Shop BrigadeQM.com for military, law enforcement and collectible knives and accessories from KA-BAR® Knives, Inc., the manufacturers of the legendary United States Marine Corps WWII Fighting Knife. The original USMC fixed blade Knife is still chosen by Marines as a personal option knife—but KA-BAR is also a favorite of law enforcement, adventurers, survivalists, outdoors enthusiasts and collectors.

How KA-BAR Got Its Name…

The company that builds KA-BAR has been in business under various names for over 200 years. But it credits a fan letter from a fur trapper for the origin of the famous name. Over a century ago he wrote, in rough English, that after his gun failed he had to rely on his knife to fight a wounded bear on the attack. Recounting the experience, the trapper described his knife with the phrase, "k a bar" (“killed a bear”).  Flattered by the testimony, the company adopted his phrase and, sometime during the 1920’s, started using it as a trademark.

The Legendary KA-BAR Knife

In 1942 KA-BAR sent a prototype to the United States Marine Corps for what eventually became the general issue fighting knife for the US military. With the Marine Quartermaster Department, the design was enhanced and production began. During the War, KA-BAR was adopted by the Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Underwater Demolition Teams. The huge demand meant that other knife makers were awarded contracts to manufacture the design. “Kabar” became the common name for the knife pattern, regardless of where the knife was manufactured.

Many KA-BARs were unofficially reactivated in the Korean, Vietnam, Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom conflicts for pounding tent stakes, driving nails, opening rations cans, digging foxholes and defending lives.

KA-BAR Quality

In 1976, KA-BAR offered a Limited Edition Commemorative Knife to observe the US Marine Corps 200th Anniversary. It was made from blueprints stored in the company archives, by some of the same craftsmen who created the original. The knife became such a success that KA-BAR returned it to regular production, with a few improvements made possible by new technology.

The dependability of wartime KA-BARs was the result of vigilant quality control—high standards that are maintained to this day. It takes dozens of processes and the talent of experienced craftspeople to create a KA-BAR knife. Each one undergoes stringent procedures to build in corrosion resistance, strength, edge holding ability, and razor-sharpness. KA-BAR builds a variety of straight-edged and folding knives for military, law enforcement, outdoor adventurers and collectors.

Shop BrigadeQM for all your KA-BAR Needs!

KA-BAR is a subsidiary of the Alcas Corporation, headquartered in Olean, New York. Shop for a vast array of K-BAR blades, knives, and accessories at BrigadeQM.com.