After-market Karda?

Mindz_I · Dec 5, 2005

I've done a quick search on this ('modern' 'karda') and nothing was revealed so thought it might be worth an ask;

I was curious if anyone makes a Karda possibly out of thinner stock that will still fit into a HI khuk sheath (AK 15")? I realise this might be considered sacrilege, but I was also interested in a modern steel blade of the ilk of S30V, D2 etc.

I guess what I mean is of whilst the 4-5 Karda's supplied with khuks I've handled have always been very hardwearing and had a nice utility edge on them, they've never replaced my little pocket knife.

Am I missing the point or is there someone who offers such a product / service?

Thanks kindly.

Steely_Gunz · Dec 5, 2005

You might check out Dan Koster's site. He does FABULOUS work and has a few reinvisions of kardas on his page. He's up to doing a lot of new and different things. You might drop him an e-mail and see what he can do for you.

www.kosterknives.com

Jake

Mindz_I · Dec 5, 2005

exactly the sort of thing I was hoping for.

Many thanks.

Kismet · Dec 5, 2005

I still cherish the two kardas that Sarge made from files and handled in antler. Incredibly sharp, fit my AKs and Pen knife sheaths just fine. I keep one in the 12in AK sheath, and one in my newly acquired 15in AK.

Sarge says they are easy to make. Hah! For him, maybe.

Mindz_I · Dec 5, 2005

Please excuse my ignorance but who is 'Sarge'?

Sylvrfalcn · Dec 5, 2005

Mindz_I said:
Please excuse my ignorance but who is 'Sarge'?

Welcome to the HI forum Mindz I, please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Gregory Sikes, but somewhere along the line in my military career I picked up the nickname "Sarge" and it's pretty much stuck.

I've been grinding knives from old metal cutting files for a number of years, if you're interested in that sort of thing, I invite you to check out some of my old threads once you sort out the difficulties with search mode.

As far as aftermarket kardas go, several folks have voiced satisfaction with using the inexpensive, but excellent, knives from Mora, Sweden, as a karda substitute. They should be reasonably available in the UK.

Cheers, and once more, welcome,
Sarge

Mindz_I · Dec 5, 2005

Sarge,

Many thanks. The Mora Knives do indeed look highly functional and rather suitable for the purpose described.

However, I fear you've now got my attention so once I'm home (where the search function seems to work) I will indeed check out your offerings also.

Thanks kindly all.

munk · Dec 5, 2005

Mindz_I;

As you see, rather than being sacriledge, the search for an individualized Karda has long been an active discussion.

fwiw, I've always thought the file modification the one I'd use.

munk

Ripper · Dec 5, 2005

As Sarge mentions, the Moras and other small "Scandi" style blades make excellent kardas. This puukko was ready made, but you can get the blades and do your own handles:

Brisa has a good selection of this type blade.

Regards,
Greg

Daniel Koster · Dec 5, 2005

I do make kardas, yes...(thanks for the plug)

You can also get old-timey kardas from www.atlantacutlery.com

The karda/chakma has become more "traditional" on khukuris as of late, rather than "functional" - which is part of the reason I started making my own - my K3 will fit in just about any karda socket. The olders ones are often longer, with curved blades and handles too.

Mindz_I · Dec 5, 2005

Dan

When you say the K3 is it this?

Do these generally fit in the slot behind the khukuri then next to the Chamka? or do you have to remove the two sheaths? How much do these run for out of interest?

Whilst I have your ear, can you produce kydex khuk sheaths without the khuk in hand? It's a long shot but I thought worth an ask.

Thanks kindly.

Sylvrfalcn

Could you possibly direct me to an example of yours? I tried a quick search and turned up a couple of examples but thought it might be worth asking for more pictures

I guess I work on the logic - "if i'm carrying something i might as well have a use for it"

Sylvrfalcn · Dec 5, 2005

Mindz I, I'm just a hobbyist knifemaker, don't make knives to sell, reckon I could, but that would turn my hobby into a job. :thumbdn:

Daniel Koster · Dec 5, 2005

Mindz_I said:
Dan

When you say the K3 is it this?

Do these generally fit in the slot behind the khukuri then next to the Chamka? or do you have to remove the two sheaths? How much do these run for out of interest?

Whilst I have your ear, can you produce kydex khuk sheaths without the khuk in hand? It's a long shot but I thought worth an ask.

