short kabar and mark I handles

[spydie fanatic]

Has anyone ever noticed that the newer fixed kabars (short, mark I) don't have a leather handle where the part underneath the guard is flush with the side of the guard? On my short and mark I the handle protrudes pass the side of the guard and gaks the leather sheath as you use it. My 8 year old 7" and older fixed knives have gradual smoothed leather spacers and do not do so. I'm usually not too picky, but for some reason this bothers me?

 

[Toooj]

spydie,

Here's the scoop; in addition to the short and Mk1, add the full size version of the F/U knife. There used to be a rubberized fiber spacer between the leather washers and the guard. Same as on the pommel end. The Fiber spacer material is increasingly hard to get and very expensive. It drove our procurement people crazy.
So the factory started to injection mold the spacers from plastic. They are easier to procure, more durable and dimensionally more stable. However, they are harder and will scar the leather.
How do you solve this? Take a fine file and smooth and break the sharp edges. That will solve the issue.
Because of changing technology, material situations, etc,; we are constantly scrambling to adjust. Sorry.

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives

 

[spydie fanatic]

Thanks for the tip. I meant more "why is it" and tried not to sound like a whiner...I'm playing with my short USMC right now

 

[shandrydan1]

Spydie, would you mind posting some pics of the two (short and mk1) side by side?

 

[spydie fanatic]

 

[shandrydan1]

Thanks man. That helps a lot!

 

[wisnoskij]

However, they are harder and will scar the leather.

But now my sheath is ugly, the very first time I out my blade in it... Is there any fix for leather that has had large chunks ripped out of it?