Few proprietary eponyms in the knife world are as well-recognized as KA-BAR, the combat/utility design originally requested by the U.S. Military during World War II and used with success by countless troops in conflicts since. So, updating such a classic was a sobering task for the manufacturer, as devotees of the icon were inevitably prone to draw critical comparisons with any reboot.
In this case, though, KA-BAR’s new U.S.-made Slabby, at slightly more than a pound and more than 12 inches long, appears ready to not only hold its own—albeit through more modern design and materials—but is likely even tougher and more utilitarian than its famous predecessor. The Slabby can be completely disassembled in minutes with only an Allen wrench and a pin punch. Threaded bushings float in through-holes to provide purchase for the scales’ four securing screws.
The scales themselves are molded of black, glass-filled nylon, and aftermarket versions are already available—some, predictably, mimicking the original KA-BAR’s stacked leather washers. The Slabby’s 6.9-inch-long blade is of chrome-vanadium 1095 steel, and its Bowie-inspired clip point features a swedge and fullers on each side like the original.
Add to all that the new model’s U.S.-made polymer sheath with five pairs of attachment eyelets and a lockable thumb latch, and the Slabby succeeds brilliantly at the challenge of ushering the classic KA-BAR design into the modern era. Suggested retail pricing is $245.22. For more information, visit kabar.com.
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