I finally ordered the KaBar Mark 1 (#2221)

C

Captain O

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Would I be better served if I "Pakerized" the knife, or is it sufficiently corrosion resistant as it is when delivered? I normally wash and wipe down a knife after use to prevent corrosion. Is there a preferred regimen to keep my Mark 1 from aging before it's time?

Captain O
 
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I'd say it's fine as it is. What are you expecting to use it for? The finish is 1000 times more wear resistant than the crappy Cold Steel Tuffex finish, it would need a really abrasive type of use to shift it quickly.
A normal wipe down after use, possibly with an oily rag after bloody or wet use, will be sufficient to prevent corrosion of the cutting edge. Try not store it in the sheath if you're storing for a fair while.
 
Thanks. Should I obtain a leather sheath for it? This knife will see a great amount of "storage time". I know that leather tends to be hygroscopic, thus causing corrosion. Or should I merely wax the blade with Rennaisance microcrystalline polish/wax to fend off the elements?

Captain O
 
Tuff CLoth. Buy a couple of them. After use wash off with water then wipe the blade down with a Tuff Cloth and let it dry. Should be fine in the sheath this way as well. I prefer the leather sheath cause its quiet and doesnt make all the plastic noises
 
CC74 and Wurger:

I just want to preserve my knife and keep it as nice as possible while gaining the most utility, thus maximizing it's service life.

Thank you.

Captain O
 
wax, tuff glide, vaseline -- any of the 3 will work well to protect the exposed metal from tarnishing while in storage.
the factory plastic sheath is perfectly serviceable although not as pretty as the leather -- and it will never die.

congrats on the purchase -- you should get a long service life out of it!
 
1066vik said:
wax, tuff glide, vaseline -- any of the 3 will work well to protect the exposed metal from tarnishing while in storage.
the factory plastic sheath is perfectly serviceable although not as pretty as the leather -- and it will never die.

congrats on the purchase -- you should get a long service life out of it!
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Thanks.

I already have the Rennaisance Microcrystalline polish/wax. I bought it from Tom Veff (a well known name associated wth CRKT) and famous serration/knife designer. I'm going to buy more. (At $17.00 for 54 ml. it is a relative bargain). This, along with some Tuff-glide cloths should preserve the knives I have, as well as the knife I have coming.

Captain O
 
Captain O said:
Would I be better served if I "Pakerized" the knife, or is it sufficiently corrosion resistant as it is when delivered? I normally wash and wipe down a knife after use to prevent corrosion. Is there a preferred regimen to keep my Mark 1 from aging before it's time?

Captain O
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That's a good choice. 5.1 inch makes it legal to carry in many states. The cutoff in texas is 5.5 We are going camping in a couple weeks and that is total justification for me to get another knife. I have to keep the cost down though and this is on my short list,
 
Rondel said:
That's a good choice. 5.1 inch makes it legal to carry in many states. The cutoff in texas is 5.5 We are going camping in a couple weeks and that is total justification for me to get another knife. I have to keep the cost down though and this is on my short list,
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make sure it's not considered a "Bowie" in Tx...
 
1066vik said:
make sure it's not considered a "Bowie" in Tx...
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I don't think it can. Too short, wrong blade configuration. I like the shorter 5.125" blade, easy to manipulate while retaining the KaBar resilience/toughness.

Captain O
 
Even the most AR LEO in Texas would NOT consider the MK1 a "Bowie knife". It has the vernacular name of "Deck Utility", it has a "drop-clip" swedge rather than the more pronounced "talon-clip" typically thought of to be a "Bowie blade", and a very legal sub-5.5 inch, single-edged blade length. A carrier of a MK1 would have to be acting like a real doofus and F/U and already drawn the attention of a LEO for other reasons to have them think about stacking an "illegal knife" charge on the person. In fact, based on the Texas LEOs I personally know, any LEO trying to call the MK1 a "Bowie knife" would get laughed out of the squad room and be the subject of numerous "Bowie knife related practical jokes".

edit:: Well, maybe some NY/MA/NJ/CA transplant LEO would, but not any self-respecting native Texan.
 
zzyzzogeton said:
Even the most AR LEO in Texas would NOT consider the MK1 a "Bowie knife". It has the vernacular name of "Deck Utility", it has a "drop-clip" swedge rather than the more pronounced "talon-clip" typically thought of to be a "Bowie blade", and a very legal sub-5.5 inch, single-edged blade length. A carrier of a MK1 would have to be acting like a real doofus and F/U and already drawn the attention of a LEO for other reasons to have them think about stacking an "illegal knife" charge on the person. In fact, based on the Texas LEOs I personally know, any LEO trying to call the MK1 a "Bowie knife" would get laughed out of the squad room and be the subject of numerous "Bowie knife related practical jokes".

edit:: Well, maybe some NY/MA/NJ/CA transplant LEO would, but not any self-respecting native Texan.
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To me, the 5 1/8" blade is just right. Not too long, not too short, just enough belly. The 1095 Cro-Van steel should hold a marvelous edge.

