Just ordered a long lead blade that I'm going to rehandle. Should I make a Bolster or no?
It sounds like you've already made up your mind to rehandle. The question is, why? These Longleafs are essentially antiques that, in my opinion, should be kept as close to the original as possible. Otherwise, why buy an antique? Cleanup or even sharpening are ok, since that just restores the Longleaf to its original condition.
If you're thinking that the Longleaf would make a good chopper if it had a more user-friendly handle, I doubt it. These khukuris are both weapon and tool, but compared to HI blades they are much more weapon-like in thickness and other features.
If you're thinking that the Longleaf would make a good weapon if it had a better handle, well, that might be true. However, when I got my Longleaf I was surprised at how comfortable it was in my handle, even though the handle was shorter than a typical HI handle and the shape was different (widening toward the bolster). It made me realize that those old kamis knew what they were doing when they outfitted the Ghurkas in an era when knives were still considered a main weapon (unlike today, when Ghurkas mostly fight with automatic weapons and helicopters).
If you're thinking that the old wood might be deteriorated or weak, well, that might be true but it depends on what kind of coating it was given and what kind of use it had before being put in storage. I suggest that you suspend judgment until you have it in hand and can tell the condition and ergonomics before deciding whether to rehandle. The handle on my Longleaf was very well preserved, and is very solid and tight, as well as comfortable.
It will be your knife and of course you can do anything you like with it.
Added later:
Oops. I just realized that you bought the blade without a handle. Never mind.
Note the balance point
