- Joined
- Nov 27, 2004
- Messages
- 3,124
Hello all (forgive me if this is the wrong forum – it seemed the most appropriate of the possible choices)
Last week, while visiting my parents and taking inventory of supplies and gear for an upcoming backpacking trip, I came across an old fixed-blade hunting knife. It belongs to my father, who will be joining me on the trip. He was an avid outdoorsman in his younger days (and still is), and this knife travelled with him all across Canada, to the Grand Canyon, through the American Rockies, and elsewhere. It had apparently been packed away in a crate for close to 18 years, inside a sheath, rusting to hell and back. When I found the knife, it looked like a real piece of scrap; not only was the blade beyond weathered, but the spacers had shrunk and come loose, along with the brass guard. The sheath is held together with masking tape and shoestring. Knowing that I am a knife enthusiast and an amateur knifemaker, my father asked if I wanted the knife, seeing as he wouldn’t be using it (I lent him a KaBar to use on our trip). I could see a little nostalgic glint in his eye when he said this, and I know that while he was sincere about giving it up, he was also thinking fondly of all the trips he had taken with it. I took his offer, but I have no intention of keeping the knife myself.
When I returned home after the visit, I took the knife out and gave it a serious inspection. I’ve concluded that it’s salvageable, and I intend to refinish it and return it to my father as a gift. I always enjoy reading the ‘history’ of my knives in their wear, and recalling past excursions where they came in handy; this knife has so much history (and so much wear) that it really deserves a second life.
The plan is to keep the blade and the brass guard, but ditch the stacked leather handle and aluminium pommel in favour of a nice cocobolo hidden tang-style handle, with a few brass pins. I want it to look functional and (hopefully!) elegant, but with a traditional and slightly worn feel. The pommel snapped off after a bit of pressure was applied, and I have already disposed of the leather (and plastic) spacers. The blade itself is still quite functional, although the massive patches of rust resulted in some pitting and discolouration. The guard will take some work to restore, and I may end up simply replacing it with a new one. I intend to sand and restore the blade, up to a satin finish, and then to treat it with a mild acid (perhaps a vinegar solution) to give it a patina (which will fit nicely with the pitting). From what I can tell, the blade is a scandi grind, but years of improvised sharpening have given it a second edge grind.
The only identifying feature that I can see is a tang stamp that says JAPAN on the left side of the blade, just above the guard. I would appreciate any thoughts that you gents might have as regards identification. It’s carbon steel, and I assume that it was purchased for a combination of affordability and functionality.
I’ll update this thread with new pictures as I work on the blade. It sure as hell won’t compare to most of the custom work we see on this forum, but I think it’s a neat project, and I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback as I progress.
All the best,
- Mike
Last week, while visiting my parents and taking inventory of supplies and gear for an upcoming backpacking trip, I came across an old fixed-blade hunting knife. It belongs to my father, who will be joining me on the trip. He was an avid outdoorsman in his younger days (and still is), and this knife travelled with him all across Canada, to the Grand Canyon, through the American Rockies, and elsewhere. It had apparently been packed away in a crate for close to 18 years, inside a sheath, rusting to hell and back. When I found the knife, it looked like a real piece of scrap; not only was the blade beyond weathered, but the spacers had shrunk and come loose, along with the brass guard. The sheath is held together with masking tape and shoestring. Knowing that I am a knife enthusiast and an amateur knifemaker, my father asked if I wanted the knife, seeing as he wouldn’t be using it (I lent him a KaBar to use on our trip). I could see a little nostalgic glint in his eye when he said this, and I know that while he was sincere about giving it up, he was also thinking fondly of all the trips he had taken with it. I took his offer, but I have no intention of keeping the knife myself.
When I returned home after the visit, I took the knife out and gave it a serious inspection. I’ve concluded that it’s salvageable, and I intend to refinish it and return it to my father as a gift. I always enjoy reading the ‘history’ of my knives in their wear, and recalling past excursions where they came in handy; this knife has so much history (and so much wear) that it really deserves a second life.
The plan is to keep the blade and the brass guard, but ditch the stacked leather handle and aluminium pommel in favour of a nice cocobolo hidden tang-style handle, with a few brass pins. I want it to look functional and (hopefully!) elegant, but with a traditional and slightly worn feel. The pommel snapped off after a bit of pressure was applied, and I have already disposed of the leather (and plastic) spacers. The blade itself is still quite functional, although the massive patches of rust resulted in some pitting and discolouration. The guard will take some work to restore, and I may end up simply replacing it with a new one. I intend to sand and restore the blade, up to a satin finish, and then to treat it with a mild acid (perhaps a vinegar solution) to give it a patina (which will fit nicely with the pitting). From what I can tell, the blade is a scandi grind, but years of improvised sharpening have given it a second edge grind.
The only identifying feature that I can see is a tang stamp that says JAPAN on the left side of the blade, just above the guard. I would appreciate any thoughts that you gents might have as regards identification. It’s carbon steel, and I assume that it was purchased for a combination of affordability and functionality.
I’ll update this thread with new pictures as I work on the blade. It sure as hell won’t compare to most of the custom work we see on this forum, but I think it’s a neat project, and I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback as I progress.
All the best,
- Mike