IDENTIFICATION OF
EK COMMANDO KNIVES
VIEW BLADEMARKS
"BATTLE PROVEN
IN SIX WARS"
IDENTIFICATION OF EK KNIVES
Ek Commando Knives are nearly always marked with the location of the company at that time and virtually all of the Ek knives made in Connecticut and in Florida were numbered.
MODERN DAY SERIAL NUMBERS
The serial numbers on the modern John Ek Commando (KA-BAR production) knives, are released in limtied production runs.
The modern serial numbers begin with EK and are followed with a three-digit number.
The following details the model number and corresponding serial numbers for these modern day knives:
Model 101: EK/Spartan Dagger
• EK serial numbers EK001 - EK200
• Spartan serial numbers SP001 - SP200
CONNECTICUT SERIAL NUMBERS
The first number on the blade is the model number; the subsequent numbers are the serial number, preceded by a letter of the alphabet.
Starting with the 1,000th knife, the letter A preceded the serial number. Serial numbers following the alphabetical prefix went up to 999 prior to shifting over to the next letter of the alphabet.
For example, a knife numbered 1B299 means this is a Model 1, serial number B299.
The Ek family recalled that numbering of the Connecticut knives was kept separate for each model. However, it is now believed that the numbering system ran through all models as a group, rather than each model, separately.
FLORIDA SERIAL NUMBERS
As for the numbering system on the Florida (Miami & St. Augustine) knives, we believe there are 3 series of these knives.
With all 3 series, the first number, usually atop the serial number, is the knife model number, e.g., a 1 indicates a Model 1.
It is believed that unlike the Connecticut knives, the Florida knives are numbered sequentially within each model knife rather than throughout all models.
The numbers in Series 1 are small in size, three digits and began with the serial number 100 for each model.
The numbers in Series 2 are large in size, three digits, and began with the serial number 200 for each model.
The numbers in Series 3 are large in size, four digits and began with the serial number 0400.
MODEL NUMBERS SINCE 1982
Model numbers have changed over the years. Ever since 1982, serial numbers
have been discontinued and the model designations have been:
Model 1:
Edge-and-a-Half without Crossguard
Model 2:
Double-Edge without Crossguard
Model 3:
Edge-and-a-Half with Crossguard
Model 4:
Double-Edge with Crossguard
Model 5:
Bowie with Crossguard
The model prefix describes the grip including Micarta (M), Checkered Walnut (CW) and parachute cord in four colors / patterns of camouflage.
For example, a M4 has Micarta grips, double-edge blade with a crossguard.
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Serial Numbering System - Miami, FL. Production.
1949 - 1976
Serial Numbering System - Hamden, CT. Production.
1941 - 1949
1976 - 1982
Serial Numbering System
St. Augustine, FL. Production.
1982 - 1991
Lower banner etched "COMMANDO"
Richmond, VA. Production.
1991 - 2004
Lower banner etched "GULF WAR"
Richmond, VA. Production through 09/2004.
2004 - 2008
"IRAQI WAR" banner added to lower right
Richmond, VA. Production 10/2004 thru 08/2008.
2008 - 2015
"AFGHANISTAN" banner added to center bottom
Richmond, VA. Production 09/2008 thru 2015.
2016 - Spring
Serial Numbering System - EK/Spartan Dagger
Ek serial numbers EK001 - EK200
Spartan serial numbers SB001 - SB200
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Current
"Ek Commando Knife Co." and
"KA-BAR / OLEAN, NY" - Olean, NY Production
2016 - Fall
EK/Jarosz Ek 102 Boot Knife
"KA-BAR / OLEAN, NY" Olean, NY Production
716-372-5952
200 Homer Street
Olean, New York 14760 USA