Restoring a Vintage Jet Pilot's Survival Knife and Making a Leather Sheath
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- Опубликовано: 20 сен 2024
- A subscriber passed this vintage Camillus jet pilot survival knife to me to see what I could do with it. It was in really rough shape and in need of restoration, but I cleaned it up and gave it a new sheath; complete with storage for a knife sharpener. The leather washers in the handle were deteriorated, so they had to be replaced. This involved grinding the tang to remove the pommel. Then rebuilding the leather handle complete with finger grooves.
This video is equal parts metal work, restoration, and leathercraft.
follow me on instagram @roadagentleather
For those interested in the tools I use in this video, below are some Amazon affiliate links:
The rust remover/converter: amzn.to/3zv5y0f
Kroil penetrating oil: amzn.to/4evT2fE
Emery Cloth for sanding (not the exact brand I used, but same concept): amzn.to/4eyRAth
Abrasive chord to set the groove depth: amzn.to/3TCUsNs
Files I used to make the grooves: amzn.to/4enhhNq
My knife sharpener: amzn.to/3Zy3xLp
Note that I might receive referral credit or commission on purchases made through these links (at no additional cost to you.) As an Amazon Associate, I earn commissions on the sale of certain Amazon products that are purchased as a result of traffic from my channel. Obviously, you are not required to use my links; it's just a cool way to support my channel
Btw, my lasers are the excellent xTool P2 55W CO2 and the WeCreat Vision 40W diode. Both used in this video. Although they didn't sponsor this video, below are links to save my viewers a few bucks on purchasing these machines. This also helps support the channel by earning me a (very) small commission:
xTool P2. (Use promo code "xToolpartner")
www.xtool.com/...
WeCreat Vision (Use promo code "RAL100")
shrsl.com/2mv4o...
If old knives have a soul, this one is likely feeling, “I feel useful again!” Well done.
Thank you kindly!
She's seen better daze.... glad you're bringing it back to life!!
Thanks!
I appreciate your craftsmanship and videography. Well done on both.
Thank you very much! It's a lot of work filming a project: slows everything down.
AMAZING Restoration and Sheath Re-Creation Jason...
Thanks!
That is awesome. Mine was made in 1983. Picked it up at Ft Brag in 1985. Still have it. Carried it for years. had to have it recoated. leather handle is still in great condition.
What a cool time piece. History in the palm of your hand! Sorry not sorry I am a history guy and these really intrigue me. That pitting is amazing and the end results… wow! Great stuff and thanks for sharing
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for subscribing!
Sir,
Is such a pleasure to watch you work. Your skills are really a cut above and the finished product is simply amazing.
Great looking project as usual! I can't help but think that maybe I need to look into a lazer and 3d printer every time I watch one of your videos. 😂
Go for it! Much cheaper and versatile than a clicker press (although I'd take one of those too :).
Another resurrection ,great job 👍
Good Job! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching!
The company, KBar, sells handle restoration kits that include pre-cut leather ovals, guard, pommel and pommel pin for $7.00. I’ve bought several.
really? I may have to find an old, beat-up KA-BAR to make a video on.
again a class project great job on the design looks fabulous class class class
If you form the sanding strap into a loop you can run it over a drill chuck and sand it that way, you can adjust the tension as needed by simply moving the drill nearer or further from the piece
Ive got a knife sharpener like that worksharp but it is worthless. Im just gonna have to spend the extra buck and get that worksharp one. Amazing craftsmanship!
There's an Amazon affiliate link in the video description to the sharpener I use. Thanks for subscribing!
This is one of the worst knives ever made by Camillus for military use but every pilot and many others carried them. The design of the knife wasn't bad but the assembly was atrocious as the handle would always come loose. Many of us would rework them and have the pommel welded to prevent loosening. The size of the knife IMO is perfect and the original sheath allowed it to be worn in several configurations. The date and verification of the area of use is what makes these knives valuable (mine for example is 1970 and verifiable of where it was used in war). Great job on this!
Thanks! I can't imagine the pommel coming loose on this knife! As you see in the video, it took quite a bit of work to get it to budge!
