Information, please. I know that fold lines in a khukuri are not good, but I know little else about them. I assume a fold line is created when the kami literally folds the steel back on itself to hammer it out but the folded portion fails to properly "weld" to the other; is this correct? Next, are fold lines always obvious? How do you recognize a fold line? To what degree do they weaken a blade? And if they do not extend into the cutting edge of the blade, are they a problem? Thanks
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Fold Lines
- Thread starter Steven F
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If you can see them they are at best a cosmetic flaw and this precludes the blade from being a first line HI khukuri. Khukuris displaying a fold line will be sold at discount. The line can mean real trouble or it can mean very little. The only way to be certain is to x-ray the blade which I don't have the equipment to do.
I sent a village model to Cliff at no cost for destruction testing because it had such an ugly fold line plus other ugly qualities that I refused to sell the knife. This knife beat all other competition in the test series, including a perfect HI 18 inch AK which was an excellent blade. The fold line did not run as deep as I thought it might have.
So, there's the story. Generally, the fold lines do not cause a problem -- but they might! That's why we sell them as blems. We still guarantee the knife but we want the customer to be fully aware that the fold line is there and might possibly cause a problem. But if it does the knife is still covered.
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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
[This message has been edited by Bill Martino (edited 09 December 1999).]
I sent a village model to Cliff at no cost for destruction testing because it had such an ugly fold line plus other ugly qualities that I refused to sell the knife. This knife beat all other competition in the test series, including a perfect HI 18 inch AK which was an excellent blade. The fold line did not run as deep as I thought it might have.
So, there's the story. Generally, the fold lines do not cause a problem -- but they might! That's why we sell them as blems. We still guarantee the knife but we want the customer to be fully aware that the fold line is there and might possibly cause a problem. But if it does the knife is still covered.
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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
[This message has been edited by Bill Martino (edited 09 December 1999).]
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One of my village models has fold lines all over it, and I really like they way it looks. i took pics, but alas, more computer problems prevent me from using the scanner. It has several long, thin folds where the sword of shiva usually is, and a couple tendrils in the spine itself. To me it gives the knife a lot of character and is further proof that it is a handmade object, giving it more intrinsic value, in my book.
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My Custom Kydex Sheath page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/frames.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
On Two Wheels
agocs_s@dd.palmer.edu
Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html
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Well, as mentioned above by Uncle Bill, fold lines or slag inclusions can or won't affect the blade. While looking at Japanese Katanas and wakizhashis, some do have these. I have one that has these slag inclusions parallel to the edge. The blade is fine, but has some flaws. If the inclusion goes deep, then there is a problem, but if it can be polished out, then it's no biggie.
- Joined
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I suppose if the kami left a fold that went through most of the blade there would be trouble but this seldom happens. But, the lines should not be there. They should be pounded out. We check pretty closely for fold lines and if we find one the knife goes into the blem box.
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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