This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project

[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.

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.....

[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!

[Meridian_Mike]

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.

[1967redrider]

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

How does a bolster end up looking like that???

[Meridian_Mike]

How does a bolster end up looking like that???

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....

[1967redrider]

How does a bolster end up looking like that???

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....

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.

[OLDE CUTLER]

That is one neat old knife. One can only imagine how the bolster damage occurred.

[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.

[edge213]

I look forward to seeing the finished project.

[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.

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!

[doglegg]

Looking forward to the finished restoration.

[OLDE CUTLER]

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!

Wow, that is a mess! But I think you can make something of it.

[Reverand]

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

[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.

[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.

[Meridian_Mike]

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.