•      EK COMMANDO KNIFE CO. USA

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    ©2015 KA-BAR Knives, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    716-372-5952

     

    200 Homer Street

    Olean, New York 14760 USA

     

 

 

"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 SB001 - SB200

     

  • 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.

IDENTIFICATION OF

EK COMMANDO KNIVES

1941 - 1949

Serial Numbering System - Hamden, CT. Production.

1949 - 1976

Serial Numbering System - Miami, FL. Production.

2004 - 2008

"IRAQI WAR" banner added to lower right - Richmond, VA.

Production 10/2004 through 08/2008.

2008 - 2015

"AFGHANISTAN" banner added to center bottom - Richmond, VA.

Production 09/2008 through 2015.

2016 - Fall

Ek Commando Knife Co. and Jesse Jarosz Ek 102bBoot Knife

"KA-BAR / OLEAN, NY" Olean, NY Production

1976 - 1982

Serial Numbering System - St. Augustine, FL. Production.

1991 - 2004

Lower banner etched "GULF WAR" - Richmond, VA.

Production through 09/2004.

1982 - 1991

Lower banner etched "COMMANDO" - Richmond, VA. Production.

2016 - Spring

Serial Numbering System - EK/Spartan (EK101) Dagger

Ek serial numbers EK001 - EK200 / Spartan serial numbers SB001 - SB200

Current

"Ek Commando Knife Co." and

"KA-BAR / OLEAN, NY" Olean, NY Production