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Vintage Kabar Grizzly
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2023 2:33 pm
by backlip
Another from my grandfather’s collection. Not sure where he picked it up (decades of flea markets and knife shows).
Looks like the blade has been repaired. Crack on one side of the handle. Still a cool knife, really like the look of these old Grizzlies.
Blade is a little wobbly but the spring is surprisingly good.
Re: Vintage Kabar Grizzly
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2023 3:11 pm
by 1967redrider
As Gene had pointed out, I wonder why they decided to weld that blade on instead of the original?

Or is it the model in the second picture below? Attaching a couple pictures I found for research.
Re: Vintage Kabar Grizzly
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2023 3:18 pm
by backlip
What makes you think the blade isn’t original?
Re: Vintage Kabar Grizzly
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2023 3:19 pm
by backlip
Thanks for the reference pics btw
Re: Vintage Kabar Grizzly
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2023 8:57 pm
by Gunsil
I guess my earlier post got deleted for using the word "ugly" to describe the repair job on this knife. I didn't know calling them as I see them was agin the rules. Seems just like government censorship. There is an obvious weld where the "blade" meets the tang. Just look at that wavy piece of metal, it's not even straight and the spine of the blade should be same thickness as tang.
Re: Vintage Kabar Grizzly
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2023 8:59 pm
by 1967redrider
Gunsil wrote: ↑Fri Jan 06, 2023 8:57 pm
I guess my earlier post got deleted for using the word "ugly" to describe the repair job on this knife. I didn't know calling them ass I see them was agin the rules. Seems just like government censorship. There is an obvious weld where the "blade" meets the tang.
Looks like a suspicious weld job to me too. Do you think it's not the original blade that was welded back on, Gene? I know you have handled/seen a lot of these.
Re: Vintage Kabar Grizzly
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2023 9:08 pm
by Gunsil
No John, I do not think that piece of metal came from the original knife. Dang sure it did not.
By the way, I just sent in my table fee for the Shenandoah show, the show will only be two days this year, Friday and Saturday, March 31 and April 1.
Re: Vintage Kabar Grizzly
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2023 9:18 pm
by Madmarco
1967redrider wrote: ↑Fri Jan 06, 2023 3:11 pm
As Gene had pointed out, I wonder why they decided to weld that blade on instead of the original?

Or is it the model in the second picture below? Attaching a couple pictures I found for research.
Why do you say "or is it the model in the second picture below", John? To my untrained eye, where the blade meets the tang appears to look correct?

Re: Vintage Kabar Grizzly
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2023 9:19 pm
by 1967redrider
Gunsil wrote: ↑Fri Jan 06, 2023 9:08 pm
No John, I do not think that piece of metal came from the original knife. Dang sure it did not.
By the way, I just sent in my table fee for the Shenandoah show, the show will only be two days this year, Friday and Saturday, March 31 and April 1.
Awesome, hope you will be seeing Herb and me!
Re: Vintage Kabar Grizzly
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2023 9:21 pm
by 1967redrider
Madmarco wrote: ↑Fri Jan 06, 2023 9:18 pm
1967redrider wrote: ↑Fri Jan 06, 2023 3:11 pm
As Gene had pointed out, I wonder why they decided to weld that blade on instead of the original?

Or is it the model in the second picture below? Attaching a couple pictures I found for research.
Why do you say "or is it the model in the second picture below", John? To my untrained eye, where the blade meets the tang appears to look correct?
Mark, I defer to Gene's area of expertise. He's the Grizzly Guru in my book.

Re: Vintage Kabar Grizzly
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2023 9:24 pm
by Madmarco
I get what we're talking about, it's just that the statement made it sound like the knife in the second picture below is a different knife from the OP, or is it, they look the same to me except for the weld?

