All About Pocket Knives

Good morning from southern Iowa!

I just bought this old stag Ka-bar and noticed the blades sit below the spring line. Could this be a factory problem or did someone put this knife together? Thanks.

I don't see anything other than the blade backs sitting low that would concern me. If the blades snap and don't open past 180 degrees I wouldn't worry. Looks like a good knife to me.

In his book Counterfeiting Antique Cutlery, the author says that one of the things to look for when evaluating a knife for authenticity is whether, " The blades are straight extensions of the back spring when fully opened". If they are not it should raise a red flag.

Even if that knife is authentic, that would bother the hell out of me. I've seen blades sit a bit low before, but those sit far too low for me.

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Mike

For a Kabar, I see a major problem. I have one knife like that, a Gardener Bender electrician's knife--and that's $15 China-made POS knife that was sold with a picture of a Colonial. The only reason that didn't end up in the POS Exchange is that it wouldn't fit in the box....

Thanks everyone. I paid up for this because I haven’t seen an old stag one before so I think I’ll send it back. The difference is pretty pronounced.

I love those stag scales, but the fit and finish are terrible. Good idea to sent 'er back.

I have seen quite a few all original folding knives in which the blade is lower than the spring when open just as in OP knife, I don't know why this happens but they do not get culled out and are shipped from the factory like this.
kj

Would this folder help anyone with KA-BAR numbers.

Great pictures, JKB, thanks!

Jacknifeben wrote: ↑Sat Apr 10, 2021 8:36 pm Would this folder help anyone with KA-BAR numbers.

Great reference!