Ka-Bar handl replacement

[J. Jaster]

1st post, please forgive errors. I searched, but didn’t see something similar.
I received my father’s USMC Ka-bar that he carried while in the Corps. I carried my own Ka-Bar during my time in the Corps, and would like to gift my father’s knife to my grandson who is also planning on joining the Corps after graduation.

Anyway, the leather washer handle is dry rotted and cracked. I was interested in replacing it with "something like" the Kraton type material currently sold on some new Ka-Bars, or washers of black canvas micart, or similar.
I am not a knife guy, and don’t know what’s possible out there.

Is there anyone doing that type of handle replacement??
Thanks for any/all help!

 

[Don W]

If you are dead set on a rehandle, I would recommend getting your father's knife rehandled and turned into a presentation piece. Whether you give it to your son or not is up to you. Buy your son a new Kabar with a Kraton handle. One that he can use as a tool. One where he might be pissed if it broke or went missing, but where he wouldnt have to worry about the damage or loss of an heirloom.
just my opinion

 

[kaos 13]

yea ka bar do the replacement leather ones and the kraton knife the black / 1211 has a slightly smaller handle than the stacked leather so I don't know if a kraton one would fit with out making some spacers you could go to a knife shop let than have a look and see what thay say or make your own out of a material of your choice

 

[BladeScout]

Welcome
As others have said, you can have the heirloom knife re-handled. Any competent knifemaker can do it. It deserves leather washers like the original IMO. Buy your grandson a 'user' Ka-Bar and present him with the restored heirloom knife, which can be retired. But its your knife and yours to do with as you please.
Before you have the old knife pulled apart how ever, you should try to salvage the original leather handle if at all possible. Its difficult to say without having seen the knife - please post some pics - but Ive brought back several old WWII leather knife handles, which looked pretty bad.

Unless you have leather washers missing or parts of them missing, you should first try to give the washers some leather oil (not too much). This will help nourish the leather and to some degree make the individual washers swell. This can in some cases alleviate play. When done, you can apply SnoSeal.

Again, the above only if the knife handle isnt too far gone. Post a pic, pls. Imgur is a good photo host.

 

[OrangeBlueOrangeBlue]

If you are dead set on a rehandle, I would recommend getting your father's knife rehandled and turned into a presentation piece. Whether you give it to your son or not is up to you. Buy your son a new Kabar with a Kraton handle. One that he can use as a tool. One where he might be pissed if it broke or went missing, but where he wouldnt have to worry about the damage or loss of an heirloom.
just my opinion

This is great advice.

 

[eveled]

Good advice all around. Buy him a new one with the Kraton. Preserve the original one. If it really needs a new handle stick with leather there is a kit from KA-BAR. It’s not that hard just time consuming. This is a ww2 knife I did.

 

[Monofletch]

You will be surprised when you put some saddle soap and then some mink oil on there. Makes it look like new again

 

[J. Jaster]

Thanks! I wasn't expecting so many replies so fast!
I will try the oil(s) mention and see what happens.

Replacing the handle with leather washers is still on the table, I'm just looking for other alternatives.

 

[craytab]

If you are dead set on a rehandle, I would recommend getting your father's knife rehandled and turned into a presentation piece. Whether you give it to your son or not is up to you. Buy your son a new Kabar with a Kraton handle. One that he can use as a tool. One where he might be pissed if it broke or went missing, but where he wouldnt have to worry about the damage or loss of an heirloom.
just my opinion

This is what I would do.