Hero Kukri project?

Jens Schuetz

Jens Schuetz

Joined
Jun 24, 2013
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I would like a Kukri or two which are light but still look big and authentic, just like these fake movie sword also called "hero swords"

My daughter is into martial arts and whenever her peers train weapons or show weapon katas/forms during competitions all you see are Chinese and Japanese fake edged weapons or sticks. Wouldn't something new be cool? Her being half Indian, Kukris come to mind. Don't want to go all Tiger dagger just yet. [emoji14]

Also she likes Kukris but their handles are too big and the blades too heavy. She has a Biltong which fits great but is too small to show much from a distance.

Now the obvious solution would be an aluminum stock removal approach. Extra thick stock would allow to grind something which looks like an edge but still leave it dull at the same time.

Maybe there are better ideas or anything in particular which I should take care of.
What is a good place to get thick aluminum sheets from?
Any input would be great.

Thank you.
 
Junk yard...AC repair place....aircraft maint facility (tougher).....scrap or junk dealer best as buying by the pound...in US units a piece of .100" or 0.125" should be perfect....take a hacksaw with sharp coarse blade and a stick of wax lube (gummy at cutting) that way you can lop off a chunk from larger scrap, all manner of scrap sheet stock gets scrapped regular at metal recycling centers....
 
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Is this just for display or will your daughter use the blade to train or do forms with her martial arts peers?

I have two blades that come to mind that would be very cool to display, but probably wouldn't be appropriate for whatever katas your daughter might be into. Mine are real steel and sharp, but they are relatively lightweight and would be even lighter if you can copy the design in aluminum.

Both are Filipino weapons. The Kris is one of many that were sold to GIs around Clark Airforce Base in the Phillippines, in 1969 and 1970. The Kambantuli is from Traditional Filipino Weapons. They're not cheap, but if you have the skills and the right tools and can copy them in aluminum, they would be a great gift for your daughter.

The Kris is 22" long and weighs 22oz. The Kambantuli is 19" long and weighs 19 oz.

View attachment 577865 View attachment 577866
 
Jens Schuetz said:
...
What is a good place to get thick aluminum sheets from?
...
Thank you.
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When you decide what you want size wise let me know. I have lots of aluminum sheet scrap from one inch thick down. I can cut it to size but youll have to do the rest. Philippino weapons are cool! I like that idea! The Kris would be easily recognized.
 
Wow....bingo....ndog saves the day.....sheet aluminum is still legal in California, right?.....i know any ACTIVITY is legal there, but most physical stuff seems banned....might be a weapon hidden in there, somewhere....
 
If you want to go pre-made, Keen Edge Knives does aluminum training kukris. They actually look like kukri, unlike most training kuks out there, and the handles are covered in paracord, so not so big around. You could probably cut down the handles if you needed and then rewrap them.
 
Thanks everybody for your help, it's greatly appreciated.

mtngunr said:
Junk yard...AC repair place....aircraft maint facility (tougher).....scrap or junk dealer best as buying by the pound...in US units a piece of .100" or 0.125" should be perfect....take a hacksaw with sharp coarse blade and a stick of wax lube (gummy at cutting) that way you can lop off a chunk from larger scrap, all manner of scrap sheet stock gets scrapped regular at metal recycling centers....
Click to expand...

I would probably use my angle grinder with a cut off disc.
What do you do with the lube? Does it make the cutting easier or prolong the life of the saw?
 
davidf99 said:
Is this just for display or will your daughter use the blade to train or do forms with her martial arts peers?

I have two blades that come to mind that would be very cool to display, but probably wouldn't be appropriate for whatever katas your daughter might be into. Mine are real steel and sharp, but they are relatively lightweight and would be even lighter if you can copy the design in aluminum.

Both are Filipino weapons. The Kris is one of many that were sold to GIs around Clark Airforce Base in the Phillippines, in 1969 and 1970. The Kambantuli is from Traditional Filipino Weapons. They're not cheap, but if you have the skills and the right tools and can copy them in aluminum, they would be a great gift for your daughter.

The Kris is 22" long and weighs 22oz. The Kambantuli is 19" long and weighs 19 oz.

