Ka-bar Short Fighter/Utility Mod

Joined
Jul 14, 2010
Messages
330
I started writting this post and realized that I was saying way too much. I just deleted a bunch of rambling so we can get right to the pics!

kabarprofile.jpg


kabarjimping.jpg


kabarchoil.jpg


I figure you'll ask if there is anything else you want to know.

For those of you who are still around... Here is a preview of my next project

Skinner.jpg
 
Hmmm. Maybe I said to little in the origional post...:rolleyes:

I've never been thrilled with my Ka-bar short, so the mod above is an attempt to get it out of a drawer and back into the field.

Problem 1: Despite taking a good edge, the knife always performed poorly at cutting tasks

Attempted solution: The angle of grind has been slightly reduced and the transition between the grind and the full-thickness region (Is there a word for that?) has been rounded. The Epoxy coating has been removed and the blade has been sanded smooth. The major goal was to reduce fricion durring a cut.

Problem 2: The handle was uncomfortable to use when working on finer tasks using the base of the blade.

Attempted solution: The guard was cut off and smoothed down so it was flush with the kraton handle. Jimping was cut into the spine to give a bit more purchase with the thumb, and a slight choil was added which allows my index finger to rest in front of the guard for delicate work.

We'll see how these mods work out. I bought this knife because I had always wanted a ka-bar, unfortunately it has been a bit of a disapointment. The knife is well made, It's just that it was the wrong design for me. It's been sitting in a drawer long enough that I decided I needed to find a way to use it.

Any comments, questions, or suggestions are welcome.:)
 
Sounds like you might benefit from a good convex edge on that, actually. I suspect you'll find that removing the coating and polishing the blade made a big difference!
 
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