How to Strip BLACK Coating from Kabar Fixed Blade???

N

Nalapombu

Joined
Oct 26, 2001
Messages
303
I was told this was the proper place to ask this question. Sorry for my ignorance and inexperience......



Hey all,

A buddy of mine has a Short Kabar with the plain edge that he uses for deer hunting and woods walking. We were talking about knives and I mentioned that I had been nosing around on Ebay and looking at some of the vintage Kabar fixed blades and they looked great in that they didn't have the black blade coating and were just satin finished. That prompted a discussion on whether it would be easy to take the blade coating off of his Kabar. Then if it was not too BIG or complex to do, would it be advisable or lead to rusting and pitting. Naturally I didn't know the answers. I did agree that I thought it would look great with a satin blade.

So before my buddy takes a belt sander to his Kabar, can you all tell me what kind of job it would be to remove that black coating and if you did want to do such a thing what the best way to go about it would be? Any help or advice in doing a job like this would be appreciated. If it would NOT be advisable, I would like to hear that too.

Thanks for your time and help.

Nala
 
As far as rust, as long as the finish isn't left to rough and the blade it kept clean it'll be fine.
 
Modern Ka-Bars are coated with an epoxy finish. It will come off real easy with any acetone based solvent like paint thinner or nail polish.
 
this is my BECKER, but its the same process for any coated knife:

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stripped, NOT polished yet
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oil yer blades or you get very fine surface rust.
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have fun! wear rubber gloves, do this outdoors, away from pets and chilluns and wives! :cool:
 
Last edited:
Jasco Paint ands epoxy stripper is very inexpensive and readily available at Walmart, Home Depot, etc. and works great. Did the same thing with my Cold Steel SRK and it removed the epoxy coat in ten minutes!

Good luck.

Be safe.

NJ
 
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