All About Pocket Knives

So, a simple question, hopefully! When were the first Ka-bar locking swing blades with a swing guard produced? Looking for info., but can seem to find any….

Bryan

Not really sure which one you refer to. The model with the swing guard that locks the blade open I think was patented in 1926. There were a couple sizes of locking blade knives with swing guards with the more common lock release on the back spring, those were made earlier and at least the smaller of the two was made before the KA-BAR name was adopted in 1923 and bear the Union Cut Co mark without the KA-BAR mark. A photo of the knife you ask about would be helpful.

Here are some pics, they are not my photos, hope this helps!!

I'm sorry, the photos are so small I cannot tell what knife it is. Can you post larger or enlargeable photos?

My apologies, I tried loading from my phone, hope these are better.
Bryan

Mo' betta! The knife shown was made during WW2 with steel bolster and no shield. This model, as Wayne said in your other thread was made before the KA-BAR trademark was used. It is in a circa 1919-1921 catalog reprint but otherwise there is no reference to when Union Cut Co made the first one of that model. So the first ones marked KA-BAR would be 1923 although the model was a little earlier.

Oddly enough, after I posted that knife, it disappeared out of auction. In an odd way, I am kinda glad, I won an auction for this one. It is a sub-contract for LL Bean, but still, a nice Ka-bar....

Nice one. the Beans will be found with a few different handle covers. Union/KA-BAR also made the same knife without the swing guard, they are harder to find.

Thanks for the info! Now I will be on the hunt for another one...

Whitneyrifle wrote: ↑Wed Feb 09, 2022 10:48 pm Oddly enough, after I posted that knife, it disappeared out of auction. In an odd way, I am kinda glad, I won an auction for this one. It is a sub-contract for LL Bean, but still, a nice Ka-bar....

I'd be glad too Bryan, the knife you did get appears to be in much nicer condition than the one you wanted originally! Great score!

The first one I posted is back up on eBay. I paid less for the LL Bean than what they are asking….