WW II Camillus Mark 2 USN Knife

[rpttrsn]

A short while ago a friend gave me this knife that had been under salt water from the storm Sandy. It had sat on a shelf untill I received it. She had told me that it was her grandfathers who had it in World War II. The family was throwing it out and she remembered that I have a passion for knives. I told her that I would clean it up and return it but she said that I should keep it as no one in the family wanted it.
I should have taken some pictures before I tried to give this old salt a new life. The salt water played havoc on the leather and the blade.
I first washed it all down with fresh water and dried it well. The handle needed some sanding as well as the blade. I then gun blued the blade and put a new edge on it. Mink oil on the handle and when it was good and dry used brown shoe polish. I have been trying to get a period sheath but to no avail.
This sheath was the only one I could locate on the bay. It says USN with the insigna but also says KA-Bar. He must have used it a bit hard as there are a few nicks on the spine. I bet it could tell some great stories.
Thanks for looking.
Ron

 

[killgar]

Props to you for saving it. It looks like it has a lot of life left in it. My concern however would be damage to the blade from rust and pitting where the blade meets the tang. That could weaken an already weak spot on the knife.

It's sad that the family was so casual about throwing it away. But I guess that's good for you, because now it's yours.

 

[rpttrsn]

Props to you for saving it. It looks like it has a lot of life left in it. My concern however would be damage to the blade from rust and pitting where the blade meets the tang. That could weaken an already weak spot on the knife.

It's sad that the family was so casual about throwing it away. But I guess that's good for you, because now it's yours.

Killgar,
It was good for me. After I got it and washed it down and dried it out the best I could it spent a good deal of time with WD 40 covering the blade and in the area of the tang. Blade was cleaned with WD 40 and steel wool to start. Hope the tang didn't get hit to hard. Seems solid for now. It's been a few years since the storm.
Ron

 

[pjwoolw]

Nice save for sure! Looks like a keeper to me! WD40 is likely one of the worst products one could use for many reasons. Give Fluid Film try. You won't be sorry.

 

[rpttrsn]

Nice save for sure! Looks like a keeper to me! WD40 is likely one of the worst products one could use for many reasons. Give Fluid Film try. You won't be sorry.

I'm not a fan of WD 40 for lubing anything. For water displacing after the knife went through a good fresh water wash, getting rid of the salt water,I felt it wouldn't hurt it. I wipe the blade down with mineral oil when it will be sitting for any long periods of time. I have other favorites for lubing pivots. I will look into fluid film.
Thanks,
Ron