Cold-blued my M-43.......

I

Ironhandjohn

Joined
Sep 21, 2008
Messages
95
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The pics don't look as good as the outcome, and I admit I need to even out the bluing, but I'm happy. I don't like a super-shiny finish on anything, and I probably would have been happier with a villager kukhuri.




So...........



I broke out the cold blue, as I'd scuffed the hell out of the kukri while trying to sharpen it with 1000 grit sandpaper, and had a go of it. I need to even out the bluing a bit, but the start of a very nice finish is there. The little skinning knife came out VERY nicely, almost like hematite(sp.??), but the big blade came out a bit blotchy.
 
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Does this cold bluing help to protect the steel at all?
I know a cop buddy of mine used to re-blue his service pistol (B92) on the barrel from time to time, but it used to come out black and really smooth.
 
Yes, cold bluing inhibits rust, just like hot bluing, it just doesn't penetrate the steel as deep as a hot blue.
 
How much does an M43 weigh? i am assuming they are heavier than average AG.
I have one coming my way, website doesn't give a weight, but it looks bigger than other 18" kukri by comparison.
I liked the heavier looking blace too, not lightened like the chiruwa.
 
titus010782 said:
How much does an M43 weigh? i am assuming they are heavier than average AG.
I have one coming my way, website doesn't give a weight, but it looks bigger than other 18" kukri by comparison.
I liked the heavier looking blace too, not lightened like the chiruwa.
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It really depends on who made the khuk and what kind of mood he was in when he was pounding steel:D Generally, the M-43's that I have handled range from a light 26ish oz to a very heavy 32ish oz. The norm is in the middle. Typically your standard M-43 by design should come in no heavier than an AK of similar length due to the fact that most M-43's come with a bit thinner spine thickness.

That said, the M-43 is a very "choppy" khuk. It is very weight forward due to the more exaggerated curve of the blade. This makes it bite deep when chopping on a log of similar circumference as it sort of "hooks" over the edge a bit. I assume this would also be a great martial application as the business end point of the blade is hammered home into the enemy combatant more so than is the edge.

Just as a friendly warning, the M-43 is not what I consider a "beginner's khuk" if there is such a thing. I don't mean to say that a person can't handle it from the get go. It's not going to be more likely to bite you than any other blade when handled with care. It's just that an AK or a Siru or a WWII tends to be a bit straighter and more familiar in grip to the average knife/axe user. The M-43 really only has a pistol grip and a glancing blow can come back on you quicker than you might think (personal experience and near miss:o).
Just a head's up:D

I should also point out that the M-43 resides in my permanent top 5 fav khuks:thumbup: Many a log has been bested including the "man fire" that my groomsmen and I built the night before my wedding. Great knife:)

Oh, and that cold bluing looks great:) I have done it to several of my khuks. I find that the villager models take to it a lot better for some reason. YMMV. I always give the blade a good hot bath washing them until the steel is hot enough for the water to sort of bead and evaporate off. Then I clean the blade with rubbing alcohol and cotton balls until I stop getting black stuff covering the cotton. Then I just follow the instructions on the bottle:D
 
I will take this advice to heart. thank you! Its good to get an educated opinion.
Another reason I like the M43 was its construction. Coming from an engineering backround, it makes sense to have a full tang knife. Especially with the a kukri being so "top" heavy.

But I see the Chiruwa AK is also fully tanged. Hey! Maybe I get both!
Have you handled one of these? Chiruwa AK, I mean.
Interesting to get a comparison.

This forum is great! Loads of good information, some banter and fun too.

Thanks again
 
Titus, I have also handled/owned a chiruwa AK as well. However, the grip did not suit me so I gave it away:) From what I have found, the chiruwa AK's handles are more linear and longer than the M-43. They aren't quite as long as say the WWII models, but they tend to give you a bit more option regarding choking up on the grip or not. Depending on your hand size, you might place the grip ring between your middle and ring fingers OR choke up and place it between your ring and little fingers for a different balance.

