Restoring a Cattaraugus 225Q Knife from WWII

I picked up this WWII vintage Cattaraugus 225Q knife on a local auction for $14. Let's restore it to its former glory.

[@alanbierhoff6831]

I’m a “Knifeaholic” and you totally blew my mind with that restoration 💯👍🏻 Beautiful job 😊 I hope you don’t totally abandon this channel 🙏🏻

[@dougtaylor8735]

Wes, I have my Dad’s knife from WWII. It is still in good shape and has the original sheath. It may only be worth $20, but to me it’s priceless and I plan to pass it down to my grandson as a reminder of the greatest generation. Thanks for this video.

[@spudth]

Worth a lot more than $20. I just read a great comment on the Ka-bar company story video. Guy was in Nam during the war working to recover his shot down helicopter in a river. He had a rope on him and was swept under the helicopter by the current. Before he drowned he pulled his knife from his hip, cut himself free and survived. Said that Ka-Bar knife will be buried with him.

[@williamkowalchik572]

Me too. My dad carried it in Africa then in to Europe. Has his name and serial number on the sheath.

[@tedholvey2271]

Nice job Wes, beautiful knife, if that knife could talk! It's about the history. My dad was a Marine in WW II, growing up he always had a pocket knife in his pocket, his whole life. Almost every boy or grown man carried a pocket knife from that generation. I keep a Leatherman close by.

[@robertthorn9560]

Collector value are increasing substantially, hold on to it!

[@SugarMapleForge]

Finally restoration videos where the maker actually talks though the process. We need more of this on KZbin! Nice work

[@claytonno2571]

It seems to be a problem of content creators thinking everything need to be a type of "asmr" when it really has no reason to be. Its like a virus that has crept into many genres.

[@pickletreewoodcraft7858]

Nice! It’s refreshing to see someone redo something their not satisfied with rather then messing with it until it’s worse and also making practical decisions based on the item, compared to the countless videos where people shine shit or try to make an heir loom out of a utilitarian product! Looking forward to see more, thanks for the content!

[@imdeplorable2241]

I absolutely agree. 💯

[@giorgiobaroni2750]

❤❤

[@stucook8622]

Nicely done Wes. Thanks for the video 🐾🍺

[@robertkavich7426]

225Q knife , very nice , just down then road from me . They also made K Bar knifes for the military during WWII , The other big maker of military knifes was Ontario Knife , , Olean NY . They still make knifes for the military . I have several among my collection. They also own CUTCO knife , They make IMO one of the best set of Kitchen knifes , life guarantee and free sharpening all you pay is postage .great video , knife looks great , stay safe be well Bob k

[@c.b.giornesto4581]

i like to see motivated people take something old and restore it. well done.

[@jamesweaver9636]

I watched a lot of restoration videos on KZbin and the majority were hacks. You my friend have talent and did this knife justice. Love both your channels…some of the best on KZbin. Btw, think you would like the firearms channel, Anvil with Mr. Mark Novak. You remind me a lot of his style..do it right or don’t do it. Keep them coming please.

[@TristramSavage]

Gotta love Anvil!

[@francislahey7981]

"The Bridge on the River Kwai." How very clever of you. Fantastic video! I enjoyed very much. Now, on to the next one.

[@fyrpiper]

The way I do my stacked leather handles...get a long 1/4-20 carriage bolt and a couple large fender washers and nut. Cut your leather disc's, punch center holes in them then soak in water. Stack the disc's onto the bolt with washers on each end and crank down as tight as you can. Sit it somewhere to dry for several days. Then remove from bolt and use as normal. This method takes a lot of guesswork out, as the disc's are already as compressed as they can be. It also reduces any issues of handle shrinking in the future and handle loosening. I usually finish by melting beeswax into the leather until it won't accept more, then buff.

[@the_bishop]

The end result turned out great. Being patient and willing to re-do something you're not happy with really pays off.

[@jayh1947]

The same excellent workmanship I expect from Wes.................Jay

[@marklammas2465]

Excellent handle. One functional workaday military knife successfully restored to peaceful modern usage. As a first restoration video, I think that's pretty damn decent.

