greetings and a question

gravertom

gravertom

Joined
Jun 4, 2004
Messages
1,163
hello everyone. I am new here, been watching for a few days.

I am glad to have discovered H.I., as the kukri is my favorite cutting implement.

Currently, I only have a CS LTC, so I hope to acquire a "real" one someday soon. I have owned the cheap tourist type, when I was a kid, the CS ATC, and one from Atlanta Cutlery. All are gone, except the LTC.(I may sell it, or give it to my wife, until I get her a real one too! ):)

The question: Since the H.I. kukris are differentially heat treated, is the engraving on the blades done before or after heat treating? I would like to engrave a few for myself someday, and it would not seem practical to ship the blade back and forth from here to there. Also, if before, how do the Kamis deal with the scale removal, or do they prevent it somehow?

I am fascinated by the beautiful carving and decorative work on these knives, as well as how powerful and effective they can be. I also like the fact that they don't run out of ammo! ( although I might!)

Thanks for all the great posts here.

Tom
 
Don't know this one for sure, but welcome anyway!
 
Welcome.

The khuks aren't tempered and then drawn in two stages. The hot blade has water poured over it - the quench - and the drawing is done by the thickness of the rest of the metal retaining heat and seeping back into the thinner part - the draw.

There are several threads on finding/bringing out the temper lines, but IIRC, the tempering goes about a third of the way up from the blade edge. The rest of the blade should stay ductile. So someone experienced as an engraver shouldn't have a problem doing so on finished khuks. The tang/bolster area is supposed to be dead soft. Ask Ferrous - he does etchings, so should be able to answer better.

That's about what I know. But it don't guarantee it's really so.
 
Ferrous did some file work on my JKM and said the backbone was no problem filing at all. If you can file it, you should be able to engrave it!
 
Thanks guys for the welcome and the input. If you can file it, I can engrave it, usually.

Thanks again!

Tom
 
Be careful...we have a tendency to try to get new buddys help us spiff up our knives! ;-)
 
Well...

If I didn't love engraving, I would do something stress free and less risky, like day trading or something!

Tom
 
Welcome Tom,
We're all a bunch of traders here. Lots of talent, knowledge, expertise, humor and kindness. And a few curmudgeons to keep us all in line. Some call it the Cantina.
 
Brian in Chi said:
Welcome Tom.
Some call it the Cantina.
Click to expand...
And others call it the Psycho Ward.:D
Welcome Tom!!!! We needed a good engraver here.:cool: :D ;)
 
Are you the kind of engraver who can do printing plates with pictures of dead presidents in them? Just asking ( hoping )!
 
Thanks for all the warm welcomes!

I just ordered that Malla on the specials post. I like the fact that is a replica of a classic knife style. I am sure I will want more...

Rusty, I am getting close to that level, but like my instructor said, in today's market, if you get that good, you should be able to make an honest living at it. besides, the machne to make the spirals around the edges are pretty expensive!

take care,

Tom
 
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