The VBCAK: The Yardwork Commando Belt Knife

All my black scale looked slightly reddish under sunlight. Since I don't know if that's how black oxide is supposed to look under strong light I didn't want to risk keeping real rust there and removed it just in case.
Does anybody know for sure?
 
Shavru said:
Guys, I need some advice. I was looking at the side of my little beauty and I noticed that under the scale on the side of the blade there is what appears to be <gasp> RUST!! NO-O-O-O-O!!!
So, I was not planning on removing the forgescale, but it looks like I might not have a choice? I guess I am going to have to wrap it up in some vinegar wrapped paper towels? or is there some choice where I can keep the blackened sides and still kill the rust?
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Dont descale it yet if ya dont want too. Just rub it down with mineral oil or your favorite oil with a rag. Most likely its just around the scale where the metal is exposed already. The scale protects the metal from rust and is some awful hard stuff.
 
Where my black scale was the thickest it was the most red under sunlight. Is this a property of black iron oxide / scale or is that more likely to be rust?
 
The scale and rust are the same, really-both iron oxide. When I was blacksmithing for a living we put linseed oil on all the finished product except towelbars-those got tung oil since they got wet. Linseed will soak in a little and polymerize eventually.
 
Interesting. Thanks, guys. I would like to keep the forgescale if possible so glad to hear that is still an option. So, then if I plan to use the blade for gardening which includes a lot of moisture up in this state between rain and dew. Should I use tung oil or linseed oil? and are we talking BLO or is the natural or raw oil better for this task? So much to learn, FUN! I never had a blade with the forgescale finish still on it before, so this is all new to me. Any other tips or info I should know about how these differ in maintenance than a finished/polished blade.
 
OK, where are those pictures?


Steely_Gunz said:
...The only downside I see to this cute lil bugger is that while the scabbard is top notch, the frog doesn't balance it well enough. It's pretty floppy. An easy peasy modification strap that would simply snap around the handle to secure it to the frog would work. Instead, I have elected to just remove the frog and stuff the VBCAK in my belt sash-style. The scabbard is just loose enough at the throat that I can draw the blade with a quick tug while still keeping everything else in place yet holds firmly enough that even bending forward won't cause the blade to want to slide forward. It rides perfectly there at about a 60 degree angle so that the chape doesn't grind into my thigh when I squat down, and the handle is long enough to get to at pretty any direction if I need it on a whim.
...
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The belt carry is traditional for the American Bowie. In the development of the Liberty Series the Sarkis were exposed to the western style studded sheath that keeps the scabbard from slipping through the belt. They came up with their own version, which works quite well. It sounds like the style they created for the Liberty Series might be adapted to other models also.

Here's a picture.

1013517_10200917584516384_1186604360_n.jpg
 
You are right Howard, That style would solve the problem of the flopping froggie. I have just been so enamored with mine that it hasn't been IN the sheath long enough for me to notice the problem, But I can see how it will be once I get to the point of actually only taking it out to use it :p
 
I still can't decide which Liberty knife I love the mostest. I've narrowed down to the left or right, leaning towards the right but the left is still vying for position. Both are incredibly awesome. Very nice.
 
Bawanna said:
I still can't decide which Liberty knife I love the mostest. I've narrowed down to the left or right, leaning towards the right but the left is still vying for position. Both are incredibly awesome. Very nice.
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Yes, the best is definitely one of those, or the middle.

I just got back from a trip and found a triangular box waiting. Inside was a VBCAK. A nice stout little knife. I'll attach a picture so people can see what this thread is about.

image.jpg
 
I recently saw a lady I have not seen for many years. She is preparing and training for a first-ever backcountry treck with her 3 teenaged sons. I gave a VBCAK to her in return for some promised reviews of how it performs for her. I'll be interested in what she has to say, and will pass it along, good or bad.
 
I love, love, love this little knife.
I have used it for everything from gardening, to scraping mud off my boots, to prying the top off a paint can, to opening boxes at work, to stripping wire to attach a plug. Generally, my multi-tool gets a lot of these jobs, but I wanted to give the VBCAK a work out.

Here's a size comparison shot:
group photo (640x480).jpg
The top is a 20" Cherokee Rose
The bottom is a Leatherman MUT.

You can see how handy in size this stout little monster is.

sash carry (480x640).jpg
Here's how I have been wearing it every day since it arrived. No frog, no fastener. Just stuff it into my belt and it rides just fine. I like how I can squat down or bend over and my thigh will naturally push it horizontal and out of the way.

It's definitely a bruiser of a work-knife:thumbup:
I've been breaking down several dozen cardboard boxes of product today. The only tool I've used is the VBCAK. It's sticky with tape residue, but it's bumping right along. Even the copious amounts of cardboard cutting doesn't seem to be dulling it at all.
 
I used to have arms like that and a figure too.:( I think my get up and go got up and went.
 
I think you will soon miss the expressions on peoples' faces you used to get when you would whip out the Cherokee Rose and slash open the top of a bag.
 
Good point, only get one chance to make a first impression and that Rose puts out a hell of a first impression.
 
That is a beautiful Bowie! Would sure like to see a few of them made! Looks like Steely's been stabbin grapefruits with it:thumbup:
 
I love that ol' Bura Rose:) She's tarnished with honest use. My daughter calls it "Daddy's Pirate Sword":D
 
LoL Steely, That is exactly the way I have found best for carrying mine as well. Well, when I actually don't have it in my hand. I find that I am using it for everything I need a sharp edge for...I even used it for cutting coupons yesterday. Just because I had it and the coupon cutter was way over on top of the refrigerator. Did a great job but the cardboard box I used for backing isn't going to ever be the same again, infact it was such a mess I used the VBCAK to finish breaking it down and threw it in the recycling. But where it really shines is around the yard on blackberry canes and holly (or Ilex for those of you who saw that thread) and root balls just slashes through them with no effort and full control.
 
Hey how does it compare to the IBBB?
Steely_Gunz said:
I love, love, love this little knife.
I have used it for everything from gardening, to scraping mud off my boots, to prying the top off a paint can, to opening boxes at work, to stripping wire to attach a plug. Generally, my multi-tool gets a lot of these jobs, but I wanted to give the VBCAK a work out.

Here's a size comparison shot:
View attachment 432596
The top is a 20" Cherokee Rose
The bottom is a Leatherman MUT.

You can see how handy in size this stout little monster is.

View attachment 432597
Here's how I have been wearing it every day since it arrived. No frog, no fastener. Just stuff it into my belt and it rides just fine. I like how I can squat down or bend over and my thigh will naturally push it horizontal and out of the way.

It's definitely a bruiser of a work-knife:thumbup:
I've been breaking down several dozen cardboard boxes of product today. The only tool I've used is the VBCAK. It's sticky with tape residue, but it's bumping right along. Even the copious amounts of cardboard cutting doesn't seem to be dulling it at all.
Click to expand...
 
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