Refinish/repair questions on a couple knives

[loonybin]

To continue from someone else's thread so I don't hijack theirs:

loonybin,

If it says,"USA". It's made in the USA. They were made in both countries. Originally in the US and then moved to Japan and presently in Taiwan.
IIRC, the early models were Chrome plated Cro-Van., so you could be correct. They were then changed to 440A and then comparable steels overseas.

So, if blt-2-drg has one made in the '60s-'70s, mine would be in the 50's then? This isn't something valuable enough I should just clean it, display it, and put it on my insurance rider, is it? I have a mid '80s Western knife I can use for my skinner if this is more appropriate for display.

The other question about this knife: what can I do to refurbish/repair it? If it doesn't have a lot of collector value, would it be worthwhile to strip the chrome and put a patina on it? Cerakote it? How do I disassemble the knife for that?

 

[loonybin]

Knife #2:
1999 KA-BAR Collector's Club folder model #4050

This knife was given to me and I know nothing about it. It needs a lot of work, as the pivot is very loose, has a ton of side-to-side play, and the liner shoots all the way to the other side. From what I read on the Ka-Bar web site, they won't repair their own knife -- even if I pay for repairs -- so how do I go about getting this thing fixed, and if possible, the blade swapped for a non-serrated blade?

 

[Moosez45]

Hmmmmmm..........

Looking at the condition, I say, keep it as a user. Your knife's condition has slid some, and has moved out of the "refurbish for collection value", but perhaps that is just me. In restoring it, you'll more than likely wind up taking more value away from it.

The leather looks a little worn too. Some mineral oil and beeswax would do wonders to revive it, and swell it back to its original size.

The Collectors Club knife, might be worth something to the right person, nutoknives has probably the most extensive collection on here, besides Kabars museum, there was a thread going for a while, where he was trying to bet a pic of all of them, might wanna look it up.

Moose

 

[nutoknives]

Hey Loonybin The folder is Bob Dozier 1 of 200 and would make a nice user in fact My EDC consist of the same knife a 4051 with a slim fit 112 custom I would invest in a few screws and the right size allen key and you will have a great user as a collector value it is used with wear and no box very little value but knife went for $125.00 new and still run upwards of $85.00 today in new condition as far as your fixed blade have a go and do as you wish they usually go for 20-30 on the bay hope this helps show some pics when done with the new patina Thanks For Sharing

 

[loonybin]

Hey Loonybin The folder is Bob Dozier 1 of 200 and would make a nice user in fact My EDC consist of the same knife a 4051 with a slim fit 112 custom I would invest in a few screws and the right size allen key and you will have a great user as a collector value it is used with wear and no box very little value but knife went for $125.00 new and still run upwards of $85.00 today in new condition

Actually, I have the box, or at least the box that came with the knife when it was given to me. It did not come to me new. I received it in the same condition it's in now, and have no delusions about this having a ton of value considering how used it is. I am a lefty, so using this knife probably won't happen ( I dislike righty liner locks). I was going to fix it up and give it to one of my boys if any of them are interested. I don't know the first thing about repairing a liner lock so it locks up sooner. I have the pivot tightened up as much as it will go, and the blade still has considerable side play. That's why I was wondering where to send it for repairs. The bushing inside seems ok, but it's not a tight fit in the tang. Is it possible that the bushing has worn the hole in the tang to a larger dia.? I wouldn't think the bronze/brass bushing in this thing could do that to D2... The delrin washer seems ok as well. What do I need to get for the pivot to make this thing work?

as far as your fixed blade have a go and do as you wish they usually go for 20-30 on the bay hope this helps show some pics when done with the new patina Thanks For Sharing

I'll definitely show pics of whatever I do with it. I found it in a box of auction stuff my mom bought when I was a teenager... about 20 years ago. It's condition hasn't changed much in all this time, believe it or not. Any tips on getting it apart? If I decide to have it cerakoted, the knife will need to be disassembled.