KA-BAR EK Commando Short Clip Point (EK50) Review
Born from WWII commandos and rebuilt for today: 1095 Cro-Van steel, Ultramid grip, blackout finish, and a MOLLE-friendly sheath. This isn’t a shelf queen—it’s a field knife with history baked into every cut.
Quick View
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Pedigree that’s more than marketing. The EK line goes back to John Ek’s WWII fighting knives—this modern EK50 keeps the spirit but adds better materials and a carry system that plays nice with modern belts and MOLLE.
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Steel that wants to work. 1095 Cro-Van isn’t trendy “supersteel,” but it’s tough, sharpens easily, and cuts hard—exactly what you want in a field knife you’ll actually maintain outside a shop.
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Carry that won’t fight you. The Celcon sheath with nylon strap is secure, quiet, and MOLLE compatible, so you can mount it on a chest rig, pack, or belt without a DIY meltdown
Specs & Materials
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | KA-BAR John Ek Commando EK50 Short Clip Point |
| Overall Length | 9.25″ |
| Blade Length | 5.06″ (5.0625″) |
| Cutting Edge | ~4.49″ |
| Blade Thickness | ~0.165–0.17″ |
| Blade Steel | 1095 Cro-Van (56–58 HRC) |
| Grind / Finish | Flat grind / Black Parkerized |
| Handle | Black Ultramid (glass-filled nylon), textured with four bevels |
| Weight (knife) | 6.6–10.84 oz reported (varies by source; ~0.65 lb listed) |
| Sheath | MOLLE-compatible Celcon with nylon retention strap |
| Country of Origin | USA |
Steel Explained: 1095 Cro-Van
Think work steel: 1095 enriched with chromium and vanadium. Translation: tough, takes a mean edge quickly, and is easy to touch up with simple field tools. It will rust if you neglect it—wipe, dry, and oil it like you mean it. If you prefer stainless bathroom-mirror vibes, this isn’t it. If you want confidence in the woods, this fits.
Bottom line: For a survival/fighting profile, 1095 Cro-Van is a smart pick—reliable, predictable, and honest. You can fix it with a pocket stone at camp instead of sending it to a guy named Lars with a belt grinder and a two-month wait.
Ergonomics & Carry
Handle feel. The Ultramid slabs have subtle contouring and four beveled grooves that lock your fingers without chewing them up. Wet hands, gloves, cold weather—still secure.
Balance. With ~5″ of blade and a lean tang, the EK50 feels lively, not front-heavy. It’s quicker in the tip than chunky bushcraft knives, which helps for piercing, notching, and precise cuts.
Sheath. The Celcon sheath + nylon strap is MOLLE-compatible, quiet, and durable. It’s not boutique Kydex art—but it works, and the retention strap is reassuring during crawls, sprints, or river crossings.
Real-World Field Notes
Set the scene: late-day light, a damp log, and your campfire snapping behind you. The EK50 pulls free with a light snick from the Celcon. That flat grind binds less in wood than you’d expect from a fighter-leaning profile. Feather sticks curl easy. Notches bite clean. The clip point lets you pierce and score with control, so starting a hole for cordage or carving a trap notch doesn’t turn into whittling roulette.
Move to food prep: 1095 Cro-Van takes a laser edge fast. You’ll notice it push-cuts carrots and slices meat without feeling like a crowbar. When you do baton small splits for kindling, the spine thickness (~0.165–0.17″) keeps things from feeling fragile, but it’s not a pry tool—use your head, not just your hammer hand.
Back at camp, a few swipes on a ceramic rod and it’s back to hair-shaving sharp. If you forget to wipe it down after rain, the Parkerized finish buys you time, but oil is still your friend.
Who It’s For
Buy it if you want:
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A historic pattern updated for modern carry that cuts well and sharpens fast.
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A knife you won’t baby—1095 Cro-Van thrives on being used.
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MOLLE-compatible mounting without aftermarket parts.
Skip it if you need:
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Stainless, low-maintenance steel for swamp-month neglect (look at coated stainless options).
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A thick bush-sword for prying car doors. This is a cutting tool, not a wrecking bar.
Pros & Cons
✅ PROS
- Battle-tested design — rooted in WWII commando blades, modernized for real-world use.
- 1095 Cro-Van steel — tough, sharpens easily in the field, holds an honest edge.
