How To Help on Kabar

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Anthony Hayden

Joined
Apr 24, 2021
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I'm trying to restore this Kabar 1226 Little Finn hunting knife. I would like to reuse the aluminum pommel. Any tips on how to get it off without tearing it up. Also, I'm not planning to just cut it off... thanks
 
Pretty sure its pinned across through the tang at the narrow point. I am not sure if it is tapered etc.
 
HeavyHanded said:
Pretty sure its pinned across through the tang at the narrow point. I am not sure if it is tapered etc.
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thanks I'll look more closely...I can't seem to find any info online about how that model was assembled...I don't see a pin...I have few other Kabar hunters that were put on with a small wedge and pressure, but this seems different??
 
A picture of the handle/pommel would be helpful.

In looking at other pics on the web, mostly of new/current generation models of the 1226 Little Finn, it does appear they're pinned in the narrow portion of the pommel. One of those examples found on the web is linked below, with a pic from that linked page. Look at the extreme lower portion of the pic - you can see the slightly proud end of the pin in that pommel. If that knife looks the same as yours, maybe the pin on yours is in the same location. Assuming it's a steel pin, you might use a small magnet to locate it, if it's not obviously visible.

http://www.unluckyhunter.com/2012/01/review-ka-bar-little-finn-field-knife.html

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Anthony Hayden said:
Great review! Besides a pin what other methods were used to attach pommels?
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Also I'm rookie here so I haven't figured out how to post photos...I tried the magnet idea... and I don't seem to find a pin...I can wiggle it slightly, but any significant pressure mars the aluminum so something must be holding it in place?
 
Maybe rub a black marker over the area where you suspect the pin might be and then wipe or lightly sand the area. The ink might flow into a seam between the pin and pommel that you can't see.
 
Anthony Hayden said:
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Also I'm rookie here so I haven't figured out how to post photos...I tried the magnet idea... and I don't seem to find a pin...I can wiggle it slightly, but any significant pressure mars the aluminum so something must be holding it in place?
Click to expand...

If a magnet isn't finding a pin, I still think a clear & closeup photo might be the best way to generate some specific feedback.

A very simple way to link photos, is to upload them to imgur.com. Signing up is free there. Once you've uploaded a pic to that site, click on the image thumbnail and you'll see something like this below, which allows various forms of image code to be copied & pasted into your posts here on BF. Use the 'BBCode' link (shown 2nd from the bottom of the options), by clicking on the 'Copy' button next to that link. Then paste it into your post via the BF editor window.


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Another way to locate a pin, is to polish the pommel with some metal polish. The pin, if it's there, will likely always be a harder metal than the aluminum. If not steel, it might be nickel silver. The different metals (of the pin & pommel) will polish up differently, and the outline of the pin becomes more visible that way (usually). Knives with steel pins in softer metal pommels or bolsters will always begin to show a 'proud' pin after polishing in this manner, over some time. Also, you'll see a difference in the color of the metals, after they've been polished up. Aluminum will be brighter, nickel silver is usually a little 'yellow' or warmer in tone, and steel will be somewhere in between, most of the time.
 
Exhale onto the pommel like you are cleaning your glasses. The condensation will reveal the pin. It’s probably aluminum like the pommel.
 
Some KA-BAR pommels are only pinned halfway through. You will probably have to drill it out either way. Use a center punch.

If it does go all the way through drill from each side, don’t try to drill straight through.
 
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Anthony Hayden said:
Great review! Besides a pin what other methods were used to attach pommels?
Click to expand...

The tang can pass through the pommel and be peened over. (Like early ww2 KA-BARS)

The tang can pass through, be threaded and have a hex nut. (Like a Randall Model1)

the tang can be threaded and have a recessed nut. (The kind you need a spanner for).

The pommel can be in multiple pieces and one slides into a slot like a key. (Like on a ww2 Quartermaster knife)

That’s all I can think of. There are probably more.
 
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