First KaBar... Storage advice?

I

Icancutstuff

Joined
Sep 3, 2011
Messages
134
Hello All,

I just got my first Kabar as a birthday gift. I have always had stainless knives, and wanted advice on how I should store this. It is a full size USMC with the leather handle and leather sheath. How often should I oil it? What type of oil? Is it OK to keep it in the leather sheath?

I plan on it being my camping knife. Most likely will only get used 4-5 times per year. Everyday carry for my is a stainless folder of some type.
 
If it's not humid a little oil on the edge will suffice and as long as it doesn't rain the days you use it (which means the sheath will get wet) there's no qualms with storing it in the sheath. If you wanna take extra precautions put in a drawer or safe out of the sheath. I assume your talking about the USMC with the black coating so the coating will protect the blade. You can also put vaseline or candle wax on the edge for long term storage as well.
 
Oh and any oil will suffice. But food based oils will spoil over time so if your using it for food prep at all use mineral oil, if not any oil even turbine, engine oil, etc etc
 
Thanks for the reply. Yes, it is the USMC w/ the black coating. I will make sure to keep the edge oiled, will most likely motor oil because I have way too much of it.
 
Icancutstuff said:
Thanks for the reply. Yes, it is the USMC w/ the black coating. I will make sure to keep the edge oiled, will most likely motor oil because I have way too much of it.
Click to expand...

If it's a camping knife that will prep food, go to your nearest pharmacy and get a bottle of mineral oil.
It's cheap, food-grade (edible), and will last you a long time. It's actually sold as a laxative, but works great for knives.
As long as the blade is well oiled, it'll be fine in the leather sheath, but always be sure the leather is good and dry when you store it.
 
Icancutstuff said:
Will mineral oil spoil and turn a little funky?
Click to expand...

Nope, it just emulcifies. Turns into a solid, white waxy substance, but that takes lots of time.

You might consider treating the leather with some beeswax, along with the sheath. After some time in storage, the leather can get dry. Snoseal works real well.

Congrats on you new knife, its a real piece of American History you got there.

What do you think of it? Like it? Love it? I just like to fondle mine at times and imagine what it was like to have been given one of these guys back in day. Wow, what a charge that must have been.


Moose
 
I love it so far. Like any other knife I have to fondle it :). Can't wait to take it out and use it.

thanks for the beeswax idea. I will do that.
 
im gonna gues you mean inclusive right? 20 or 15 on one side. depends on your use really. I like 20, more steel behind the edge, but 15 slices better. for a camping knife id say 20 on both sides
 
All my edges are set at 50 degrees inclusive, or 25 per. I find it cuts well, and is thick enough to take some use. I've been doing 25 degrees for over a decade, and I've never been let down. Now, that is just me.

Your edge is whatever you want it to be. Its as different for each person, as it should be. If you start with the 40 degree, you can always try the 30 later, if you start with the 30, you're lookin' at a reprofile, so, I would start at the 40.

Good luck, and post some pics when you get it ready to show. I look forward to seeing it.

Moose
 
I use both the 30 and the 40 on all my knives, to make a microconvex. Works very well.
Honestly, how much you oil it depends on you, I never do, as my edge has a patina on it from use and doesn't need oil. Rust can be easily avoided with some mineral oil though.
I store mine in its leather pants 24/7/365, never had a problem.
 
Honestly never tried, I'm sure you could. I have used WD40 on sheaths though, by putting way too much on the blade and resheathing it, so I know it works.
Ka-bar leather sheaths aren't hard to find and are quite cheap, maybe try it?
Good luck!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top