- Flat-ground clip point — slices cleanly yet pierces with control for versatile camp and defense work.
- Ultramid handle — grippy, durable, and stays solid in wet or gloved hands.
- Celcon MOLLE sheath — secure retention with flexible mounting for belt, pack, or plate carrier.
- Made in the USA — consistent quality and proven service support from KA-BAR.
- Affordable performance — pro-grade reliability without a premium-steel price tag.
❌ CONS
- Carbon-steel upkeep — 1095 Cro-Van needs oiling after moisture exposure or it’ll rust fast.
- Edge retention — not on par with modern supersteels like CPM S35VN; trade-off is easy sharpening.
- Celcon sheath — functional but plain; lacks the refinement of high-end Kydex rigs.
- Clip-point profile — favors combat and slicing over heavy prying or baton abuse.
- Minimal guard — skilled handling required during aggressive thrusts or wet-grip work.
Setup & Maintenance Tips
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Mount it right. Use the MOLLE slots to put the sheath where your hand naturally falls—belt (vertical), chest rig (inboard tilt), or pack strap (handle down).
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Edge care. Carry a small ceramic rod or diamond card. 1095 Cro-Van responds fast—touch up often, never let it get butter-knife dull. Corrosion control. Post-rain or salt air, wipe and oil. If you see light patina, don’t panic—that’s normal for carbon-rich steels.
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Strap tension. Adjust the nylon retention so the draw is sure but not a wrestling match. Practice quiet draws sitting and standing.
How It Stacks Up
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Steel: EK uses 1095 Cro-Van (tough, easy to sharpen); SOG Pillar BLKOUT LTD runs CPM S35VN (more corrosion resistance and edge holding, pricier). If you obsess over low maintenance, Pillar wins; if you value field-serviceability, EK fights back hard. (See our SOG review.)
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Role & feel: EK50 leans fighting-knife heritage with slicey geometry; Pillar feels tactical-survival hybrid with slightly more premium fit/finish and ceramic-coated stainless.
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Sheath: EK’s Celcon + strap is rugged and MOLLE-friendly; Pillar’s Kydex mounts are often more modular but vary by source.
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Price: EK generally under the Pillar’s street price, making it a value play for rough-and-ready users.
Internal links:
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Parent silo: Best Survival Knives 2025 → https://barkandbrass.com/best-survival-knives-2025/
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Previous review: SOG PILLAR – BLKOUT LTD → https://barkandbrass.com/sog-pillar-blkout-ltd-knife-review/
FAQs
Is the EK50 good for bushcraft?
Yes—flat grind, controllable tip, and easy-to-sharpen steel make it a solid camp/bushcraft companion, provided you keep it oiled.
Will it rust?
If you neglect it, yes—1095 Cro-Van is high-carbon. The Parkerized finish helps, but you still need to wipe and oil.
Can I mount the sheath horizontally?
Yes—use the MOLLE slots and third-party adapters if you want scout-style carry. The stock hardware supports multiple orientations.
Made in USA for sure?
For the EK50, yes—multiple vendors and KA-BAR list USA manufacture.
Final Thoughts
There’s a reason the KA-BAR EK Commando Short Clip Point still has a place in serious kits decades after its ancestors went to war. It’s not here to impress collectors or live behind glass — it’s a real-deal, purpose-built knife that thrives when things get dirty, cold, or downright miserable.
The 1095 Cro-Van steel doesn’t care about trends or mirror polishes. It’s old-school carbon muscle that wants to work, and if you take care of it, it’ll take care of you for life. The Ultramid handle gives a grip that’s secure even when your hands are slick or gloved, and the Celcon sheath is the definition of no-nonsense utility — quick draw, solid retention, and easy MOLLE mounting wherever you need it.
Sure, it’s not a knife that brags about supersteel chemistry or flashy coatings. But that’s the point. The EK50 is a reminder that reliability beats hype every single time. It’s a knife built for soldiers, survivalists, and anyone who values gear that does exactly what it’s supposed to — and nothing it shouldn’t.
If you’re building out your survival rig or want a dependable fixed blade that feels like it belongs in a history book and a bug-out bag at the same time, the KA-BAR EK Commando deserves a spot on your belt. It’s not a showpiece — it’s a partner. And like any good partner, it’s happiest when it’s working hard.