Spartan KA-BAR SB54 CPM MagnaCut, Black, Black Leather Sheath, fixed knife

The Spartan KA-BAR Black Leather is a modern version of a legendary fixed blade knife. In 1942, KA-BAR submitted a knife to the United States Marine Corps in the hope that it would become a standard piece of equipment for Marines. In collaboration with the Marine Quartermaster Department, the design was revised and production of an improved military knife began. This version comes with a black leather sheath.

The Spartan KA-BAR material

This Spartan KA-BAR features a handle made from kraton. This is a rubber-like material that provides a lot of grip. Feels comfortable in hand, even in wet or cold circumstances. The blade is made from MagnaCut, one of the most talked-about steels of the past years. Many feel this type of steel is ‘perfect’. A bold claim, but justified. It is a stainless type of tool steel, with a toughness and sharpness retention comparable to carbon steels such as CPM-CruWear, CPM-4V and Vanadis 4. The corrosion resistance is also sublime. Better than the popular stainless types of steel such as CPM S110V, CPM S45VN and Böhler M390. If that is not perfection, we don’t know what is!

The knife has a black tungsten DLC coating. This makes the knife look even cooler, and it makes the knife even more resistant to rust as well. Please keep in mind that a coating can wear off. This can happen even from the friction of taking the knife out of the sheath and putting it back in. This is completely normal and will give your knife a battle-scarred look.

The Spartan KA-BAR USMC

The USMC’s KA-BAR knives became known for their quality and were so abundant that ‘KA-BAR’ became the name by which many referred to this knife, regardless of where it was made. It was adopted not only by the Marines, but also by other branches of the army and special units. After World War II, many KA-BAR knives were re-used in later conflicts. In 2019, KA-BAR joined forces with Spartan Blades, LLC, in order to establish Pineland Cutlery, Inc. They wanted to create a version of the ‘KA-BAR’ knife with better cutting performance, toughness and corrosion resistance.

A metallurgist named Larrin Thomas discovered the perfect steel for this knife: CPM MagnaCut®. CPM MagnaCut® is a stainless steel produced by Crucible Industries, a US company specialising in special steels. Spartan Blades was commissioned to develop this blade using advanced processes, such as CNC machining, deep cryogenic treatment and PVD coatings. The result? The Spartan KA-BAR!

Spartan Blades Gold – Elite: top-quality knives

The Spartan Blades Gold – Elite Class contains the highest quality knives. Made in the Spartan Blades workshop in North Carolina, USA. Of the different classes the Gold – Elite class is the highest. Made for collectors and users looking for only the best. Top models designed by Bill Harsey and Les George come together here with the designs of founders Curtis Lovito and Mark Carey. In terms of materials and finish these knives are of the highest quality.