An old abused Kabar jack...

320 it is then, and I have ordered the diamond files to do the swedges. It'll be the first time I've done that. Stay tuned. I'll post the results good or bad.

Thanks everyone for the moral support on this project.

It's just like sanding balsa wood, just takes longer. :D

Ed
 
Ed if you have a Wave that file works well. Thats what I used to put swedges on this..........

P1010088.jpg
 
navihawk said:
Ed if you have a Wave that file works well. Thats what I used to put swedges on this..........
Click to expand...

Steve, mate...I think you have done a great job on the swedges...I would realy like to see someone doing that...did you finish the metal off with something finer?...or just file finish......I cant get over how good-a-job you have done on the swedges :thumbup: :thumbup:
 
navihawk said:
Ed if you have a Wave that file works well. Thats what I used to put swedges on this..........
Click to expand...

Steve, I'm going to answer your statement with a question. What's a wave?

Great job!! I hope I can get mine to look half that good.

Ed
 
Last edited:
Triq, he might be, but I don't have a Leatherman wave. I also don't have a DMT wave sharpener, if that's what he is speaking of. After I finish cleaning up the blade sides, I am going to sharpen it. I may do a convex edge on this; that would be a first for me as well. As long as I am in new territory, I might as well explore it. - Ed
 
Yes, a Leatherman Wave.Thanks for the comps guys. Duncan, the diamond is fine enough on the file, but if I remember correctly I touched it up a bit with a soft 400 stone I had kicking around and some oil.
 
Well, I've gone as far as I am going to until the files get here to do the swedges. I will put edges on the blades tonight after church so I can use it. I am itching to carry it now that it looks a little better.

Steve wanted some more pictures. It does have a couple of warts you will see in the pictures. I'll try to point them out as I post them.

First I have finished polishing to 320 grit.

Mark side:

KabarJack012.jpg


Pile side. Some grunge in the jigging near the butt that didn't come out with mild soap and water.


KabarJack013.jpg


"Top" view with pen closed. Pen is rubbing slightly on the center liner. The springs are dark, but no rust.

KabarJack009.jpg


Again with both blades closed. Main blade rubs mark side liner at tip (maybe).

KabarJack010.jpg


Back shot. Liners and springs are tight, a little gap on the mark side liner, but nothing to keep it from functioning properly.

KabarJack011.jpg


You know a knife like this might turn into a favorite because you know if you take care of it, it is as bad as it is going to get.

Ed
 
It's ready to use. Not totally complete because there are a couple more touch ups to do on the back of the blades and the backsprings, but this pumpkin has turned into a pretty decent carriage.

I spent about 35 minutes on the hones and strop straightening out the edge and sharpening it up. This thing took one heck of an edge! When you get a knife this sharp, I find it hard to quit testing it. My left arm is practically bare of sharpness test media now.

I put some pictures up earlier today. If anyone has any suggestions, please share them, just remember that I am limited in ability and tooling.

It occurs to me that I really haven't posted any statistics on this little fellow. First, the size is right in my sweet spot of 3-5/8" closed. The main blade is 2-11/16" from point to bolster and the pen blade is right at 2" from point to end of bolster. I'm guessing that this blade is 1095 or something like it; I don't believe it to be stainless as it does have some spots and had some staining before the beauty treatment. - Ed
 
Last edited:
Great little knife. I have a later version with brown jigged Delrin that my wife's Grandfather gave me. I cleaned it up, but left the patina on the blades. Still not as sharp as I'd like, but I'm working on it. They are just such a pocket friendly size too.
 
For what it's worth I think you've done an outstanding job. Wouldn't mind having that one myself.
 
Nice work Ed. You're right, when you put some work into an old knife like that they really do become a part of you.
 
That is a great knife. Unless I missed it what did you do to clean up the bolsters?
 
tomsch said:
That is a great knife. Unless I missed it what did you do to clean up the bolsters?
Click to expand...

They haven't been cleaned other than soap and water. I'm going to polish them a bit with some semi-chrome, but that hasn't happened yet.

Ed
 
I love the no frills, all business handle on that one. Truly one to take on a journey for years to come.
 
Be careful with the bolsters Ed. Sometimes the pin is softer than the bolsters and if you buff them they will sink in. You see that a lot with "cleaned" knives.
 
It's been a while since I posted here, but I thought that I would let you folks know that thanks to one of our fellow forum members, my Kabar jack has a stablemate now. It is a gunstock pattern with a wide clip and pen blade. Here is a shot of the two knives together on my by now world famous brick pile:

knives1103-001.jpg


The knife has beautiful bone scales and is in at least mint condition; I don't think has ever been used. Pulls are very strong and it does have half stops. I hope a little exercise will limber it up a bit. I've never seen one of these before and I am honored that my friend sent it to me. It's certainly not William's fault, but I would have preferred that Kabar use a long pull on the straight part of the blade as the location of the nail notch feels a bit awkward to me. Nothing, however, can take away from the pride I have owning this knife and the appreciation for the gift. I will remember the connection between the gift and the giver every time I carry it and use it. Thank you so much William.

Ed J

P.S. Steve, the diamond files have come in for the swedging project, but the courage to do it appears to have been backordered.
 
Last edited:
I really like what you did to that old knife. Like some here, I wouldn't keep going on it until it looked nearly new. I think a real, earned patina on a blade is quite attractive.

Pits, rust stains, discoloration.... all part of a real user with carbon blades. I think you did an outstanding job on that knife and I would leave it with as much wear as I could stand.

Almost enough inspiration for me to get after an old Kabar stockman I have. Almost.... ;) I found it in one of my old tool boxes with other tools I am meaning to attend to "one day". Whatever kind of steel it is it rusted so quickly in my pocket I just quit carrying it, and went back to all CASE knives. At the speed I am going now, it would be finished and perfect for winter carry in the fall. You know, this year or next.

Thanks for the pics!

Robert
 
both looks great

if it's a user how is the pivot? nice and tight or did ig get a bit loose? want to figure out how used knifes are as mine are all too new, still

I would have given it a horizontal satin finish like on a custom but the vertical finish you gave it looks nice withit's zero edge

would love to have one of those too! nice edc

Maxx
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top