Bolster replacement?

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37up

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Jun 16, 2002
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I bought a Khukuri from a forumite who friggin' NEGLECTED to mention :mad: that the top part of the bolster has a crack in it!!!

It runs from where the bolster meets the handle all the way to the where it meets the blade. So basically it's runs the length of the bolster on the top!

Not a hairline crack either! 2 mm at it's widest. Looks like it has been filled in with brass though as a repair.

Question is... can the bolster be replaced?

dammit, what's that saying? a fool and his money...? :grumpy:
 
Huh...

Every single one of my HI khuks has a "seam" along the top of the bolster, from handle to bladespine. Some more noticeable than others; most of 'em look like they were filled with solder/pewter and filed down even with the rest of the bolster, then polished nicely.

Doesn't affect anything at all...I've always taken it as part of the design.

Does it adversely affect the performance of your Khukhuri?

I think the most noticeable "crack" is on my 22" Gelbu Special. I just finished hacking through a pressure-treated 4x4 timber with it a little while ago. No negative impact on the bolster; it's the same as before I started the stress test.

y'know...you didn't mention any names, but you'd be hard pressed to find any "forumite" here who'd rip you off.

I haven't been around long, but I'm mightily impressed with the level of honesty and integrity on this particular board.
 
Like Tommy said, the seam is at the top. The bolster is formed from a sheet of brass, or other metal in some cases. I'm not sure, but I think it's a lap joint, rather than a butt joint. Sometimes this makes the brass brazing compound look wider. Does it look like a repair, or is smooth and finished? Is it an HI khuk or something else. Is the bolster loose?

I understand your anger and frustration. But take a deep breath and we'll try to help. I have bought non-HI khuks that weren't as described. One had either been used as a hammer on the spine, or had been hammered through some wood to split it.

If you aren't satisfied, have you contacted the seller about returning it? Most of the people I've dealt with on the several forums that I frequent are stand-up guys and gals.

Welcome to the cantina.

Steve
 
Dave,
I believe to Tommy and Steve are correct.
That it is indeed a hard soldered lap joint seam you are seeing.
Does it look like this, only a little wider? ( please excuse the photo quality; it's late or earlier depending on perspective):
11.txt

This one shows very little of the brazing material while others I have show much more.
Regards,
Greg
 
It's hard to understand what you said in your post. Is the brass actually split? Or does it look like Ripper's pic? If it's like Ripper's pic a lot of khukuries look like this. It's part of the manufacturing process when they install the bolster.

The bolster is mostly decorative. It really doesn't add or take away from the structural strengh of the knife. Sort of a transition from handle to blade. So if it's in one piece I don't think there was any skullduggery going on.

You have to remember that this part of the knife was made with a hammer an anvil and a sheet of brass. When I got my first khukuri I was a little surprised because lines weren't perfectly parallel and symmetrical. I was used to the mass produced blades which were all identical coming out of the same machines.

The proof of any knife is in the performance.
 
Welcome to the Cantina.....I think. Your lack of knowledge regarding khukuri construction can be remedied, but your manners do you no credit.

Sarge
 
I think the matter has been well addressed by the usual bunch of experts. As far as performance goes you can remove the bolster and the khukuri will continue to function. Its purpose is primarily cosmetics.
 
For sure~

The "crack" is Not a crack. These, being handmade, are not exactly "perfect" as far as fit, finish, and polish... These parts are'nt CNC machined. That line you see is perfectly normal.

Please consider civility when dealing with other members, we're here to help folks, not screw em. A calm question concerning your khuk would reap all the info you'd require and then some.
 
can make some folks disproportionately cranky.

Then too, didn't Toronto have a spell of mad-cow disease or monkey pox or something for a while?

Odd, most Torontoes...er, Torontonites?, uh Torontosities?...hmmm
folks from Toronto whom I have met are very polite folks.

