Quick video on how I like to modify the KaBar fighting utility knife to be a little better suited for bushcraft, camping, survival, or just all around outdoors.
The dogs head is am exceptional blade. I'm sure that thing will last a lifetime. I am planning on getting one soon but my wife is convinced my knife collection has exceeded the limit of sanity. One more couldn't hurt!
Your video has inspired me so that I have made similar changes to my Kabar. With the difference that I have bent my guard bar forward on the tailor's back. So I have a thumb rest. Thanks for the video. Greetings from Vienna.
I like your mods and thinking. I also remove the curved clip shape on all my "bowie' style knives. It lowers the point closer to the centerline for starting a divot or a drill hole, and, it moves the point to a thicker part of the blade. Can't hurt. Mine is an Ontario as well, and I polished off the black stain and oiled the leather with Obernauf's to keep the discs from shrinking over time - which they will . Not likely in what is left of my lifetime, but they do. On Waterproofing: Wax is only a topping seal, but wears through in no time, loosing it's waterproofing. Oil soaks in deep and will prevent the discs from separating. NOTHING is waterproof except silicones or epoxies. Waterproof leather boots are silicone impregnated by heat and pressure, and that's the ONLY reason they are waterproof. No oils or waxes ever work on boots or gloves for very long. Whether an original or an Ontario or any other knock-off, the blade requires a modified angle to get a fine shear edge. These knifes were designed as stabbing weapons - not camp tools. So, like the Roman gladius, they were meant as thrusting weapons. You need a good roughing stone or diamond plate to remove enough metal to then be able to get a razor edge. Once you do, the 1095 steel will hold it as well as can be expected.
I always get poked fun at because I prefer to carry a kabar army straight edge knife into the woods. But I don't care. I think it's perfect for bushcraft and self defense. Mines a RAZOR.
Awesome! I've been thinking about doing some mods to one of mine to make it a little more ergonomic and better for outdoors or bushcraft stuff. I think I will do some of the things you did and maybe try to reshape the handle a little to fit my hand better
I won’t modify mine because it was a gift from my mom and grandfather but if I decide to get another one for some reason I will definitely remove the top guard because that gets annoying sometimes
Dose cutting the blade make the metal weaker just wondering I got a usmc ka bar new only thing I did so far is put a layer of musk oil on the leather to waterproof it some
1. That is not how you grip a knife in a fight. 2. In a fight you will need that top guard against another blade. 3.The concave clip point forms a leading edge for the back cut in a knife fight.
Kabar makes a dog's head knife that already has a cut down guard on it, plus an extended pommel with a lanyard hole. I love mine.
The dogs head is am exceptional blade. I'm sure that thing will last a lifetime. I am planning on getting one soon but my wife is convinced my knife collection has exceeded the limit of sanity. One more couldn't hurt!
What perfect markings on that dog. He's a charmer, for sure.
I recontoured the edge of my US Air Force Survival knife exactly like that. Amazingly sharp.
Your video has inspired me so that I have made similar changes to my Kabar. With the difference that I have bent my guard bar forward on the tailor's back. So I have a thumb rest. Thanks for the video. Greetings from Vienna.
Oh man that dog was rad!
Cool. Makes me want to tromp out into the woods right now!
Great list of mods. Thanks for the video.
Simple but efective sure is more usefull now.
I like your mods and thinking. I also remove the curved clip shape on all my "bowie' style knives. It lowers the point closer to the centerline for starting a divot or a drill hole, and, it moves the point to a thicker part of the blade. Can't hurt.
Mine is an Ontario as well, and I polished off the black stain and oiled the leather with Obernauf's to keep the discs from shrinking over time - which they will . Not likely in what is left of my lifetime, but they do.
On Waterproofing:
Wax is only a topping seal, but wears through in no time, loosing it's waterproofing. Oil soaks in deep and will prevent the discs from separating. NOTHING is waterproof except silicones or epoxies. Waterproof leather boots are silicone impregnated by heat and pressure, and that's the ONLY reason they are waterproof. No oils or waxes ever work on boots or gloves for very long.
Whether an original or an Ontario or any other knock-off, the blade requires a modified angle to get a fine shear edge. These knifes were designed as stabbing weapons - not camp tools. So, like the Roman gladius, they were meant as thrusting weapons. You need a good roughing stone or diamond plate to remove enough metal to then be able to get a razor edge. Once you do, the 1095 steel will hold it as well as can be expected.
You back Bad Wolf Bushcraft.
I like the Ontario and the
Ka Bar mods are good to son.
I always get poked fun at because I prefer to carry a kabar army straight edge knife into the woods. But I don't care. I think it's perfect for bushcraft and self defense. Mines a RAZOR.
Awesome! I've been thinking about doing some mods to one of mine to make it a little more ergonomic and better for outdoors or bushcraft stuff. I think I will do some of the things you did and maybe try to reshape the handle a little to fit my hand better
As for the handle, do as i did and get the model 1211 has the krayton handle is great almost no maintenance needed
Great video-interesting mods. For finer cuts, do you ever “choke up” on the blade by doing a pinch grip on the fuller section?
I won’t modify mine because it was a gift from my mom and grandfather but if I decide to get another one for some reason I will definitely remove the top guard because that gets annoying sometimes
Nothing like food ole 1095hc
to get sparks from a fire rod.
Dose cutting the blade make the metal weaker just wondering I got a usmc ka bar new only thing I did so far is put a layer of musk oil on the leather to waterproof it some
Looking at a kabar i can smell it
Interesting mods. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Any issues with heat affecting the temper of the point when you grind it down?
No, no issues at all. The key is to take it REAL slow, and have a cup of water next to your grinder and dip the blade after each pass.
How did you change the color of the handle? The bottom one looks really bad ass brw great work
It just goes darker with use, as the leather wears and picks up sweat etc.
i keep a razor sharp pocket knive cliped to my waist for the"fine work"
sounds like you should just buy a different knife, this is a fighting knife not something made for hobbies and arts and crafts
1. That is not how you grip a knife in a fight.
2. In a fight you will need that top guard against another blade.
3.The concave clip point forms a leading edge for the back cut in a knife fight.
I have a few I will probably modify one of them to be better suited for different task hopefully I won't get in any knife fights any time soon
He clearly modified the knife for fights with wood, not humans.
Eh get a true full tang not a fighting knife tang (stick tang)
not a foot long ka bar
my ka bar is for fuckin shit up
ok kniveboy
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