Today's Project, Fixing My Brothers OLD Rapala Knife-stain, clear coat

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exracr

Joined
Feb 7, 2016
Messages
468
He's had this knife for YEARS! I got the blade re-profiled, and sharpened all the way out to what my Lansky Arkansas stone will get it(1800-ish). I saddle soaped, dried and Mink Oiled the sheath. I then fine block sanded the handle, and cleaned the shiny parts up with green scotch brite lightly. Once I sanded the handle down, I used extremely fine tip permanent marker to rewrite into the grooves of the name on the handle to make it stick out. I'm using American Walnut stain and will Satin clear finish it. I know most Rapala's are a light colored stain, but I wanted it to match the almost black sheath better. Tell me what you think?? :D

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Only did one coating.. then had to thin it out.. man this stuff covers fast! Better resolution pic. Yes, I'm using a chip Clip with a rubber bungie to hold/keep the edge from cutting me. It's cheap and works okay for this project?! Beats dropping the knife and watching it go thru my foot or toe?! :P In a couple hours, the clear satin can go on and I think it will really make it pop?! Hopefully He will have it for another 20+ years!

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Rostislav said:
That handle looks MUCH better after all that work, nice job. :)
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Holy cow, somebody actually replied to my thread? :)

Thanks Man!

Here's last picture of it with the sheath after the 2nd layer of satin clear coat. The lighter knife gives you an idea of how much lighter it was. That lighter knife is a knife that my mom gave to me to rescue/sharpen (Rapala also FYI); I think it's gonna get the same treatment?! What you guys think?

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exracr said:
The lighter knife gives you an idea of how much lighter it was. That lighter knife is a knife that my mom gave to me to rescue/sharpen (Rapala also FYI); I think it's gonna get the same treatment?! What you guys think?
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Go for it!
 
I've got one of those. It's probably 35 yrs old. It's in great shape. Makes a great tomato slicer. I'll post a pic later. Like what you done with yours.
 
Thanks for the kind words guys! I was a little worried about how it would come out; maybe too dark. But I think I nailed it! :) Pretty proud to see it now compared to how it was before. Hopefully, He and I will be catching lots of catfish this spring/summer here in Eastern Iowa on the Great Mississippi River!
 
You could always send it to me to fix up/ sharpen for ya? For a very nominal fee.. $20 maybe + shipping, maybe a week turn around time? Or you can do it yourself??? I'd saddle soap the sheath to clean it/soften the leather up... mink oil it 2x to water proof it. Then re-profile/sharpen the blade, sand handle down, rewrite "Rapala" name in permanent marker, stain it, clear coat it 2x like the one I did above? If you need a list of supplies I used just let me know. I think with sanding blocks, stain, clear.. I got like $30 in supplies... and can do a bunch more knifes. The stain, clear coat goes a long ways!

Anyways, Final update on my project today. I proudly presented him with his knife,sheath.... he had a huge grin on his face, and thanked me like 3 times! :) I think my Brother even used the term "F*** Yeah" a few times! So I know he's happy! He's supposed to go bear/fishing trip to Canada this fall; I told him I hope he takes it with him!
 
exracr said:
You could always send it to me to fix up/ sharpen for ya? For a very nominal fee.. $20 maybe + shipping, maybe a week turn around time? Or you can do it yourself??? I'd saddle soap the sheath to clean it/soften the leather up... mink oil it 2x to water proof it. Then re-profile/sharpen the blade, sand handle down, rewrite "Rapala" name in permanent marker, stain it, clear coat it 2x like the one I did above? If you need a list of supplies I used just let me know. I think with sanding blocks, stain, clear.. I got like $30 in supplies... and can do a bunch more knifes. The stain, clear coat goes a long ways!

Anyways, Final update on my project today. I proudly presented him with his knife,sheath.... he had a huge grin on his face, and thanked me like 3 times! :) I think my Brother even used the term "F*** Yeah" a few times! So I know he's happy! He's supposed to go bear/fishing trip to Canada this fall; I told him I hope he takes it with him!
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Hey you may have found a way to finance some future additional knife purchases for yourself in the future. A little side scratch. [emoji41]
 
Spyder59 said:
Hey you may have found a way to finance some future additional knife purchases for yourself in the future. A little side scratch. [emoji41]
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I got 2 new knives today.... Hadn't bought any new knives in like 5 months... Rapala "Caping" knife, and my new CK knive :)
 
Nice knife!
Those handles look a lot like my old Marttiini Lynx 129 knife. I sanded the handle to remove the varnish and rounded the corners of the pommel. Followed by a layer of linseed oil. Makes the birch grain pop out.
The leather sheath was treated with beeswax. This made the leather much darker then original. Darker then your sheath with the Marttiini brand-name on it.
 
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