Sharpening Ka Bar swedge

[nbrown_303]

I bought a Ka Bar utility fixed blade a little while back as my woods knife and it has gotten a lot of use so far. I have seen pictures of old Ka Bars with the swedge sharpened, and was wondering if this could be done on mine with just a rough stone. It seems like it wouldn't be that difficult because the swedge is pretty thin to begin with even though it is not sharpened. Has anyone done this to their Ka Bar? What did you use to do it? If you have any pictures of the result that would be nice to!

 

[EricV]

This is a fairly common mod to the current KaBars, the older ones as you know came that way from the factory. Keep in mind that doing so makes it a double edged knife, which makes the knife illegal in many jurisdictions. I'd think a chainsaw file would work better as you're dealing with a curve, then touch that up with a stone, or some sand paper wrapped around a wood dowel.

There are two other sections you should check out, the KaBar forum here and the maintenance tinkering and embellishment forum.

 

[nbrown_303]

Thanks for the suggestion EricV! i will check out those forums. I don't think the swedge being sharpened will be an issue, i carry it only when im hiking and i have never run into a game warden or anyone. Plus i carry a different knife when i am hunting.