I have a "vintage" original Cold Steel Carbon 5 SRK bought in like '91/'92 (IIRC) while I was in the Army. I carried it on deployments and the knife is special to me. Part of why is it was made in my home town, Olean, NY, which is home to Cutco/Ka-Bar (formerly Alcas Cutlery) where my dad worked for more than 14 years in the '70's and 80's. Apparently, at least at some point, they were one of Cold Steel's US OEM makers, per a relative that was working there when I bought it.
Anyway, I am wanting to make some changes to it. About a decade ago I flirted with putting a micarta handle on it and removed the Kraton one by drilling out the flared brass thong tube. I decided it was above my skill level, and now the knife has sat and is not safe to use because the handle slides off. So, here's kinda what I'd like to do, with options:
1. Add a nice set of micarta scales and brass guard, with thong hole, in the style of a Randall Model 15 Airman, like here:
Model 15 Airman or a Buxton Fighter, like here:
Buxton FighterOf course, I am open to maker's suggestions based on capabilities and limitations and materials.
2. Add a leather handle like shown in this video, in the style of a Ka-Bar:
Awesome!!!Honestly, I think I prefer this because of the Ka-Bar tie-in and it looks sweet. However I would prefer brass or blackened guard and buttcap instead of micarta he used, or whatever is recommended by maker. Maybe something like this
Fallkniven Njord.
3. Replace original flared tube to restore the knife to useable condition. Obviously not my preference, LOL, but...
I am also interested in having the blade refinished or polished, as well as adding a hollow grind vs the bar convex edge on this thing. Or even a flat grind. Anything to make it a better work knife and sharper. Again, I defer to the maker, but want a Fallkniven-like grind profile, since the SRK appears to be similar (knock-off?) of a
Fallkniven S1. I would also wish to add thumb notches to the top.
Anyway, I am asking for a response to start a discussion and figure out how to proceed. A Tennessee knife maker would be awesome, but not a hang-up. I will want image examples of previous work.
If anyone has done something similar, I'm up for advice or suggestions.