Restoring a USMC Ka-Bar original finish.

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Fatstrat

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What would your recommendations for restoring an original type finish on a WW-2 vintage USMC Ka-Bar knife? Thanks
 
Brownell's used to carry a spray-on coating which was a
near duplicate for the original finish.
 
I believe they were parkerized, if I'm not mistaken. You can get DIY parkerizing materials from Caswell or Brownell's, among other places.

Final edge was pout on after parkerizing.

Doc.
 
Not sure about yours but mine came with a coating like power coat or alumna hide. but I got mine in the early 90's
 
Fatstrat said:
What would your recommendations for restoring an original type finish on a WW-2 vintage USMC Ka-Bar knife? Thanks
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The very first ones were nicely blued, but of course that went by the way side. Later WWII era ones had a parkerized finish, any gunsmith can do it.

Cheers,
Jeb
 
If it's really WWII vintage, you don't want to refinish it - you will destroy its value. Hold onto it, buy a nicely finished new one too, and enjoy them both for what they are.
 
What I have is a semi finished Cammilus blade purchased on ebay. Finished to basic shape, w/tang. Not yet ground to edge.
 
Then its not WWII vintage, tons of Camillus blades were dumped at auction when they went belly up. From your description I doubt its even been heat treated. Before you spend allot of money and time finishing it consider you can buy a new finished Kabar or Ontario made MK II knife for about $40.
 
Nuke41 said:
Then its not WWII vintage, tons of Camillus blades were dumped at auction when they went belly up. From your description I doubt its even been heat treated. Before you spend allot of money and time finishing it consider you can buy a new finished Kabar or Ontario made MK II knife for about $40.
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Is there any easy way to tell if it's been heat treated? I did ask the seller prior to bidding and was assured they had been.
 
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