[OMCHamlin]

I did a Pal RH36 with a KaBar supplied leather handle kit, I found using a strip sander with the whole handle solidly together seemed to work the best, though it was far from perfect. The only one I've done so far.

 

[anthonypd]

Gary did some nice work, there..

 

[HutchS]

I'll need to find a good leather stain and sealant now.

I would recommend Fiebings Professional series dye in the color of your choice. The professional series are oil based, so they penetrate a little better and are slightly more durable. You can dampen the leather slightly with water to get even better dye penetration. After the dye, let it completely dry and burnish to get the excess dried dye off. Then apply conditioner before you apply the top finish.

For finish, check out Resolene, Gum Tragacanth, Super Sheen, or Tan Kote. Since the leather stack is basically all edge leather, I'd recommend Tan Kote. On the plus side, It will let the leather stack absorb a leather conditioner a lot easier in the future; just apply conditioner right over it. The bad thing is you'll have to reapply the Tan Kote in the future since it will wear off.

Resolene and Super Sheen are acrylics, so they give an impressive shine, but they're pretty permanent. They don't let conditioner get absorbed as easily. Gum Trag is more for single finished edges and gets rid of all the "fuzzies" easier, but takes a lot of burnishing.

 

[HutchS]

Oh, and I'd recommend NOT using epoxy for the leather stack. Roughen the smooth faces to match the other side with some sandpaper. Use Barge cement on each side of each piece of leather. If you cannot find it, a good quality rubber cement will do OK, but Barge is the number one choice. It will let the stack be slightly flexible without making it brittle. This is of course assuming the leather washer stack fits pretty snug on the tang- looks like it from your photos.

 

[HutchS]

One last thing-

Since it's a KaBar with that pommel, you may want to completely drill through the pommel and make a full-length pin to go all the way through. That blind pin can be a real PITA to get out in the future if you ever need to re-handle it.

 

[nf1e]

Looks like an episode of Forged In Fire. Love it. Never had my own K-Bar until I had been out of the Corps for 40 years.

 

[Horst Apies]

We mainly used them for mumbly-peg, split, or opening cans. In trades with sailors, a K-Bar would get anything on the ship. In the air wing, we preferred survival knives which were checked out of flight equipment.

 

[seagiant]

Hi,
Fantastic!

But, Wifey won't like an Anvil and Forge on the Patio, when Knifemaking bites you in the Azz!

 

[chief on one]

I did my Bayonet for the M1 Carbine. I used Mahogany stain. mine is still a little to big where the security strap goes around. some pictures in the shade and out in the sun.
And if you have extra discs, use them to see what kind of stain you want.

 

[Joe Silvia]

Nice jobs everyone! I like to leave them salty
6" Marbles circa 1966

 

[slippery pete]

Never seen one broken down like that. Very cool, thanks for sharing.

I broke my K-bar splitting wood with it like a jerk. I bought a mini one to support a local shop going out of business, and it's super cool. I just realized I need another full size.

 

[OMCHamlin]

Nice jobs everyone! I like to leave them salty
6" Marbles circa 1966 View attachment 499035

A 6” Marbles? If I recall right, you HAVE something there! That PAL woulda kept its original handle too, if all of it was there. Let’s say it was… xtra salty+…

 

[LD06490]

Wow….

 

[tonyben]

I just ordered the leather cement, the stain and the finish. I hope to have this done next week.

Tony.

 

[chief on one]

I just ordered the leather cement, the stain and the finish. I hope to have this done next week.

Tony.
[/QUO what are you using for a press ??

 

[chief on one]

Tony, just thought of another ? On my bayonet , with the new leather disc from Ka-Bar ; the new disc are thicker than what was on my bayonet;. Have you checked the thickness to the leather disc of the Ka-Bar. ??

 

[mike260]

Very cool restoration!

 

[tonyben]

Well, the leather is pressed on, so the thickness is moot since it's a compression fit.

I painted the tang with rust-o-leum before assembling the handle to add some corrosion prevention.

I used the Barge rubber/leather cement and got it all stacked. I mounted and pinned the pommel.

I'll let the glue cure and start sanding the leather, then stain with Fiebling's mohogany die and finish with Resolene.

Tony.

 

[tonyben]

Well, I couldn't leave it alone... I hit it on the belt sander...

Now it's on to hand sanding, grooving, staining and finish...

Tony.