Made in a machine shop

[ThatWeirdKnifeGuy]

My grampa retired from Caterpillar several years ago. While working maintenance there he used some free time and materials laying around to make this knife in their machine shop. He was a plumber by trade with his own business before starting at Cat. He's used knives his whole life, but this is his only attempt at making one. Its heavy in the handle, I have no idea what the grey stuff is. Its ugly all day, and I'm not sure it's been heat treated properly. But I love it. My brother is the current owner, he asked me to spiff it up a bit. I know the prevailing sentiment here, and in my own heart, is to leave your ancestors knives in original condition. But my grampa is still alive, he'd think it's cool to see this thing with an updated look and being used.

My plan is to first see if it's been heat treated. If not I'll see if i can't do an edge treatment without ruining the handle. The handle I'd like to wrap with black leather cord, or maybe something synthetic. I'm also planning a sheath. We'll see what happens.

[Ridgegrass]

The wrap reminds me of "padded" bicycle handlebar tape. Looks like it.. J.O'.

[bestgear]

I have no idea what the grey stuff is.

given the connection with Cat, it’s probably something like thermal block tape or sound deadening tape used in the machinery that they produced. If your grandfather was raised during The Great Depression is was likely destined for the landfill and he repurposed it. Good on you for keeping his legacy alive be cautious, it could contain something like asbestos

[LKSKNIVES]

Very Cool TWKG,
It would be hard to update it and then let it go back to my brother I may have to miss place it for a while.
Steve