KA-BAR Expands Historic Ek Commando Line with Two New Knives

KA-BAR has returned to its Ek Commando Knife Co. series, supplementing the historic line with a pair of new fixed blades, each with a different blade profile and length.

Ek Commando Knife Co. is a historic brand with its origins in handmade knives from a man named John Ek, a craftsmen whose work eventually became popular enough to warrant the foundation of a knife company. Like many historic brands, Ek Commando Knife Co. struggled a bit through the latter half of the 20th century. KA-BAR acquired Ek Commando Knife Co. in 2015 and kicked things off with the foundational trilogy of knives: the Models 3, 4, and 5. The series has been a low-key presence in the greater KA-BAR family since then, with only sporadic expansions, like a Jesse Jarosz collab in 2016 and a special edition collector’s piece the year after.

These two new Ek Commando knives share a handle shape, a dead-simple linear profile that is a common feature across all of the Ek knife models. The scales are made from Ultramid, a GFN-like polymer, 3D-sculpted with an undulated diamond design and held in place with three large cross screws. Both blades are made from 1095 Cro-Van, but the shapes are where they differ, and the names say it all.

The Ek Commando Short Drop point has very straightforward take on the blade shape, measuring 4.3 inches long. The Commando Short Clip Point, on the other hand, has a significantly longer blade than its compeer despite the identical nomenclature; it’s 5.06 inches long. However, in either case you’re looking at a rugged, capable outdoors or hard use fixed blade; like the choice between blade shapes, the difference in length is more a matter of taste than capability. Celcon sheaths are included with both knives as well.

Both Ek Commando Knives have yet to arrive with dealers, but are available directly from KA-BAR’s website right now.

Knife in Featured Image: KA-BAR Ek Commando Short Drop Point