16" AK as gift...

SamuraiDave

SamuraiDave

Joined
Apr 6, 2001
Messages
2,632
For the past 4 years I have been learning Aikido here at college. Sensei is a 6th degree black belt in Yoseikan Aikido, his wife 5th degree. Together they have more than 60 years of experience and have become like family.

He has decided to leave for a new position he has found in Florida. (I imagine that he is getting while the getting is good. If I figure it correctly an exodus is going to start here at college soon, lets just say that I go to a large Baptist University, with both students and faculty leaving it will be interesting.)

I have here a Bura 16” horn handled AK that I will present to him Saturday.

A week or 2 ago I went to Wally World and bought 20 bucks of sandpaper, everything up to 2000 grit. I cut up a few yard sticks, glued strips of mouse pads on the yard sticks, and then I glued the strips of sandpaper to the mouse pads.

After sharpening / polishing the AK with 150, 250, 400, 800, and 1000 grits. It has an amazing edge to it, not as good as some that I have handled, but one of the best that I have ever done. I might go all the way to 2000 before I present it to him, but I am tired now and from past experience I have no business sharpening when I am tired (I screw everything up and I hurt myself).

I originally wanted this one for myself, it was my first 16” AK, and as HI’s most sold Khukri I figured it would be a staple of my collection. Yet when I heard the news tonight I knew what I had to do, I know this khukri is his.

Sometimes it feels good to give that which is close to you away… kinda weird, but I find it more true the older I get.

Anyway… Only one question, Should I test it? I haven’t given it a good once over and I cannot remember when I got it, I am confident in Bura's work... yet I ahve my reservations about anything. I haven’t messed up the finish on it yet and was wondering what yall thought.

Thanks.
 
Test it.

It may take a little more time to remove a few scratches,
but better you find a defect than him.

You know the routine.


But for others reading here, now & future:

Check the HI FAQ for test methods.

At least chop through a 2x4 as hard as you can 2-3 times.
Really whack it.
Then turn around and hammer the spine against the 2x4 a number of times.
Whack it sideways, both sides, a few times.
 
Guess you go to Baylor then huh? What's up with everyone leaving? Anyway that's really toughtful of you to give a sweet blade away. I gave my Becker BK7 to my wife's cousin who's in the Marines, I figured he could use it more than me. I'll tell you one thing you're gonna miss it, I know I miss the BK7. I'd give him a copy of the of the Khuk faqs that DDean mentioned when you give him the AK. Now what khuk are you gonna get to replace it?
 
That is a very nice thing to do, Dave. I also gave some away and included the FAQ's and the Safety Thread also.
 
I am not going to say where I go, (cause they might have more eyes than I know about). But as far a students and faculty go now is a great time to go if you are going to. Sure the economy is down and stuff, but as far as how messed up the political environment is around here... there has been no better time to leave.

If I get started I will be ranting all day... so I think I will leave it at that


Guess I get to go out to my neighbors wood pile and check this thing out. :D
 
It is tough to let those go, but on the other hand we are all just renting them temporarily. Khuks will last alot longer than we will and are going to have a long string of owners before their tales are finally told. Your sensei will be remembering you every time he takes a whack with it.
 
Dave, I think that's a terrific gift. You're putting a lot of yourself into the khukuri and he'll know that.
 
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