involvement in his son's company) and his grandfather Job's image. Job was never involved in any way with any cutlery company.

Job was born in 1847, so in early advertisements Russ Case used the tagline "since 1847" even though WR Case & Sons was founded in 1902.

The "since 1847" seemed to fade away from the company's ads and catalogs after WWII.

However, Case's new management in the 1970's (after American Brands bought them) resurrected it in advertising in the 1970's and actually claimed that WR Case & sons was founded in 1847.

This illustrates two things - the initial deception or at lease exaggerated claim of the 1847 founding and then with the same claim being brought back by new management "bean counters" who may or may not have known better, but who must have thought that it sounded good in advertisements.

[1967redrider]

Don't buy the story, buy the knife.

[GSPTOPDOG]

Don't buy the story, buy the knife.

Amen!

[Madmarco]

I once killed a bar with this Ka-Bar!

It was a little bar! !

[Madmarco]

It seems that some leaks were found in your story Mike, but I still found it very interesting and entertaining, and believable. I too am guilty of believing everything I read, so for you to buy that story isn't so far-fetched to me. After-all, people ALWAYS tell the truth no matter what, jus' ask Richard Nixon! !

[GSPTOPDOG]

I once killed a bar with this Ka-Bar! WIN_20230117_17_32_07_Pro.jpgIt was a little bar! !

I fell down in a bar while carrying a KA-BAR...and killed my chances to take home a comely young lady one time ... does that count?

[1967redrider]

Would this be what they call, "Old Knives Tales?"

[Gunsil]

Does this ad look familiar??

This is a Marbles ad from 1905, 18 years before the KA-BAR brand was adopted. KA-BAR did not originate the hunter/bear business.

[1967redrider]

I would gladly give 100 times the advertised price for a Marble's Special.

[Gunsil]

Sure john, but you have to pay the hundred times in face value American gold coins!!