All About Pocket Knives

There was a very informative discussion about this under another thread but I hope no one minds my starting a new one.

I just picked up the pictured knife on ebay for a very reasonable price. It was billed as a 70's era Kabar linerlock folding hunter. The tang stamp appears to be in the following format

KA-BAR
(model number) U.S.A.

I haven't been able to find any information on this particular stamping configuration. Can anyone help?

For the price I paid I could use it as a beater so I'm not too concerned about my investment. If it's at all rare or valuable though I'll put it away with my other drawer queens.

Thanks,

Jim

I'm just replying to my own post to bring it back to the top. Knife came today and it's beautiful. Basically mint. Very firm snap and lock up. No blade play in the open position. Also has an interesting feature I've not seen before. On the side where the liner bends inward to form the lock, there's a double liner, so that the wood scales are not exposed where the liner comes away. In other words, theres a complete flat liner underneath the liner that forms the lock.

One think I've always disliked about linerlocks is how the portion of the liner that forms the lock leaves the handle unreinforced. It's probably more of an aesthetic issue than a practical one, but I really like the way this one is set up. It seems very solid.

So, does anyone have any recommendations whether I should start putting this knife through its paces, or wrap it in some chamois and put it in the drawer? Seems like a shame to start beating up a 30 year old mint knife, but if it's not worth anything it will be a fantastic user for me.

Any feedback?

Thanks!

Jim

Gosh you could practically start a war with that question. Should I use it or treasure it untouched? I hae a couple of knives that are EDC, the rest are collectables of various shapes and sizes. I personally find your knife of interest and some what unusual, but would feel better about saving it if it had bone handles or stag etc. wood handles don't go up in value much on newer knives in my opinion. but we don't all collect based on dollar value and future prices. We do so becuase we like it. It sounds like you really like it. PUT it away to share with others. Just my thougts. by the way I loved your statement "drawer queens" very Apropos I think.

I agree, thats to pretty to go and scratch it all up.
I was thinking about trying one of those Rough Rider knives to use for work.
I wouldn't mind beating it up.
Skip

Thanks you guys. I've still not been able to determine the value, but PA Knives hit it right on the head -- money's not really the issue.

I've put it up with the other museum pieces, where it will stay. I will enjoy it even though I've decided not the call it up for active duty.

Dang, it was going to go so well with my "nice" woodworking tools what with being all wood and brass and all. It would be right at home with my old squares, levels, planes, jigs, just about all of which are built from cherrywood, brass and steel.

Well the search continues for a locking folding hunter that I can use as a prybar and hammer as well as a knife. Just kidding, sort of.

Hey LongBeachBum;
Just ran across this Nov. post of yours and Lo and Behold look what I found in the keeper drawer. You just cant remember them all. I take it that these were imported by Cole corp. Have you ever been able to determine if they were made in 60's or later, if so how. I agree they are a nice looking piece. At 3 3/4 I think this would be a mini Trapper. Hard to believe but I actually cleaned it a bit.
W.B.

Hey Mossdancer:

That's a nice find!

Sorry to say, I haven't turned up anything additional about my knife. Sounds like you know a little more than me about these older Kabars.

Regards,

Jim

Hey Jim;
Redid a couple pics of the two prior subjects, thought you might enjoy.
If anyone out there needs that lapel pin we can talk about it.
W.B.

Hey Jim;
Redid a couple pics of the two prior subjects, thought you might enjoy.
W.B.

The KABAR line of wood handle knives with brass bolsters was introduced circa 1977-78, so your knife is no older than that.