Can anybody help ID this Khukuri ?

L

Longtime

Joined
Apr 27, 2001
Messages
69
A short while back i came across this Khukuri, and I am trying to find out what i can about it. Having looked about a bit, this forum looks like THE place to ask for assistance.
Not sure at all what i have, but will give what, looking at other posts seem to be the "vital statistics".
The Khuk is light - @15.5oz, handle 5", blade 11". The handle is of wood and is covered in some kind of black lacquer which is now flaking off as i handle it. The buttcap and bolster are in brass. The blade has no makers / owners mark.
The scabbard is in poor condition - it appears to have suffered quite a bit of recent abuse judging by the fairly new looking damage. The tip is made of silver.
The karda & chakma are horn handled and are both pretty basic.
The attached pic shows the rig as i got it - a bit rusty in places - but as i start to clean it up the damage appears to be only skin deep and it is starting to look really good. The cutting edge of the blade is unmarked and there is no looseness or cracks in the handle or blade.

All that said, the knife is great to handle - light, and beautifully balanced. I have not given it any work to do yet - thought i'd ask you guys your opinion first.
(Hope this pic comes out ok, first time i have tried "Zing")

LT
http://www.zing.com/album/?id=4292692529&idx=1


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LT
 
Within my limited experience and based on your description and picture, this appears to be a decent khukuri. Reminds me of the villager style.

LongTime, does the khukuri have the tang hammered flat on the butt cap?

John Powell and others with more experience in this area should be around soon to give the benefit of their knowledge.

Harry

 
Longtime, Hello and welcome to the cantina
sir. Like the Apothecary said, the guys who
can really ID this Khukuri will be around
(they always seem to show up for things like
this
smile.gif
). If I may make a small suggestion;
you may wish to clean the blade some more and
post a few close-up photographs of the different parts (butt-plate, bolster area, etc...) to make it easier for them? And you
say there are NO markings (aside from blade
grooves) on the Khukuri?
 
Many thanks for your kind welcomes and advice. Harry : the tang is hammered flat on the butt cap as you suspected.
Bill - The cleaning process is under way !! Not knowing the tolerances of the materials involved i am taking it pretty slowly, but as soon as i have got it looking reasonably good will post more pix. There are still a few parts of the blade hidden under the rust, but as yet i can see no sign of any other markings at all.
Time permitting will get a spell with it tonight and post some pix before the W/E.
Thanks again.
P.S. Uncle Bill - That JKM-1 you sent over is a little gem
smile.gif


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LT
 
Hi Uncle
Just tried the link myself - got there eventually, but very slow. Is there any other way of posting pix here ?
When i bought the JKM-1 you mentioned it was named after James Mattis - would be glad to hear more about the man.

------------------
LT
 
Uncle - While you are there, do you have any tips on removing tough surface rust on blades ? Also have one or two spots particularly near the bolster that are a bit more pitted and proving tricky to tackle. Whilst i am not looking for a fast fix, it would be nice to get SOME sleep tonight !!

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LT
 
Longtime:
There is a metal polish, made in Germany, called "Flitz". I've used it on some fairly heavy rust deposits (not as heavy as a scale, but enough to cause pits) and it is usually successful when it is applied directly and left for 1/2 hour or so, and then rubbed lightly with very fine steel wool. Can't know if it is available to you, but if so, it can be a gentle approach to a surface which may have stamps or other marks you wish to preserve.

[This message has been edited by Walosi (edited 05-03-2001).]
 
Wal
Thanks for the Flitz tip - can't say i have come accross it, but will make some enquiries.
Have been making good use of steel wool - 0000 grade on the better surfaces, 0 grade on the rougher areas. Got to the point where i feel a little bit of gentle chemical assistance will help greatly !

------------------
LT
 
:
Osiyo Longtime and welcome to the cantina!!
biggrin.gif


I cant see the pic either and I have tried several times both yesterday and today.

If you can't find any Flitz you might try some Brasso if it's available to you.
The Brasso also has a solvent and although it works better on brass and other soft metals it will also have a cleaning effect on steel as well.
And if all else fails you might try some Naval Jelly. It's a much stronger solvent so you would want to follow directions carefully.

Sure wish the pic would come up though!!

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Yvsa-G@WebTV.net

"VEGETARIAN".............
Indin word for lousy hunter.
 
Osiyo, Yvsa
smile.gif

Longtime's pic comes through just fine on WebTV. Heheheh
The Flitz, and another I just remembered called "Simichrome" are basically chemical agents, with a very fine (super fine) grit - maybe a volcanic ash. Longtime, if the Flitz isn't available, try your local motorcycle shop for the Simichrome. It has been a longtime favorite amongst bikers for making Triumph and Harley engine cases sparkle. It could become a Longtime favorite for making Khuks sparkle. Got to pick at Bro Yvsa and make a pun, in the same post....I'm all better, now.

[This message has been edited by Walosi (edited 05-03-2001).]
 
The picture takes a good few minutes to load
but it does come through. Maybe we had better
all find another (faster) alternative to photopoint.com, for when they go commercial at the end of the month.
 
Yvsa
Uncanny post on the Brasso - picked up a can TODAY to brighten up bolster and butt cap. Will give the worst areas a good soak to try and shift the grit (I'm starting to sound like the shopping channel here !!)

Also Wal, a workmate of mine has been building and restoring old British bikes for the last 40+ years - didn't even think to ask him.
Thanks for the assists - as they say "A problem shared ......"

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LT
 
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