Page 1 of 1
This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2021 7:32 pm
by 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.....
Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2021 8:43 pm
by 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!
Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2021 8:55 pm
by Meridian_Mike
herbva wrote: ↑Tue Apr 27, 2021 8:43 pm
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.
Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2021 9:44 pm
by 1967redrider
Looks like a cool resto project, MM, I really like your choice of material.
How does a bolster end up looking like that???
Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2021 9:48 pm
by Meridian_Mike
1967redrider wrote: ↑Tue Apr 27, 2021 9:44 pm
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....
Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2021 9:57 pm
by 1967redrider
Meridian_Mike wrote: ↑Tue Apr 27, 2021 9:48 pm
1967redrider wrote: ↑Tue Apr 27, 2021 9:44 pm
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.
Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2021 10:16 pm
by OLDE CUTLER
That is one neat old knife. One can only imagine how the bolster damage occurred.
Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2021 10:20 pm
by 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.
Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2021 11:09 pm
by edge213
I look forward to seeing the finished project.
Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
Posted: Wed May 05, 2021 5:05 pm
by 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!
Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
Posted: Wed May 05, 2021 5:11 pm
by doglegg
Looking forward to the finished restoration.
Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
Posted: Wed May 05, 2021 5:41 pm
by OLDE CUTLER
Meridian_Mike wrote: ↑Wed May 05, 2021 5:05 pm
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.
Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
Posted: Thu May 06, 2021 1:38 am
by Reverand
It looks like a lot of work, but also appears to be a worthy project. Keep us posted!
Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
Posted: Thu May 06, 2021 2:34 am
by 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.
Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
Posted: Thu May 06, 2021 3:04 am
by 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.
Re: This old Ka-bar looks like a fun restore project
Posted: Thu May 06, 2021 12:24 pm
by Meridian_Mike
glennbad wrote: ↑Thu May 06, 2021 3:04 am
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.