- Joined
- Mar 8, 1999
- Messages
- 1,760
It's been a while since I've posted a field report - I usually leave that to the customers. However, I just spent some time outside with a 20 inch AK, and I wanted to share my experiences.
Basically, I had one AK that was far too tight in the sheath to send out, so I had it sitting on the sidelines. I finally was able to pull it from the sheath, and figured I'd take it outside and put it to the test.
I selected about 5 pieces of seasoned oak from my firewood pile, went out into the front yard (it was dark, so I had to stay near my front porch light). I knelt on the ground, put one of the smaller logs (a quarter cut) on on its end, squared myself to the log, and took what I consider to be a pretty sissy but carefully aimed swing at the log. Presto - the log split in half effortlessly. I moved to heavier and heavier logs, and produced identical results. It was so much fun that I kept cutting the logs down furhter - and now I have some good kindling that will hold me over for a few days.
Examining the blade after I came back inside, I found on very small (less than a 32nd of an inch) chip approximately 3 inches from the tip. Due to its location, I attribute the chip to a rock in the soil - the AK was constantly burying itself into the ground after each chop. Otherwise, the blade was unscathed.
One thing I did before taking the AK outside was to take it to my polishing wheel in order to dull the edge. I did this because I wanted to grind off the razor edge that was on the khukuri.
Here is a summary of the few points I gleaned from this mini-test:
1. Always keep your 20 inch AK duller than you would a smaller knife-sized khukuri.
2. The blade shape cut through hard oak like butter with minimal suprisingly little effort. I attribute this to the greater dexterity that the "knife" shape over, say, a hatchet or an axe offered me.
3. The two handed grip served me best when using the AK for chopping. It allowed me to stay centered on the wood.
4. I rarely speak about the spiritual matters of khukuris (leaving that subject to more qualified individuals), but I must say that I felt, well, "cleansed" after the whole enterprise. I've not experienced that particular feeling before. It was very relaxing. Perhaps the concentration had something to do with it. I feel sort of strange sharing this one with you all, but I thought it was worth mentioning. Okay, I'm done being warm-and-fuzzy.
That's it from the Gottlieb household. Have a great evening.
------------------
Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
Basically, I had one AK that was far too tight in the sheath to send out, so I had it sitting on the sidelines. I finally was able to pull it from the sheath, and figured I'd take it outside and put it to the test.
I selected about 5 pieces of seasoned oak from my firewood pile, went out into the front yard (it was dark, so I had to stay near my front porch light). I knelt on the ground, put one of the smaller logs (a quarter cut) on on its end, squared myself to the log, and took what I consider to be a pretty sissy but carefully aimed swing at the log. Presto - the log split in half effortlessly. I moved to heavier and heavier logs, and produced identical results. It was so much fun that I kept cutting the logs down furhter - and now I have some good kindling that will hold me over for a few days.
Examining the blade after I came back inside, I found on very small (less than a 32nd of an inch) chip approximately 3 inches from the tip. Due to its location, I attribute the chip to a rock in the soil - the AK was constantly burying itself into the ground after each chop. Otherwise, the blade was unscathed.
One thing I did before taking the AK outside was to take it to my polishing wheel in order to dull the edge. I did this because I wanted to grind off the razor edge that was on the khukuri.
Here is a summary of the few points I gleaned from this mini-test:
1. Always keep your 20 inch AK duller than you would a smaller knife-sized khukuri.
2. The blade shape cut through hard oak like butter with minimal suprisingly little effort. I attribute this to the greater dexterity that the "knife" shape over, say, a hatchet or an axe offered me.
3. The two handed grip served me best when using the AK for chopping. It allowed me to stay centered on the wood.
4. I rarely speak about the spiritual matters of khukuris (leaving that subject to more qualified individuals), but I must say that I felt, well, "cleansed" after the whole enterprise. I've not experienced that particular feeling before. It was very relaxing. Perhaps the concentration had something to do with it. I feel sort of strange sharing this one with you all, but I thought it was worth mentioning. Okay, I'm done being warm-and-fuzzy.
That's it from the Gottlieb household. Have a great evening.
------------------
Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
