Care of the Khukuri..

Battle Creek Knives

Battle Creek Knives

Joined
Feb 23, 2010
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I have some scratches from use on the blade.. I'm new to the metal and would like some advice on proper care.. other then mineral oil..

anyone have good experience polishing em up?? I have lots of time on belt sander and was thinking that was one way..but was hesitant to try until I asked the experts..

What say you..??

Thanks,
 
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Are you talking about maintaining a mirror finish? If so, you're going to need a buffing machine to manage that. A belt sander is for sharpening and shouldn't be used for the task
 
I have polished to a mirror finish on several blades, 1095 though.. I start at around 400 (pending finish) goto 15microns, 9 microns, then to the leather belt and compound..
 
Ah - didn't realize you had such fine belts/compound. Even so, it might be difficult to polish up kukris that have pronounced fullers
 
Mineral oil or Renaissance wax on the metal, mineral oil is universal for wood or horn handles. I prefer Tung oil for wood but some like a Boiled Linseed Oil (BLO) cocktail. Hoofflex or other horn/hoof conditioner for horn handles. Mainly just keeping the metal rust free and the horn and wood hydrated.
 
oldschool, do your knives have scratches from use? or have you really been diligent in maintaining them..

all I have to say is HATS OFF to the Kami, if a guy can sit and make these knives to this kinda of perfection without power tools..

I stand in aw..... cant wait till I get my AKB.......... SWEET !!
 
I'd say that most people don't care about small scratches/stains... it's inevitable for a user blade. That's why villager finishes tend to be somewhat popular for user kukris - you tend to not fret as much about keeping the mirror finish. Personally, I think that if f they're getting use, it's a waste of time making them look like they don't.
 
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killa_concept said:
I'd say that most people don't care about small scratches/stains... it's inevitable for a user blade. That's why villager finishes tend to be somewhat popular for user kukris - you tend to not fret as much about keeping the mirror finish. Personally, I think that if f they're getting use, it's a waste of time making them look like they don't.
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I've given up on buffing out small scratches now.
It is a waste of time for a user khuk.
The khuks that are so well polished will get Patina and/or small scratches every time I use them.
I'd say for display pieces only, Dare-Not use it unless you life depends on it.
User user khuk is another thing all together. I actually like the marks on the blade...it gives it more character.
This said though...do not neglect your users.
My maintenance is down to cleaning, oiling (if necessary) and maintaining the edge sharpness. 5min after work.

IMHO-The cheapest and easiest way to buff a khuk when the wood has left some marks on the polished blade is to use a buffing wheel on a drilling machine with some green polish compound. On the field I'll just use some fine sand (or dirt) and water - it works very good for removing tree gum and cleaning the blade.


monkey.gif
DanS
 
TheLastDaze, if they don't have scratches I'm not getting my money's worth out of them or both of my arms are broke:p I do clean them after I use them mainly degrease to get the tree sap off because the tree sap will build up and slow the blade down too much. When my wife gives me back the digital camera I'll have some pictures to post. I have about 2 more to get before I start purchasing dedicated wall-hangers.
 
killa_concept said:
I'd say that most people don't care about small scratches/stains... it's inevitable for a user blade. That's why villager finishes tend to be somewhat popular for user kukris - you tend to not fret as much about keeping the mirror finish. Personally, I think that if f they're getting use, it's a waste of time making them look like they don't.
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Point well taken...

DanSmithy said:
I've given up on buffing out small scratches now.
It is a waste of time for a user khuk.
The khuks that are so well polished will get Patina and/or small scratches every time I use them.
I'd say for display pieces only, Dare-Not use it unless you life depends on it.
User user khuk is another thing all together. I actually like the marks on the blade...it gives it more character.
This said though...do not neglect your users.
My maintenance is down to cleaning, oiling (if necessary) and maintaining the edge sharpness. 5min after work.
monkey.gif
DanS
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I've learned about a year ago I no longer buy a knife for "collection/display" It to me is just a waste of money.. I like users.. or I won't buy it.. Dan you stressed the reason for my post in the first place, although 'most' my knives are users I like to take care of them as I count them an investment as with any tool..


oldschool45 said:
TheLastDaze, if they don't have scratches I'm not getting my money's worth out of them or both of my arms are broke:p I do clean them after I use them mainly degrease to get the tree sap off because the tree sap will build up and slow the blade down too much. When my wife gives me back the digital camera I'll have some pictures to post. I have about 2 more to get before I start purchasing dedicated wall-hangers.
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you and me both..... I'll post pics of my AKB before and after use..(when It comes in)
 
I'll try that ...

I used mineral oil on the handle and it just soaked it up like nothing flat...

I'd had to stain and finish it, maybe I'll try some tung oil in the future although that will stain and enhance the wood a bit..
 
FWIW, I plan on polishing out my Foxy Folly tomorrow and will post before and after pics.. (if there is a noticeable difference)
 
I do believe a polished blade lends itself to being easier to care for, at least in terms of avoiding rust. Mine has a mild polish to it, and I'd hate to think of how much care I'd have to give to a completely unpolished blade x_x.
 
Old School makes the best sense in khukuri care IMNSHO... There's not a lick of sense in trying to keep a user in a highly polished state, again IMNSHO. ;) :D

Actually I prefer a nice satin finish on most of my display pieces because to me a satin finish is what defines any knife that's seen duty and then been properly cleaned and oiled.
For me personally I prefer the Scotch-Brite pads... Actually my opinions haven't changed since I posted this back in 2005...

"Start with the coarsest grit that is in evidence by the existing scratches on your knife.
When you have all the scratches going in one direction go to the next grit up and sand in an opposite direction until all the scratches are the same depth.
Then go to the next grit up and repeat again going in the opposite direction yet again. Stop at the satin finish of your choice.
Some folks like a rougher grit than others, some like it sanded to a 600 grit.
On the khukuris I find the Scotch-Brite works just fine in giving me the satin finish I want.
The scratches are minuscule and so help prevent rusting by not being too deep.
Methinks a smooth satin finish holds rust preventative better than a polished finish but that's just my opinion.;)"

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3431118&postcount=3

Found in this thread... ;)
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=378188&highlight=satin+finish

The one thing that's important is to be careful with the Scotch-Brite around the edge, not only to save your fingers from potentially serious cuts, but to also save the khukuri's edge. If you rub the Scotch-Brite the wrong way against the edge you're gonna dull the hell outta it something fierce!!! :thumbdn: :eek: :grumpy: :(

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ok here is a photo before I started polishing.

IMG_1888.jpg


here's one about 20 seconds of polishing..

IMG_1889.jpg


and another (decent camera I just don't know how to use well)

IMG_1890.jpg


It helped some with the little efforts I put into polishing with wheel and compound.. But all my knives are users so whats the point?? other then care, so with that said.. I may from time to time after they're really worked give them a once over, but til then its just basic lube and protect..
 
Yvsa said:
Methinks a smooth satin finish holds rust preventative better than a polished finish but that's just my opinion.;)"
Click to expand...

Actually, this makes perfect sense, a satin finish will hold oil/lubricant better than a polished finish. The oil will tend to spread on satin but bead on the polished.

To me, both Yvsa and make sense.

Marc
 
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