All About Pocket Knives

Hey Guys.....Hans Fischer here with a question....I have just picked up in the last month...a 1900 and a 1902 KRAG Bayonet cut down to a fighting knife......both have the the Barrel insert (best way to describe it I guess unless you just say the hole for the barrel.?).ground down and rounded off to make what I call a smoother appearance........anyway.....I saw another one I liked on a website for sale but it still had the "Barrel Insert" on it......I don't know how to grind those down....what I would like to know is if I try and use my Bench Grinder in my Shop..what type of grinding stone would you recommend and also after rounding it off......should I look at getting it reblued or is there a good "home remedy" that could be used.......I would appreciate any help and advice on how to go about that.....lets say I can pick up a Good Krag Bayonet but I want to grind down the insert......what type of stone would I use and then how do you clean up the metal afterwards...?/...have a gunsmith just blue that part along with the handle.?....I Appreciate any help on this....as I have let a good number of old Redone Krag Fighting Knives go by as I didn't know how to redo them........Thanks again.....Hans Fischer

Hans: Don't know what type of grinding equipment you have but a good bench grinder should be up to the task.I would first try cutting off a portion of the area you wish to remove with a good hacksaw, The metal should be soft enough to cut but if not then you will have to grind all of it.
I would grind it slowly;pausing to quench the piece in water to avoid overheating the metal. Once you have to near where you want it finished I would switch to a good single cut metal file and work slowly to avoid leaving deep scratching. A final finish with wet-or-dry sandpaper(start with 220 grit and finish with 400-600 grit)and you are ready to re-blue. There are a number of cold bluing kits available;try a gun shop or sporting goods store. Follow the instructions provided and you should be in business.

Thank you for your Very Quick Informative answer.....Im copying it down and taking to my Shop.......and really appreciate your help......This Forum has once again proved to be the BEST Knife Forum on the Internet........Thanks to its Members Hans Fischer

Hey Guys...one more question on working/reworking the old Bayonets that have been made into fighting knifes.....I received some Excellent advice on how to grind down the "barrel hole" but was wondering ......how or is it possible to fill in the two "slots" on either side of the Guard....??.....Im pretty sure I can shuffle my way thru to grind down the barrel hole......but what would you use to fill in the two slots..??...Im enclosing a photo and hopefully haven't confused anyone too much.........and as always you taking the time to answer is Appreciated......Kind Regards....Hans Fischer

The only way I know of to fill those in would be to make small pieces of steel(I'm assuming that the guard is steel)to fit snugly into the slots;and then bevel the exposed surfaces slightly and weld them in place.This would require removing the handles as they would likely melt from the heat generated in the welding process. After they are welded in place they would have to be ground/filed down flush with the guard.Sanding and polishing would not completely eliminate the differences in material but it wouldn't be as noticeable.

Thank you for your quick and thoughtful response......I think my best bet is just to live with them ....and quit worrying about them.....sometimes I have a habit of trying to fix every little snicket and scratch.......I am a Fair Carpenter....but metal work is just something I have never tried........I have a total of 3 of the converted Bayonets........two are Krag ...one is dated 1900 and other( 1903..due to arrive next week)...and a Kutmaster.....which has a solid Guard as does the 1900 Krag.........and unknowing to "My Boss" ....wife of 50 years.............bought another Kutmaster on auction last night which looks good.....and seller said guard was solid....(photo attached of it..comes with scabbard)......I really Appreciate your advice and help........one thing.....the 1900 Krag I have shows wear....the handle shows much use but blade is sharp.....Im torn between "cleaning it up".....polishing the metal....lightly sanding the wood grips.....or just enjoy it the way it is......its going to be used as a Hiking Knife.......Im not a hunter........other than Rattlesnakes..........anyway......not to get going on my personal philosophy.......Thank you again....will give me something to think about........Kind Wishes and Regards.....Hans Fischer

P.S......I have seen ads for Wood Replacement Grips......for Bayonet Fighting Knives......when this one comes in ....might be tempted to see if i could swap the grips out ....clean the blade up......and make a Nice Display Knife for my Library......just a thought............when you get to be 75...you think too much some times....

hanfischer007 wrote:P.S......I have seen ads for Wood Replacement Grips......for Bayonet Fighting Knives......when this one comes in ....might be tempted to see if i could swap the grips out ....clean the blade up......and make a Nice Display Knife for my Library......just a thought............when you get to be 75...you think too much some times....

Right behind you Hans lol At 72 I try not to overthink too much.