ka-bar salvage

[laktrash]

Found this Kabar in a goody box my aunt gave me. Has USN on one side and ka-bar ocean ny on the other. It in fairly rough shape any suggestiohs on how to freshin' up or should I even bother.

Edited March 8, 2011 by laktrash

[memphisjim]

I'd leave it as is

[Oh Shoot]

Found this Kabar in a goody box my aunt gave me. Has USN on one side and ka-bar ocean ny on the other....

For your info, that's Olean, NY.

US made Ka-Bars are still made there.

- OS

[laktrash]

Eyesight is not the only thing that starts to fail at my age

but thanks for the correction I can see that now

[Jonnin]

Looks like minor cosmetic issues in the pictures, and only to the handle. If that is rotted out wooden handle, and you plan to carry/use it for something, it would not be too hard to make a new handle for it. If its not too bad, or you do not plan to use it, just leave it be. There isnt much point in making a new handle if the damage is just cosmetc, unless you just want to for fun.

[Oh Shoot]

... If that is rotted out wooden handle, and you plan to carry/use it for something, it would not be too hard to make a new handle for it. ...

Surely it's leather?

Have US military Ka-Bars ever been wood?

- OS

[Jonnin]

Surely it's leather?

Have US military Ka-Bars ever been wood?

- OS

All I have is a picture, it could be made of anything, and I am no expert on military stuff. My bad. Still, same thing goes, if its to be used and its bad, fix it. If its not bad or not to be used, leave it be.

[Oh Shoot]

... and I am no expert on military stuff. My bad....

Wasn't flogging you.

It's not so much "military" stuff as just Ka-Bar stuff.

To my knowledge, they have ever, as today, used stacked leather for grips. It's coated with several layers of some kind of veneer, maybe even an epoxy anymore.

https://www.kabar.com/famous.jsp

I'm sure you could fix up the leather in various ways, maybe sand down a tad and recoat. You could even replace it. Or send it to Ka-Bar.

Or if no one here gives definitive answer, ask on couple of the giant blade forums. Actually, the knife forum on survivalistboards.com has a number of knife makers, and the Ka-Bar folks there are pretty active, and they're generally not snobs.

- OS

[laktrash]

no show piece but better "as good as it gonna get" the handle is leather, A little flitz and got the white paint off, used a little leather conditioner and shoe polish.

Don't get me wrong its certainly not going into "show and tell" but back into the box. just bored today she really gave a lot nice knives one was a new buck 124

[Guest RiseMechanical]

Sweet! It looks good. I would like to find an old Kabar. I have a new one but there is something about the older ones that appeal to me.

[gregintenn]

I have one similar to that. My great uncle gave it to me. He was in the Navy in Charleston SC. I assume that's where it came from. Mine has a sheath with it as well. Seems to be a good quality knife.

[laktrash]

Mine has sheath as well . its functional but again no showpiece

[Guest aaron a]

Some one gave me a smaller ka bar and told me it was around 40yr old is there any way to tell. I like it because it is smaller and I can carry it easier..any input from you ka bar guys???

[Oh Shoot]

Some one gave me a smaller ka bar and told me it was around 40yr old is there any way to tell. I like it because it is smaller and I can carry it easier..any input from you ka bar guys???

If you mean the standard USMC type, they make several models with 5.25" blades instead of the standard 7", but have no idea how long they're been doing it.

https://www.kabar.com/product/productDetail.do?productNumber=1251&mode=category&categoryId=1,2,3,7&categoryName=Military/Tactical

- OS

[Guest aaron a]

I would say the knife is 8-9" tip to but. Sorry don't have it in front of me and the handle looks a little different.

[Oh Shoot]

I would say the knife is 8-9" tip to but. Sorry don't have it in front of me and the handle looks a little different.

You said it was "smaller".

We've been discussing the 7" blade model, which was the standard military issue.

- OS

[Guest aaron a]

Yes its smaller then the standard issue.

[Guest aaron a]

the blade is 4 1/4" over all 8 1/4".

[Oh Shoot]

the blade is 4 1/4" over all 8 1/4".

Then it's not the classic military model.

Probably a hunting model, Bowie, Finn, Hunter, Skinner, whatever, if it has the leather built grip.

You can probably find it on site there. They still make most of their traditional models.

- OS

[Guest aaron a]

Cool thanks.

[gregintenn]

Here is mine in a couple of pics I found.

[Guest Springfield1911guy]

Not the prettiest knife I've ever seen but, a nice sharpening and it will do what it was made for.

[Guest Keinengel]

I have a Vietnam Issue KA-BAR that my father brought back and gave too me. I love that old knife!

[Lumber_Jack]

Nice. I have one very similar, my dad found under the back seat of a car he bought while stationed in Okinawa back in 1970. I'll throw a pic up later

[hso]

Have US military Ka-Bars ever been wood?

Ka-Bar USN MkII knives have always used stack leather washer handles.

You can restore them by soaking in mineral oil if the leather isn't too far gone and then dip in paraffin. If the washers are gone you can buy replacements and tap out the pin holding the butt-cap in place and restack them with new. Be sure to compress the washers while you put the pin back.

Edited May 10, 2011 by hso