first khuk in my hands

btice

btice

Joined
Dec 27, 2002
Messages
796
Well I think the mailman was almost as thrilled to deliver my first khuk as I was to receive it...until I told him that another was on the way. You really have no concept of size and weight until you hold these things in your hand. And it's kind of funny, but it's almost like they're holding your hand back. I hope that doesn't sound too strange. This BAS is really nice. It took a few minutes for the knife and me to get used to each other, but fit and feel got better each time I picked it up. I can only imagine what the 18 inch AK will be like. I bought the BAS at a very good price because of a little rust on the tip. I took the rust off last night, but now I find myself wanting to find the best way to remove all evidence of the rust's presence. Any tips would be appreciated. You know, I was kind of skeptical about everyone's enthusiasm over these khuks, but I have to admit, there is something definately special about them.

bt
 
btice-- glad to hear you are enjoying your new khukuri. My first two khuks were a BAS and an 18" AK as well. As for the rust, you might want to try flitz polish on a cotton rag, or else some very fine grit wet/dry sandpaper, like 1500 or 2000 grit. Be aware, though, that even fine paper can damage the mirror finish on your khuk. Nothing to worry about really; if you use it, it will get scratches anyway--just adds to the character.
--Josh
 
Hi Ben,
So is the BAS going to your son or are you going to wait for AK
to get in?

If the rust was bad enough to cause some pitting you will have to carefully sand it out progressing to as fine a grade sandpaper you can find. I would say 600 grit is the absolute minimum, with what Josh suggested as preferred. Then use some metal polish. I use Autosol from Harbor Freight and have had good results at the 600 grit level.
Currently, I use a spiral sewn buff with CR5 emery compound on a slow buffer (1780rpm), followed by a hand rub of Autosol to clean up my blades. Gives a pleasing finish to my eyes.

...or as Uncle Bill says "Rust will disappear with use."

Regards,
Greg
 
Originally posted by btice
I took the rust off last night, but now I find myself wanting to find the best way to remove all evidence of the rust's presence.

Any tips would be appreciated.

You know, I was kind of skeptical about everyone's enthusiasm over these khuks, but I have to admit, there is something definately special about them.

bt
Click to expand...

Ah yes, I can see it now. All kinds of different grades of wet or dry sandpaper up to 2,500 grit abounding in different hiding places tucked throughout the house.
Pieces of leather with strange looking compounds on them, etc, etc.:)

And that's about it Ben. You can get "purt near" the magic stone finish with 2,500 grit wet or dry, polished out from progressively finer papers until you get to that grit.
Then Flitz will go a long way in maintaining that finish.
Some of however just prefer to wipe our blades down with Scotch-Brite Abrasives Pads.
If you choose this route Be Sure To Polish Towards The Edge!!!! as not doing so puts you and the edge at risk.
I mistakenly done that the first time I cleaned my blade with the Scotch-Brite and it dulled the blade very quickly with the result of having to hone a new edge onto the whole blade!!!!
Wiping away from the edge actually helps to maintain the edge!!:)
Using the Scotch-Brite method it's easier to maintain the blade while keeping the majority of the patina on it each time you use it.
After a while you get a beautiful nice satin finish with a lovely patina.:D

And if you get interested in doing some Woodchucking you might try a search using Walosi's name as he is the H.I.Head Woodchuck.
Walosi has provided a wealth of info on finishing wood handles.

Another little trick I like to do on all of my khuks, horn or wood, is to use the corner of a fine file and very, very carefully file a triangular groove at the intersection of the handle material and the buttcap.
It takes a great deal of care to do this without having the file drop off and scratching a deep groove where you don't want one at the top of the handle.
Speaking from experience here.:o
By making this groove you take care of any swelling or mismatch between the handle material and the buttcap for now and forever!!!!
Personally I like the added groove not only for permanently getting rid of the burr that often forms there, but for the looks as well.
It seems, to me, to finish the handle up nicely while looking like it was supposed to be there.:)
 
You know, Greg, I'm in a quandry. I hadn't seen the M43 before and I am really struck by it. I also think the full tang with the bolster pins (if that's the correct term) will be much stronger. I could be wrong. I am really disappointed that I missed the M43 in the special bin today. I wonder how long the handle is on the M43. You watch, I'll end up with a sample of every khuk Uncle Bill has before I make a choice. Won't that be groovy?

And thanks, everyone, for being so helpful. I really appreciate it.


bt
 
Originally posted by Yvsa

By making this groove you take care of any swelling or mismatch between the handle material and the buttcap for now and forever!!!!
Click to expand...

How deep and how wide should you make this groove? :confused:
 
Originally posted by BruiseLeee
How deep and how wide should you make this groove? :confused:
Click to expand...

Bruise it varies from khuk to khuk, but most are around a total of 1/16" wide and about .030" to .040" deep.
The main thing is too get it deep and wide enough to not be a problem anymore.
Like other things the khuk tells you, it will let you know when you are there.:)
It took a couple of tries to get my first one right and when I did I haven't looked back.;)
 
I wonder how long the handle is on the M43.
Click to expand...
Ben,
While I'm sure it will vary some, M43 to M43 and kami to kami,
the length of the wooden panels on mine is 4.25" In my own use, I notice the bottom swell of the handle more on the M43 than on my other
khuks.
Regards,
Greg
 
New rust sucks, but old rust is called 'patina.'

I always wanted to bury an HI villager in the ground for about a year, then dig it up and clean it off. The corrosion should leave pitting that is consistent with other older blades. this is one process known as "distrssing" a blade, which is a forced and sped up aging process. Just can't being meself to do it tho. Don't have so many khuks I can be burying them in the ground, you know.

By the way, distessing a blade is a process often used by people making forgeries of antiques...

Keith
 
Ben: don't worry about the M43. It's a good enough seller they'll continue to make it.

Besides, I found out to me I had to add the handle rings to it for it to feel right. Easier said than done when you have to cut the rings through steel in addition to wood. It's beautiful, but it doesn't have the rightness ( ok, it doesn't have the strength of spirit the WW2's do for me, short or long ).
 
Another way to fake aging, that alot of the devious guys in PI do, is to use battery acid. They also use the stuff to try and fake damascus patterns.
 
Rusty, being new to these blades, I find myself being drawn to them bases on appearances. I have yet only held the one BAS and hopefully I will have an 18" AK sometime this week and that will give me a greater basis for comparision.

You know, I forgot that I had a short sword-like blade that I had given to my son years ago. It looks Middle Eastern and looks like someone got it as a momento and marked it with "Iran 1901". I'll try to download a picture so you all can tell me what you think. I am going to save some of my "birthday" money and put in an order for a M43.

Happy Birthday Elvis.

I'll bet he reads this forum.

bt
 
Originally posted by btice
I wonder how long the handle is on the M43...
Click to expand...
measure it on the analysis drawings
each grid block is 1" x 1"
:D
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V
 
Thanks, Pen. Very helpful. I will make a note on the printouts I made.

bt
 
geeze Pen, what a great effort. You're another guy here who knows too much. "The Man who knew too much"

I'm lucky. I get to learn.

munk
 
Originally posted by munk
I'm lucky. I get to learn.
Click to expand...

I get to learn too. Since I have no knowledge of my own, I contribute what I can. I'll start on a khukuri coloring book. :)
 
I'll start on a khukuri coloring book. >> Bruise

What an awesome idea! How about a child's illustrated learn to read book?
Can I help write the lines?

We just know the PC publishing world is waiting anxiously for our illustrated book of HONKIN KILLER KNIVES

munk
 
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