Got my 15" Sirupati

wildmanh

wildmanh

Part time Leather Bender/Sheath maker
Joined
Jul 9, 2000
Messages
7,764
The 15" Sirupati is really nice. Has two cracks in the horn handle (easy epoxy fix) and the finish is bad but easally fixed. Heavier in my hand than the GS so I think it will "Work" better. The handle is not quite big enough around but not a problem. Fix 10/10 :) finish, used but I'll get it back to a 10/10 :) On the blade are some engravings I'm not familure with. "Made In Nepal" and "SN" over "111" Uncle were the older Khuks serial numbered or just special runs? Can you give me some more info on it?

After playing with it for a while, I've gotten a better feel for it and found out that it also likes to fly in my hand This afternoon before I start restoring it, I'll take it out in the back yard and do some chopping with it. After I got home I hacked some bushes and WOW! it cut threw them real easally :), even with a rather dull edge. I'm betting I could try to beat the snot out of it and it would just laugh at me. :)

http://www.geocities.com/wildmanh/knives/sirupati/0001.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/wildmanh/knives/sirupati/0002.jpg

BTW: let me know when your sending more gifts to the Kami's. I'd like to pitch in.

Keep up the good work,

Heber Ellsworth
 
That knife was number 111 to come out of BirGorkha and was most likely made by Kesar.

We are giving the kamis their Dasein bonus so they are fixed for awhile but we'll be sending some stuff later this year.
 
Thanks for the information Uncle. When did they start putting a SN on the Khuks and when did they stop?


Heber Ellsworth
 
Thanks Uncle,

I fixed the handle. Filled the cracks with epoxy and filed down the butt cap so it would match up with the horn. Now all I need to do to the handle is polish it.

It took maybe half an hour to clean up the blade and remove the pitting. Now the knife looks perty good. After it's sharpend and polished it will look great.

I enjoy fixing up these knives. It's a lot of fun and I have learned a great deel. I like doing this sort of thing so much that I already have a BIG project in mined.

Uncle, how much would it cost me to get an 18" or 21" Gelbu Special Blade that doesn't have a handle or the fixings? I want to blue it and make my own handle.


Heber Ellsworth
 
Originally posted by wildmanh
Uncle, how much would it cost me to get an 18" or 21" Gelbu Special Blade that doesn't have a handle or the fixings? I want to blue it and make my own handle.

Heber Ellsworth
Click to expand...

Far be it for me to discourage anyone to take an as forged blade to completion as I feel it's a project that makes one really appreciate the kami's skill.... But there's more to it than one might realize.

The very first thing to anyone that's not familiar with forgings is the absolute shock at seeing the rusty scaley blade that doesn't have a complete edge on it. And although the fullers are forged in they may not be perfectly even on both sides. It can be pretty intimidating.:)

You at least need a drill motor or a Dremel to drill the primary holes in the bolster in order to get a file inside the bolster to clean it up and make it fit properly.
It's also needed to get the hole in the keeper or butt cap and keeper and it needs to be a close fit to the tang so there won't be a gap when the tang's peened over.

The blade needs to have a good preliminary cleaning to remove the scale and rust and then have the rough edges if any filed off.
The area around the tang and blade intersection has to be well cleaned and squared up in order for the furniture to fit properly.
And the area just below the bolster on the blade should be brought pretty much to completion in order to make it easier to finish after the furniture and handle have been put on. You don't want to screw up the bolster by having to work right next to it, which you would have to do if this step wasn't done.

Then when the handle is in place with the well fitted butt cap and keeper, or in my place just a keeper, and the bolster it's time to start on the blade itself.
You will not be able to file the edge bevel as it's just too dayumed hard.
If you don't have a slack belt grinder to finish the edge you will have to do it all with progressively finer grades of sandpaper or one of those cheap chinese whetstones, at least one thing they're good for although it will be pretty much ruined for anything else when you get done.
It's not an impossible job, but one you will need much patience for.
Be sure you have the patience before you consider doing a project like this.

