Navy MK1......again

Triple_D

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Joined
Jun 18, 2021
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372
A couple of years ago, I picked up a Navy MK1. It's a nice knife, but I never could warm up to the black coating on the blade. So, I finally stripped it off. Nope, it's not perfect, and has some scratches. For better or worse, I got what I asked for.
Oddly enough, I'm OK with the black pommel. And, it still functions just fine. 😀

Before (with gratuitous pilot survival knife included in picture)
original.jpg


After
original.jpg



Just use it. 👍
 
Looks good. I collect USN MKI deck knives.

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Back in the day, I sent a letter to KA-BAR extolling the virtues of this model and reminding them they made it during the war. It is every bit as iconic as the MKII in my opinion. I received a response that they would consider it, about a year later it was available. No proof I was the catalyst, but I like to think I was.

The trouble is, they fell a little short in my opinion. The blade is smaller in width than the original as if they copied a worn one. The coating is……..meh, the sharpening choil is too big actually not necessary at all.

KA-BAR and WESTERN were the only suppliers of MKI deck knives that didn’t use a birds head pomel as a result the handles are a tad short. The USN specs called for a birds head.

This picture shows a comparison with a post war civilian KA-BAR that had the birds head

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Wow, that is a fantastic collection! The handle is a little short, but still feels pretty good to me (I have small mitts). After stripping it, I gave it a good sharpening. I changed the bevel angle to about 19 degrees (according to the KME sharpener), and it slices like a razor, now. It's the sharpest knife I own. I'm really starting to like it. Thanks for getting KA-BAR to think about doing a reissue!
 
Here is one a good friend of mine (zanussi01) rehandled some years ago and sold. (Buyers pics. page 43)
Blade stripped, 1/8th brass guard, leather washers and alloy pommel all in the Randall model 1 style.
This gives a longer handle and much nicer shape without modifying the tang. :thumbsup:
I may do one of these in stag when I get bored (or Ka-Bar make one in D2!) and have nothing better to do.;)

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I can't seem to leave this one alone. 🤣 On a whim, I soaked a paper towel with white vinegar, and wrapped it around the blade for a couple of hours. Every 30 minutes or so, I would unwrap, and rewrap, the blade. Because the paper towel is sort of "crumpled up", it results in some random patterns on the blade. I really like this knife. It sharpens up very nicely, and I'm Ok with the way it now looks.

original.jpg
 
I've found that general use is best at helping this steel colour up.
Cutting up a big chunk of meat works great. ('Roo legs for the pups)
Cut up some lemons or tomatoes and let the juices stay on the blade.
This will give a unique and lovely pattern to the patina. :thumbsup:
 
I can't seem to leave this one alone. 🤣 On a whim, I soaked a paper towel with white vinegar, and wrapped it around the blade for a couple of hours. Every 30 minutes or so, I would unwrap, and rewrap, the blade. Because the paper towel is sort of "crumpled up", it results in some random patterns on the blade. I really like this knife. It sharpens up very nicely, and I'm Ok with the way it now looks.

original.jpg
o45Rqvz.jpeg


Yep. It's a better look.

Zieg
 
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