Another argument for khukuris

Rust

Rust

Joined
Sep 29, 2001
Messages
119
Yesterday, I forged a beautiful, delicate little kris-style dagger. I gave it all the proper heat treating, from annealing and normalizing to the hardening and tempering it right down to spring hardness. Then my polishing wheel ate it, and spit it out in three pieces.

Okay, no more pissing around. I have a stash of leaf springs under the house, and I'm not afraid to use them.
 
Good man, now you see the light. Sign me up for one of those finished product leaf springs.
 
I'd be happy to, Kenny, but not before I can produce something up to standard. My khukuris will probably be much lighter than HI khukuris, and with a few personal modifications.

Input time: Apart from the cho - without which, it just ain't a khukuri - what classic elements would you guys like to laugh at me trying to duplicate?
 
I like simplicity in form and I am a bit unconventional myself, so I wouldn't mind a bit of departure from the classic design. HI has that covered anyway, so I encourage you to try something a little different.
 
Personally, I think that it ought to have a liner lock, and some serrations near the hinge...oops, I think that I've been sniffing too much "burned water buffalo horn".

Gee, but a folding Khukuri....:cool:
 
Rust, that sure is a bummer that your kris blade broke. Did it break while buffing, or did the the wheel grab and throw the blade causing it to break? Were you using an old file for steel again? Sometimes blades made from a file will fail where a groove was or is; it can be a stress riser. Some other thoughts- working the steel when it is too hot, or when it is too cold. Reduce the force of your blows as the steel cools, and never strike your work if it is out of the incandescent color range (not glowing=not hammering). I have no doubt you will overcome these recent set backs- the smithing virus is at least as potent as HIKV; when I was actively smithing I spent every weekend volunteering at an historical working farm. Wife threatened to drop my 150lb anvil on my melon aka Wile E. Coyote if I didn't start interacting with her and the kids more:eek: Any hows, best wishes and strike while the iron is hot.
Steve Miller
 
Rust,

Just consider yourself fortunate that the blade wasn't thrown back at you. So long as you are in one piece you can keep going until you get it perfect.

BTW, how about a hollow handled khukuri with sawback teeth, kydex sheath, black powder coat, a built in compass and inclinometer, and oh yeah a traditional cho. Just forget about the accessory knives and add a small folding grappel with 25 meters of 5mm kevlar cord, and add a stick of black face paint. :D :) :D

I'll bet john doesn't have one of those in his collection (yet?). :rolleyes: :)

n2s
 
Originally posted by not2sharp

BTW, how about a hollow handled khukuri with sawback teeth, kydex sheath, black powder coat, a built in compass and inclinometer, and oh yeah a traditional cho.
Just forget about the accessory knives and add a small folding grappel with 25 meters of 5mm kevlar cord, and add a stick of black face paint. :D :) :D

I'll bet john doesn't have one of those in his collection (yet?). :rolleyes: :)

n2s
Click to expand...

I wouldn't bet on it!!!! John has more access to khukuri aquisition in his phone memory than any of us would have in the works equivelent to the Encyclopedia Brittanica.
Let alone the 'geedus' to purchase a special order of the magnitude you have described N2S.:eek: :rolleyes: :p :D
 
Originally posted by stevomiller
Rust, that sure is a bummer that your kris blade broke. Did it break while buffing, or did the the wheel grab and throw the blade causing it to break?
Click to expand...

The wheel grabbed, and dragged it right down into the grinder. If I'd held on, I'd have lost a finger or two, I'm sure.

Were you using an old file for steel again? Sometimes blades made from a file will fail where a groove was or is; it can be a stress riser.
Click to expand...

Oho. Yep, I was using a file, though it was a new one - there's a store in town that good files cheaper than I can buy tool steel.

Some other thoughts- working the steel when it is too hot, or when it is too cold. Reduce the force of your blows as the steel cools, and never strike your work if it is out of the incandescent color range (not glowing=not hammering). I have no doubt you will overcome these recent set backs- the smithing virus is at least as potent as HIKV;
Click to expand...

I'd say. I've just about exhausted the city's supply of lump charcoal already, and that's on small knives. But yes, I know that tool steel is trickier stuff than mere high-carbon, and won't take any insult without throwing a diva fit.

Originally posted by not2sharp
BTW, how about a hollow handled khukuri with sawback teeth, kydex sheath, black powder coat, a built in compass and inclinometer, and oh yeah a traditional cho. Just forget about the accessory knives and add a small folding grappel with 25 meters of 5mm kevlar cord, and add a stick of black face paint.
Click to expand...

Mhmm...

Well, I'll take the operational idea to heart, do a little further research on Ninja To, and see what I come up with. A pouch of caltrops maybe, and a Tanto - recurved, of course.
 
Welcome to the club!!!

And, one more thing I almost forgot. Your stock just went up. People who tout only success and never admit to failure are a no-no in my book.
 
Rust, in rereading my first post, I think I may have come across as a little too flipant about your lack of success with the kris knife. I apologize if I offended your work. I have never blacksmithed anything and have a high repect for those who try it. I heartily encourage you to continue in your work, and would be proud to one day own some of it.

I stand by my statement of trying something unconventional though. Instead of or in addition to the black ops/ninjitsu khuk idea, I am proposing the "Armchair Commando" option. The sawback/hollow handle idea is perfect. One could store smokes in the handle and the sawback would be great for backsratching. The blade should be nicely bellied to facilitate cutting pizza. Instead of a fuller, some cutouts in the blade ala the Frost cutlery fantasy pieces would be ideal. We will need some heavy Kraton handles with deep checking on it. In place of a chackma, there should be a bottle opener. The karda should be thin enough to slice cheeses and salami and be flat enough for spreading dips on chips or peanut butter onto crackers. A pouch should be incorporated into the scabard to hold the remote, Teri Sisco could help here. Just brainstorming.;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top