View attachment 577865 View attachment 577866
Click to expand...
Thank you davidf99
These blades look great.
I would like her to train only forms with it at that point so there wouldn't be any contact with wood or other weapons. Kind of like martial ballet (don't tell her I said that)

For strength training I would give her one of my HI Kukris, once her hands grow a bit bigger. Im also planning on having a log or two vertically standing in the backyard in some time but don't know what the neighbors would think about the noice though I doubt we'll be chopping for hours everyday.
 
ndoghouse said:
When you decide what you want size wise let me know. I have lots of aluminum sheet scrap from one inch thick down. I can cut it to size but youll have to do the rest. Philippino weapons are cool! I like that idea! The Kris would be easily recognized.
Click to expand...
How cool is that? Thank you!
I got all the tools and so far I am doing pretty good on O1 steel though I'm not sharing pictures of my 1st knife project until it's completely done.
Aluminum into a Kukri should be a piece of cake compared to steel.
Since it seems there are ready made trainers for < $50 that will be less costly than many many hours spent in the garage though much less personal of course.
1 inch thick aluminum sounds like perfect guard material easy to work and thus better for complicated/smaller shapes. It would be cool if I could message you a width and length.
 
Scara said:
If you want to go pre-made, Keen Edge Knives does aluminum training kukris. They actually look like kukri, unlike most training kuks out there, and the handles are covered in paracord, so not so big around. You could probably cut down the handles if you needed and then rewrap them.
Click to expand...
Thank you for pointing me to Keen Edge.
You are right they look very much like real Kukris. That would save me a lot of work. I probably would change the handle and engrave the two lines towards the spine which is found in many Kukris and some call it sword of Shiva.
I just messaged them to get an idea of thickness and weight.

Thanks again everybody.
 
Bawanna said:
Blame it on wood peckers.
Click to expand...

mtngunr said:
Wow....bingo....ndog saves the day.....sheet aluminum is still legal in California, right?.....i know any ACTIVITY is legal there, but most physical stuff seems banned....might be a weapon hidden in there, somewhere....
Click to expand...
Wood peckers are probably illegal too.
Can't even have a simple hedgehog as a pet in California.
Once I had ordered a papaya plant from a different state but from within the country. Got me a bit in trouble with the Ca authorities. The seller was surprised too.
At least they allow us to kill rattle snakes though I can't even shoot an air rifle or bow within my own house if it's within city limits and the property smaller than 10 acres.
Time to move to the mountains?
 
Mountains out of California would be good.

I was suggesting you tell the neighbors the chopping noise is wood peckers, not chopping wood peckers which might be ok, I suspect they taste a lot like chicken if properly prepared.

I wanted to get a Hedgehog a few years back, fella on another forum had one and it sounded like a great little pet. There's actually breeders that sell those things and they ain't cheap. Still might get one, nice to pack your little pal in your shirt pocket.
 
Jens Schuetz said:
Thank you for pointing me to Keen Edge.
You are right they look very much like real Kukris. That would save me a lot of work. I probably would change the handle and engrave the two lines towards the spine which is found in many Kukris and some call it sword of Shiva.
I just messaged them to get an idea of thickness and weight.

Thanks again everybody.
Click to expand...

No problem. I have one of their karambits, and it's solid and well made. Weirdly light, since it's aluminum instead of steel and looks like it should be significantly heavier. Be aware, they don't have stock on hand so it takes a little while to ship.
 
Jens Schuetz said:
... It would be cool if I could message you a width and length.
Click to expand...

Oops. sorry my gold expired. I renewed my Gold badgie today so let me know. I have a bunch of 1"x3", 3"x3", 6" round. Whatever you want. I have a good bandsaw and cutoff tools, grinders, sanding whatever, just pm me what you need and Ill send it to ya. Thats the least I can do for out next Great American Hero:thumbup: Tell her uncle ndog sent it;)

Hedgehogs sound cool! How bout a porcupine for your front pocket Bawanna! They keep you on your toes and alert on them days when you gotta work the next day after checkering till two in the morning.
 
Naw them porcupines are serious business and can be like a wife, turn on ya without notice.

I'm told them Hedgehogs look like a porcupine but they don't stick ya or throw them little arrows at cha. Cute and cuddly I guess.
Course I'd probably meet an old friend and chest bump (cops do that a lot) and squish the little bugger in me shirt pocket and I'd have some splainin to do to the wife who probably would turn on me right about then.

Maybe the porcupine is an option afterall?
 
I'm partial to the barongs, maybe the TFW Moro barong. I have the Visayan and its def. a short sword.

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Awww! Thats beautiful! Dont they feel so good hanging off your little finger:thumbup: Love those blades. Theres an idea cul:p
 
Aluminum zinc alloy blades like those found in Japanese iaito or monitor swords could be a potential medium to work with too...
 
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