Mess Kit Knife Conversion

[ThatWeirdKnifeGuy]

I call this the Dad knife. I've been carrying a Gerber pixie because it's small and discreet but yet handles most of what I need done. However, most of what I need done in a day I've discovered involves cutting sandwiches and other big food pieces into halves or thirds for my boys to share. The pixie is actually a tad too short for cutting a thick burger.

When those same three goobers and I were at the thrift store I found a pair of mess kit knives in the .75 bin. One is marked lf&c 1941. The other is this one, marked only USA. Someone had already done a number on it with a grinder, but I really like the feel of it so I decided I'd like to carry it. I also can't resist an inside joke, a way of poking fun at myself.

Light and agile, it took a gnarly edge quick on an old whetstone. I used a sharpening rod to cut in smooth groove jimping. I did a simple wrapping on it to keep it thin, and made this sheath for it. I used seatbelt salvaged from a carseat that my kids outgrew. I use the factory sewn loop as the belt loop. I'll probably end up using a nylon sheath as this one is heavier than the knife itself, but the fit is perfect. The inside is a piece of shrink tube that's been shrunk to fit the knife blade.

[Modern Slip Joints]

That was a very clever way to make a free sheath.
In the closest city, the county seat, it's still acceptable to carry as large a hunting knife as you want all year. A 12 inch bowie would make you look silly but would be O.K.

[Goodnight Robicheaux]

Very nice design and idea on the knife and sheath. I use an old mess kit knife like that as my desk top letter opener.
They are handy.