I can hardly wait.
 
zzyzzogeton said:
Even the most AR LEO in Texas would NOT consider the MK1 a "Bowie knife". It has the vernacular name of "Deck Utility", it has a "drop-clip" swedge rather than the more pronounced "talon-clip" typically thought of to be a "Bowie blade", and a very legal sub-5.5 inch, single-edged blade length. A carrier of a MK1 would have to be acting like a real doofus and F/U and already drawn the attention of a LEO for other reasons to have them think about stacking an "illegal knife" charge on the person. In fact, based on the Texas LEOs I personally know, any LEO trying to call the MK1 a "Bowie knife" would get laughed out of the squad room and be the subject of numerous "Bowie knife related practical jokes".

edit:: Well, maybe some NY/MA/NJ/CA transplant LEO would, but not any self-respecting native Texan.
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Discretion is the better part of valor. Keep a low profile an a generally friendly demeanor. The police usually have more pressing business.
 
The Mark 1 was finally shipped from Mississippi in the wee small hours this morning. I should have it by next Wednesday at the latest.

Sooner, or later, it will arrive.
 
I love Parkerizing things. It is Manganese Phosphate in a weak acid that is electro-charged. Parkerized metal finish will hold any kind of oil that you put on it; the oil absorbs into the finish itself. If/when you get something parkerized, apply a couple coats of oil into it. If you are using the knife for food or game processing, use a mineral oil or food grade cutlery oil as most oils contain Petroleum Distillates that are toxic if ingested. (such as Rem-Oil, and Hoppes weathergaurd ~ both of which I use)
I like parkerization over all other finishes. Parkerized knives braved adverse humid, and wet tropic conditions in WWII and are still going strong today. That speaks volumes about the finishes' corrosion resisting properties. Parkerization is actually oxidation itself; the stable black oxides, not the active red oxides. I have a Mark II just like the one you just ordered. It is a great knife. It is designed great, ergonomic and well balanced in the hand, and the finish on the knife is pretty tough already. Parkerizing the knife would be amazing, but the finish that the knife came with is durable and should serve you just fine. I left mine alone. I'd just tie some 550 into the sheath. :thumbup:
 
Zemapeli said:
I love Parkerizing things. It is Manganese Phosphate in a weak acid that is electro-charged. Parkerized metal finish will hold any kind of oil that you put on it; the oil absorbs into the finish itself. If/when you get something parkerized, apply a couple coats of oil into it. If you are using the knife for food or game processing, use a mineral oil or food grade cutlery oil as most oils contain Petroleum Distillates that are toxic if ingested. (such as Rem-Oil, and Hoppes weathergaurd ~ both of which I use)
I like parkerization over all other finishes. Parkerized knives braved adverse humid, and wet tropic conditions in WWII and are still going strong today. That speaks volumes about the finishes' corrosion resisting properties. Parkerization is actually oxidation itself; the stable black oxides, not the active red oxides. I have a Mark II just like the one you just ordered. It is a great knife. It is designed great, ergonomic and well balanced in the hand, and the finish on the knife is pretty tough already. Parkerizing the knife would be amazing, but the finish that the knife came with is durable and should serve you just fine. I left mine alone. I'd just tie some 550 into the sheath. :thumbup:
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Thank you. As an "old salt" from another era, I have a "nostalgic" attatchment to the old Mark 1 pattern. While I spent more time carrying a TL-29 Electrician's Knife (folding) than anything other cutting implement, the Mark 1 holds a very special place in my heart. A bushcraft/hunting/utility/fighting knife that has proven itself over thirty years of service. The improved metallurgy/tempering/hardening of KaBar's modern version of this timeless classic should be everything I have come to expect from the knife, and more.
 
Captain O said:
To me, the 5 1/8" blade is just right. Not too long, not too short, just enough belly. The 1095 Cro-Van steel should hold a marvelous edge.

I can hardly wait.
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I have always felt the same way about the Mark I. The 1219C2 is great, but I have always thought of the Mark I as an unsung hero that just so happens to fit in the hand like a glove. I hope you enjoy it.

-OKB
 
OFFICIAL_KA-BAR said:
I have always felt the same way about the Mark I. The 1219C2 is great, but I have always thought of the Mark I as an unsung hero that just so happens to fit in the hand like a glove. I hope you enjoy it.

-OKB
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So I'm not alone! I fell in love with the USN Mark 1 Deck Knife at first sight. While it may not look as if it is preparing to secure a beach, I know it performed well on more ships than you can imagine.

It is more of a "general purpose/utility" sheath knife than any other designed/built for military service.
 
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