How do the ghurkas sharpen in the field?

Daniel L

Daniel L

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Joined
Nov 2, 1998
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After constant use in the field and even using the chakma to maintain the edge - I'd imagine that the edge needs to be sharpened occasionally.

Since the edges are convex, what techniques do the ghurkas use in the field?

I've been using a fine ceramic rod and chakma, but I wondered if they used something else...

Cheers,

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Daniel
 
In the Indian Army where Pala served there was/is usually a resident kami who will put a new edge on a blade when need be. In the field a chamka and whatever stone can be had is used.

How they do it in the British Army these days I'm not sure. There are not many Gorkhas left in service here as in the Indian Army.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
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:
Daniel I don't know how the Ghorkas resharpen in the field, but Jeff Randall talks about the indigneous people in S.America using stones the carry from place to lace as there are few to no stones found along the rivers there in most places.
Ed Fowler also mentions in his book about using a river rock to resharpen th convex edge on one of his knive's in the field.
Here in Oklahoma USA sandstone is plentiful in most places and there are a variety of grits and hardnesses to the sandstone. I used a piece of one one day to hone an edge on an old cheap stainless steel knife that belonged to a friend of mine's son.
What you get from using native stones may not be pretty, but like the village khukuri's they will work.
smile.gif


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