Overview
Introducing a fixed blade knife from Rick Hinderer Knives that embodies his love for history, as well as his passion for designing and making the very best quality knives.
First adopted by the United States Marine Corps (USMC) in November of 1942 as the 1219C2 combat knife, which was later designated as the USMC Mark 2 Fighting Utility Knife. This model would go on to be produced by numerous manufacturers. However, it was one manufacturer whose name would stick with the knife and forever be fondly known by the servicemen who would use and rely on the knife through wars and conflict spanning decades and that name is KA-BAR.
In late 2019, Rick started thinking about a project that he wanted to do to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the ending of World War II, which would fall in 2020. Of course, when one thinks of WWII and the knives used in that war, one automatically remembers the KA-BAR knife. So the seed was planted in his mind that he wanted to make a USMC Mark 2 Fighting Utility Knife or KA-BAR. Rick did not want to make a direct copy of the KA-BAR, but rather his interpretation of this iconic knife. Starting with the blade, he left the exact dimensions as the original except, then added a finger choil, much like the finger choil on a lot of Rick's own blade designs. The original KA-BAR is of the hidden tang construction, whereas this Fighting Utility Knife, is made as a full tang construction, which makes the knife very durable. Also, instead of a separate thin metal guard, Rick opted to make the guard integral with the tang and use hard-anodized aluminum “bolsters” to complete the guard. These choices make for a very sturdy constructed cross guard. For the handles, Rick used premium 3D machined Micarta slabs that are indexed onto precision-made nuts running through the tang. He also used their own custom-made screws which then thread into the handle nuts, ensuring a good, solid grip and a sturdy build that will never fail. Bringing up the back of the knife is a pommel that closely mirrors the original shape but with a modern flair. The pommel is made of aluminum that is hard coat anodized and is computer numerical control (CNC) 3D machined to fit precisely onto the full tang, which is then securely fastened with a custom-made precision screw that fastens directly into the tang. All of this makes the Rick Hinderer Knives Fighting Utility Knife of WWII the most advanced fixed blade of its type, while still maintaining its historical roots.
Of course, when Rick was dreaming up this cool, commemorative project, one aspect of it kept coming up in his mind: it has to be a KA-BAR. He could have just settled on calling it a WWII Vintage Fighting Utility Knife, or even a Mark 2, but that just wouldn’t do since the troops lovingly called this pattern a “KA-BAR.” Rick decided he wanted to also pay homage to the company whose version of the model 1219C2 Fighting Utility Knife was so popular and respected that when someone saw the design produced by any other company, they still called it the KA-BAR. So he called up his good friend John Stitt, CEO of KA-BAR Knives in Olean, New York with the idea of Rick Hinderer Knives licensing the company name KA-BAR to add to the ricasso of each blade KA-BAR. He enthusiastically said, “yes” and added that the company KA-BAR, had never licensed another company to add their name and logo to use on a Fighting Utility Knife before! Rick was more than excited about this project having the blessing from KA-BAR to call this knife the Hinderer Knives KA-BAR!
To complete this fixed blade project Rick needed a very high-quality sheath. So once again, he turned to the skilled Amish craftsmen at Woodland Harness to make a very high-quality leather sheath to keep with the historical WWII flair. These sheaths are not only great looking but also built in the Amish tradition of tough workability!
Specifications
- Blade Length: 7.00"
- Cutting Edge: 6.25"
- Handle Length: 5.125"
- Overall Length: 12.125"
- Blade Material: 3V
- Blade Thickness: 0.1875"
- Blade Style: Clip Point
- Blade Grind: Flat
- Blade Finish: DLC Stonewash
- Handle Material: Green Canvas Micarta with Black Anodized Aluminum Pommel and Guard
- Handle Thickness: 1.06"
- Sheath Material: Custom Leather by Woodland Harness
- Weight: 12.8 oz.
- Weight with Sheath: 17.6 oz.
- Designer: Rick Hinderer
- Made in the USA
Comes with original box and papers. New condition.