Then again, it might be Karma. What did you do in your past life?:rolleyes:
 
Sure has been addressed well. But doing some knife making work myself, I like the line in the bolsters. Helps remind me that these are handmade(and I need that reminder, as even taking that into account, and fact that I only have "blemishes" and a villager, all three of them are still better than anything I've made yet. SO nice to know that the Kamis are human too. :) )
 
D.H.,

There is a difference between a construction seam and a crack.

If you want a bolster that is machined out of a solid piece of metal, then you will have to look for something produced elsewhere. Poor countries that value and recycle every scrap of metal don't typically produce such things. Especially if they can be fabricated from sheet stock. The guy who made the khuk intended to produce a tool in a reasonable amount of time, not a piece of fine art.

The HI shop is unusual in having electricity to run a few grinders and a hand drill. No drill press, no mill no lathe. Most khukuries are made without the use of electricity at all.

I suggest that you read this thread and then re-evaluate.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=257591

There's another saying about a fool opening his mouth and removing all doubt....I hope that you're just unusally cranky for some temporary reason.
 
Well I must than sincerely apologize for my obvious lack of knowledge and ignorance. Basically, I just didn't know any better.

Writing before thinking! you know how it is at 4 am.


I should post some pics. And yes, it is a Himalayn Import but it is quite sturdy, and I'm profoundly happy with the product.

I'm new to this game, so I hope that my outburst didn't step on any toes. Just best keep learning.

:footinmou


I'd appreciate your patience... you know how these new folk can be!

-D
 
Welcome Dave, We all get a little cranky at times. You've got your's out of the way, so join in and have a good time. Which khuk did you get? Have you used it yet?

Steve
 
Originally posted by Kismet
can make some folks disproportionately cranky.

Then too, didn't Toronto have a spell of mad-cow disease or monkey pox or something for a while?

Odd, most Torontoes...er, Torontonites?, uh Torontosities?...hmmm
folks from Toronto whom I have met are very polite folks.

Then again, it might be Karma. What did you do in your past life?:rolleyes:
Click to expand...


Eh... depends on the Torontonian. Now if you'll excuse me, this damn fool is gonna go hide under a rock now.

-D
 
Well, I think you're in luck Dave. I haven't had the good fortune to meet any of my fellow cantina mates in person, but I would wager my favorite khuk that they are an understanding and forgiving bunch. These people are the best. You can bet on that.
 
Originally posted by Dave Hahn
Well I must than sincerely apologize for my obvious lack of knowledge and ignorance. Basically, I just didn't know any better.

Writing before thinking! you know how it is at 4 am.


I should post some pics. And yes, it is a Himalayn Import but it is quite sturdy, and I'm profoundly happy with the product.

I'm new to this game, so I hope that my outburst didn't step on any toes. Just best keep learning.

:footinmou


I'd appreciate your patience... you know how these new folk can be!

-D
Click to expand...

Graciously done, man!

Hope you decide to hang around. Check out The Himalayan Imports Khukhuri FAQ if you haven't already; cool stuff abounds therein.
 
Dave, let me tell you a quick story. I was teaching a field archeology course at a local university. I was trying to impress the students with examples of ancient pottery which I held in my hands with reverence. The students viewed it as crude. So for their assignment, they had to find clay, grind it by hand on a matate, make the pliable clay, build a pot and fire it in a kiln they built and fueled. Needless to say by the end of the week, the students viewed these ancient artifacts with a different eye.

They couldn't appreciate it until they knew what it took to make one. Not one of my 30 students completed the project with a successful piece of pottery...but that doesn't mean they didn't learn a lot.:eek:
 
I've got a crack too, my maker left it there, glad he didn't fix it or I'd be full of sh!&.

Welcome aboard Dave, all's well that ends well.

Sarge
 
classy response on your part.

"Torontonians?"

actually, I LIKE "Torontoes.":D

seeya in the Cantina.
 
Dave, when it gets boring under that rock, stop in again.

It's just about impossible not to get a second, third, fourth, nth chance around here.
 
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