By "black k-bar" do you mean one of the "next generation" versions? All "k-bars" are not created equal. The Ontarios are notorious for snapping at the hilt. The Camillus will do this but not as frequently. The K-bar made knives are considered the best made .This is rather informal data gathered by several users and my own experience. Of course, they snapped after being accidently dropped, used as a pry bar or digging in adobe soil. This is abuse not use. The next generation knives have some improvements; lanyard hole, half guard, partial serrations and materials. If you decide 7" is a bit much, there is a nice 51/2" version available in the classic model.