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Ok, like...who is Saber? Sabre?
Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2024 2:53 am
by TripleF
I've been messing with knives for almost 14 years....actually, yes, 14 years this month....
I've always wondered about the Sabaer Brand? They're usually cheap knives....
Just curious....I have none to sell......
Re: Ok, like...who is Saber? Sabre?
Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2024 3:24 am
by cody6268
If I recall correctly, they were a product line of Cole International, who at the time, owned KA-BAR.
Most seem to have been made in Japan. Late production ('90s) were Chinese. Seen some German ones as well. Also, at various points, Colonial and Ulster (and Schrade later on) made knives for them.
Re: Ok, like...who is Saber? Sabre?
Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2024 5:19 am
by Mumbleypeg
As Cody says, Sabre was at one time owned by Cole National who also owned Kabar. I’ve heard old timers refer to them as “Japanese Kabar” knives. A keyword search for “Sabre” will find threads like this
viewtopic.php?p=674909&hilit=Sabre#p674909. Which have info I’m guessing will help. There are others.
Ken
Re: Ok, like...who is Saber? Sabre?
Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2024 1:17 pm
by 1967redrider
Quality materials and great EDCs.

Re: Ok, like...who is Saber? Sabre?
Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2024 2:32 pm
by OLDE CUTLER
I also have Sabres made in Ireland and Hong Kong. They seem to have been everywhere.
Re: Ok, like...who is Saber? Sabre?
Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2024 5:35 pm
by dsutton24
They were inexpensive knives, and generally were a pretty good value. You used to see tubs of the things on the counter of hardware stores and farm supply stores. 1970s and '80s anyway, I'm not sure they were any earlier than that.
Re: Ok, like...who is Saber? Sabre?
Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2024 6:00 pm
by ken98k
They were a very inexpensive, Japanese made, shell knives. I know that I bought several with my paper route money.
It was great to plunk down 75 cents to buy my own knife at 11 years old but I always new they were junk.
Re: Ok, like...who is Saber? Sabre?
Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2024 6:30 pm
by New_Windsor_NY
TripleF wrote: ↑Mon Dec 02, 2024 2:53 am
I've.....
Some good information on Japanese Sabre knives (and others) here:
viewtopic.php?t=46695
Re: Ok, like...who is Saber? Sabre?
Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2024 2:03 am
by knife7knut
I have several Sabre fixed blades around somewhere and their quality is marginal to be kind. The 2 folders are actually pretty decent. The TL-29 style is especially good and has a wire stripper notch as well.
The skeleton model(that is the actual name) had broken handles when l got it but they were fairly easy to fabricate.
Re: Ok, like...who is Saber? Sabre?
Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2024 2:48 am
by GSPTOPDOG
I have a Sabre fixed blade made in Germany and I am happy with quality.
Re: Ok, like...who is Saber? Sabre?
Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2024 3:34 pm
by ea42
The Saber USA pocketknives with the brown jigged delrin handles were mostly Ulster patterns with a few Schade patterns (such as the trapper) thrown in as well. They were good quality knives, same open stock patterns as the original Ulsters and Schrades only with different handles.
Eric
Re: Ok, like...who is Saber? Sabre?
Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2024 8:54 pm
by knife7knut
A couple more.
Re: Ok, like...who is Saber? Sabre?
Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2024 3:26 pm
by RobesonsRme.com
I’m seventy-seven and I remember countertop cards of Sabre or possibly Saber, knives at Lane’s Drug Store in Birmingham in the 50’s.
As I recall, they were $1.99, Your Choice.
The bone, if it was bone, was atrocious and no attempt had been made to bevel it to the liners.
Their pearl was imitation without any patter or color variation, at all.
I probably bought a melon tester, as it was considered cool to carry on alongside one’s billfold in a back pocket.
My Dad promptly confiscated it.
I have no idea if that’s the same brand acquired by KaBar, as noted above.
Re: Ok, like...who is Saber? Sabre?
Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2024 9:11 pm
by ThatWeirdKnifeGuy
RobesonsRme.com wrote: ↑Wed Dec 04, 2024 3:26 pm
I’m seventy-seven and I remember countertop cards of Sabre or possibly Saber, knives at Lane’s Drug Store in Birmingham in the 50’s.
As I recall, they were $1.99, Your Choice.
The bone, if it was bone, was atrocious and no attempt had been made to bevel it to the liners.
Their pearl was imitation without any patter or color variation, at all.
I probably bought a melon tester, as it was considered cool to carry on alongside one’s billfold in a back pocket.
My Dad promptly confiscated it.
I have no idea if that’s the same brand acquired by KaBar, as noted above.
This! This solves a mystery for me. I come across so many bent melon testers. I always thought it had to be from pocket carry with their long slender shape. But i wondered how when or why it was ever cool to carry them.
Re: Ok, like...who is Saber? Sabre?
Posted: Fri Dec 13, 2024 4:15 am
by knife7knut
Another.