[@travisrulason3863]

I always learn something when I watch you work... thanks for the great content Wes

[@jeremyboyd5759]

One of the best looking leather stacked handles I’ve seen. Great work

[@1999Valkyrie]

Wes...GREAT job!! I'm a self-confessed knife junkie too. Just a quick tip here...get two thin strips of rubber (can be very thin and still work) and put them between your blade and the Lansky clamp. The rubber will protect your blade from any scratches while sharpening.

[@hughbryant1326]

A really thorough and fine restoration. I enjoyed watching. UK.

[@ericd2791]

Reminds me of my grandfather’s knife. His was from ww2 to. He also had a ww1 as well both I have now. I hurt with the ww1 one great knife.

[@aeromedic5824]

I find this inspiring in a couple of ways. Not being afraid to redo something because it isn't right. It's easy to just say "good enough", but it takes dedication to make it just right. It's also inspiring to see someone who isn't ashamed of his vices and in fact, finds creative ways to make them work positively.......

[@ryankeeler7665]

Lol,I see what you did there.

[@pannermccall4375]

Thanks Wes, really enjoyed this. Thanks for the second channel.

[@mrbakerskatz]

Thanks for sharing , please continue to share !🙏👍

[@trajtemberg]

Finally someone that doesn't give in to the epoxi trend.

[@larrypostma2866]

Right! Why waste the leather if you plan on turning it into a hard plastic handle anyway.

[@Frank-Thoresen]

Natural leather has way better grip than epoxy and looks so much better

[@H.D.R.74]

Pero de todas formas, arruino un cuchillo original! 🤦‍♂🤣🤣🤣

[@stevesyncox9893]

Stacked leather needs no epoxy.... I did one of these too.

[@hat8415]

So much more rewarding than fixing a ford , gm or mopar huh.

[@stevedingman474]

My father brought one of these home from Korea , I never found out how he got it but rumor was a Master Sargent from Iowa was going home from a bullet thru his love handle his second wound and dad and his tank hunter picked him up from the battlefield and drove him straight too the field hospital. Not sure if he was Jim Foot or my dads friend was Jim Foot but anyways that’s how I heard he received a WWII knife in Korea . I received it on dads passing . I loved it it would chop about anything stayed sharp and it had its original sheath . But I kept it in my garage on my work bench and well someone stole it . I was crushed so now I am searching for one that was as close to dads and make a new one ! I can’t find one and I can’t remember the makers name but it’s a much better knife then the one here . Maybe when I retire I’ll spend some time looking for that knife so I can remake it ! And pass it on too my son or make a few and pass them too all dads mine male children .? Lol reason too stay in the shed longer lol😅

[@patdawson3902]

Hi Wes, I am from Cattaraugus, New York . Graduated in 1983 and remember the factory. It is now just a museum at the top of Main Street. Thank you for sharing. My family has been there for about 200 + years.

[@williamberry509]

My dad had one most of his life. When he passed my oldest brother got it. It is to me the perfect camp/hunting knive. It hold an edge well. In my youth we used it for everything. If I could I would have one for every car or truck I own. I learned to use it young and it just a great knive

[@williamberry509]

Left this off. My dad got his as a boy as a boy scout kit knife. Great way to get rid of surplus blades

[@RestorationVideo]

*_I have watched many of this kind videos but honestly this one was more perfect and in detail_*

[@5T3V3N-ns9gg]

Beautiful finished product. Simple, yet functional sheath, and a usable edge on the blade. Overall a very good restoration. I can understand being irritated by having to redo the handle, but that's natural. Sometimes we have to try again. Good work.

[@walterpchrysler9446]

Wow!!! Beautiful knife, loved the finished knife. Amazing start to finish results. Grew up in Western NY, nice seeing something from my home town area. You would pronounce the word Catt-a-raw-gus. Drop the u and replace it with a w(for pronunciation purposes). Great video, love the second channel

[@michaelshocik5915]

Dude, you did an amazing job!!! I love your leather skills!!! What can't you do??

[@MI_Prepper]

What a GREAT blade and restoration!

[@PappyHolliday]

You did it the way it should be done. I think you could put in a museum now if you wanted to. Great work.

[@chrismaverick9828]

Some things are genuinely collectable, extremely rare, and should be restored to their virtually perfect condition to be shown off or wall-hung. Those things are NOT as much a connection to history (or family in such cases) as an item which is lovingly maintained through regular use and then restored once or twice in order to continue being used. That you decided to restore this for your own use is a fantastic connection to the history of such a knife.

