Rare 70’s Valor Vietnam Era Ka-Bar Mark 2 Tak Fukuta Japan Combat Survival Knife

Description: Rare 10997 USN USMC fighting style knife made by Tak Fukuta and produced for Valor in the 1970’s. Big fixed blade knife here! From guard to tip, blade measures approx. 7 1/8”. Overall measurements: approx. 12 1/4 inches.It’s a Vietnam era KA-BAR / Mark 2 type military knife. Looks like it saw action! I was able to identify it on the net since a renowned knife dealer had this model and other examples (all sold) by Tak Fukata on his website.There were at least a couple slightly different knives like this that were produced by Fukuta for Valor. Others weren’t marked “Japan” like this one, and had other little differences I noticed on the blades, etc. There was a smaller version with a 6” blade.I recently acquired around 15 vintage knives from an estate cleanout. This is one of them. I’m not a knife pro, but if you have any questions please ask and I’ll do my best to answer correctly.All of the knives from the estate ‘need’ some work. I don’t personally do this kind of work, but I researched it a little on the net and it actually looks like fun. I bet it feels rewarding to see the transformation, in the end. I used to restore paintings, so I get it.This knife features a stacked leather handle with black finish on metal butt/guard and blade. On the blade, the man who used the knife, Paul, incised his name. I have no sheath for this knife.Condition: Stacked leather looks good and it’s tight. Could be sanded, conditioned, waxed, etc. The guard isn’t supposed to be twisted, so that could be straightened out. There is an obvious chip to the blade. If you like a knife that looks to have seen action, you’ll like this. If not, chip repair is ten bucks with Knife Aid, or blacksmiths can weld new steel onto it. The blade could use restoring otherwise, anyway.Seki is located at the centre of the Island of Honshu in southern Chubu, Gifu Prefecture. Seki has been a blacksmithing town for 800 years. It used to be well-known for its katanas, which were famous throughout Japan.It is said that this art was introduced by a famous blacksmith around 1200 who moved to Seki for the quality of the earth and coal, and abundant pure water. Today, the city has become the capital of modern cutlery and stainless steel blades. This is the city where Japan's largest knife salon is held each year. The knives are forged with new steels, and there are more full tang knives with more Western shapes.TAKBLADE was founded by Kazunori FUKUTA in 1941 at Seki, in Gifu Prefecture. His second successor, Takao FUKUTA, began making pocket and hunting knives, and then, in around 1970, he went to the United States to sell his TAK FUKUTA products. Takao FUKUTA’s passion for knives continued to develop, and in 1978 he was recognized by Robert Wald “Bob” Loveless, known as the “god of knives” in the United States, with whom he began an apprenticeship. The same year, he was the first Japanese person to be accepted into the American Knife Guild for his high-quality work the “Loveless folding knife.”Since Mr. Loveless appreciated Takao FUKUTA, he shared with him all of his skills in making hand-crafted knives. When he got back to Japan, Takao FUKUTA continued creating very useful handmade knives that were simultaneously handy, strong and elegant. Today, it is the third successor, Kazuhiro FUKUTA, who makes them using the techniques inherited from his father.Check back with me for other listings for knives from this estate. I’ve left them all as-is, as found. The knives are by Western, Elmer Keith, Valor, Imperial, Precise, etc. It takes me a while to list stuff, but I’m getting to it, so do check back! Thanks, ~Chris CHECK MY FEEDBACK AND BUY WITH CONFIDENCE! *** 20+ years of happy customers on eBay *** Please see my other eBay listings for more great items.Message me to arrange for combined shipping on multiple purchases.

Price: 174.99 USD

Location: Pitman, New Jersey

End Time: 2024-03-11T17:39:15.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD