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Pattern Numbers -- Rhyme and Reason??
I collect "rigging knives" (read: pretty much anything sharp that involves a marlin spike) and so have only paid a passing interest to Ka-Bar overall. One of the first riggers in my collection was a 3-piece Ka-Bar "Marine Mate" fixed blade set I inherited from my Dad.
I can see him in mind's eye on a Saturday morning headed over to Stamford harbor where our Contest 30 was docked -- the KaBar sheathed set hanging off his belt.
Since becoming serious (read: obsessed) I've collected a 2 piece version of the above (no pliers/multi-tool), multiple variations of simple Ka-Bar folding "riggers" and a couple of sheath "systems" incorporating folding knives.
My latest Ka-Bar system has a Hunter in the sheath along with the mandatory separate spike.
Now, it's the pattern number, "1184" stamped on the clip blade's tang that has me posting here -- hoping for some discussion and clarification. Googling around for information on Ka-Bar hunters I'm finding a variety of tang stamp numbers: 1184, 6211 and 1033 so far. This has brought to light my complete ignorance about any Ka-Bar numbering system. Is there, in fact, any system at all? To empasize my ignoranace: I've just been informed that these folders are "hunters" and not "trappers" as I've been calling them recently.
...and, if you're ready for a second mystery, take a look at a Case rigging system incorporating a spike and a hunter pattern folder. Da'ya' think that these sheaths might have come from the same source?
I'll be happy to hear and see anything you Ka-Bar fans van throw at me.
Jim
PS -- I'm beginning to think that Ka-Bar might be a more interesting company than I'd been giving them credit for being!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John Hall on
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Jim, I have the original advertisment for the mariner series. It lists all three cobo sets. I will take a picture and attach and send it. I will be leaving to go fishing on Wednesday night so I will try and do it before I leave. As for the 1184.... that is not a pattern number. Unlike Case, until very recently, (very late 70's and on)Ka-Bar did not stamp pattern numbers on their knives, neither did the founding Ka-Bar companies the first being Union Razor Co and the 2nd in line Union Cutlery. This is one of the main reasons I love Ka-Bar, It makes it very challenging hunting down pattern numbers for knives I've aquired. If I am not mistaken the "1184" is the material Spec for the metal blade. I may be wrong, please let me know if you find out differently. By the way I own both the trapper/Fid combo and also the Fixed blade /Fid combo but I have yet to aquire the Plier version, If you have one for sale let me know. I just picked up a stainless steel rigging folder with no handles, we are thinking it was made for the military. I can send a picture if you think you may be able to help. Thanks John
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Permalink Reply by Jim Child on
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John Hall said:Jim, I have the original advertisment for the mariner series. It lists all three cobo sets. I will take a picture and attach and send it. ...<snip>...By the way I own both the trapper/Fid combo and also the Fixed blade /Fid combo but I have yet to aquire the Plier version, ...<snip>... I just picked up a stainless steel rigging folder with no handles, we are thinking it was made for the military. I can send a picture if you think you may be able to help. Thanks John
Yes please! I'd love to have a photo of the all-SS folder -- I have a wide variety of Ka-Bar handle materials -- VERY wide!! LOL -- but, not an all SS. Please include its length -- is it a different size than the standard 1121 folder??
"All three mariner.sets" in a single ad? Yes, I'd really like to see that as well
I can understand your trouble finding a system with the Duluth "Handy-Boy" plier-tool intact. I've seen a few on eBay with the little leather strap across the face of the sheath ....or with evidence that the strap had been there. But, the tool is usually not included in the listing. The little strap is completely inadequate -- really insufficient, UNDER-designed. If my father had not inter-connected the knife, tool, spike and sheath with a light cord lanyard the tool would have dropped in the drink decades ago. I've re-stitched the strap several times. I'll wager "Davey Jones" has quite a collection of those "Handy Boys" LOL
Boy! I'm happy I joined this group! Jim :-)
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KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Paul Tsujimoto on -
John,
"1184" was the pattern number. Sometime in the 1960s, KA-BAR changed the numbering system from the Case System to the present day 1000,1100,1200,etc numbering system.
Hope this helps.
Best Regards,
Paul T.
John Hall said:Jim, I have the original advertisment for the mariner series. It lists all three cobo sets. I will take a picture and attach and send it. I will be leaving to go fishing on Wednesday night so I will try and do it before I leave. As for the 1184.... that is not a pattern number. Unlike Case, until very recently, (very late 70's and on)Ka-Bar did not stamp pattern numbers on their knives, neither did the founding Ka-Bar companies the first being Union Razor Co and the 2nd in line Union Cutlery. This is one of the main reasons I love Ka-Bar, It makes it very challenging hunting down pattern numbers for knives I've aquired. If I am not mistaken the "1184" is the material Spec for the metal blade. I may be wrong, please let me know if you find out differently. By the way I own both the trapper/Fid combo and also the Fixed blade /Fid combo but I have yet to aquire the Plier version, If you have one for sale let me know. I just picked up a stainless steel rigging folder with no handles, we are thinking it was made for the military. I can send a picture if you think you may be able to help. Thanks John
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