KA-Bar 1221 Second Gen Fighting Knife

[Art In Colorado]

Bought this knife 15 plus years ago and always wondered what kind of steel it was. Called Ka-Bar this A.M. and the nice lady put on hold to find out and came back with the info that it was Sandvik 12-c-27 steel. Kind of pleased with this. Not D-2 like their higher priced Fighting knives but not just some 440 stainless. What do the knife gurus here think of this steel?

[OLDE CUTLER]

Any way we could see some pictures of the knife?

[Art In Colorado]

Not good at that. It is just the normal Marine fighting knife. Instead or the leather wrap around the handel it is Kraton. Makes it second Generation I guess.

[Captain O]

If KaBar heat treats it properly, it is akin to an "improved" 440A. Don't expect it to hold an edge like 1095 CroVan steel, but it isn't "trash steel" either.

[Art In Colorado]

Called K-Bar and they told me it is Sandvik 12-27. Pretty average from what I can find out.

[cody6268]

Sandvik 12C27 is not really a bad steel. I have quite a few knives (mostly smallish folders and a fixed blade) in it, and they all perform well.