Question regarding a Ka-Bar's handle.

N

NorwayKnifer

Joined
Oct 7, 2009
Messages
63
I really want a Ka-Bar USMC. I know Ka-Bar makes some of their models with kraton, but I like the look of the stacked leather. So my question is, are their leatherhandles impregnated in any way? How will they stand up when getting wet etc.?
 
Don't know if they are impregnated with anything but I do know they last and last and last. You really want one - get it. That knife is a classic for a reason.

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Beckerhead #42
 
Nope, it's just plain old shoe leather (the stuff that's used for soles). But yeah, it's pretty close to indestructible. Mine's about 10 years old and has seen some pretty hard use, and is holding up just fine. Go for it - you won't regret it.
 
Yeah, that works. But if you handle it regularly, just the oil from your skin is enough.
 
Norwayknifer,

The KA-BAR 1217 Leather handles are not impregnated with any resin or chemical. They are hammered onto the tang and capped under pressure. The rough handle is milled to the final shape, and the side flats added. The handle is then colored and polished on a buff using brown tripoli compound. The grooves are then painted black. That's it.
Keep the handle dry and put a good coat of leather wax on it and you are good to go.
Hope this helps.


Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
 
Hey Toooj! I have a question about the pistol bayonet handle down the page a few threads............
 
So what do I do with it (or the Air Force Survival with the same kind of leather handle) after I find it in a drawer and some of the leather has already rotted away?
 
People buy leathershoes that get dirt and water without coming apart, and they never cry on forum if they last or not. Why such fuzz about leather handles and sheaths?
 
aephilli said:
So what do I do with it (or the Air Force Survival with the same kind of leather handle) after I find it in a drawer and some of the leather has already rotted away?
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Sorry, if it's already rotted, you're pretty much SOL.
 
in 1959 we were issued old ka-bars to us in the marines & i'm sure many of these had been in korea & the pacific war. we never put anything on the handles & in 4 years i never saw one that fell apart.
dennis
 
aephilli said:
So what do I do with it (or the Air Force Survival with the same kind of leather handle) after I find it in a drawer and some of the leather has already rotted away?
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Unscrew the pommel knut and order some leather washers and put a new handle on it.
 
cramsey3006 said:
Unscrew the pommel knut and order some leather washers and put a new handle on it.
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That would be good advice, if there was a pommel nut. Obviously, you're not very familiar with the 1217. It's welded on there.
 
tabeeb762 said:
It will last forever if you take care of it. Mink oil, or beeswax is best.
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This is the best product I have found for treating leather handles and sheaths. A few coats and you are good to go.

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i thought the ka-bars were pin construction, or at least mine is, of course mine is also my grandpas so they might have changed it
 
I thought the pommels were pinned on too. It's been a while since I looked at a leather handled one. I don't know how they'd weld the pommel on without burning the leather washers that rest against the pommel?
 
The pommel is screwed on, but then the excess is cut off and it's spot-welded.
 
Definatly go lether. If you want you could get a kabar with any branch on it, and it just has that classic feel and look. If you want to go even classier, sand down the blade, guard, and pommel. It looks amazing.
 
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