First attempt at making a large knife

Khukuri Monster

Khukuri Monster

Joined
Aug 4, 2004
Messages
373
This is my first attempt at making a large knife. It's modeled after a Phillipine barong, although the handle style is different. The blade length is 11.5" and the handle is 6". (Edited to add: blade is 2 1/2" wide at widest point)

I'm going to link to the pictures because they are kind of large, and will mess up the text formatting for those of you without high-resolution monitors.

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~robgaunt/pics/knives/barong1.JPG
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~robgaunt/pics/knives/barong2.jpg

What looks like a hamon in the second picture is actually a shadow. And admittedly, I did not chop down that tree with this knife...

The handle is Bubinga with a copper bolster and pins. I haven't finished off the handle yet. I plan on using a superglue finish. I tried the superglue finish on another knife and it looked stunning, and was basically waterproof. Here's a tip for those of you who try it: polish the superglue afterward with Mother's Incredible Billet polish. It's a metal polish but it works well - makes the superglue finish shine like a mirror.

The blade came from an old leaf spring. It was a real pain to heat treat because I didn't know what kind of steel it was. I had to try 3 times before it got to the hardness I wanted it at. Chopped through some hardwood without any denting or chipping, and I was still able to shave hair afterwards, so it can't be too bad. Although, next time I won't use junk steel.

The blade is stained an ugly black color from the quenchant and probably some scale. I don't think I'll mirror polish this one. It's too much work, and this black finish seems to be fairly abrasion resistant. Besides, I plan on using this knife, so I don't care too much how it looks.

I really like this design and I plan on making another in the future. It really chops well - at least as good as a khukuri of similar size, it seems. Let me know what you think.
 
Really neat blade and handle !!! How heavy?

Second picture won't open for me.

(I know it is from a wasted ute(spelling here, courtesy of MY COUSIN VINNIE)
of watching too many cartoons, but my imagination always puts a bunch of exclaimation points after this style of knife. :) )



BARRROOOONGGGGG !!!!!!!!! (as the anvil bounces off Wylie Coyote's head.)




Be well and safe.
 
Excellent job, KM.

I'd say to leave the finish as-is. It's a no-nonsense finish for a no-nonsense knife.

When will we be seeing it in action?
 
Thats darn nice for a first try. I hope my first blade looks half as good. Good shape and kinda sexy looking. Thanks for sharing.

Ice
 
That's a working knife...

Email sent just to do it before Dave does...

.
 
The second picture should be working now. I guess there was a problem with the name being case sensitive. The first was .JPG and the second .jpg, and I mistyped.

Weight is 24 oz. Center of gravity about 3" forward from bolster.

I just got back from taking it on a walk through the woods. It chops really well. The wide bevels and convex edge allow it to penetrate deeply. I must have chopped through 10-15 fallen branches, averaging 2-3" diameter and it still shaves. Mostly frozen maple, cherry, and oak. Initially I was worried that the edge wasn't hard enough, but now I'm not. It also made short work of a slightly larger branch, maybe 5" diameter.

Thanks for the compliments.
 
Kismet said:
Also, Brit "smatchet" of WWII looks similar, except for the H.I. Bowie handle:
Click to expand...

I've seen the Smatchet before. I believe that is also modeled after a Barong. The symmetry of the Smatchet probably helps for stabbing, but it wouldn't have as much belly for chopping.

It's funny that you should mention a "straightened AK". I drew a slightly different design, with more drop, but it looked too much like a khukuri and not enough like a barong. It wasn't necessarily bad, but my intention was to make a barong.

Now I'm trying to design a sheath for this. I want to make a companion knife, like a karda, which could also be used for steeling the edge. I'm not sure how it would all fit together. I don't want the sheath to be as thick as a khukuri scabbard. Does anybody have pictures of non-traditional khukuri sheaths that have slots for the karda and chakmak?
 
KM, that is outstanding. I like the 'finish' on the blade. A real user, something to grab without worrying about what you might be doing to it.

If you decide to make another one...
 
You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Aardvark again.


SHARK ! SHARK !! SHARK!!!
 
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