How YOU like to sharpen your kukri

Y

yavol

Joined
Apr 11, 2007
Messages
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How do you like to sharpen _your_ kukri?

What kind of edge and bevel do you like to keep on it? (one single massive bevel, secondary microbevel or convex edge?)

I took the easy route and just touched the edge up w/ a delicate secondary bevel from some sheets of sand paper (120, 220, 300) rolled around a section of an old curtain rod. Works great and its so easy to make.

I found that a rougher, toothier edge works really well in chopping/felling dead trees because the teeth bite and saw into the wood so easily. I had fun seeing what size branches I could "1-shot" w/ my BAS. I'm up to branches 2 inch diameter of hard, dead wood! :eek:
 
For my final honing, I confess, I use a Spyderco Sharpmaker. Prior to that, if it's a new khuk, or hasn't been sharpened in a LONG time, I'll do some freehand grinding with a belt sander and grinding belts to setablish a rough bevel or just freshen up the edge.

I'd like to try the mouse pad and sandpaper method, but haven't as of yet found a suitable mousepad or foam. That's on my list of things to do.... eventually!
 
I use the sandpaper and mouse pad method and it seems to do a great job. Depending on how sharp it is I will start with either 180 grit or 220 and work my way up to normally around 800. If it's a smaller kukri or one of HI other knives I may work up to 2000 grit for those fine slicers. Always putting a convex edge on it.
 
I use 4X36 and 4X24 belts cut and glued to a 3/4 inch board or a 1/4 pane of glass for flatness. Normally for truing up my planes but it works well for blades as well,
Sharp.JPG
 
from the nail care section at CVS (formerly Sav-On). Color coded by grit. Some are two grits on one board. A $1 and change each. They don't last real long so major reprofiling would be better done with something else. But for touch up they're pretty good.

Frank
 
Mousepad and various grades of sandpaper, then polish the edge with two of my homemade strops.

Bob
 
Convex - on the belt grinder. But only because I can.

If I find myself out in the woods needing more than just a touch-up...any ole hone/stone/file/steel works for me.

Would love to get a DMT folding sharpener (two-sided). Kinda hard to find...not cheap...but would be the perfect field-sharpener for a kukri (imho).
 
Daniel Koster said:
Would love to get a DMT folding sharpener (two-sided). Kinda hard to find...not cheap...but would be the perfect field-sharpener for a kukri (imho).
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That's exactly what I use in the field. At home I use a larger handheld diamond sharpener. I find it easy to put a convex grind on freehand. Just run the sharpener perpendicular to the edge, and use a curving motion, rather than try to maintain a constant angle. I find it much easier than grinding a straight bevel. I have a hell of a time with smaller knives where a straight bevel is more desireable for the work I do with them.
 
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