KA-BAR U.S. ARMY Fighting Utility Knife

At the start of World War II, the need for a fighting and utility knife was quickly discovered Working with United States Marine Corps Quartermasters, Union Cutlery President Danforth Brown helped develop the 1219C2 fighting utility Knife. The 1219C2 was quickly adopted and pushed into production in 1942.

As the war grew in scale, demand for the 1219C2 outpaced production. A number of companies produced the knife - including the Union Cutlery Company of Olean. NY. Union Cutlery marked their fighting utility knives "KA-BAR". a mark that would become legendary around the globe.

Union Cutlery did not product the most 1219C2's, but according to troops in the field, they produced the best version of the fighting utility knives. All fighting utility knives began to be referred to as "KA-BARs" by soldiers, sailors, and Marines, becoming part of the World War II vernacular with other phrases such as "SNAFU" and "Kilroy" Was Here. 

Union Cutlery knives were used by the US Marines Corps, US Army, US Navy, and Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT) during World War II. These models not only included the 1219C2 fighting utility knife, but also the Mark I and TL-29 Electricians knife in addition to countless privately purchased Union Cutlery hunting knives and pocket knives.

Such an abundance of 1219C2 fighting utility knives were made for World War II that Union Cutlery, who subsequently changed its name to KA-BAR in 1952, didn't produce another until the mid-1970s. Surplus knives from World War II would go on to be reissued to American Troops in Korea and Vietnam, placing a number of these knives in three different wars across four decades.

The 1219C2 was put back into production by KA-BAR in the mid-1970s as a Limited-Edition Commemorative. The commemorative proved so popular that the knife was bought back into full production using the original WW II blueprints. which had been housed at KA-BAR since 1942.

Since its reintroduction, "the" KA-BAR has served alongside American troops and our allies around the globe and continues to be a staple of American history today. The original USMC fighting and utility knife remains the first choice for many men and women of service who carry it as their personal knife option.

It is also a favourite of adventurers, survivalists, outdoor sportsmen and, of course, knife collectors who know that this knife deserves a place in their collection.

By placing your order with us, you acknowledge that you are of legal age to purchase this product. We do not sell knives, machetes, or other blade related products to anyone who is under the age of 18.