The M-43 has a curved smooth pistol-like grip. It doesn't require the rings to keep you hand from sliding forward as the dramatic curve of the blade really rules out a stabbing motion that is effective for anything. It really locks your hand into position and keeps it there. The down side is that you can't change your grip up much. However, I have gotten around this by grasping the back of the blade and using the M-43 for fine work much like an Ulu.

For me, I have found that the perfect compromise of an AK-like churuwa handled khuk and the very choppy (almost to a martial level in my opinion) M-43 is the rather new Boomerang AK that came about some time last year. It really looks like the love child between the two knives. At 15" it is very packable yet has a good amount of heft to it. It gives the perceived strength of the chiruwa design but does not limit the grip as much as the M-43. It would make a very handy camping blade, which is what i use it for:D

Here is a pic put up by Hollowdweller late last year. Thanks for the pics, HD:D
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Wow! That Boomerang AK looks like a claw! From the pictures, it looks like it has a steep curve. More so than the M43.
I like the look of the chiruwa. I do have smaller than average hands.
Hey, I will see when I handle it for the first time.
It wont be my last khuk from HI. I also plan only to buy from Himalayan Imports.
Something about Uncle Bill's ethic that fits well with my concience.

People dont only buy things for the item/doodad, they mostly buy things for self gratification, to make themselves feel good.
It feels good to deal with Aunty Yangdu. HI is a very personal business that looks like it is run like a club.

Thanks again for the info, Jake. It has helped me and others.
 
Himalayan Imports is an honorable company. I myself find that the longer the khukuri is the better it chops for me. I have a 16.5 CAK by Sher that' an ok chopper,but my 20" sirupate outdoes it. Beyond a certain length is too heavy and gives me elbow pains,too short is ineffective. Always looking for a happy medium..;)
 
You are more than welcome, Titus. I was in the same place asking the same questions just 7 years or so ago;)

I think you mentioned that you are a younger guy, we'll I can relate. I'll be 28 on the 24th:D

Besides turning me onto big honking ethnic chopping knives, Himalayan Imports and the business dealings with Uncle Bill inspired me. In this house that Uncle Bill built, I learned that handshakes still do matter. I have learned that you can count people as your friend despite the fact that you have never met them face to face. I learned how much I appreciated being treated fairly as a customer, and when I got out of college and went into the family business I used the same principles with my customers. It has served me very, very well.

I am indebted to HI, Uncle Bill, and Yangdu for all that they have done for me. I only hope that by trying to pass the good will along as I can that it repays them in some small fashion. Actually, I'm sure I owe everyone of you fine folks in so way or another for all that you have done for me over the years. However, as Uncle Bill said, "Debt is good";)
 
This reminds me that I need to get around to putting a patina on my M43. It's hefty fellow, 34 ounces of Sher's mastery. And frankly, nothing feels as right in my hand as that one.
I really like that boomerang. There's something about those hanshee blades that just feel right, which I think is the allure of the M43.
 
Steely_Gunz said:
You are more than welcome, Titus. I was in the same place asking the same questions just 7 years or so ago;)

I think you mentioned that you are a younger guy, we'll I can relate. I'll be 28 on the 24th:D

Besides turning me onto big honking ethnic chopping knives, Himalayan Imports and the business dealings with Uncle Bill inspired me. In this house that Uncle Bill built, I learned that handshakes still do matter. I have learned that you can count people as your friend despite the fact that you have never met them face to face. I learned how much I appreciated being treated fairly as a customer, and when I got out of college and went into the family business I used the same principles with my customers. It has served me very, very well.

I am indebted to HI, Uncle Bill, and Yangdu for all that they have done for me. I only hope that by trying to pass the good will along as I can that it repays them in some small fashion. Actually, I'm sure I owe everyone of you fine folks in so way or another for all that you have done for me over the years. However, as Uncle Bill said, "Debt is good";)
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Wow...I am even younger than you were...and WAY younger when I found HI 2 years ago...I feel really young now :P...or you all are just old
 
Hmmmm... I guess this means 23 is on the lower end of the bell curve of age range around these parts?
 
I'm 54. I guess that makes me old. But like my father-in-law says: getting old sure beats the alternative!
 
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