When Modern Beats Classic: The Dog's Head KA-BAR
A timeless design reimagined for the outdoors—but perfected for combat. Here’s why this modern KA-BAR earns a permanent spot in my everyday carry.
Sometimes the modern interpretation is more compelling than the original.
I have four KA-BAR fighting/utility knives, two of which are period original combat knives from WW2 and Korea and one of which is a 1991 reissue of the original USMC version.
I love these knives, with their stacked leather handles, flat circular pommels, cross guards, and sharpened false edge clips. They are classics... wars were won with these KA-BARs. But recently I bought a modern version of the standard KA-BAR that has, for me, stolen the show.
Meet the Dog’s Head KA-BAR, which, in many ways, is like the standard combat/utility knife still in service today. But according to the company itself, the Dog’s Head is a version of the knife intended for bushcraft, camping, and general outdoor activities.
They say so many people love their combat knives for such activities that they decided to make a version optimized for the outdoors. But to me, it is a version perfected for combat. The Dog’s Head has a single quillon guard, and it has a thicker, more pronounced teardrop-shaped pommel.
KA-BAR designed the new pommel for hammering chores, like pounding in tent stakes. But I find it gives the knife a better balance for combat applications and is a better non-lethal striking surface.
They gave it a thicker one-sided guard so you can place your thumb on the spine of the blade when carving, but this is also an optimal way to wield the knife when close-in fighting and is sometimes called the Filipino fighting grip. The one thing they have done away with across the whole KA-BAR line is the sharpened swedge (a misstep in my book).
My point in bringing all of this up is to posit that in trying to design a great camping knife, KA-BAR perfected their fighting knife... and I am here for it.
The Dog’s Head KA-BAR has consistently been an ESK (emotional support knife) ever since I got it, riding in my EDC backpack, just in case the end of the world comes while I'm out and about.
Needless to say, I highly recommend it whether you find yourself setting up camp or entering into a high-stakes duel.
Knife Junkie Out!
Jess Hoffman, J. Hoffman Knives: The Knife Junkie Podcast (Episode 596)
Today’s podcast (episode 596) features Jess Hoffman of J. Hoffman Knives, a maker who balances craftsmanship with practicality in his Northeast Wisconsin workshop.
Following a recent sold-out run at Knives Ship Free (affiliate link), Jess joined us to discuss his journey from filing his first knife by hand to developing his distinctive style of ergonomic fixed blades.
What stands out about Jess’s approach is his insistence that knives should be tools first and foremost.
“I don’t make safe queens,” he said, preferring that his creations be carried and used rather than displayed. This philosophy carries through to his designs, which feature handles specifically shaped for how people actually grip knives during use—typically with three fingers on the handle and the forefinger positioned on the blade for control.
Technically, Jess focuses on full flat and hollow grinds that maximize cutting performance. He works primarily with AEB-L stainless steel, heat-treating it before grinding to ensure proper tempering throughout the blade. For handles, he favors traditional materials like Micarta and wood burls, avoiding trendy hybrid materials due to concerns about long-term durability.
Unlike many makers rushing to go full-time, Jess maintains knife making as a supplementary passion, producing 50-75 knives annually.
“This is my hobby,” he explained, with plans to use it to supplement his retirement rather than replace his career. His balanced approach allows him to maintain the joy in his craft while still creating exceptional tools that collectors and users alike to seek out.
If you’re interested in his work, check out jhoffmanknives.com or find him at Blade Show Atlanta at table 2DD.
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