Kabar Folding Hunter

A&E · Post by **A&E** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 3:35 am

Anyone know how to date a Ka-bar with only ONE marking on it?

The marking is clear in the picture. The main clip is stamped KaBar then under that is U.S.A. That's it.

Ideas? Thoughts? Opinions? Resources for me? Thanks.

sunburst · Post by **sunburst** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 3:37 am

No idea here Eric but that is one incredibly fine knife...

Sunburst

justold52 · Post by **justold52** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 3:41 am

Sorry no help from me BUT that sheild is incredable.

A&E · Post by **A&E** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:26 am

Hey, thanks!

orvet · Post by **orvet** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:44 am

Nice knife Eric

It looks to be in too good of condition to be an old Dogs Head Kabar.
I think they did some reproductions of some of the Dogs Heads a few years back, but I don't know much about them. I have a Folding Hunter that doesn't have the Dogs Head on it.

I am sure someone will be along soon who can tell you about it.

knifeaholic · Post by **knifeaholic** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 3:20 am

A&E;

That is a very new one made in the 90's by Camillus, limited run. Note the lack of handle pins. Older ones, even the repros made in the 70's, all had handle pins. IIRC they also made a stockman and trapper like that.

thebuzzardsloft · Post by **thebuzzardsloft** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 1:05 am

I have a dozen or so KaBar knives in my collection and have all but a few of the old KaBar Club Newsletters from the 1st one in 1978 through the mid 90's and a couple later of newer vintage also have some other old Ka-Bar catalogs and things.

The Folding Hunters were made in stag just as in the photo you have in 1977 and 1978. They made some in bone in 1983.

The ones in 1977 were 5 1/4" Folding Hunters with Stag handles and actually came in sets of two with Dog head shields at $200 a set.

The hunters produced in 1978 were 5 1/4" with Stag Handles dog head shields but had a production date on the tang of X11/77 or V111/78.

Since you did not indicate there was number on the back of the tang, I am going to guess it to be 1977 and 1980 as that's when they were producing the Stag handled Folding hunters of this type.

Buzzard

justold52 · Post by **justold52** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 1:24 am

WOOO now that's some good info Buzzard.

Not only will you fit in here but I fell we are very lucky to have you drop in.

A&E · Post by **A&E** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 1:43 am

Thanks for the info guys.

I'm still a bit confused. What about the lack of handle pins that knifeaholic pointed out? Did they do that in the 70's? Or is this indeed a limited run made by Camillus in the 90's?

thebuzzardsloft · Post by **thebuzzardsloft** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 4:23 am

Well, I stand corrected. The handle pins are an issue.

I researched the catalogs and all four stag handle Ka-Bars from the late 70's did have handle pins as the knifeaholic pointed out.

Sorry Eric for the confusion. I sort of ran right by the post by knifeaholic who seems to have accurately identified the knife. I cannot contribute or confirm the 90's special run by Camillus as I am not familiar with the production.

I'm just an ol buzzard what do I know.

A&E · Post by **A&E** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 5:01 am

Thank you, folks . . . very much!

El Lobo · Post by **El Lobo** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 9:34 pm

A&E...

I don't KNOW for sure, but here is a Bear MGC (now Bear and Son) knife done in 1991.

Note the way the stag is finished at the bolsters and the single pin for the backspring.
Here is a link to a modern day knife...
http://www.bearandsoncutlery.com/index. ... os=0,20,32
...note the similar hollow grind on this blade.

Don't feel like doubting knifeaholic, as he is very good at the history stuff, I'm just showing what I found, as a possibility.

Bill

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