- Joined
- Mar 26, 2002
- Messages
- 2,845
I made it back from the khonvention! I took a slight detour through eastern California - got a touch of frostbite on Mt. Whitney, but warmed things up in Death Valley. It's good to see the cantina is as wild and crazy as ever.
Unfortunately, my travel schedule didn't put me in Reno until late Saturday, but I did have quite a bit of fun meeting the few who hung around on Sunday. I definitely had a good time meeting lcs, my fellow New Mexican, and Howard. Uncle is even nicer in person. And I did get to explore the fabled Storage Shed. We're talking certified Cave of Wonders. I'm not sure if even the duck can offer any competition here.
I made it out with a 15" AK and JKM-1, both by Kesar, and a convention special. The AK is immediately promoted to carrying around khuk, the other occupants of that position, a BAS and 18" AK now partying with Sarge in Texas and other points east. The edge is a little funky, but it gives me something to sharpen if I get bored. Excellent balance and weight - it seems a little thicker than average. Overall, I think the AK is definitely the HI signature knife - not the flashiest, but definitely bread and butter.
The JKM-1 will be a project knife. The handle is pretty short, with about an inch of steel between the horn scales and the start of the edge, so I'm going to file in a finger choil. Then maybe some filework on the spine, and a nice wet-formed, dangle sheath if I can find some oak-tanned leather.
The convention special is exquisite. I didn't think I was going to have any wall-hangers, but this may be it. Fit and finish are 200% - you'd have to look really REALLY hard to tell this wasn't made in a modern factory with all the latest tools and conveniences. There are certainly plenty of production knives, even reasonably good ones, that don't appear as visually well crafted. Add that to HI's standard high-performance craftsmanship, and you have a thing of beauty. Not only that, but I think the design is definitely a worker. Sign me up for the 12-inch club.
I know you're all wondering how I made it out with such a mundane assortment. Well, let's just say I need a hanuman, a chitlangi, a full-sized GRS, a few Kobras, and maybe some other things.
Oh, and Bill does have a special, carved-handle katana. It's very, very nice. Really.
Unfortunately, my travel schedule didn't put me in Reno until late Saturday, but I did have quite a bit of fun meeting the few who hung around on Sunday. I definitely had a good time meeting lcs, my fellow New Mexican, and Howard. Uncle is even nicer in person. And I did get to explore the fabled Storage Shed. We're talking certified Cave of Wonders. I'm not sure if even the duck can offer any competition here.
I made it out with a 15" AK and JKM-1, both by Kesar, and a convention special. The AK is immediately promoted to carrying around khuk, the other occupants of that position, a BAS and 18" AK now partying with Sarge in Texas and other points east. The edge is a little funky, but it gives me something to sharpen if I get bored. Excellent balance and weight - it seems a little thicker than average. Overall, I think the AK is definitely the HI signature knife - not the flashiest, but definitely bread and butter.
The JKM-1 will be a project knife. The handle is pretty short, with about an inch of steel between the horn scales and the start of the edge, so I'm going to file in a finger choil. Then maybe some filework on the spine, and a nice wet-formed, dangle sheath if I can find some oak-tanned leather.
The convention special is exquisite. I didn't think I was going to have any wall-hangers, but this may be it. Fit and finish are 200% - you'd have to look really REALLY hard to tell this wasn't made in a modern factory with all the latest tools and conveniences. There are certainly plenty of production knives, even reasonably good ones, that don't appear as visually well crafted. Add that to HI's standard high-performance craftsmanship, and you have a thing of beauty. Not only that, but I think the design is definitely a worker. Sign me up for the 12-inch club.
I know you're all wondering how I made it out with such a mundane assortment. Well, let's just say I need a hanuman, a chitlangi, a full-sized GRS, a few Kobras, and maybe some other things.
Oh, and Bill does have a special, carved-handle katana. It's very, very nice. Really.
I've already honed mine shaving sharp and debating whether or not to stick it in my duffel bag, it's too sweet of a knife to leave here. Just kidding, gotta pack light, probably only taking my 15" Siru as a field/"combat" knife and my JKM-1 on my belt as a working/eating knife. You're right about the stubby handle on those, but I use a three finger grip, cradle the pommel in my palm, and let my pinky finger curl up behind it. Took some getting used to, but now it seems natural. A bigger handle would make it a bigger knife, and for me it's very compactness is one of it's charms.
It will probably see some use - just nothing that would scratch it up too bad. Besides, I have other khuks for felling forests. 
