KA-BAR 1208 butt cap

[M-Mac]

I inherited my grandfather’s KA-BAR 1208 knife. It’s missing the butt cap. Does anyone know where I can find a butt cap for it?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[zzyzzogeton]

The 1208 was manufactured using the "1970s standard shaped" bird's head/beak pommel.

You might try calling Kabar customer service at 716-372-5952. Tell them the model (1208) and hopefully they can get one of the tech people to identify which current Kabar uses a pommel similar in size. The 1235 is still being sold and the knives are very similar in size.

Since they sell replacement stacked leather washer kits, they're likely to have replacement pommels or workable alternatives. They might or might not ask you to send it in to be repaired. Who knows until you ask'em. Good luck.

 

[wildmanh]

That knife has lovely lines! Keep us posted.

 

[sac troop]

The pommels are different on the 1208 and the new 1235.

M-Mac, it's likely going to be hard or real lucky to find the matching original pommel for your grand dad's knife. If it were mine I'd see if KA-BAR can do something about getting it back to fully functional and celebrate granddad's knife with the new pommel as part of the knifes story.
Good luck.

 

[M-Mac]

Thanks for the posts everyone. I sent an e-mail to KA-BAR (at their info@ka-bar address). They said they don't do service/repair work on older knives but recommended two shops that do (both look expensive). No luck on a pommel.

I hunted e-bay for a similar pommel and saw a few hatchets that looked like they might work. I hate to buy a serviceable knife or hatchet just for the pommel but it might come to that.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[M-Mac]

Just called KA-BAR tech support and had a great chat. It's sure nice to talk to a support person who is eager and willing to help. Anyway, she said the 1200, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 9 were made in the same time period. She also said the 1203, 5, and 7 are very similar.

The hunt is on--I'm going to see if I can find one from one of those knives.

Matt