Choose my first khukri for me!

I spent the better part of the year stalking the wares on the HI site, and only just discovered that this forum here existed (bad investigator I know). And you're right, there will be more than one in my future, but I've hemmed and hawed because I'm sentimental - the first one is the one I'll remember most.

Just like my ESEEs, my first was the Junglas, and despite my preference for my -5 right now, the Junglas will always be the one I remember and love the most.

Again, I'm a sentimental bitch. :)
 
Your first khuk doesn't have to be "pretty" to be memorable and long beloved. Mine was a Villager model done by Kumar over a decade ago. Karma just happened to drop it in my lap. I have many, many khuks but the 15" Villager is still often used.
Same with my 2nd khuk, an 18" WWII, has long been one of my camping favorites.
I think you did well:) Congrats.
 
muszeuhs said:
Done and done. The #5 offering is 15.5" at 18 ounces, added the sheath to it. Can't wait to receive her!
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Congrats to both, including the sheath. Without a sheath, a khukuri feels incomplete to me.

Now order mineral oil for the handle. My KLVUK drank more than an SUV.
 
Now order mineral oil for the handle. My KLVUK drank more than an SUV.
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Meaning I should soak the entire handle in a cup of oil? Would I do this to only unfinished handles, or with finished ones as well?
 
I'm sure everyone has their own way of doing it. I prefer fingers and working the oil into the wood by rubbing and working it in. I usually apply numerous coats.

I use linseed oil mostly cause I have it on hand all the time for my grips and gun stock hobby. One reason I was curious about the wood.

Either rubbing it in or soaking it will get the job done. The dry wood just begs for nourishment and oil is the key.

I've never seen a Khuk that had anything but an oil finish so rubbing in more oil does no harm and usually helps. Most wood will benefit from a little new oil from time to time. The more porous the wood, the more often it may be needed.
 
I think both methods work just fine. I cut the top off a 20oz soda bottle and soaked my khuk handle in that. It won't hurt a thing. If you really wanted to refinish it, sand it, apply a coat, let it dry for 12-24 hours, repeat repeat repeat. It's amazing how much detail you can work out of the grain that way. For me, with the unfinished villager finish, I just like to give it a soak to protect the wood and leave it be.
 
A small trick is to use artists linseed oil such as - http://www.stuff4painting.com/8-ounces-mona-lisa-linseed-oil-170008.html - rather than regular oil. The advantage of using an artists type is it soaks in deep, drys quicker and doesn't leave the oil feel behind. My wife is a picture framer and introduced the artist's type to me as an alternative to regular when I was using it on gunstocks. You can buy it at a frame or hobby shop or order it online.
 
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