Kabar Heavy Bowie- Reshaping Grip Easier Than I Thought (With Pictures)

[Landlocked Pirate]

After searching the forums in vain to find someone who had actually reworked the oversized kraton handle on the Heavy Bowie, I finally decided to attempt it myself, fairly certain that I would ruin the grip in the process. Well it turned out to not be much trouble at all, and i couldn't be happier with the results. I did the entire project with a wood rasp/file, except rounding out some of the curved areas with a small round file and then smoothing out the finish with 150 grit sandpaper.
The result is a handle shape that is very similar to that of my BK7, and the kraton rubber was left with a velvety texture that is actually more comfortable than the original. It changed the whole feel of the knife; it now feels like I'm holding a lean fighting bowie instead of the wrong end of a baseball bat.

Compared to the handle on my son's "unspoiled" Kabar:

Left to right: Becker BK7, reworked Heavy Bowie, orininal Heavy Bowie.

This picture really shows the size difference.

 

[RandomAyes]

......

 

[Grapevine]

Good job. When I handled the Kabar Heavy Bowie in person, I was surprised at how thick the handle was. It didn't feel good in the hand for me. Thinning down the sides would be something that I would do too if I ever decide to buy it.

 

[TwinStick]

I was gonna say it looked like a Becker Grivory handle profile from the top, then i got down to the pic & there it was. Hard to improve on the Becker handles.

 

[Landlocked Pirate]

Thanks, y'all. I still can't how much that changed the feel of the knife. My biggest concern going into this was how well the kraton rubber would take to being filed/sanded/ground down, but that turned out to be not a problem. It was almost like working with wood.

 

[Captain3000]

I like it alot! Let us know how the handle holds after a work out.

 

[Talesin]

Wow! I may end up doing that to mine. I need to use it some more first to determine if the handle is too big or not.

 

[untamed]

:thumbup: x 2!

 

[Landlocked Pirate]

I mentioned the "velvety" feel of the handle earlier, but it turns out that that was apparently caused by me having filed off the protective coating and gripping the soft rubber underneath. Furthermore, I discovered that the soft rubber was easily susceptible to damage. After some online research on a good sealant to be used on rubber, I decided on water-based polyurethane (Mini-Wax satin, spray). I applied several coats and the results are just what I was hoping for. It firmed up the grip surface and should do a good job protecting it. The somewhat glossy finish does show up minor cosmeteic flaws, but since this is a using knife that's not a concern. Also, I've modified my son's knife as well since the original post.

 

[raindog101]

Nice job. Thanks for the tip. I wonder how plasti-dip would work as a sealant. Seems pretty bomber from the uses I've put it to.

 

[Landlocked Pirate]

I wonder how plasti-dip would work as a sealant.

I actually went to the hardware store looking for Plasti-seal dip or spray, but I've never used it so I don't really know. They didn't have it so I did some more internet looking and found a site that said water-based polyurethane was compatible with rubber. I took a chance and tried it and it seems to be just the thing.

 

[raindog101]

I actually went to the hardware store looking for Plasti-seal dip or spray, but I've never used it so I don't really know. They didn't have it so I did some more internet looking and found a site that said water-based polyurethane was compatible with rubber. I took a chance and tried it and it seems to be just the thing.

Good to know. I have some of that, could always use it as a backup if the plasti-dip fails. Still, I guess the first step is getting my hands on another Heavy Bowie. Sold the last one I had b/c I wasn't satisfied with the bulky grip