Re: Vintage Kabar Grizzly
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2023 10:30 pm
by Gunsil
Mark, look at the photos. There is an obvious weld or brazing seam the whole width of the blade. Then look at the photo of the top of the knife open, the "blade" is wavy. The "blade" spine also tapers down from the tang right at the tang, spine should be same thickness as tang for a long ways out. You can also see remnants of the milling done for a thumb grip on the tang, this should go out on the blade. The top of the "blade" is rounded, should be square. I'd wager the piece of metal used here for a "blade" isn't even tempered tool steel.
Re: Vintage Kabar Grizzly
Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2023 3:43 am
by edge213
Gunsil wrote: ↑Fri Jan 06, 2023 10:30 pm
Mark, look at the photos. There is an obvious weld or brazing seam the whole width of the blade. Then look at the photo of the top of the knife open, the "blade" is wavy. The "blade" spine also tapers down from the tang right at the tang, spine should be same thickness as tang for a long ways out. You can also see remnants of the milling done for a thumb grip on the tang, this should go out on the blade. The top of the "blade" is rounded, should be square. I'd wager the piece of metal used here for a "blade" isn't even tempered tool steel.
You can now purchase this Kabar in an AAPK store.
Re: Vintage Kabar Grizzly
Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2023 4:00 am
by Madmarco
Thanks Gene, but we're having a misunderstanding. The moment I read "weld" I looked for it and saw it clearly and I totally agree, it's been welded on, and John's picture of the weld absolutely confirms that. But, John wrote "I wonder why they decided to weld that blade on instead of the original?"

"Or is it the model in the second picture below?", and he attached 2 pictures. To me that says that John is saying they are 2 different knives regardless of the weld, the welded OP is 1, and the knife in John's 2nd picture is 2, or, John is saying the knife in his 2nd picture just naturally looks like it had the blade welded on, but of course it hasn't. Are you following me cuz I'm gettin' fuzzy? Disregard all that, I think I got it. John was asking why the original blade wasn't used for the welding, and then answered his own question by saying perhaps the knife isn't the model he thought it was but maybe it's the model below, which is a different model, hence the blade looking different, yes? Whew!

Re: Vintage Kabar Grizzly
Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2023 2:11 pm
by 1967redrider
Mark, that second picture I posted was of a blade shaped somewhat like the OP blade. That's the reason I posted it and asked the question. Sorry if it confused anyone.
Re: Vintage Kabar Grizzly
Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2023 2:37 pm
by Gunsil
John's second photo is of a catalog block print which was drawn by an artist and not quite true to the actual manufactured knife. The first picture is more true to the actual knives, there should not be as much of an upsweep to the blade coming from the tang. Marco, a simple google search will show you plenty of photos of the originals, some in nice shape. The google search will show more than one model Grizzly, but there are good photos of the big ones. Mine is misplaced, possibly stolen or I'd photo it for you. I have my mid size one but the blade profile on these ia a little different than on the large ones. Now that welded up knife is for sale at an exorbitant price in the AAPK stores. Hefty price for a handle!!
Re: Vintage Kabar Grizzly
Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2023 3:38 pm
by backlip
open to offers, bub
Re: Vintage Kabar Grizzly
Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2023 7:20 pm
by Bill DeShivs
The blade has not been welded. It was silver soldered-technically a form of "brazing."
Re: Vintage Kabar Grizzly
Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2023 9:45 pm
by Madmarco
Thank you John and Gene. I get it now, and apologize for being so dense it really wasn't that complicated, but it just wouldn't sink in til we hashed it out. I REALLY hope your knife is only misplaced Gene, that would suck if someone lifted it on you.

Re: Vintage Kabar Grizzly
Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2023 2:15 pm
by 1967redrider
Bill DeShivs wrote: ↑Sat Jan 07, 2023 7:20 pm
The blade has not been welded. It was silver soldered-technically a form of "brazing."
How durable would that be, Bill?
Re: Vintage Kabar Grizzly
Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2023 7:02 pm
by Bill DeShivs
Not particularly durable, and the heat required would ruin the blade's heat treatment.