KA-BAR is a legendary brand that’s been making knives under different names for a century. While the KA-BAR knife is the most well-known model from the company, the Olean-based company makes a diverse group of knife designs.
Teaming up with some of the best knife-making minds out there, such as Ethan Becker, Rick Hinderer, and Bob Dozier, shows this brand is committed to quality designs.
There have been a number of great new models over the years, but none have been quite strong enough to topple these classics.
Here are the 10 best KA-BAR knives right now.
KA-BAR USMC Fighting Knife
Let’s start with the icon — the original KA-BAR. I won’t go too deep into the history of KA-BAR (because I’ve already done that) but a few companies actually made the KA-BAR knife. However, the knives that were made by what is now KA-BAR were always considered the best. Even all these years later, the fighting knife remains a favorite among civilians and military personnel alike.
I could have easily made this list nothing but KA-BAR utility knives, but I thought the classic USMC could also stand in for the dozens of other iterations, such as the Kraton models, tanto models, and smaller versions.
You can pretty much find the perfect KA-BAR for you, including a Kraton version, commemorative versions, a short version, and more.
KA-BAR BK2 Becker Campanion
Just as I could have made list of only the fighting knives, I could also make this list nothing but models from the KA-BAR Becker line. Ethan Becker is a knife-designing savant and his line of Beckers at KA-BAR proves it. Few are as great and versatile as the BK2 Becker Campanion.
When people ask for the best all-around outdoor knife, this knife almost always comes up. It has a versatile 5.25-inch 1095 Cro-Van blade and comfortable Ultramid handle. You can’t really go wrong with this knife.
KA-BAR Dozier Folding Hunter
Bob Dozier is probably best known for his fixed blade hunting knives that can be quite pricey. But he worked with KA-BAR to bring an affordable folding hunter to the masses. The result was the highly successful Dozier Folding Hunter.
The original used to occupy this spot, but with the release of the D2 version, we finally have the definitive Dozier Folding Hunter.
It has a 3-inch blade made from D2 steel, a backlock mechanism, and blue Zytel handles. It’s an unlikely hit but it’s an excellent budget EDC.
KA-BAR Jarosz Camp Turok
One of the themes of this list is that it contains work from great knife makers. That trend continues with the Camp Turok. A collaboration between former up-and-comer and now certifiable hit knifemaker Jesse Jarosz and KA-BAR, the Camp Turok is a long fixed blade with an 8-inch 1095 Cro-Van steel blade and brown Ultramid handles.
It uses the same materials as the Becker line but the design is very different. It has a drop point profile with a prominent swedge and brown handle scales.
The original Turok used to be on this list, but this longer version has surpassed the useful of the smaller version.
KA-BAR BK7 Becker Combat Utility
The Turok and BK7 are pretty similar in function, but the BK7 was specifically designed for soldiers and adventurers. It’s a tough fixed blade with a longer 7-inch blade and durable Ultramid handles.
You can beat this knife mercilessly, and it will keep performing with little fuss.
KA-BAR MULE
KA-BAR has a sweet spot with hard-working folding knives. Accompanying the Dozier on this list is the MULE. Standing for Military, Utility, Law Enforcement, the MULE is a heavy-duty folder with a 4-inch blade and a back lock that will withstand a ton of pressure. The G-10 handle is comfortable and highly durable too.
This knife won’t win any awards for style or finesse, but it’ll get the job done. It’s a beast of a knife at a great price.
KA-BAR TDI Law Enforcement
John Benner of the Tactical Defense Institute and Rick Hinderer work with KA-BAR on a series of knives. One of the first and best of the TDI series is the KA-BAR original TDI. The knife is pistol-shaped and is designed to be used as a last-ditch weapon in those cases when a suspect is trying to take an officer’s gun.
The concealable fixed blade has become popular among civilians who want to be prepared for anything.
KA-BAR Ek Commando Model 4
For the latest refresh of this list, I thought it was finally time to knock the KA-BAR USN Mark I off this list and put on a different fixed blade: the Ek Commando Model 4.
This is a WWII-era fighting knife based off the design from John Ek. Although this knife was officially issued by the military, it was frequently brought along to combat by individuals.
