I got it today and it's not sharp worth a damn. Can't even get through a piece of paper smoothly. Also the top front tip of the blade looks like it was attempted to be sharpened, but it never got finished. My guess is there is a bunch of unskilled people running the machines and can't put a sharp edge on a knife. When will this strike be over? I want to call Camillus, but I'm thinking it's not going to do any good since the real knife makers are still on strike. My Lansky kit alone would blow away the jagged edge they put on this knife. I might just have to return this.:grumpy:
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Not Happy With My New Camillus Kabar
- Thread starter TV VET
- Start date
If you're referring to the Camillus Marine Combat, I'm not too surprised. Keep in mind that the finish of that knife is a notch below the comparable Ka-Bar brand. I had a Camillus MC knife where the blade coating was applied over the sharpened edge. And that was a number of years ago. That thing wouldn't cut paper at all. Later, I obtained an Ontario MC knife with the coating applied over the balde, too. A trend? However, both blades ran me under $30 per each. Having nicer pieces in my collection, I guess I didn't have high expectations for these blades. I spent a little time with them and tuned them up.
The Camillus MC wasn't the first knife I purchased that needed 'help' right out of the box. And more recently, I recieved a Becker BK1 where the edge was all whacked (another Camillus product). But for my taste, that edge needed to be reprofiled anyways.
I do believe a knife should be able to go into service right out of the box. But the 1095 should shape up nicely for you with minimal effort.
The Camillus MC wasn't the first knife I purchased that needed 'help' right out of the box. And more recently, I recieved a Becker BK1 where the edge was all whacked (another Camillus product). But for my taste, that edge needed to be reprofiled anyways.
I do believe a knife should be able to go into service right out of the box. But the 1095 should shape up nicely for you with minimal effort.
TV VET, these are working knives. Yes, the grind lines on the tip of the one I bought was slightly off too, but since I intended to carry this knife for military duty, I just got out my stone and fixed it. If you intend to collect, display, or otherwise never use the knife, you may want to send it back. ...but if you want to use it, tune it up and away you go.
I reprofiled the sharpened swedge on mine. It had a radiused shape and I ground it straight. I sanded the sides of the handle material slightly, making it slightly oval, rather than round. I drilled a hole in the buttcap and installed a "shroud line" lanyard. For $25 bucks, it was a good backup to my Randall/MadDog/Chris Reeve combat knives.
I reprofiled the sharpened swedge on mine. It had a radiused shape and I ground it straight. I sanded the sides of the handle material slightly, making it slightly oval, rather than round. I drilled a hole in the buttcap and installed a "shroud line" lanyard. For $25 bucks, it was a good backup to my Randall/MadDog/Chris Reeve combat knives.
Hey Bruce,
Did you get the idea from Chuck Karwan on the modification? I have always liked the ergonomics on the Ka-Bar kabar for that same reason. The handle just always felt better.
My modification to a Camillus FU was to diassemble the entire knife. Solder the guard to the blade and reassemble the handle washers with a liberal amount of epoxy. I have always hated the inevitable rattle from a loose guard and the leather handle shrinking. This one isn't coming apart from alittle inclement weather.
Best,
Dan
Did you get the idea from Chuck Karwan on the modification? I have always liked the ergonomics on the Ka-Bar kabar for that same reason. The handle just always felt better.
My modification to a Camillus FU was to diassemble the entire knife. Solder the guard to the blade and reassemble the handle washers with a liberal amount of epoxy. I have always hated the inevitable rattle from a loose guard and the leather handle shrinking. This one isn't coming apart from alittle inclement weather.
Best,
Dan
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2002
- Messages
- 3,179
so I don't know what the factory edge was like but it was pretty uneven when I got it so I expect it uneven to begin with. I just found something at the local hobby shop to work on the edge. It looks like a big emery board, like something your wife would use on her nails but really coarse. 98 cents for a sharpener, well worth it. The reprofiling went ten times faster than with a stone. It's not razor sharp yet but at least it now has a usable edge.
I cut the top of the guard off, much better feel in the hand. The guard rattles a little but that's really no big deal to me. I took the black stuff off the blade and handle, good looking leather and steel underneath. It looks more like a big Marbles Ideal than a Ka-Bar, now. It did take some work, and it's not quite done, but I like the knife a lot more now.
An even edge would have been nice but it's still a pretty good buy. I think it's the best/cheapest/toughest knife you're likely to find. You could get tougher or prettier but not for the same money. You could get cheaper but not as tough. Tinker with it, beat on it. It might grow on you.
Frank
I cut the top of the guard off, much better feel in the hand. The guard rattles a little but that's really no big deal to me. I took the black stuff off the blade and handle, good looking leather and steel underneath. It looks more like a big Marbles Ideal than a Ka-Bar, now. It did take some work, and it's not quite done, but I like the knife a lot more now.
An even edge would have been nice but it's still a pretty good buy. I think it's the best/cheapest/toughest knife you're likely to find. You could get tougher or prettier but not for the same money. You could get cheaper but not as tough. Tinker with it, beat on it. It might grow on you.
Frank