KA-BAR Care Question

Steely Dan · Oct 28, 2015

Hey Brochachos,
I am admittedly a Noob! I own some Beckers, but I got sick of admiring the sleek and classic style of the regular KA-BARS and pulled the trigger on one of the newer leather handled Dog's Head models. I love it and I'm very happy with my choice! I wanted to know about caring for the leather handled models. They seem to have a protective clear coat over the leather, any tips on treating it? What process and products do you guys use? How badly will it soak up moisture and hand grime? Should one remove the clear coat and use mink oil or neatsfoot oil? Thanks.

NCSlice · Oct 28, 2015

I really like how Garandimals came out...look here at post #16, if you're into that...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1325085-New-to-Me-MK1

If your trying to keep it looking new, well, good luck...they're made to be used hard.

Someone with more knowledge will chime in eventually but you'll prob have to be patient.

In the mean time...post some pics of your new steel!

Also check out LostVikings Dogs head 30 day review thread...its fantastic!

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1300572-Dog-s-Head-Utility-The-First-Thirty-Days

Welcome!

Steely Dan · Oct 28, 2015

NCSlice said:
I really like how Garandimals came out...look here at post #16, if you're into that...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1325085-New-to-Me-MK1

If your trying to keep it looking new, well, good luck...they're made to be used hard.

Someone with more knowledge will chime in eventually but you'll prob have to be patient.

In the mean time...post some pics of your new steel!

Also check out LostVikings Dogs head 30 day review thread...its fantastic!

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1300572-Dog-s-Head-Utility-The-First-Thirty-Days

Welcome!

Thanks NCSlice! Great reviews indeed. It is a pretty piece but it screams to be used! I think I'm going to use this one, I waited too long for a KA-BAR and it looks and feels like it could handle anything you throw at it! I won't be battoning it through a log though, unless I was in the late stages of hypothermia Lol.

Steve6387 · Oct 28, 2015

I treated my 1219 sheath with sno seal. I have not done anything to the handle yet and probably won't till I beat it up more. Once I do, am gonna give it the same sno seal treatment as the sheath. I've heard of ppl taking wire brushes to the handles to rough them up and break through the top so that leather treatments will take. In my mind.... I'd just rather use it til the handle naturally breaks in enough to take the treatment.

Steely Dan · Oct 28, 2015

Steve6387 said:
I treated my 1219 sheath with sno seal. I have not done anything to the handle yet and probably won't till I beat it up more. Once I do, am gonna give it the same sno seal treatment as the sheath. I've heard of ppl taking wire brushes to the handles to rough them up and break through the top so that leather treatments will take. In my mind.... I'd just rather use it til the handle naturally breaks in enough to take the treatment.

Good call Steve, I'm not going to sand or brush off the gloss on the leather. I'm sure that will come off with some good ol' fashioned use. I've tried Neatsfoot oil and something called Dubbin on my leathers. Does SnoSeal darken it up nicely or is it a clear treatment? Is SnoSeal a brand name? Cheers

Steve6387 · Oct 28, 2015

Sno seal is the brand name and if you search for it on any on line shopping site you'll find it. It will darken the leather a bit. Not as much as some other treatments but it will darken it. It is my go to for all my leather that sees outdoor exposure.

1066vik · Oct 29, 2015

I am a great fan of sno-seal.
if you want to keep the light color, burnish it in with a soft cloth.
if you want to darken the handle and sheath a little, use a hair drier to melt it in
if you want a darker color, use a heat gun on a low setting and the residual sugars in the beeswax will caramelize as it melts.

daizee · Nov 2, 2015

Yeah, I wouldn't rush to break through that burnished surface. It keeps the leather from drying out.
Also, the O-ring treatment on those handles should make it particularly awesome.
(another +1 for sno-seal)

Steely Dan · Nov 2, 2015

daizee said:
Yeah, I wouldn't rush to break through that burnished surface. It keeps the leather from drying out.
Also, the O-ring treatment on those handles should make it particularly awesome.
(another +1 for sno-seal)

Good call, I think I will try the Sno-seal on the sheath but I will let the handle wear naturally before treating it. Thanks for reminding me about the O-ring modification Daizee! I remember someone on Youtube mentioning #15 O-rings from the plumbing department. That should give it a hell of a grip! Cheers

Steve6387 · Nov 2, 2015

Steely Dan said:
...Thanks for reminding me about the O-ring modification Daizee! I remember someone on Youtube mentioning #15 O-rings from the plumbing department. That should give it a hell of a grip! Cheers

They do. The O rings change the grip significantly for the better. It's the best $5 mod ever. Enjoy.

h minus · Jan 9, 2016

I've been using mink oil on all my leather handles and sheaths since my first Kabar USMC back in the mid-80s. Really happy with the results.