15" AK Flaws?

E

EODVic

Joined
Oct 10, 2004
Messages
6
I just received my first Khukuri. It is a 15" AK. For the most part I'm very happy with it, but I do have some questions:
The small portion (about 2/8 in wide) of the blade that meets the brass bolster is not polished and looks rusty , Is this normal? Also, the knife seems loose in the scabbard, it rattles and falls out when tilted or upside down. Im I being too picky? or are these flaws normal? Thanks

Victor
 
Hi, Victor.

Welcome.

What you see as rust may be the Cutler's resin (laha) that the kamis use to glue the handle to the blade. Try gently scraping it off with a sharp knife, then buffing it with 0000 steel wool. The MAY have the effect of changing the mirror finish to 'satin', so take care, or ignore this advice conpletely.

Can't comment on the fit of the scabbard. Mine are mostly on the tight side.
 
EODVic said:
A- "The small portion (about 2/8 in wide) of the blade that meets the brass bolster is not polished and looks rusty "
B- " Also, the knife seems loose in the scabbard, it rattles and falls out when tilted or upside down.
Click to expand...
A- that could be laha as noted,
or that 1/4" could be the usual less-finished area
by the bolster.
Never seen rust there myself.
Maybe some black oxide, which is not exactly rust.

B- the scabbards change fit with climate / weather.
It's a chunk of wood.
Several previous threads RE changing the fit to suit yourself.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=268552

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=193861

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=147506
"The scabbards are alive. Here in no humidity Reno they shrink. They come in from Nepal where the monsoon is just drying up now and are humidity logged. Then they dry out here in three days. I've watched the stitching on the back go from no gap to 1/8 of an inch in 3 days. They fit fine when they arrive and tighten up in 3 or 4 days. I get feedback from the field that it takes them 3 about a week to get back to normal when they hit someplace that has some humidity. If it stays tight for more than a week then the scabbard needs to be stretched. "----Bill Martino 10-17-2000

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-157443.html

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=285417

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-125411.html


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Welcome EODVic:)
I think that Aardvark and Ddean have it right. That tends to be the area that isn't as polished up and usually will have a little laha squirt out around the bolster. My scabbards tend to be a little bit more loose than tight, but i like them that way. I've had one or two overly tight ones and ended up cutting the mouth of the leather trying to draw the knife. I wouldn't say you're being overly picky, especially if this is your first khuk. It takes time to train yourself from looking for laser-straight grinds and smooth-as-glass finishes. However, once you fall in love with khuks you'll grow to appreciate their little quirks and imperfections. All khuks have something that is "not perfect" about them. That goes with the turf of being beaten out by hand on a small anvil in the thrid world country. Soon you'll see the hammer marks and imperfect grinds not as flawas, but as the story of YOUR blade. It is the history of the journey that one rusty truck spring made from shiny-new at the factory, to the streets, to the jun yard, to the Kamis' shop, to the fire, to the anvil, to Reno, to you:) If you want the most perfect looking 15" AK then i'm sure Uncle Bill can find you one in stock. He's great about that. Very, very few customers of Uncle Bill's go away unhappy after everything is said and done. You simply will not find better customer service. Once again, welcome:) Pull up a chair. There are a little guys and gals in here that have a lot of worth while things to hear:)

Jake
 
I hate to say it, but I have completely lost interest in modern machine manufactured knives. I still have a few and they are completely perfect...dead straight lines, perfect grinds, flawless finishes...in fact, probably made with no more human touch than stock being moved from one machine to another, even the assembly being done with minimal time because all of the parts are interchangable. When I look at them, I may as well be looking at a television or a stove. Made as a tool, by tools, and valued as a tool.

The *only* interest in these knives is the design...and even that is now guided mostly by ease of machine manufacture.

None of this says that I don't appreciate perfection...and a perfect handmade knife is a work of art. I generally find these perfect handmade knives start around $300. A Kami made "perfect" like we have here at HI is about 95% for 1/6 the cost...and I am thrilled with that!
 
Vic you should have gotten a perfect rig if you paid full price. If you want to trade what you got for one that's perfect send it back and we'll make the trade. We try to cull out everything that isn't in the perfect category and toss them in the blem box for forum deals but every now and then one will slip by. As mentioned scabbards are alive and the fit varies with the weather.
 
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