Brass inlays

J

Josh MacNeil

Joined
Jun 4, 2012
Messages
6
Hi everybody. This is not my first post, but I haven't formally introduced myself yet. My name's Josh, and I have the Khukuri fever. I'm a beginner bladesmith myself, and that has contributed to my love of HI khuks. The kamis are astounding craftsmen and are on a skill level that I will probably never be able to rival. I've been lurking for a while, and now I'm comfortable knowing that I'm not the only one who has an almost paranormal obsession with these wonderful knives.

So anyways, here's the deal. I just picked up a sweet little 12" Tirtha-made Sirupati from the DotD sale a few weeks back. Once out of the box I gave it the usual close inspection I give all my new blades. About what you would expect: stellar craftsmanship overall, quick, light (a few ounces lighter than your standard Siru), and absolutely deadly. The one thing that is a bit off would be the decoration on the blade; most likely thee reason it was discounted. It is kind of sloppy compared to the usual crisp scrollwork you find on the Sirus and BAS. Really a minor detraction from an otherwise gorgeous knife. Also some of the brass inlays were missing. As I was sitting here fondling it, I wiped my fingerprints off the blade and another one of the brass inlays came out on my sleeve. I took out my pocket knife and gently touched another inlay popped right out with almost no pressure. So rather than have them fall out in the scabbard and scratch up the blade, I just removed the rest of them with the tip of my knife. Took maybe 45 seconds to do, so none of them were in there tight. Honestly, you can't even tell they were there before and IMO the decoration looks better overall now; makes it look a bit less messy.

Which brings me to my questions. 1) Does anyone know if the brass work is usually undercut to prevent the brass from falling out, or is it just mushed in there; maybe with laha? 2) has anyone ever has the brass on their Sirupati or BAS fall out?
 
They are usually pounded in while the blade is hot, so that when it contracts the steel keeps them in.
From time to time they do come out though. When that happens, Auntie usually discounts them as blems.
 
Interesting method. Thanks, Karda. In the last 20 minutes since my original post, curiosity got the better of me. I pulled out my BAS and was able to lift the brass with the tip of a fingernail and it came right out. Oh well, not a big deal for me. My BAS will see some action when the weather clears and the brass would probably have fallen out with use anyway.
 
Well if you wanted them back in i'm sure a little judicious use of epoxy and a couple taps with a plastic hammer would secure them well enough.
Now quit pickin' at yer inlays before they all fall out.......:D ;)
 
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I've never had an inlay fall out of mine. Then again, most of the inlayed blades that I have don't see much heavy duty use.

But yeah, I was always under the impression that they were fitted hot in the blade. I would think any basic 2 ton epoxy would keep them holding strong.
 
I lost half of one of the brass inlays on my BAS. Since you've gone through and removed all of yours maybe you could send them to me as extras! ;)
 
IMO the brass inlays are nice but without consistency I prefer the indents to be blackened. Especially with scars of use on the blade it makes for a very pretty user.
 
They may not have fallen out.

I have 7 Sirus and every last one of them have come to me with an irregular inlay pattern.
 
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