:
Thanks guys.
I thought y'all might enjoy looking at those threads.
And if anyone is new here in the Cantina
I very much encourage y'all to read the archives.
They are without doubt the absolute best "book" in existence on khukuris
up until John Powell gets his book published. I know that John's book will at least be a best seller among all us khukuri lovers!!!
But by all means don't stop here!!!!
Please go over to
http://www.knifeforums
and read the H.I.Archives there as well.
They go back to the beginning
when Uncle Bill first came on line and there's a multitude of pix of some very beautiful old khukuris as well as tons of info about how Himalayan Imports got started among many other interesting subjects!!!!
And I'm not posting the knifeforums H.I.Archives info to tempt anyone either.
Alan, et al:
I think it might be wise to make a new post about the as forged blades
and their availability.
And if Uncle Bill wants to go there it can be a sign up page as well.
Who knows I might even order one or two more even though the Hanuman blade is still waiting for completion.
And Bro I am sorry if I opened up a subject that you would have prefered closed, but I do think the "as forged blades" are still very much a bargain and a very good learning tool about khukuris.
They helped me to appreciate the work the kamis do for us that much more.
Alan, et al:
The info on the tools needed to finish the as forged blades is in the original thread, but I will repeat them here so y'all won't have to go and look as well as provide a bit more info.
To finish the as forged blades requires a very good set of files both in metal and wood removal.
You can use the cheap Chinese combination hones, found in flea markets and such, to grind the hard portion of the blade to the profile you wish and to establish a edge suitable for sharpening.
It doesn't hurt too bad too destroy these hones versus a really good hone.
I had a fresh one that hadn't seen any lubricant and I used water to hasten the grinding action.
The softer parts of the blade and the dead soft tang can be filed to the configuration you want, but keep the files off the hard portion of the blade as much as possible since the file and blade are so close to the same rockwell it can damage the file.
Then some sandpaper of your choice to get the degree of finish you want on the blade and handle will complete the list of materials.
The one I finished has a convex edge on a flat grind profile and cuts like a maniac.
And y'all might be interested in looking at some of Tim Lively's work to see just what can be accomplished by hand!!!!
Tim's one of the Neo-Tribalist guy's and doesn't use any kind of power tools to finish his very lovely knives.
Tim forges his blades to at least 90% completion on a charcoal forge and has quit using any electricity at all!!!!
You can find Tim over in the Shoptalk Forum.
He's a great guy to talk with and very helpful and encouraging when it comes to using primitive methods to finish knives. There's also a Neo-Tribal Forum, but I don't recall the current URL, but if you ask over there I am sure that Tim will be very happy to post it.
One of the tips on making a khukuri handle that might be overlooked on the old thread is cutting the center ring on the handle in.
After you determine where you want it, cut or file the top edge of the ring, leaving enogh material to finish later, into the handle then stop.
Use some super glue, I recommend the BONDINI-2 found at Walmart, and coat the top of the ring liberally.
The super glue should soak in quite rapidly, but depends on how hard and porous the wood is, and it will give the wood extra strength for when putting the taper on the ring.
This is an important step and will help prevent the ring from chipping out when you go to finish it.
I discovered this by accident and it has been a life saver for me when doing finish work on other thin projects.
And if Uncle Bill does go for this
once again I am as close as an e-mail and will be glad to help with any info or suggestions.
All anyone needs to do is ask.
Finishing one of these blades out will give you quite a sense of accomplishment.
And so what if it isn't perfect?
I agree with what Uncle Bill said in the original thread.
"Give me a block of oak and a couple of hours and I will have t in the field working, ugly but tough!!!"
And even if it's not finished to the degree I finished mine it will still give you that sense of accomplishment and the blade will have part of your own spirit in it and the work the knife will do will make you proud even if it may be ugly.
Beauty is as beauty does and a good working tool no matter its appearance makes me proud.
Y'all should have seen some of the attempts I made when I was a youngen.
------------------
Yvsa.
"VEGETARIAN".............
Indin word for lousy hunter.