It has a 6.625-inch spear-point blade made from 1095 Cro-Van steel blade with a glass-filled nylon handle.
KA-BAR BK3 Becker Tac Tool
Yes, there’s another Becker on this list. I was tempted to do something like the reasonable and just as worthy KA-BAR BK16 Short Becker, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to extol the virtues of the BK3 Becker Tac Tool. This is a collaboration between Becker and John Benner of TDI and is one of the best hard-core knives out there.
The design of the knife allows the user to pry, hammer, cut, smash, destroy, and worse. This is a knife meant to be beaten and do all those things other knives can only dream about. The blade is 7 inches with a chisel grind and a partially serrated edge. This knife gets tons of praise from anyone who uses it, and it’s more than likely this knife has saved a few lives.
You replace a bunch of tools in your toolbox with this single knife.
KA-BAR D2 Extreme
Finally, there’s the D2 Extreme. I didn’t want to include too many variations of the original KA-BAR but I think the D2 Extreme is different enough to warrant an inclusion. The D2 Extreme is a KA-BAR, but it has a few distinguishing design choices. First is the D2 steel used on the iconic 7-inch clip point blade. The D2 has a higher resistance to corrosion than the 1095 Cro-Van steel of other KA-BARs and keeps a razor sharp edge well.
The handle is also considered an upgrade by many. The black Kraton G material is comfortable and durable and the guards are slightly different. This isn’t usually everyone’s first KA-BAR, but it’s most people’s last one.
November 1, 2018 at 12:24 pm
There are a lot of expensive knives on the market today but for my money the quality of KA-BAR always supersedes the price. In my 66 years of life I have never had a KA-BAR knife let me down.
Larry J. Gauthier
larrylar15@yahoo.com
June 7, 2022 at 9:41 am
I absolutely 💯 agree with you. The marine fighting knife has always been a favorite of mine. Their Kukri and Becker line is fantastic
June 20, 2024 at 10:01 am
I have quite a few ka-bar knives.. Solid and dependable.
May 21, 2019 at 1:27 pm
I love my Turoc….awesome knive for outdoor activities
June 26, 2021 at 3:28 am
I also love my Turok, great knife, I’ve used it so much!
July 9, 2019 at 7:53 pm
Thanks for the review, Tim. The two Ka-Bars I have experience with include my trusty Warthog (9/10 for handling and ease, plus price and durability) and The Mule. Despite good reviews I found the Mule poorly made and too big for everyday uses, though I did buy — then return — one. As an addicted knifer, I would have kept it had some shoddy points not surfaced. Of course, giving Ka-Bar the benefit of doubt, the Mule I bought may have just been that particular knife, which turned out to be a jackass. – Peter Rusland, Duncan, Canada
July 10, 2019 at 4:20 pm
The only complaint I have about the Becker Companion is the belt loop on the sheath is flexible so if you put the knife in without fastening the security strap it flops over to horizontal. Not good.
June 9, 2020 at 5:24 pm
Anytime someone one puts down the Ka-Bar I chuck it up to ignorance or limited experience. There are many designs for different purposes, but the Ka-Bar, particularly the original is a great knife and is one of those classic pieces of gear. It’s nice that the company is keeping up the tradition of quality and ruggedness.
I have three vintage blades but I am also a fan of some of the newer models. Leather is always nice, but the availability of synthetic handles is a nice option for ease of maintenance.
June 9, 2020 at 9:55 pm
Kabar Hinderer Hellfire. Devastating Blade.
September 14, 2020 at 8:24 am
My favorite folding knife is Ka-Bar 1189. Made in U.S.A. Piece of beauty.
It is sad that there are no folding Ka-Bars making in USA. Im going to buy Bucks and Cases for folding knives collection.
June 22, 2021 at 9:13 pm
The 1248 Cutlass Machete is incredible — it’s like the Kukri machete but with a more intuitive edge & tip alignment. And I’m definitely a fan of the Warthog knives, as well as the Beckers (such a bummer they discontinued the BK5 trailing point)! I’m also really glad they made big blades like the Reinhardt Kukri, the Parangatang, & the Heavy Bowie — I hope they’ll do more like those in the future!