[@69uremum]

I like this other channel, keep up the more off topic kind of videos please. The sheath and knife both look like they came out nice.

[@barthanes1]

Looks good. I got a Kabar 1237 at a garage sale for $5. Best garage sale find I've ever made. It didn't even need restoration. Just cleaning, sharpening, and a bit of restitching on the sheath.

[@tmurray1972]

Outstanding referb job. I’ve found with my Lansky the angles actually come out 4deg less than what’s stamped into the fixture. I measured my angles on a optical comparator at work, I sharpened on the 20deg slot, it actually measured 16deg. Something to keep in mind.

[@12345NoNamesLeft]

The angle is totally dependant on the width of the blade and the position you clamp it in.

[@alexmoreau8921]

Nice! Always like second channels, I feel like I learn about a whole side of the person I couldnt have imagined before

[@cesargallo7424]

You can't hide out of your fans Wes, we will chase you donwn! great job

[@poppydogz]

Wow a man of many talents, stunning work fella, well done..

[@Republic_ofTexas]

After seeing this I got a Romanian surplus combat Knife and got her all fixed up. Thanks for the inspiration :)

[@jah0524]

I have one of these knives with the original sheath. I found it in my 93 year old father-in-law's garage. The knife is in near perfect condition. I removed some of the rust from the pommel and guard, otherwise it is shiny and sharp.

[@Gunthusiest]

I thought the leather would act exactly how you described too. Then in my mind I was thinking just to use linseed oil, but you did.. and it did nothing 😂 that's weird for sure. But I love how it all turned out. Good job

[@DavidPerez-ck3dw]

You did a great job. You kept it as original as possible and it now is a usable knife. I'm glad you redid the handle, you weren't happy with the first attempt, so you redid it till you liked it. It's a beautiful handle.

[@user-br2bf1hl6n]

Very interesting Wes. I learned several things by watching. Thanks for taking the time to share. Deb

[@StrelokTheStalker]

Did great. A tip for when you're stacking the leather, wet them all (maybe you did and I didn't notice?) and when you press them they'll really fuse well, just make sure you let the wad dry out before you go further. Also, some people (unless you're truly sticking to the old methods) will saturate each leather disc with epoxy before stacking them as an alternative to leather. Finished piece looks incredible. But you're looks gorgeous too, so great work.

[@virtuestreams2616]

Wes, this was an excellent video-WOW!

[@Paughco]

VERY NICE complete overhaul. I have one of these knives. Got it from my pappy in 1962. No sheath, unfortunately. I didn't take it apart like you did, but I did give it a nice, 21-degree edge on a Work Sharp sharpener. It looks pretty much the same it it always has, but now it cuts off arm hair and slices through paper. Seriously sharp.

[@apex-td5th]

Nicely done Wes.

[@LiquorandCheeseburgers]

I have a 225Q and I use it all the time around the homestead. I really need to get to the handle, it's about to crumble. I'm not too worried about the rest of it because it gets beat on all the time. One of my favorite knives.

[@jarchie84]

We do it right cuz we do it twice 🤣😂 great restoration and video Wes!

[@FarmCraft101]

Nice job Wes. You've got a new subscriber... ;-). I've made a few leather sheaths myself, and watching you do yours made me miss it. Leatherworking is somewhat meditative somehow. Good smells, easy material to cut and shape, and it just looks good. Cheers brother.

[@watchweswingit]

I liked that axe sheath you made.

[@klwdesigns]

Dude, you killed it on this restoration, well done. Not only did I learn about the knife restoration (I'll be working on a USM4) but I also learned a little more about leatherwork, and to top it off, I found out Lansky makes a stand for my sharpening system! Who knew?

[@spudth]

Beautiful! I'm 2 mins in. Locally it's CAT - ER- AU- GUS. It was actually in a place called "Little Valley". The Case brothers worked there then eventually moved to Bradford PA. The favorite knife in this style was made 40 minutes down the road in Olean ( figure out how they say that) at a company named Ka-Bar. Love old knives.

