Dating Kalinga

[Tecate]

Anyway to narrow down the dating on a Kalinga more than between 1970 and 1985? Handle looks to be black micarta. Sheath does not seem right for an older knife and has a sticker inside on the insert with "Sheath Made in Mexico".

 

[David Martin]

That sheath is from or after 1992 and you knife is from the 70's. Those came with a nice box. DM

 

[STEELHEADBULLY]

Inverted tang stamp 70 - 72, if i recall correctly

 

[Tecate]

That sheath is from or after 1992 and you knife is from the 70's. Those came with a nice box. DM

Inverted tang stamp 70 - 72, if i recall correctly

Thank you, DM and SHB

 

[imafritz]

Inverted 3-liner should be 72 only to my understanding

 

[DeSotoSky]

Inverted 3-liner should be 72 only to my understanding

The Kalinga is an exception. They were always three line with the word Kalinga instead of a model number.

I recall that David Martin has seen and handled a 2-liner.

I'm thinking that style sheath is after 2002, I a thousand miles from home at the moment and away from my stuff to verify.

Old knife with a new(er) replacement sheath.

 

[David Martin]

I was not going to bug my wife to find my notes and read them to me. So, thank you for the waiting. I'll also not debate the age of the sheath. It is very young, I know. The inverted stamp w/ black micarta and pointed guard (and I wish you had it's handsome hinged box).
Puts it in 1970-72. 3860 made. A great find. DM

 

[Tecate]

I was not going to bug my wife to find my notes and read them to me. So, thank you for the waiting. I'll also not debate the age of the sheath. It is very young, I know. The inverted stamp w/ black micarta and pointed guard (and I wish you had it's handsome hinged box).
Puts it in 1970-72. 3860 made. A great find. DM

I do not have the box, but now you really have me interested in what the box looks like.

 

[Tecate]

Thank you all!

Would it be safe to assume the blade is 440C steel?

 

[David Martin]

Yes, 440C blade until the red birch handles. That's when 425M steel began. Your welcome. DM

 

[David Martin]

Tecate, here is a Akonua box from the same time frame as your Kalinga. (I found this box first). This Akonua has the 3 line stamp and black micarta handle. These 2 models had the same box just a different model name on it. DM

 

[David Martin]

And the front. DM

 

[Tecate]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing DM.
I'll be on the lookout for one. I saw in a previous auction in the bay that the box alone sold for just a few $$ less than what I paid for the knife. Crazy. Even though I did get a great deal on the knife using 'Make Offer'.

 

[DeSotoSky]

David, the box with separate lid you have shown with your Akonua was not used until 1985 for the Kalinga. Prior to 1985 the hinged lid box would be the correct one for the Kalinga. The Akonua always had the box with separate lid and never a hinged one.

 

[Old Hunter]

I think your sheath should look something like this. My knife came in a box similar to David's. OH

 

[Tecate]

Does the box look more like this one?

 

[Old Hunter]

In the box, and with the lid closed. OH

 

[DeSotoSky]

Does the box look more like this one?

Yes, the hinged box with sheath in the lid was used until 1985.

 

[David Martin]

Yes, was the box I was looking for. So, thanks. DM