A great HI experience

B

brachal

Joined
May 17, 2006
Messages
62
I'd been thinking about getting a villager for a while, and I finally broke down and sent an email to Yangdu asking what was available. She emailed back to me in under 10 minutes to let me know she had a 15" villager BAS by Bura -- exactly what was on my wish list! It took another 10 minutes or so to pay through paypall, and I had an email from Yangdu saying that my BAS would be in the mail the next day. This was Weds night, and the khukuri arrived Monday morning. Noone could be easier to deal with, and the service is absolutely first-rate. Thank you, Yangdu!

This is my first villager, and I'm really impressed. I think I like the unpolished blade better than the usual mirror polish. While the finish of the handle might be a little rougher than what I'm used to, it's perfectly usable. Everything is straight, sharp where it's supposed to be sharp, no rough edges. It's one heck of a knife, definitely going on my belt next time I'm outdoors.
 
I really like the villagers, in fact, I've roughed up a few of those shiny blades just to get the villager look. The BAS is a fine pick, enjoy and be safe.
 
It's tough to beat a villager when it comes to $$/performance. You can keep that handle as is...Orrrrrr give it a little TLC with some sandpaper. Maybe some stain or boiled linseed oil. You'd be surprised how much a villager handle will just POP with a little time and love. I've refinished two villager handles and they both came out better than I could have ever have expected.

enjoy!
 
Very cool. You definitely can't go wrong with H.I. Yangdu has the best customer service in the business.

A quick way to spruce up the villagers is to sand the handle a little and then apply a few coats of Birchwood Casey Tru-oil. Really brings out the grain and protects the wood. You can also do a quick lemon etch on the blade to bring out the Hamon or hardened part of the edge. Adds even more character to a blade that already has alot.

Post some pics if you get a chance!
 
Steely_Gunz said:
It's tough to beat a villager when it comes to $$/performance. You can keep that handle as is...Orrrrrr give it a little TLC with some sandpaper. Maybe some stain or boiled linseed oil. You'd be surprised how much a villager handle will just POP with a little time and love. I've refinished two villager handles and they both came out better than I could have ever have expected.

enjoy!
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Man, I posted just a couple minutes after you. Great minds think alike!:D
 
I've rubbed all the wood down with mineral oil -- I do that to pretty much any wooden object :) but maybe I'll take things a little further. I do like the handle as it is now; it's "grippy".

If it's not too much to ask, how do you do a lemon etch? I'll try to upgrade my membership and post some pictures tomorrow.
 
brachal said:
I've rubbed all the wood down with mineral oil -- I do that to pretty much any wooden object :) but maybe I'll take things a little further. I do like the handle as it is now; it's "grippy".

If it's not too much to ask, how do you do a lemon etch? I'll try to upgrade my membership and post some pictures tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Just cut up some lemons for some homemade lemonade!:p Seriously, that'll work. However, if you want a little more control. Wash the blade really, really well with dish soap and water. Then wipe down the blade with rubbing alcohol and let dry(be sure not to touch the blade). Then cut a lemon in half and and wipe the blade up and down with the exposed lemon pulp. I have also had good luck taking lemon juice and heating it in the microwave and pouring it over the edge. The hot juice tends to etch quicker.

Really, just using the blade to cut up any fruits and veggies will result in a nice patina:thumbup:
 
Last week I cut up a water mellon with my 20" Siupati. That left an interesting patina. Took longer then lemons would have but looked really cool. :)

Heber
 
I have an Opinel folding knife I used every day when I was cooking professionally -- must have sliced 1000000 strawberries with it. It has a very nice, dark, dark patina.

I'll try to get some pictures of the BAS up this weekend -- been too busy at work the last few days to catch up.
 
You know ,there used to be a guy here who sliced a dog in half mid-air with a khukuri. I wonder what kind of etch that left?
 
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