[@P_RO_]

Also the "Cutco" brand kitchen knives are from one of the factories there; top grade knives worth their price. I had friends in West Valley (RIP) so I know how to pronounce Olean 😁 which is the Catteraugus county seat. Somewhere I still have a Loonie I picked up while visiting E-Ville last time I was up that way 😊

[@spudth]

@@P_RO_ yes, Cutco is in Oh-lee-anne. East side. Cutco now owns KaBar as well. Actually Little Valley is the county seat. At the time it was a larger community. They often chose a more central hamlet for the county seat. Little Valley now (other than private homes) is mainly the Government offices, a Fairgrounds and a Lumber store.

[@nickslistm246]

Very nicely done.

[@TheVwgolfmk1]

The handle came out beautifully and it's nice to see someone not over work a blade with sanding machines. Overall a very nice project well done 👍. New subscriber today so looking forward to seeing the other things you have done.

[@bryanh666]

Can't wait for the next project!

[@paulsilva3346]

00:26, I think that knife looks just great as it is right now. As I look at the knife it tells a story many stories in fact

[@DelButch]

Thorough as always Wes even when restoring a knife but not just any knife a WW2 weapon

[@patrickmorrissey2271]

Very nice! I forget what it even is... Air Force Survival Knife?? Not sure. I got it used at a show, for almost nothing. the handle is like yours, or an Estwing Hammer, the stacked leather. I cut the top off of a soda bottle, filled it with linseed oil, and put the knife in there handle down, for a week or so... Came out really good. I've had Lansky Sharpeners forever. I love them. They just work. If you like knifes & stuff, you can buy bayonets pretty cheap too... Those are fun to sharpen up... What I sort of like about the surplus military gear is, it maybe lacks some of the style, and finer points of your premium knives, but the stuff is super tough. It might be mass produced by a low bidder, but, it apparently meets a standard, because the stuff is tough.... It's kinda fun, to take that stuff, and make it nicer than it ever was, or was ever intended to be....

[@yosefmama1136]

Oh boy, when I saw you wetting the leather before you put the pieces on the handle, I thought you were gonna have trouble because if they dry in the wrong shape, they will be in the wrong shape forever. When you redid the handle, you really did a nice job. When I saw you making the sheath, I recognized you were very experienced and did an excellent job.

[@TheDrGoody]

I love when "to make it right, you need to do it twice"! Happy to have just found the second channel. Well done, Wes!!

[@dondwyer3679]

Great job refurbishing! You have the patience and the skills! Glad, but sorry you had to go to all the trouble to set up an additional channel, just to show different content. Don't understand KZbin, except I have no doubt it's about the money. I'll keep watching.

[@timbow50]

I’ve got my Dad’s he carried in WWII. It’s probably 90% clean with the original sheath.

[@harveyrousejr.2069]

Really enjoying the content of this second channel. Some of our interest are the same. I have a Navy issued K-Bar from WW-II ( or so I was told by my uncle who served in WW-II).

[@MadMax0318]

Wonderful job my friend, truly a work of art, congrats.

[@buzzsawncgo2751]

Boy did you just reactivate some very old memories. I had a knife very much like that which my father got for me when I was about 13 and a boy scout when we lived on Guam. Think 1958-59. I took it with me on camping trips, snorkeling, you name it. I was even pretty good at throwing it for a while. I now wish I had kept it or at least kept up with it. I can assure you it never looked as good as the one you presented even before the restoration.

[@patrickclark6261]

I found one of these thrown away on a street corner. My Cattaraugus needs a little work and thanks to your video, I know how! Thank you!

[@RodgerBeckett]

Wes, I’ve never posted a comment in KZbin but your restoration of this knife touched my heart. Dad was a bomber pilot during the war in Alaska. I pulled out his old knife only to find it was a 225Q in the original sheath with his name and rank embossed on it. Thanks for paying homage to all the old World War II veterans. Good work.

[@fortunatejeremy]

Nice work. I saw this exact type of knife at an antique store. I thought of buying it, maybe I will go back and get it after watching this.

[@ron827]

Beautiful restoration and I love my Lansky Sharpening System.

[@craigsudman4556]

Now that's a knife. Great video Wes thumbs up.

