debaser, I don't think throwing firearms into the argument will really help you, since IPSC, for example, is dominated by the 1911, a pistol design that is almost 100 years old. ;)

The basic 1911 design is about a hundred years old. However, I guarantee there isn't a single person alive who could be competitive in an IPSC tournament with a traditional 1911.

The 1911 is a hundred year old design that has undergone 100 years of evolution and constant improvement. A good, modern 1911 will out perform what was available in the early 1900's hands down.

Yes, but it's still the same fundamental design. I'd be interested to know how many parts would be interchangeable between an old 1911A1 and a new one.

Just about all the parts are compatible, but that is not to say they are as good. The evolution has been in the manufacturing and materials. I mean the functional design of the knife hasn't changed for millenia, but you can argue that they are now much more efficient at what they are supposed to do (cut).

I totally agree. But if we apply this to the KABAR vs whatever the hell the other one was, then there's no reason the newly-made KABARs with the newer materials, wouldn't be competitive (based on the logic that old designs are not necessarily particularly flawed as shown by the 1911).

That's what I was saying, the 1095 steel used in KaBars is no where near as good as the S30V steel used in Strider and other high end knives. S30V is a modern alloy stainless, where 1095 is just simple steel that has been around for over a hundred years.
Add to that the incredible job Paul Bos does of heat treating their knives (they now use the same process in house on some of their knives) and you get a superior product to a mass produced blade using half century old techniques.

On the down side you pay a lot more for it as well...

Well, if you upgraded the steel of a K-bar, used a modern, stronger blade design, better handle materials/shape, etc. You would have a better knife, but by definition it wouldn't be a K-bar anymore.

The K-bar is a great knife, and for the price, it is hard to beat. It will certainly survive hard abuse, but if you are willing to spend the money there are better options nowadays.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

I wasn't arguing for the K-bar. I was arguing against the logic that old designs are inherently worse than new ones based on the criteria of age, or even than you necessarily get what you pay for (particularly using firearms as an example).

I am the first to admit I don't know jack shit about knives. I'm just arguing the basic premises here. lol