This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project

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Meridian_Mike
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This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project

Post by Meridian_Mike »

Hey all....

I found this old "Dog's Head" Ka-Bar hunter today and thought it might make a fun restore project.
I have had a ton of other things going on so not much shop time the last few weeks. This knife makes me want to go down there and hide for a while and work on it....LOL
I don't know much about Ka-Bars but this one looks like it dates on back yonder. (40s maybe??)
Not much of the tang stamp left. I think I see a couple of letters only. Both covers are in bad shape. The old dogs head sure looks cool.
I'm thinking that Kyranite I have will make some cool covers.
1 Kyranite antique pearl.jpg
I might have to re-make the mark side bolster. I can't tell what is going on with it but it looks HEAVILY scratched.

Here she is.....

mark side 2.jpg
mark side 3.jpg
pile side 2.jpg
pile side 3.jpg

:D
"Life is tough.... but it's tougher if you're stupid."....John Wayne
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herbva
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Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project

Post by herbva »

That one sure does look like it will be a fun project. And, it looks like the dog on the shield must have been gnawing on that front bolster! :D
"Better to do something imperfectly, than to do nothing flawlessly." ~ Robert H. Schuller

Herb
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Meridian_Mike
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Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project

Post by Meridian_Mike »

herbva wrote: Tue Apr 27, 2021 8:43 pm And, it looks like the dog on the shield must have been gnawing on that front bolster!
Yep, I think you are right. He took a big ole bite out of the cover and the bolster.

:D
"Life is tough.... but it's tougher if you're stupid."....John Wayne
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1967redrider
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Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project

Post by 1967redrider »

Looks like a cool resto project, MM, I really like your choice of material.

How does a bolster end up looking like that??? ::doh::
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!

You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
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Meridian_Mike
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Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project

Post by Meridian_Mike »

1967redrider wrote: Tue Apr 27, 2021 9:44 pm
How does a bolster end up looking like that??? ::doh::
Man... you got me...

Almost looks like a little brazing material on there or something.... BAD photo by the seller.

One thing for sure... I ain't gonna hurt it none.... :D
"Life is tough.... but it's tougher if you're stupid."....John Wayne
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1967redrider
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Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project

Post by 1967redrider »

Meridian_Mike wrote: Tue Apr 27, 2021 9:48 pm
1967redrider wrote: Tue Apr 27, 2021 9:44 pm
How does a bolster end up looking like that??? ::doh::
Man... you got me...

Almost looks like a little brazing material on there or something.... BAD photo by the seller.

One thing for sure... I ain't gonna hurt it none.... :D

Looks like someone was trying to peen rivets with it. :lol:
Can't wait to see your finished product, I know you will do it justice.
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!

You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
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OLDE CUTLER
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Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project

Post by OLDE CUTLER »

That is one neat old knife. One can only imagine how the bolster damage occurred.
"Sometimes even the blind chicken finds corn"
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herbva
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Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project

Post by herbva »

Mike, I remember that I once filled in some damage like that to a bolster with silver solder. As I remember, it worked pretty well, but after I was finished, the color didn't quite match perfectly. If I still have that one, I'll post a pic. I think I was using the real hard silver solder.
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edge213
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Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project

Post by edge213 »

I look forward to seeing the finished project.
David
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Meridian_Mike
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Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project

Post by Meridian_Mike »

Well.....
I am back at work this morning and a package was waiting at my desk.

I got a good look at this knife in hand and YES.... somebody tried to use heat to attach the bolster to the liner and made a good mess out of the mark side.

Here is a couple of pics of the melted liner. You can see an indention on the bottom view where the brass meted away during a crummy repair attempt. You can see what looks like brazing brass on the bolster in 2 places where the cover meets the bolster.

IMG_6975.JPG
IMG_6974.JPG

I can see that there is gonna be some SERIOUS work to do to the mark side bolster. I might even have to make a new bolster for this side.

:(

BUT.... I am excited about this knife! It feels so nice in hand!
I will be diving into this repair soon!

:D
"Life is tough.... but it's tougher if you're stupid."....John Wayne
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Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project

Post by doglegg »

Looking forward to the finished restoration.
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Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project

Post by OLDE CUTLER »

Meridian_Mike wrote: Wed May 05, 2021 5:05 pm Well.....
I am back at work this morning and a package was waiting at my desk.

I got a good look at this knife in hand and YES.... somebody tried to use heat to attach the bolster to the liner and made a good mess out of the mark side.

Here is a couple of pics of the melted liner. You can see an indention on the bottom view where the brass meted away during a crummy repair attempt. You can see what looks like brazing brass on the bolster in 2 places where the cover meets the bolster.


IMG_6975.JPG
IMG_6974.JPG


I can see that there is gonna be some SERIOUS work to do to the mark side bolster. I might even have to make a new bolster for this side.

:(

BUT.... I am excited about this knife! It feels so nice in hand!
I will be diving into this repair soon!

:D
Wow, that is a mess! But I think you can make something of it.
"Sometimes even the blind chicken finds corn"
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Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project

Post by Reverand »

It looks like a lot of work, but also appears to be a worthy project. Keep us posted!
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Everything else is just a hobby.

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Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project

Post by Colonel26 »

Mike you have a job of work ahead of ya for sure. But I can’t wait to see what you come up with. That’ll be a great old knkfe when you get done.
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glennbad
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Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project

Post by glennbad »

I have often thought (stupidly) that I could do a quick solder job like that without having to take things apart. Thanks for reminding me that there are no shortcuts.

Looking forward to what you will do with this one.
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Meridian_Mike
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Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project

Post by Meridian_Mike »

glennbad wrote: Thu May 06, 2021 3:04 am Thanks for reminding me that there are no shortcuts.
LOL... your welcome....

I keep forgetting that too..... BUT, then I get a wake up call.

:D
"Life is tough.... but it's tougher if you're stupid."....John Wayne
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