Kabar Refurb

[Steven Janik]

A gentleman named David Oberle contacted Knifedogs.com looking for someone to help him modify a Kabar replica. Mr. Oberle is a Vietnam War vet and wanted his medical corps insignia incorporated in the handle of this knife that can later be passed down to his family.

I removed the rubber grip and am building a new handle with black paper micarta.

So here's a little WIP to follow along.

Here I start to cut the old rubber handle away.

The grip is removed and the tang is cleaned up.

I slit some micarta to make a thin piece to inlay the insignia into. This will all be glued back to together later.

The insignia is laid out and measured.

Pilot holes for the cutout.

Cutting out on scroll saw.

Rough cut out complete.

MORE TO COME......

 

[Steven Janik]

Kabar Refurb continued..

Some diamond files and a little elbow grease and side one is inset.

Second insignia on opposite side.

Both veneers with inset insignias ready to glue up to handle block.

 

[HHH Knives]

Nice! Looks good so far!

 

[murphda2]

Lookin good Steve.

 

[JAWilliams]

Can't wait to see it finished.

 

[Carey Quinn]

Looks good Steve. Thanks for showing us how to do that kind of thing.

Carey

 

[Pieter]

Looking good so far Steve.

 

[Ernie Swanson]

Awesome job so far Steve.

 

[RodneyJ]

Looks good Steve I enjoy seeing your WIP's thanks for taking the time to show us how these things are done
God Bless,
Rodney

 

[Steven Janik]

Finally got a chance to get back to this one.
All the handle pieces are laminated back together to make a nifty little packet. I added some red spacers to break up the black micarta a little.

Did some rough freehand grinding to get an idea of the final shape. I always draw patterns, cut them out, study them, ask the wife what she thinks then walk to the grinder and start chipping away til it looks and feels about right.

Roughing out the butt end to fit the existing pommel.

 

[Steven Janik]

Final stages. I got the insignias set in place with epoxy. A little (alot) of rubby rubby shine shine and the finish is coming along. I also took the guard and pommel and stripped and polished them.

Final step was a couple coats of satin poly to keep the insigs from tarnishing later.

All in all I'm pleased with the outcome.
I think the owner can display it proudly.

Thanks for looking,
Steve

 

[Billy Helton]

That looks great steve thanks for the wip

 

[Keith Willis]

Looks good Steve,
I can see,he will be very pleased.

God bless,Keith

 

[Ernie Swanson]

Awesome Steve, Thanks for sharing this with us!!

 

[BossDog]

that came out pretty nice. the inlay's really came good Steve..

 

[BruceM]

Wow, what a transformation! Great WIP Steve as always.
Bruce

 

[ironarmknives]

Wow nice work, even nicer to a expert combat medic like myself good work steve

 

[bootstrap]

every good medic needs a good shank haha. thats great work Steve!

 

[roy]

i hope i will that great of job .thanks for the pics.

roy

 

[maxcutter03]

Really nice touch Steven!