How to fix Flat Spot on edge of Chiruwan AK blem

alfred tan

alfred tan

Joined
Oct 26, 2003
Messages
53
Took a close look at the Bura CAK blem the i bought a couple of weeks ago. The edge has a flat spot on it, about inch and a half and is duller then a spoon right at the sweet spot. :(

No biggie, it was a $70 blem after all :)

So how do i fix it? File? Belt sander? Stone? eBay?


alf
 
Wait a while and help will come. I work on my own khuks and eventually get 'em to my satisfaction, but others like Yvsa and Pen and... explain it better.
 
If it's just a small spot, you could sharpen it with a small sharpening stone. Hold the khuk stationary and move the small stone to sharpen; this is easier than trying to put the stone on a flat surface and move the khukuri. Be careful not to cut your fingers of course. Round ceramic rods also work pretty well. If your khukuri has a convex edge and you want to maintain/enhance it, you can sharpen you khuk by stropping it on wet/dry sandpaper on top of a mouse pad. You can also use a rubber hand sanding block for this. Do a search for convex sharpening on the HI forum and you'll find tons of info.
--Josh
 
The thing about these things is that you're eventually forced to learn how to sharpen stuff. I can sort of do it now. I'll get there someday.

I used to think of knives as buy one, use it till it's dull and get a new one. :) It's a good skill to have and most pick it up faster than me. :(
 
Bruise, we have something in common...look at my location. :(
 
I'm "way way" on the dull side of sharp. Although I look like a real knife guy since I got a new Spyderco plain edge for Xmas and haven't stopped shaving my arm since :D :rolleyes:
 
I had the exact same thing on the tip of my Bura chiruwa (made when he was sick). I just sharpened mine on a stone and stropped it on the belt (bit of elbow grease) - that was my favourite khuk .


sniff, sniff

B
 
Originally posted by Nasty
Bruise, we have something in common...look at my location. :(
Click to expand...

You can deflect some of the shame by extolling the virtues of a working edge instead of a razor edge. :)

Use the search function and find all the people who have tried and failed to teach me. :D
 
Give it a good whole edge sharpening &
you probably won't notice it anymore.
 
since it is 1-2mm in thickness, I'd say use a good metal file to reprofile (much faster than stones), and touch up with ceramic or stones. Personal preference, I guess.

I would not advise the use of dremel or grinder, unless it is just a user.
 
My WWII came with a large 2cm+ flat spot as well. It was so dull the edge was atleast 2mm thick! What I did was take a new bastard file to bring the edge near sharp, pollish off with an axe file, than stone it. Worked out just fine!
 
Yeah...that's it...I like a good sturdy working edge, not a flimsy razor edge. Don't think it's a good idea? Ask Bruise...he'll back me!

:D
 
What kind of tools do you have available?
 
All good suggestions. Another thing that works very well is a diamond card, like Ragnar (W3.RagweedForge.theusual) sells. $14 for something that will last forever. Two grits (medium and fine) that will remove steel REALLY quickly, so be careful if you use it. Follow it up with a ceramic rod, and you can have a razor edge, if you want it.
 
Thanks for all the great advise. Took care of it with a diamond hand stone. Got to go buy some sharpening gear at the next gun show.

Do those criss crossed rods work well or should i just stay with traditional stones?

alf
 
I can't use the crossed rod sharpeners,
kitchen knife edge never comes out right for me.

I do like to use a ceramic rod
as a very fine hone, freehand.
 
Originally posted by alfred tan
Do those criss crossed rods work well?

alf
Click to expand...

I have an "Arkansas" cross rod set that works very well for putting a final edge on most anything.
I've found the trick is to use a very light touch for the final strokes and then strop the blade.
 
What kind of tools do you have available?
Click to expand...

Pendentive,

I'm afraid that I don't have much...a small Arkansas and an old Buck "Edgemaster" (sort of like a ceramic rod), a palm sander and a hand belt sander if it would help. :o

If I knew for sure what I needed, I could get it (does Harbor Freight carry a nice slack belt sander?).

I think blade sharpening is like a golf swing...it's harder to unlearn bad habits than to learn the technique properly, and I need to sign up for a few lessons from a pro!
 
I'm afraid that I don't have much...a small Arkansas and an old Buck "Edgemaster" (sort of like a ceramic rod), a palm sander and a hand belt sander if it would help.
Click to expand...

If you could clamp down the belt sander (upside-down) to a table or chair, that would work fine. Just use a grit around 180-220 and start off pushing softly until you get an idea of how much metal it's taking off. Another tip would be to try it on a scrap of wood to see just how close you really need to hold it to get the edge right.

If I knew for sure what I needed, I could get it (does Harbor Freight carry a nice slack belt sander?).
Click to expand...

Yes. HF has a belt sander for $30. It is a 1x30 and will do the job just fine. If you want something with a little better quality, try a Delta or a Craftsman, in the 1x42 or 2x42 sizes.

I think blade sharpening is like a golf swing...it's harder to unlearn bad habits than to learn the technique properly, and I need to sign up for a few lessons from a pro!
Click to expand...

Sharpening on a belt sander is painfully easy! No "un-learning" needed!
 
Found other thread leading to previous postings
 
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