And, I decided right away that I would honor the blade, and leave it as it was. (If it was used in service, it should tell that story) So the brass guard and pommel are both a bit scratchy, and there are a few dings on the spacers that I could have polished out, but then none of it would look like it should be with the blade. The sheath was NOS off eBay, but I doubt it was the same as the original issue. The handle is some very old walnut that is at least older than me (54yrs) as my dad told me he got it years before me. The block of wood was about 2" thick and 12" x 6". I've been using slices off it for years.
Anyways, I was going to give my son the Pilots knife, but I think he gets this instead. Besides the fact that he served in Iraq, and would appreciate the symbolism, this one is actually a better build ! The Pilots knife is only pinned once, and compression fit. I don't trust it to do "chores". This one is pinned solid twice, and I'd chop wood with it if I had to
