15" AK - bent tip

J

Jon

Joined
Nov 8, 1998
Messages
276
I finally got out to use the 15" AK blem I bought from Bill last fall. It was a blem because of the cracked horn handle, which cracked quite a bit more. I repaired with epoxy and have had no further handle problems, including using today.
The 15" AK performed as "advertised", cutting through grape vines, small trees, brush, etc. This knife worked a lot better than the old hatchet I used to use every spring.
While hacking away at everything & anything I somehow bent the tip. I've straightened it quite a bit with a pair of pliers & the chakma (or is that the karda - I always get the 2 names confused) but would like to "touch it up" like new - all advice welcomed.
Also, which is the best way to "smooth out" the butt cap's point? The AK seems to have a smaller handle than the WWII or BAS that I have and I found if I didn't "choke up" on the handle the point would start digging into my palm. I imagine filing the point down would do it but any tips on angles, etc. from those who have already done this
All in all I really like this knife, and it's perfect for the yard work I need it for.

 
Hi Jon:

Thanks for report. I would take a small hammer to the tip and tap it until it is perfectly straight. If you don't use smashing blows you'll do fine so don't worry.
Get the blade on some solid metal -- a vice is good, an anvil better -- and tap away. Then dress tip with stone and chakma.

Most handles that crack and are then repaired with epoxy last a very long time. Crack relieves stress and epoxy is stronger than original material so you end up with a handle that is ugly but very strong and reliable.

Your AK should keep working for 50 or 100 years.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
If 15" AK's handle were 1" longer (blade 1" shorter)?

Now this will gather more vote than ever. Kamis may know more about average size of HI customer's hand through Uncle Bill's last visit.

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\(^o^)/ Mizutani Satoshi \(^o^)/
 
:
H'lo Jon.
It's easy to remember the chakma from the karda if you will remember that the little karda starts with a "k" just like "knife" does.
That's the way I finally remembered the diff between the two.
smile.gif



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>>>>---¥vsa---->®

The hardy adventurer just drank from a stream he thought was pure glacier fed water not knowing that upstream was being used by a herd of yaks as a giant bidet.

I said he was hardy, not smart.:-)

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