The Ka-bar Black Fighting Knife is a variation of the USMC Fighting & Utility Knife. The Short version of the Ka-bar Black Fighting Knife has a 5 inch blade, compared to the 7 inch blade the standard model has.
The Basics
The Ka-Bar Short Black Fighting Knife has a 5-1/4 inch blade, and is 9-1/4 inches overall. The blade is made of 1095 high carbon steel. The handle is rubber; the sheath is leather.
My Review
I got my Kabar short a few years ago. When I first picked up the Short Fighting Knife, I noticed right away that it is a very well-balanced knife. Additionally, the rubber hand and guard make the knife very easy and safe to grip. This knife just feels good to me. It feels secure and powerful in my hand.
The blade has excellent penetration. I once had to use this knife to dispatch a wounded animal, for which it was very effective and proved quite up to the task. The basic leather sheath that comes with this knife is quite effective. It will be very tight at first, but should loosen up over time. Some people complain that the sheath is not much, but I find it to be great!
There are a couple things to watch out for with this knife. The biggest thing to be aware of is that this knife is not intended to be a highly corrosion resistant knife, so don't use it around saltwater or other corrosion inducing environments. Also, the blade is designed for strength and penetration, so you won't find it very useful for finer cutting and slicing jobs.
Conclusion: A great knife - one of my favorites for everyday use, especially where a large, strong knife is needed.