[@andrewborton185]

Great job with the restoration Wes

[@grilnam9945]

Im always willing to try a new content provider. Im sure this young man’s productions will grow and grow. I haven’t watched yet, but it I hope it has a pup called Max

[@JMassengill]

Beautiful work

[@hildolfrdraugadrottin7279]

I love restoring old tools and knives. New steel just don't have the same kinda energy in it. Especially after someone invests the time it takes to restore them. Most people probably won't understand that and often thinks it a waste of time when you could just buy something new.. And that's alright, it makes such things available to people that do appreciate the history of them. Manu people who do such restorations just set their old tools on a shelf or in a box and forget about them. Not me, I like to put them back to work at least once and some end up being my go to tools because they actually function better than their modern-day interpretations. Your knife turned out great, it's a beautiful knife once again.

[@drummerdude476]

Man, I was not expecting you to go all in on that knife, especially given your attitude towards it being a not-so-stellar knife beforehand haha. Amazing, amazing work, super inspiring.

[@DavidPerez-ck3dw]

You dis a great job, and staining the leather handle made it "POP". Love the nice finish on the handle.

[@stagggerlee]

Nicely done, restored enough to proud of it and not so perfect so you feel comfortable using it. Its a tool meant to be used. I like it. I suspect my dad could school us in the use of it, if he were here to instruct us.

[@MRrwmac]

Wes, It never seises to amaze me about peoples skills AND the tools they havbe hidden in their shops. Nice work!

[@mrsuperduty100]

Wes, you did the workers at the Cattaraugus factory proud..

[@richardhatt6541]

That came out great! I like to put wax on the inside of the sheath before sewing together so moisture doesn't stay in the leather and cause rust. Chrome tanned leather has salts in it also. Good job.

[@davidyates748]

I did not expect the quality job you did on the sheath, including the sewing work! Absolutely top class work Wes.

[@kennethchapman8468]

That came out excellent I am a big fan of the ww2 cattuaraugus fighting knife. I've restored 13 of them so far. That is a amazing finish of the knife an sheath.

[@petepilot1661]

Great job on this knife and sheath. I have a similar knife my dad had when he spent several years on Kodiak Island. It’s been modified with a plexiglass handle and ivory pommel and tang. He also made a sheath from leather and engraved aluminum skin from an aircraft.needless to say it is a prized possession.

[@nightrider5109]

Beautiful restoration my friend Very nice work

[@thomaseskelsen1362]

What a good vid. I've been working on restoring my Grandpa's Cattaraugus knife. I got intimidated when I couldn't discern how to remove the pommel. You have showed me how and now I'm making progress. Thank you 🙏

[@iantaylor9840]

Great content and nice you explained what you were doing all the way through, $14 well spent, I'd say. Thanks again.

[@Chinco_NL]

Nice video, Wes. I completely missed this second channel, hope you continue to fill it with content.

[@davidporter2374]

Beautiful job.

[@goptools]

Nice restoration, Wes. Beautiful end result.

[@gerardvanengelen9001]

Beautiful restoration

[@voo8165]

Nice restoration. I have the same knife. It was given to me by my grandfather. I used it during my Boy Scout days. It's still in great shape. Everything's still is original, the only thing is my pommel isn't diamond cut.

[@hungary191296]

I grew up where that knife was made. Thanks for showing the restoration.

[@blackscotydog]

Nice job Wes....More please 👍👍

[@bryantblake1877]

Nice job Wes! 😊

[@horstszibulski19]

Not too bad...both the knife and the video also! Nice to see you doing other things than just wrenching on vehicles, these are great too, but the videos here are being much more personal, because you do things for yourself... Thx for this channel! 👍👍👍

[@Jerry1951]

Good going west your kind of a jack-of-all-trades and I'm proud of you

[@HappyHomey]

I don’t know who you are or how I came across your video as I don’t know much about knives, don’t follow historical restoration, etc…. but DAMN that was so informative, interesting, and relaxing to watch! You have a very soothing speaking voice and though it seems off the cuff, your conversation is relatable and relevant. Thanks for the entertainment and education this evening! I’m a new follower!

[@redlock4004]

"Let's just do it. I'm never going to be happy with the way it is". Great attitude and I respect you for having it.

[@adamsalerno881]

You made the right call on the handle. The second effort is amazing. Digging the content over here. Good different.

[@garywood702]

Nice! Well done! Good for another 80 or more years.