Old Bowie Find


Radix lecti

Radix lecti

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Joined
Jan 24, 2011
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Location
Gloucester,England
Well i found this old 6" Bowie knife in a car boot sale over here for the sum of £1.50 ($2.35 U.S),its still quite solid ,no loose leather,needs a sheath. I dont know whether to keep it as it is or give it a revamp. Marked on one side of the blade K55K Kaufmann Germany and "Chapa----Kari " faintly on the other side.
Dont know much about this one ,any ideas anyone ? Cheers.

Darren
 
Looks like a very good design, not familiar with the markings. I would clean it up with steel wool and a bit of oil, and put it to use.
What is the blade length ?
 
reminds me of an old Marbles. resembles a Marbles ideal that has been stretched in blade and handle. great knives!
I'd clean her up, repair what needs it, and enjoy using her.
be safe... Ted
 
I am trying to research that, but all the search engines point me to the mercator k55k folding knife made my Kaufman sometime in the past century.
If you could make out the "Chapa----Kari word that would help a lot. maybe rub some talcum powder over it and see if you can make out more of the stamp?
 
Nice find, especially at a deal like that. Other than insuring a sharp blade, I'd also leave as is (with all it's original character). With Mora's being as inexpensive (and as good) as they are I'd prefer the leaving the Kaufmann in its original configuration, but that's just me!:)
 
shadowmib said:
I am trying to research that, but all the search engines point me to the mercator k55k folding knife made my Kaufman sometime in the past century.
If you could make out the "Chapa----Kari word that would help a lot. maybe rub some talcum powder over it and see if you can make out more of the stamp?
Click to expand...

Hello shadowmib, thanks for the tip,talcum powder did the trick ,wording is CHAPA YA ASKARI . It is a 6 inch blade too. Cheers.

Darren
 
"CHAPA YA ASKARI" is Swahili. Roughly translated via google as "Published by Soldiers".

Kind of strange to have a German made hunting/fighting knife stamped with Swahili writing.

I wonder how old it is. Only time I can recall the German army being in Africa was doing WW2, but the Nazi's were in love with putting the swastika on everything, and this doesn't have it that I can see.

Very unusual knife I think.
 
shadowmib said:
"CHAPA YA ASKARI" is Swahili. Roughly translated via google as "Published by Soldiers".

Kind of strange to have a German made hunting/fighting knife stamped with Swahili writing.

I wonder how old it is. Only time I can recall the German army being in Africa was doing WW2, but the Nazi's were in love with putting the swastika on everything, and this doesn't have it that I can see.

Very unusual knife I think.
Click to expand...

Thanks shadowmib,Germany had colonies in Africa from late 1800s up until World War 1,1914,but i cant see the knife being that old,a strange one, i will give it a sharpen and a handle polish,and see how she performs. Cheers.

Darren
 
From what I can see in the pictures, the blade may be of high carbon steel more than stainless. I personally prefer carbon steel for most uses, since it takes a much better edge. Sharpen her up, and see how she does! You made a good find on this one!

Did the knife come with a sheath, and if so could you post a picture? If there is no sheath, do you have plans for making one?
 
Worldwalker said:
From what I can see in the pictures, the blade may be of high carbon steel more than stainless. I personally prefer carbon steel for most uses, since it takes a much better edge. Sharpen her up, and see how she does! You made a good find on this one!

Did the knife come with a sheath, and if so could you post a picture? If there is no sheath, do you have plans for making one?
Click to expand...

Hello,sadly the knife came with no sheath,so its a leather search now to make one,mind you leathercraft is not my subject,but still nothing ventured nothing gained as they say . Cheers.

Darren
 
I would use it as it is and clean it up as you go along ,, as for the Sheath ,, make one , have one made , or just keep looking in places where CHEAP chinese or Pakistan knives are sold ,, sometimes the sheaths are better than the knife .
 
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