Kobun re-grind ?

B

bigeard09

Joined
Sep 8, 2016
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300
Hi all , Ive recently had my eye on a SOG Tech or 2.0 Bowie knives but to be totally honest , for all I would very much like to own one , I cannot justify the price at this moment in time , so maybe for a later date. I am now looking at an entry level Cold Steel Kobun which is not too expensive and which I can hopefully mod up a little by doing a nice tight paracord wrap (or some other more decorative cord, if anyone has any ideas ? ) . The Kobun will probably see some light to medium bushcraft use every now and then . I remember seeing a Kobun which had the tip reground and shaped so that it didnt have the acute angled Yokote but rather a more smoother upswept tip which I prefer . questions : As long as the tip itself was left alone , by regrinding the bottom section of the yokote , would this affect the strength of the tip ? How is easy is it to regrind this blade using either a basic grinding wheel (electric) , a belt sander or by re profiling by hand using files and sharpening . Basically can it be done ?
Thanks
 
I looked into a kobun as well. But I picked a folding Voyager tanto instead. About the same blade that I could carry easily. Personally I can't stand getting poked in the side with a fixed blade. Kobun costs about 45 dollars . For the price you can't go wrong . Can't add much thought to mods though . I did not buy it. Something about it I liked. Something I didn't
But I have plenty fixed blade knives . To carry . I'm sure someone who owns one might can be more helpful. I thought about getting one just for the hell of it
 
Absolutely agree with the superiority of the XL Tanto Voyager over the Kobun for use as a camp knife, way better profile for it and a slight steel upgrade. I have both and would give my Voyager a lot of confidence - the Kobun feels more like a general utility/sd knife but I could be underrating it. Voyager would still be the stouter knife.
 
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I did this with my prolite tanto. I have seen the same mod with a GI Tanto, too. All I used were some cheap stones, no power tools needed. Just go slow and constantly check the evenness of your grind. However this is mostly for looks, and not a strict requirement for bushcraft. You can do 95% of your bushcrafting with a tanto tip as is. The yokote might be a pain for skinning game, or fine carving, but that's about it.

Also, any time you remove material, you are reducing strength. However, I'm sure the tip will be plenty strong even after the mod. The grip on the kobun is very slim; it's intended for concealment, not really for comfort. If you want to use it for a utility knife, I would look at another model. I'm not sure how hard you are going to use this thing, but a fixed blade is always stronger than a folder.
 
dogstar said:
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I did this with my prolite tanto. I have seen the same mod with a GI Tanto, too. All I used were some cheap stones, no power tools needed. Just go slow and constantly check the evenness of your grind. However this is mostly for looks, and not a strict requirement for bushcraft. You can do 95% of your bushcrafting with a tanto tip as is. The yokote might be a pain for skinning game, or fine carving, but that's about it.

Also, any time you remove material, you are reducing strength. However, I'm sure the tip will be plenty strong even after the mod. The grip on the kobun is very slim; it's intended for concealment, not really for comfort. If you want to use it for a utility knife, I would look at another model. I'm not sure how hard you are going to use this thing, but a fixed blade is always stronger than a folder.
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Yeh , just like the styling and compact size of the Kobun and to be totally honest its a knife I will carry in my daysack for any utility usage that may occur and possibly some light bushcraft use , nothing too drastic . I have other knives if I need to get serious with bushcraft as well as a nice modded Cold Steel pipe hawk which Ive used a little just chopping branches etc . I am going to do a decent wrap on the Kobun just to fill the handle out slightly and possibly fit a brass or S/S bolster . I have a nice piece of thin snakeskin which I was considering using to wrap the kobun hadle over the top of the kraton handle but I am not sure what clear compound I could coat it with to reduce any possible wear ?? I would agree with you regarding doing many bushcraft tasks using a tanto although youre right its not made for skinning but saying that almost any knife can be put to good use in a bushcraft environment its about improvising and having a little patience to carry out the tasks with whatever knife you may have . To finish off , eventually I might even make a half decent leather sheath for the kobun .
 
bigeard09 said:
Yeh , just like the styling and compact size of the Kobun and to be totally honest its a knife I will carry in my daysack for any utility usage that may occur and possibly some light bushcraft use , nothing too drastic . I have other knives if I need to get serious with bushcraft as well as a nice modded Cold Steel pipe hawk which Ive used a little just chopping branches etc . I am going to do a decent wrap on the Kobun just to fill the handle out slightly and possibly fit a brass or S/S bolster . I have a nice piece of thin snakeskin which I was considering using to wrap the kobun hadle over the top of the kraton handle but I am not sure what clear compound I could coat it with to reduce any possible wear ?? I would agree with you regarding doing many bushcraft tasks using a tanto although youre right its not made for skinning but saying that almost any knife can be put to good use in a bushcraft environment its about improvising and having a little patience to carry out the tasks with whatever knife you may have . To finish off , eventually I might even make a half decent leather sheath for the kobun .
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If you are gonna re-sheath... go with the Peace Maker per GAGL GAGL 's recommendation. I believe they are utility knives par excellence. Craft all the bush you want, skin an elk, cut some vegetables, shank a fool, it's all there. One thing I would do is chop down the guards; they just get in the way. If you are using the original sheath, trim flush with the sheath so there is still engagement. 4116 steel doesn't get enough respect, but I value knives that are easy to re-sharpen in the field with basic tools. The large peacemaker is 5.5", slightly larger than the Kobun.

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Maybe 10 years ago on the Woodsmaster forum (which has been down for years) Scottman posted a pic of his Kobun with this modification and IIRC also a Kobun with the handle removed.

He was also an active member of the old Cold Steel forum and a member of Bladeforums, so he might be around here.
 
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