WEPS: Unable to Clamp KA-BAR Bowie !Help!

W

WRK003

Joined
Dec 15, 2011
Messages
16
Hey everyone,

I have put hair whittling edges on every knife I have from chefs knives to my Caly 3.

But I met my match today when a friend gave me his 9inch KA-BAR.

It is flat ground, 1/4 inch thick and has a very slight re-curve. See Here but not that it is not the severe angle along the back edge that is a problem, it is the entire blade shape that is a problem.

Sadly, despite trying to use layers of aluminum tape and/or 3m backing tape, I can't get the knife securely clamped. It tapers from the back to blade edge and from the handle to tip.

Everything I try results in a clamp that feels like it it only touching 2 tiny point on the knife. It can be moved with the push of one finger.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can secure this beast.

Thanks!
 
Instead of using a small piece of DS tape towards the front try a full piece covering the entire width of the jaws.
 
Interesting, I was using a full piece but your post made me want to try a small piece toward upper front...

I'll brb with the results!
 
Try some very soft wood, or something of that consistency, as a liner for the jaws. Something that will conform to the taper, but still hold firm enough for you to sharpen.
 
Well, there are a few issues here.... 1. make sure you don't clamp it down so much in an effort to get the knife secure that you bend your vise (as I have). 2. since it is fully flat ground, you need to "build up" the part of the blade that is not making contact with the vise as you are locking it in, so that way the poster tape will "fill in the gap" and grip the knife. 3. you may want to try loosening the vise up a lot by using longer screws so that the clamp base is actually wide enough that the top of the vise will conform to the flag ground blade. If you do this though, you will have to make adjustments accordingly on your angle bar since only 1/2 of the vise actually moves. hope these ideas help.
 
Try a piece of 600/800 grit waterproof SiC paper with the gritside outwards instead.
This has worked better for me than any other solution so far.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top