@@RoadAgentLeather Yep, I understand your point. The pommel wouldn't come off, it would just get annoyingly loose. Great work and recent new subscriber.
@richardstone5241
Had to laugh when I read this. I have always had an Ontario made knife, and I love them! The ASEK that the Army issues now is not quite as versatile, in my opinion. I currently have an ASEK on one side because I have to (it comes with a strap cutter) and an Ontario 499 on the other because it has never let me down. I will add that I have rubbed oil into the handle a few times over the years. Maybe that is why I have never had a problem with it getting loose.
My 1983 build has survived intact and took heavy use from 85 through now. Field carry in the Army. Then as a camping knife. Never got loose.
@@mrrustygray I'm glad to hear that. I was just saying what we went through. I still have mine also but is was modified.
These are great knives! Not the best at anything, but very good as a jack all trades tool. I was disappointed when the Army started issuing an "improved" knife. The build quality on the Ontario knife never let me down.
When did they stop making these? For some reason I thought this was still standard issue. Thanks for subscribing!
@RoadAgentLeather
Ontario Knife Company still makes them (Air Force Survival Knife model 499) They also make the ASEK (Arcrew Survival Egress Knife) that the Army currently issues, I don't know if the USAF switched or not. I do like the strap cutter that comes with the ASEK, but the model 499 knife is a much better tool, in my opinion. The leather handle offers better grip overall, and it is not hard to put an edge on the straight blade, so you don't need to worry with the annoying serrated edge.
I love to watch you work. Watching you has pushed me to try new things to improve and expand my own skills. I still haven't dove in on the magnetic retention holster, though.
You do exceptionally good work.
I really like that lazer cutter
Thank you very much!
Great technique 👍👍
Had one of those 40 years ago, never could get it sharp enough to suit me and not enough blade for me . I went with a Randall 14 , price wasn't so terrible 40 years ago still cost a paycheck but worth it.
Kroil is the best lubricant made! I swear that stuff has Alien DNA in the ingredients!
lol. I'm more of a WD-40 or 3-in-One man myself. I've had that can of Kroil for years. It's one of those things that I used only once in a blue moon. Thanks for watching!
@@RoadAgentLeather I'm an automotive mechanic living in the rust belt of America. Kroil has saved me a lot of headaches over the years getting rusted bolts & nuts off.
I use my wd-40 for simple projects that I know are not rusted bad. But I save my Kroil for the really rusted parts! It's not cheap but man does it work!
dude..... awesome work !!!!
Thanks!!
My father was a Navy Pilot and had one. I restored his a couple of yearsvago.
¡Que maestro!
Bravo !
Right nice job there, son. That'll pass MIL specs.
😅😅😅😅
Always love your videos.
increíble trabajo 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Harbor Freight tools...my man!
Love HF.
Just because it's GI doesn't mean it's good. This knife is a perfect example.
Another commenter mentioned how the pilots who where issued this knife hated it. What was your experience?
nice work.
Any fighter pilot would love to carry that with them!
Thanks for watching!
Very good restoration, and excellent job on the leather sheath. But the blade really should have been Browned or even blued before putting it all back together :) Too bad you where not able to put the metal piece on the tip of the sheath.
Thanks for watching! I've never been a fan of knife blades that have a coating on them. They always look bad as soon as their used and the finish gets scratched up. Additionally, I don't have the proper equipment for blueing a blade.
@@RoadAgentLeather True, but that knife did come Browned, if I remember right, since it was military.
Esa daga tiene daño crítico 🤯🔪✨
I still have mine! Could you have used an edger for the grooves?
Awesome job 👍 looks great. What grit are you grinding the leather at? Every time I do it I burn the heck out of it.
Hey mate ... just wondering if you have the standard sharpening kit shown @ 20:30 or the elite kit with multiple abrasives ... if you have the elite kit do you use all the abrasives or is it an over kill ... cheers mate ...
i have a military knife to fix up.Would you cut the ovals for handle for a price$$ ?
knife makers supply shops carry leather washers for sale
This. Thanks for watching!
you've made a mockery of it,
Curious how so?
This type of knife was referred to as a bolt knife
👏👏👏🤜🤛
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✌️🥰❤️👍
first comment! Thanks for subscribing!