GUEST POST: How to Strip the Paint from a Ka-Bar and Blue the Steel, by 305hjd

Required materials

• Jasco Paint and Epoxy Stripper
• Uncoated steel pan
• White vinegar
• Glass or stainless steel container able to hold the full length of the blade
• Painters tape (I like 3M Edge lock)
• Garden hose
• Brilla pad
• Pot big enough to hold enough vinegar to cover the blade
• Oil
• Rags
• Box of nitrile gloves. I’d suggest wearing multiple layers, so go a size larger than normal

Ka-Bar makes a good knife. I’m not a fan of the paint coating they put on the blade. While it is durable, it limits your ability to use the spine of the knife to strike against a ferro rod. Fortunately, it is relatively easy to fix this. All you need to do is strip the paint from the blade and then refinish the steel. I would suggest bluing the steel. Bluing is essentially a beneficial rust. The process of bluing a blade (or any steel really) is simple, and something you can do on your own.

Step One 

Tape off the cross guard of the knife. You want the tap as tight as possible to all sides of the blade. Extend the tape down the grip. You want to completely seal the handle against the Jasco. Jasco is EXTREMELY harsh on rubber. I wouldn’t want to get it on the grip.

Step Two

DO THIS OUTSIDE.

WHILE WEARING GLOVES, carefully spray the blade of the knife with Jasco. Coat both sides. Place it on the uncoated steel tray and wait 20 minutes. If any of the Jasco gets on the gloves, take them off. Wearing multiple layers will allow you to not have to stop and reglove in the middle of the process.

Step Three

Once the Jasco has been working for 20 minutes, take a Brilla pad and scrub the blade to remove the paint. Immediately hose the entire knife off with clear cold water using the garden hose. DO NOT do this in the sink, as the Jasco breaks down plastic/rubber, which could destroy the pipes and gaskets in your plumbing. To save time, boil vinegar on the stove.

Step Four 

Place the blade into a glass or stainless steel container, vertically, of sufficient height to allow the entire blade to be immersed in the vinegar. Pour the vinegar into the container, set a timer for 30 minutes, and wait. You should see some bubbling in the container.

Step Five

Once the timer goes off, remove the blade and wipe it down with a rag. You will probably see a fair amount of black come off the blade. This is fine. Next liberally wipe the blade down with oil. Use more than you think you need.