Thanks kindly.

Yes, that's it. They fit in either slot of the larger khukuris (17"+)...at least the ones I've tried. The drop-guard makes for a snug fit. Shoot me an email on price.

Have to have the khuk in-hand to make a sheath.

Mindz_I · Dec 6, 2005

Munk
Yeah I have to admit, I thought it might be seen as alomost offensive to go this road. It's good though too see there are many otheres along the same train of through.

Ripper
Nice looking kit and thanks for the link.

Sarge
Ah I understand. I turned my hobby into my job and regret it dearly.

Those are some mighty fine looking knives though. Thanks for sharing

Dan
Thanks. They look excellent and I have to admit I'd be sorely tempted, but both my khuks are in a 15" size, so it seems it wouldn't be so viable

I thought it'd probably be the case that you needed the khukuri to make the sheath. Unfortuantely living in the UK shipping costs to the US would probably be equal to or more than the cost of my Villager BAS, making it a little impractical.

---

I took a gander around for some blades as suggested and came across these;

Firstly from Brusletto;

2.8" Carbon

2.6" Stainless

There were also these from Lauri, but I believe the Brusletto to be more suitable at least in geometry.

Luckily the place I work has an extensive machine shop which should make it relatively simple to try and fit one of these into the hilt of a Karda, providing i can remove the blade

So I think I'll give modifying my own Karda a try

ddean · Dec 6, 2005

Luckily the place I work has an extensive machine shop which should make it relatively simple to try and fit one of these into the hilt of a Karda, providing i can remove the blade So I think I'll give modifying my own Karda a try

simpler solution?
why not put your new blade in a new chunk of wood
If you want the woods to match on the set
stain them or shop around for a bit of wood that matches
that way you have your own -plus- the original
Even with care, I think -most- karda grips
will be the worse for wear if disassembled

<

> THEY call me 'Dean' <>

<

> fYI-fWiW-iIRC-JMO-M2C-YMMV-TiA-YW-GL-HH-HBd
<

> Noobee <> Tips <> Baha'i Prayers Links --A--T--H--D

Mindz_I · Dec 6, 2005

I was thinking that, but the shop is entirely setup to work metal and plastic.

We do have an abundance of G10 though. I guess i could see if i could 'obtain' some of that, but is that hazardous to work with?

I've no experience of producing anything of this sort so I'd be shooting blind trying to fabricate a handle :S

ddean · Dec 6, 2005

Don't know g10, but likely not good to breath it in
most dust can be hazardous
in one way or another
in some amount

karda won't require much wood

first practice with some wood maybe twice the size
of the finished grip you intend

even a dead branch or piece of firewood,
or any other random bit of wood
that's not rotten / weathered to weakness

most metalwork tools will work wood fine,
just not optimal / specialized

can do with small hacksaw or plasterboard saw
for cutting something this small
(or even a kukri

)

80-100 grit sandpaper to shape
or small wood rasp
or a brick
or a rock
I have a callous sander & scraper I sometimes use
[ sandpaper / rasp on a stick]

200-240 grit to smooth

400 grit for a very smooth finish
or rub down with back of a spoon bowl to burnish

cooking oil to treat / darken the wood

can stain even darker with shoe polish,
furniture scratch hider, etc

btw
welcome
& proceed with cautious fingers

<

> THEY call me 'Dean' <>

<

> JMO-M2C-fWiW-iIRC-YMMV-fYI-TiA-YW-GL
<

> Noobee <> Tips <> Baha'i Prayers Links --A--T--H--D

Daniel Koster · Dec 6, 2005

G10 & carbon fiber definitely require proper HEPA filtration....not just a dusk mask. Get a dual cartridge respirator if you work with the stuff.

Kismet · Dec 6, 2005

Dried apple wood is sooo pretty and stains up sooo well, and kardas and chakmas need soooo little wood, and... and... and... there's apple trees everywhere and it doesn't require face breathing protection or radiation haz-mat suits or anything, and probably other stuff too.

Mindz_I · Dec 7, 2005

This might be obvious but how do you form the channel that the blade tang sits in? Is it drilled out and then filed to the required diameter?

After-market Karda?

Got the Khukuri fevah

www.kosterknives.com

www.kosterknives.com

www.kosterknives.com