Honing

[Jens Schuetz]

Just thought I touch up my Kukris a bit but don't know how.

On normal knifes I usually use something like the Lansky system with a stone on a rod in an angle guide. Given the curves, length and width of Kukris I doubt that something like that would work.

I'm bad at free hand sharpening so something like a honing puck is out of question.

Is something like the edge pro apex useful?
What are you guys suggesting?

What angles are best for kukri steel and geometry? 45 degrees on the sweet spot, 30 on the rest?
Is a convex edge better than V shape? How to achieve one? Would maybe a flat edge with a steeper micro edge be sufficiently stable and sharp?

Thank you.

 

[jdk1]

For touch up I've used my Sharpmaker with good success. The sandpaper on mousepad/telephone book/etc. also works well. I've only used my Lansky for re-profiling khuks. It's hard to get the blade to clamp right. For a true "touch up", you may try just steeling it a little. Any hard metal rod will work (or, of course, a hardened chakma) and this can work much better than you'd think. Good luck.

 

[Steve Tall]

Here's a link to the Links Library, where you can scroll down to find links to this information on sharpening:

You can learn to properly sharpen your quality Himalayan Imports product the traditional way or by modern methods by visiting the FAQ section at the Himalayan Imports retail Site, or by reviewing this vast index of past H.I. threads compiled by forum member ddean and some threads by other forum members:
Tips Tricks and Useful Finds
Sharpening a Khukuri
Simple way to put a convex edge on a CAK?
How To - Sharpening Questions... again....
(WiP) A kukri's "working edges"

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/719860-New-Members-Please-take-time-to-Read-the-Himalayan-Imports-Link-Library

 

[Jens Schuetz]

Thanks for your pointers, JDK1
I don't trust free hand things. Least of all mine. Keeping the same angle, the same pressure and the same number of strokes on both sides seems impossible. With the lansky system my edge was flatter the more it was away from the clamping point. Maybe separating the blade into segments and reclamping it every inch would have given me a more consistent angle? How did you do it when reshaping the Kukri?
Even without a magnifying glass I can see that even a factory edge of a $250 spydy knife doesn't have a consistent angle accross its legth and is different at both sides. Means for me a manual approach is not perfect and a machine where the company employee only spends 2 minutes per blade also leaves things to be desired.
Then there is only me with some decent equipment and investing lots of time to achieve perfection (I hope). Still need the equipment and some experience.
Steeling I think I will be able to do

Thanks Steve Tall
I hope I'll find all the answers there.
For example does a heavier Kukri need a bigger angled edge since it hits the target with much more force? Or am I over thinking things?

 

[jdk1]

Jens, You sound like me When re-profiling I would indeed change clamping locations, as well as try to pad the clamp with bits of leather or some other shims. You will always get movement or "slop" because the blade quickly narrows to the edge and the clamp doesn't seemed designed for that. But, it works well enough if you work at it.

My advice? Relax You are more capable than you think. Pick a khuk and say "this is my test subject/toy/project/whatever. Do whatever you want to that khuk, whether it's just sharpening or re-working the handle to try something you've always wondered about. This will bring you closer to your khuks and give you the confidence to customize and perform upkeep on your blades. You'll find you can do all sorts of things you never imagined , and do them well.

As for sharpening, you'd be amazed how an edge with obviously sloppy/non-perfect edges can cut very well. On free hand sharpening, the angles seem to blend together, making it somewhat convex. Perfect edges are made by people for the sake of making perfect edges. It doesn't matter if one side is 15 degrees and the other is 21 (or whatever number you choose). Maybe the perfect, symetrical edge cuts better, but you'd never be able to tell in use IMO. As you work at it, you'll quickly get better at whatever "system" you use. Look up khukuri sharpening on Youtube and see what people do. Pick something and give it a try. If need be, pick up a blem khuk as your test subject. If you totally ruin the edge, clamp your Lansky on and give it a new one. It's not nearly has hard as you think. Just jump in, the water's not that cold

 

[Karda]

For example does a heavier Kukri need a bigger angled edge since it hits the target with much more force? Or am I over thinking things?

Yes, a heavier khukuri will need a thicker more obtuse angle to hold up for chopping. It needs "meat" behind the edge to support it against the forces of chopping. Chopping forces can be quite detrimental to blade edges, that is why we make our models designed for chopping heavier than normal "traditional"rolleyes khukuri and have more obtuse grinds than lighter khukuri. Lighter khukuri are not meant for chopping/bushcraft duty, they are meant for cutting softer targets like flesh which is far more forgiving.