June 23, 2021 at 11:35 am
Hey Dave, This is a random reply. Went to a website selling this machete for $48.31. I bought one many years ago, still have it and will never sell it.
This is why I replied. The site said. ” Not legal for sale in the following states. N. J., R.I.,N.Y.,M.A.,Hawaii, Wisconsin, Texas, Illinois and Michigan
I lived in CT when I bought the one I have. But…. a class action lawsuit needs to be brought by all knife/ tool companies . Re-goddamn-diculous!
Sorry I used your review for my rant. Cheers Brother :))
June 23, 2021 at 2:39 pm
I have several Ka-bars as I am a knife collector and professional Kydex sheath maker and I love them. I will take the designers and manufacturers to task for making the handles of the BK-2, BK-7, BK-9 and their ilk with such slick and slippery stock handles and then having the audacity to charge half the price of the knife to buy a decent pair of after market scales to make the knives safe and functional. It is for this reason that these knives are not my favorite and why I will not recommend them to anyone to purchase.
December 28, 2022 at 2:03 pm
So which one you think is best of them, please reply because i am planing to get one for myself
Many Thanks 🙏🎄
August 10, 2022 at 6:51 pm
Do all of yourselves a collective favor and purchase the Ka-bar Big Brother and I defy you to criticize sharpness, edge retention, balance, fit and finish, the handle and overall aesthetic (all most too much of a good thing). No need to buy new scales or a sheath is a rare double bonus. A knife that will make you smile despite or maybe because of its shear audacity…Smiles are a commodity these days…
October 2, 2022 at 9:58 am
i never had a ka-bar fail me i still have the one my wife gave me 54 years ago and a couple of others as well i hunt big game every year and thats my go to knife.
June 23, 2023 at 3:14 am
I think the new BK72 should be in the last as well!
August 5, 2023 at 6:40 pm
The basic Kabar is descended from a Marbles camp knife, the Ideal, with a lot of Bowie self defense mixed in. They are a compromise of fighting knife and utility knife, which then raises the question, which job does it do the best? The answer is neither. Like a multitool, the better pliers, or sawback, or file, or phillips or socket driver is the individual one.
Considering Army had a different knife as issue, the Quartermaster for lack of a better description, and both were used doing the exact same jobs, it goes to how good could the design of the Kabar be when another knife so different was just as good.
Hype gets involved at that point, ego’s engaged, and genuflection toward traditions, which is often doing something that no longer has any real value except ceremonial. Color guards don’t carry loaded weapons now – on the battlefield that flag had to stay up for commanders and the soldiers to see to navigate chaos. Now it’s just a ceremony for the start of a toned down sports game.
And ownership of some knives is no more than that. I’ve used a Kabar variant dressing out a deer, but flipping it over to cut the hide from inside won’t work – tip points the wrong way, sharpened clip cuts the stomach and the contents spoil the meat. A better knife for that job exists – and it proves how combat oriented it is, not utility. Removing field dressings like that won’t be so great either, and right side up the belly is scoring everything underneath.
That’s why more than a few European countries with even longer histories of field use in their Army prefer a spear point survival knife and issue it. The main blade of a Swiss Army knife is typical – a utility shape, not combat shape.
Don’t let the influencers pump up the qualities of disparate designs for the same job – a knife is defined by it’s features which are required of it’s task, not popularity or how cool it is.
February 17, 2024 at 11:59 am
My favorite is the dogs head! A little more modern look on an old army favorite. I know all the marine folklore, but I used my first Kabar in the U.S. Army. Battle tested for decades all around the world. In cold weather environments, Alaska Bosnia etc., we would break blades due to extreme cold. A knife reacts differently let’s say at -40F than it does at 40F. Kabar was known for its dependability.
July 31, 2024 at 7:02 am
Thanks for this excellent post. It was very insightful and useful.
October 14, 2024 at 12:44 pm
I just got my dads old military knife from his days in the signals corp yesterday from my mom, but I cannot place era. It has the ox blood leather sheath with the slmost black leather wrap handle and plain steel oval pommel. Guard is that of the ww2 era knives and it has a red band just below the guard. Can anyone identify era and manufacturer, as far as I know the canadian forces in the cold war era used a different knife. Yet this was my dads old service knife. Can anyone help?