Boker Combat knife b4 & after

[muskrat man]

Well, it's been a bit slow here lately so I thought I would throw in a little restoration project I done on an H. Boker combat knife I picked up recently. As you can see, every metal part on the knife was caked in rust. Unbelieveably the handle was fairly well, still tight and not beat up too bad, but the bakelite buttcap was kinda battered. I got all the pits out but two small ones; so I gave it a fine brushed finish instead of the usual polish, had to leave some of the nasties on the tang, wanted to keep the markings sharp, and refinished the leather and buttcap.

[jimmy]

now thats a nice job. did you just clean the handle or did you have to lightly sand it and or is it varnished...... enquiring minds have to kow

[BIGHEAD]

THAT IS BEAUTIMUS M.M.

[muskrat man]

Thanks guys, the handle is polished from varying grits down the the finest grit then polished on a wheel. Repairing leather handles is one of my favorite jobs.

[cgwbear]

hi, very nice work. w/ respect to the blade: did you do all the work with files? if so could you give a little detail on the progression from coarse to fine? thanks, b

[muskrat man]

just star off with 60 grit and aftyer everything from the prevois grit is out move onto the next grit, I go in 100 grit incriments.

[cgwbear]

thanks for the info. what type of device or vise do you hold these in? i have tried several kinds of vises, and modified some, but can't get them so the blade is in the natural position for the way i use a file--standing up. thanks in advance for any info........................b

[muskrat man]

I usually sit in a char and rest it on a table. it's hard to do something like this in or out of a vice becuase of the handle and guard. That's where a belt sander and a steady hand comes in.

[cgwbear]

thanks very much for your help.............b