How are todays Ka-Bar knives? They make some good looking patterns, and quite a few right here in the USA. Their steel any good? 1095 CroVan I believe they call it.
I've never owned, or fondled, one besides a couple of the iconic old school USMC fighters.
They are good knives. I really like the Becker knives better than the older WW-II military style. The BK16 is a good size.
https://www.kabar.com/knives/detail/166About $75 on Amazon
Got some in stock at the shop, and I carry a classic that I bought a few years ago...my final word would be, if you like them, run 'em. I've got other knives that do things I like better (that kabar is one of my shortest carry blades, and my biggest gripe is centered there), but there is nothing wrong with them, and I would say that they are still a good standard for their price range.
I've had very good luck with this KaBar large folding knife. It's easy to sharpen and holds an edge quite well.
Sherwood
I've got a couple of the USMC type KA-BARs that I've had and used for a long while.
Recently picked up a Becker BK2 for a hard-use batoning and all around utility knife. Seems like a knife of good quality and value. Definitely tough, I've thrashed on it pretty hard with no visible effect.
I stripped off the powder coat.
I have most of the Becker lineup and they're all very well finished, over-built, and hold a great edge. That clunky looking handle on the full sized BKs fits my hand very well, and I find it extremely comfortable. The smaller BKs are a little small for my hands, but the patterns are great.
I've also bought a couple of the USMC patterns as gifts, and they were very well finished.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy any of the USA made Ka-Bars.
I have a new model Mark I I really like a few of the small fixed blade Precision Hunters that I use quite a bit. I hate that they discontinued the Precision Hunters.