In a case that has the whole country consumed with anger and confusion, there are still many unanswered questions as to what happened in the late hours the night of Sunday, November 13th at the University of Idaho campus.

While many questions and speculations surrounding the case remain unanswered, officials are trying to narrow in on the specific weapon that they think could have been used. Over 113 pieces of evidence have been collected so far from the house in Moscow, Idaho where the crimes took place. The exact murder weapon has still not been identified and solving these horrible crimes could come down to classifying and/or finding the specific murder weapon in question.

There is speculation that it was a ‘fixed-blade’ KA-BAR knife that was used in the tragic killings of four University of Idaho students, but authorities are still unsure of the specifics. A ‘fixed-blade’, is essentially a term used to describe a very general style of knife that does not bend and remains in a fixed, upright position.

KA-BAR knives have been around since 1898 and due to their large military style blade, were originally used by the Marines and then adopted by the Navy later on. Read up on the history of the KA-BAR knife. Public perception of this specific style of knife has warped into the notion that it is a ‘Rambo-style’ knife. This is due to the fact that movie makers and Hollywood alike redesigned the KA-BAR knife, adding serrated edges along the top. It is seen in the movie Rambo, used by Sylvester Stallone’s character, making it look much more terrifying and dangerous.

While the public has taken the idea that a ‘Rambo-style’ knife was used in the University of Idaho killings and run with it, authorities are not 100% certain that this is the case. 

It is believed that the police will have a much better chance at finding the culprit once they identify the specific knife that was used. Whether it was a standard kitchen knife, a common hunting knife, or an extremely unique style of knife, this can help authorities find where the knife was purchased and ultimately, who it was purchased by. To learn more about the various styles of knives on the market, knife aficionado and dealer of world-class custom knives, Dave Ellis, founder of Exquisite Knives and California’s first ABS Mastersmith was interviewed as an expert on the subject. 

Ellis was first asked about the functionality of the KA-BAR knife, since it is not known to be used as a hunting or fishing knife. He says that ‘Rambo-style’ knives have taken on a generic term, for any large, ‘wicked-looking’ knife and that a KA-BAR knife is really not a ‘Rambo-style’ knife. The first two knives that were made for the movie Rambo were created by a fellow named Jimmy Lile and were based on a survivalist’s tool. They were made with a hollow handle used to store gear, matches, etc. and have a soft blade top. 

The KA-BAR is a completely different instrument, it was a permutation of what was called a Mark I which was used during World War I. Originally, it was a combat knife but it also had a set of brass knuckles built into it, which made it very unwieldy. The US Marine Corp were the first to use this original style KA-BAR knife, calling it the Mark I. Eventually the Navy began using this KA-BAR style knife as well.

What sets the KA-BAR knife apart from other knife styles is that it has a stacked leather washer, making it easy to grip when your hands are wet from perspiration. Typically, it is made with a 1095 high carbon steel blade, as well as a fuller or groove carved into the blade, making it a lighter weapon to carry.

When asked what kind of person would need this specific style of knife that is not widely utilized for hunting or fishing, Ellis agreed that these types of knives lean more towards a fantasy type of knife. He says that overseas there have been so many copies made of the ‘Rambo-style’ knife, yet from a functional standpoint, this is a survival tool that most hunters or fisherman do not use. 

He makes it very clear that when you look at something like a KA-BAR style knife it really is a combat style knife. KA-BAR knives are officially made for one thing. It has the main sharp edge to it, and then it has what is known as a clip, which is the front third of the top of the blade which is also sharpened. The KA-BAR is a very violent weapon, especially when it is used in a slashing or stabbing motion. But calling it a ‘Rambo-style’ knife tends to make people jump to conclusions.

It is important to note that the KA-BAR style knife is a very common knife in the military and it really has not changed much since the forties.