For those who know this, here is the link in case you've lost it and for those who didn't know, a little bit of history of the Ka-Bar Knife used by the US Marine Corps. Kill-a-Bear with a Ka-Bar Knife?
Changed the title... Thanks for posting this link. Interesting history of the KaBar. I bought my son one before his deployment to Iraq. He snapped the blade trying to pry a piece of Com gear out of a rack while their location was under fire.
I have a KaBar, but for decades I have used a 5" blade "Commando Tanto" that has the stacked leather handles ans stainless blade. It has been used to chisel open a couple Russian steel spam cans of ammo, with no damage, still clean and sharp. I wouldn't try that with my KaBar.
I have 2 Ka-bar of my dad's collection. the third I believe is an English dagger. . Have a few bayonets as well .
I have about 3 that I use for various things. One I use in the garden. Have had knife sellers try to pass off $25-50 knives as Ka-bars just b/c they have "USMC" stamped on the blade. Every time I turn it over & fail to see "Olean, NY" on it and tell them its just a cheap knockoff.
As a military fighting knife ,particularly the function of the spine teeth getting through aluminum air frames has it's merits . I might even recommend that knife for S&R over the side vehicle access possibly . Some practice is essential . In the case of rescues I can see having a knife capable of being a serious pry bar and enduring the rigors of tearing through steel. If your not prone to do these rescues nor prone to loan your knife to those whom will , then having lesser knife is practical.
Just so you know, The 2 "bowie style" knives are not the "KaBar" knives (USN MK2) that the article is talking about. They are both US Air Force Jet Pilot survival knives, and appear to be early ones at that. The pommel should have the dates of manufacture stamped on them. Great little knives.