It's a personal thing with me to have any project I start to come out as perfect as it should be as I'm just not happy with anything less.
But I beleive that what one lacks in skill and knowledge can be made up for with much care and patience.
I have proven that to myself many times over, the last but not least project which was the as forged Chainpuri blade I finished.:)\
And Uncle Bill agrees.:D
 
Many thanks for another great and helpful post, Bro.

That hammer dingy finish Chainpuri you mentioned tells me two stories. The first is about the kami who forged the blade. He knew exactly what he was doing and did it well. The forged fullers are indications of his skill and care. The second story it tells is the care, understanding, skill and "love of the labor" of the man who took it from that "rusty scaley blade" to one of the most beautiful khukuris I've ever seen in my life.

Where's a pix of that knife?
 
Originally posted by Bill Martino
Where's a pix of that knife?
Click to expand...

Yvsa, Thanks for the good info. But, I guess I didn't make make my last post very clear.

I'd like to get a knife with no handle but has everything else done. The blade clean and polished and ready for use. Just no handle attached so I can make the one I want. Next week I move on to campus where there are 3 girls to every guy. :D so most of my attenchen will be on more inportaint things :P hehe hehe hehe


But seriously, do you think it would be better to A: get a Khuk, remove the handle and make my own. B: Get one with out a handle and build one or C: Get one like you got?


Heber Ellsworth
 
Heber if you could sorta describe what you're wanting to do with the handle the question would be more easily answered.
I have modified a few handles on my khukuris to make them more efficient and comfortable to me without any major changes.
The ones that have had the most modification has been my GRS and Super Salyan.

Heber wrote:
"But seriously, do you think it would be better to A: get a Khuk, remove the handle and make my own. B: Get one with out a handle and build one or C: Get one like you got?"

If it was me and I didn't have any or much access to good tools or much experience I would opt for "A" since you would have the butt cap, keeper and bolster already fitted to that particular knife.
The bolster is the most important of these.

Why don't you try for a GS blem that has a bad handle? Seems to me that would be the simplest and less expensive way to go if you just want to do this with a GS.
However in the meantime you could get some good practice in by taking the handle off of your 15" Sirupati since you've already had to epoxy the handle?:)
The success of your project depends on your experience with your hands, skill level, degree of patience and attention to detail.
Whatever you decide to do I am willing to help in any way I can by answering any questions that you may have if I can.:)
 
Yvsa, after seeing the M-43's and "Jewel" I thought a slab handle out of Walnut would be cool (even if the tang didn't show). Exspecially one that I made my self.

It's late (or should I say early?) and I'm not thinking straight so I'll explain more after I get some sleep and food in me.


Heber Ellsworth


P.S. Thanks for your time and advice. It's greatly appreciated. Computers are my cup of tea. But working with knives is something I'm really interested in.
 
There Uncle goes...joking around.

Sleep??? Food??? For a college student? That is funny...no really!!! :p :D
What is coffee and No-Doze pills for??? Sleep and nutrition are myths, all you need is bread, coffee, and the occasional bathroom break.

And with this diet you will lose weight and be able to afford Khukris.

(Please do not take my BS seriously):rolleyes:
 
I used to sleep more when I was in college than I do today. Of course, I wasn't working 20 hours per day back then.
 
There just isn't enough hours in the day for Work, College, and hanging with the ladies :p I'm lucky to get 8 hours of sleep a day.

But Dave, you didn't mention any thing about the ladies. Come on man, If you have ladies and Khuks what more could you want? :D


Heber Ellsworth
 
How about a direct internet connection, money to buy more khuks and dates with the ladies? :P:P:P

Now to deside which Khuk to get next month :D


Heber Ellsworth
 
Wild,
I can hear it now "How come you are alwayse buying Khukris for yourself and nothing for me?" Yadda yadda yadda :rolleyes:

Both of my room mates have girlfriends and they are broke because they do things "the right way", and niether of them have khukris.:eek: They arn't "allowed to spend that much on a knife", as their counterparts say. I just can't understand that.

I love women, and I REALLY LOVE good women, and those are hard to come by. So I have decided to take my time, stock up on kuks, and if she dosen't like it then I move on.

Wait a minute...you said "ladies and kuks"... whoah... LADIES...plural...hee hee :D

The world would be a better place :D ;)
 
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