A few questions

[Tristan_Bantam]

Howdy,

Could anyone describe how I should use the edge redressing tool (chakma?) that came with my 20" AK? Is it akin to some kind of file?

Also, I wonder if anyone has collected various advice (from this forum and elsewhere) on how to "posh up" one's HI khukuri. Mirror finish, satin finish, blackening, etching out the "temper line", etc. So many options, so little time...

On a side note, this here 20" AK is r-e-a-l-l-y heavy! I'm guessing around 2.5 kilograms -- heck, I get tired just from *holding* it! Any hints on how I could muscle up to the task of using it?

 

[Josh Feltman]

Tristan-- the chakmah is an edge burnisher-- you run it down the edge on both sides to align the edge, similar to the way you use a steel on a kitchen knife.

As for poshing up, search for "patina" "etch" etc. in the HI forum, and you will find tons of information. If you have a wood handle, you can use a variety of finishes to bring out the grain. I'm partial to Tru Oil myself.

Once you decide what you want to do to your khukuri, you can always post a question about how to do it and get some great suggestions.

The best way to build up your strength is to use your khukuri. When I got my first 18" AK, I thought it was very heavy, but after using my 25" AK to split firewood into kindling for a few months, the 18" seemed pretty light.
--Josh

 

[mamav]

Arm curls with 50LB weights(each arm), 150 push-ups in one set under 5 minutes and Captains of Crush grippers #2(OK you better start with #1) That should help. Or better yet just take the thing out and start chopping. Each session a little longer. Great workout.

Check out the FAQ's page under Uncle Bills' posts for info and look up Pendentives threads on convex edges. That may lead you to the info on proper edging and polishing.

 

[Roadrunner]

Allow me to be one of the first to extend you a warm welcome to the HI Cantina!

I see some of these other knuckleheads beat me to it. Josh is right on about chakma use, and mamav's Hulk style workout should work wonders for you. In all seriousness, just using it will be very helpful in building up your strength, although you may want to try switching arms to help prevent muscle imbalance. If you're having trouble holding on to your khuk, get yourself a Trainer and #1 gripper from www.ironmind.com, as well as Mastery of Hand Strength by John Brookfield, also sold by Ironmind. I've never had a lot of trouble wielding my khuks, but then again I spent half my childhood working on a dairy farm so I'm a little stronger than I look. To beautify your khuks, do as Josh suggests and search this forum and the HI archives. Ferrous Wheel has some great etching posts, and Pen and Yvsa's sharpening posts are very informative. The Shop Talk forum has some great advice too. Stick around a while and you'll find more information than you can handle (along with a lot of good-natured silliness )

 

[Yvsa]

Hi Tristan, welcome to the Cantina.
Do a search on patinas, etching, blade finishing and the like for the last 3 months and you should come up with all sorts of info.
I found quite a lot using ddean as the poster earlier when I was looking for a particular posts of Dean's, didn't find it, but found loads of info you're looking for. I left the search for area blank and just put Deans Nic, ddean in.


Here, I did a search for you and here's the link....
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...d=912319&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending

You'll have to dig through it though.

 

[truck]

Tristan,
Welcome! Lots of good stuff here. Check out the safety thread. There are many good tips in there. Be especially careful about using your khuk when you are tired. Take care, and build up slowly, and carefully.

 

[wildmanh]

Hi Tristan and Welcome. Get a 25" AK then your 18" will seam small.

 

[btice]

Welcome to the cantina, Tristan. You're going to have a good time learning more than you ever thought possible about khuks. Previous posters have pointed you in the right direction. There's a ton of info on previous posts. Enjoy and be careful.

 

[Pappy]

Welcome to the Cantina. You shouldn't have any trouble finding the information that you are looking for.

 

[Semper Fi]

Originally posted by Tristan_Bantam
On a side note, this here 20" AK is r-e-a-l-l-y heavy! I'm guessing around 2.5 kilograms -- heck, I get tired just from *holding* it! Any hints on how I could muscle up to the task of using it?

Welcome to the Pycho Ward (Cantina), Tristan. Yep, the 20"er is a tad heavy. Be aware when ya swing it cause all that weight has a tendency to keep on going. Right in to your leg or foot if you're not careful.