What should I do with this PAL-37 MK2 "Kabar".

[zzyzzogeton]

I recently "acquired" a WW2 PAL-37 MK2 "Kabar" blade with guard (PAL on one ricasso and USMC on the other). Since it is no longer considered historically significant, I can do what ever I want to it and not feel TOO guilty about it. So, I have decided to throw it out for a consensus poll, assuming I can figure out how to make the polling part of this work right. Pictures below the options.

Here's the options - pick one please.

A. Try for authenticity - stacked leather with new peened pommel
B. Kinda authentic - stacked leather, cut off the spike and make/use a pinned pommel
C. Go for a "Theater Knife" look
D. Do something strange/different

The bare blade:


By the length and shape of the pommel spike, it would appear that the knife originally had a fairly thick pommel.

 

[sac troop]

You could also weld some new rod to the end of the tang and thread it. I'd lean toward a theater look.

 

[stvpourciau]

Why is it no longer significant?

 

[zzyzzogeton]

Why is it no longer significant?

From what I have been told, if the knife does not have the original leather or pommel, then it TECHNICALLY does not have "historical" value to a picky-picky-picky collector or to a museum. An exception to this is 'WELL EXECUTED" theater modifications actually done during WW2 after the leather rotted off in the tropics. A 2013 "theater knife" doesn't have the same "collector mystique", although that is the look I lean toward on this knife. I also like sactroop's threaded tang/pommel idea. Combination, maybe.

The knife IS significant to me just because it WAS used during WW2, even if only by a supply clerk opening boxes. That is why I "rescue" any old, beat up knife. My obsession. That's why I have enough "projects" to keep me busy for a VERY long time. Also, no wife or GF to rag me about it. Search for the thread about funding knife collecting to see my method.


On a separate note, 88 views and only 3 votes, and all different - 1,0,1,1? Come on guys/gals, this is a hidden poll, no one, not even me, can see who voted how.

 

[DeadFall27]

Now, what exactly constitutes the 'theater look'?

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Google "theater knife". Stacked multicolored or Lexan pieces.
So called from being made or modded "in theater" -- in a war zone.

 

[LeonJ]

I kinda want to see a puukko version with antler pieces, some nice birch, and a peened tang. No guard though.

 

[zzyzzogeton]

I kinda want to see a puukko version with antler pieces, some nice birch, and a peened tang. No guard though.

Sorry Leon No puukko version. I am only reworking the hilt/handle/grip/scales (pick your favorite word). The blade will remain unmodified with just rust removal/inhibiting.

As another aside, I do have 17 NOS Camillus M1 Garand Bayonet blades screaming for ideas. Might add a puukko blade bayonet to the project list.

 

[stvpourciau]

I've heard that "complete knife" thing before and believe too lol. But as you say it was there in WW2 and the way I see it is that probably won't be true forever.

My grandfather fought in WW2 and his Grandfather fought in the Civil War. WW2 peices seem to be becoming less commomnly happened upon compared to what seemed, basicaly, like swimming in them a decade ago. Yet I've never seen a single Civil War artifact in my life.

If we had just one piece of anything from my Great-Great Grandfather it would be the coolest thing in the world.

So what seems like "historicaly irrelavent" today my not be so much true for your grandchild/great grandchild. Handle or not, It's only a couple of generation gaps away from having flesh and blood WW2 become the textbook nostalgia of the Civil War.

Then again, one could argue that it would be just as genuine or cool of a blade even with a modified handle.

I like the look of theatre knives myself but voted wood because I saw that you still had the guard and I've always had a thing for those Kabars that look just like a Mk2 with wood scales.


Maybe place the date it was redone under plexiglass if you go for the theatre look.

 

[zzyzzogeton]

OK, The results are in.

After 10 days, 522 views and all of 18, yep 18, independent, hidden vote, we have a near tie......

- 8 for Traditional stacked leather
- 7 for some kind of wood
- 3 for theater style.

I sure thought we had more opinionated folks out there. So now it's time for me to make a final decision, get my act together and fix'er up. As I recently won a give-a-way over in the general forum, I'll have to come up with something over here when I finish.

NO it will NOT be the knife.

I may be a little crazy, but I'm not insane. At least I don't think we are. I'll have to ask me, myself and I and see what our consensus is.