This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
- Meridian_Mike
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- Location: Mississippi
This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
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.
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.....
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.
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.....
"Life is tough.... but it's tougher if you're stupid."....John Wayne
Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
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!
"Better to do something imperfectly, than to do nothing flawlessly." ~ Robert H. Schuller
Herb
Herb
- Meridian_Mike
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Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
Yep, I think you are right. He took a big ole bite out of the cover and the bolster.
"Life is tough.... but it's tougher if you're stupid."....John Wayne
- 1967redrider
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Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
Looks like a cool resto project, MM, I really like your choice of material.
How does a bolster end up looking like that???
How does a bolster end up looking like that???
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!
You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
- Meridian_Mike
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Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
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....
"Life is tough.... but it's tougher if you're stupid."....John Wayne
- 1967redrider
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Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
Meridian_Mike wrote: ↑Tue Apr 27, 2021 9:48 pmMan... 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....
Looks like someone was trying to peen rivets with it.
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 @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
- OLDE CUTLER
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Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
That is one neat old knife. One can only imagine how the bolster damage occurred.
"Sometimes even the blind chicken finds corn"
Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
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.
"Better to do something imperfectly, than to do nothing flawlessly." ~ Robert H. Schuller
Herb
Herb
Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
I look forward to seeing the finished project.
David
"Glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife" Meat Loaf
"Glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife" Meat Loaf
- Meridian_Mike
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- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2014 8:36 pm
- Location: Mississippi
Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
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.
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!
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.
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!
"Life is tough.... but it's tougher if you're stupid."....John Wayne
Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
Looking forward to the finished restoration.
- OLDE CUTLER
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Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
Wow, that is a mess! But I think you can make something of it.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!
"Sometimes even the blind chicken finds corn"
Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
It looks like a lot of work, but also appears to be a worthy project. Keep us posted!
Jesus is life.
Everything else is just a hobby.
~Reverand
Everything else is just a hobby.
~Reverand
Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
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.
“There are things in the old Book which I may not be able to explain, but I fully accept it as the infallible word of God, and receive its teachings as inspired by the Holy Spirit.”
Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
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.
Looking forward to what you will do with this one.
- Meridian_Mike
- Posts: 4981
- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2014 8:36 pm
- Location: Mississippi
Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
LOL... your welcome....
I keep forgetting that too..... BUT, then I get a wake up call.
"Life is tough.... but it's tougher if you're stupid."....John Wayne