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For general purpose outdoor use, I employee KA-BAR's legendary USMC fighting/utility knife with the combination 7" blade of serration and smooth configuration...see attachment below.
I am however, considering it for use as a dive-knife as well.
KA-BAR recomends using soap & water after exposing this knife to salt-water. The blade is composed of powder-coated 1095 cro-van steel. The handle, highly compressed leather washers which I added a water-proofing liquid manufactured for Red Wing shoes.
Since WWII, this knife has had a background in aquatic applications via military and civilian use alike. Thus, I cannot see this product as not being tolerable to these conditions. Overkill for recreational diving? Perhaps, but is subjective to the individual and is therefore irrelivant for justified opinions and I really dont feel like purchasing another knife. However, in comparison to modern knives marketed specifically for diving, how does it compare? Do you have any testimonies in regards to this particular knife with dive applications?
Concerns I have:
Swelling of the leather handle: The compression of the leather washers is at such a high psi that the handle seems more wood-like than leather. So water-retention may not occur at all?
Rust: Im fully aware that any form of metal will rust, including dive specific knives. However, the rate of corrosion is my concern, not with fresh, but with salt water. The matte black powder-coat finish should prevent liquid contact to the entire knives metallic composition, with the exception of the exposed cutting surface...and this is where Im concerned. I predict a quick scoring with emory cloth would remove any flash rust that may occur.
Quoting KA-BAR's company website in regards to its historical use in aquatic enviroments:
"...the KA-BAR was adopted by not only the Marines, but also the Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Underwater Demolition Teams. Years after World War II, many KA-BARS were unofficially reactivated in the Korean, Vietnam, Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom conflicts."
Thank you
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I am however, considering it for use as a dive-knife as well.
KA-BAR recomends using soap & water after exposing this knife to salt-water. The blade is composed of powder-coated 1095 cro-van steel. The handle, highly compressed leather washers which I added a water-proofing liquid manufactured for Red Wing shoes.
Since WWII, this knife has had a background in aquatic applications via military and civilian use alike. Thus, I cannot see this product as not being tolerable to these conditions. Overkill for recreational diving? Perhaps, but is subjective to the individual and is therefore irrelivant for justified opinions and I really dont feel like purchasing another knife. However, in comparison to modern knives marketed specifically for diving, how does it compare? Do you have any testimonies in regards to this particular knife with dive applications?
Concerns I have:
Swelling of the leather handle: The compression of the leather washers is at such a high psi that the handle seems more wood-like than leather. So water-retention may not occur at all?
Rust: Im fully aware that any form of metal will rust, including dive specific knives. However, the rate of corrosion is my concern, not with fresh, but with salt water. The matte black powder-coat finish should prevent liquid contact to the entire knives metallic composition, with the exception of the exposed cutting surface...and this is where Im concerned. I predict a quick scoring with emory cloth would remove any flash rust that may occur.
Quoting KA-BAR's company website in regards to its historical use in aquatic enviroments:
"...the KA-BAR was adopted by not only the Marines, but also the Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Underwater Demolition Teams. Years after World War II, many KA-BARS were unofficially reactivated in the Korean, Vietnam, Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom conflicts."
Thank you
Charged
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