I have been thinking of a way to Make my Khukuri more...

A

Azsoldier

Joined
Apr 10, 2006
Messages
193
tactical! I plan on taking them to Iraq when I go. The last thing I want is a damn signal mirror if I have to draw the damn thing.

After several threads in various forums and here in the maker's forum on BF I broke down and bought some Perma-Blue, by Brookwood Casey or something from wally world tonight.

I started with my old ww2 kabar, something I knew I would love even if I messed it up bluing it.

I followed the directions and scrubbed it with detergent and abrasive sponge.

Then I degreased it with brake kleen.

Then I used a small tootsie roll size piece of rolled cotton batting from my first aid kit clipped in a gator clip.

I dipped it in the bottle of perma blue. I wiped it on my blade.

WOW! It was like a black marker! Instant Bluing! I did what the bottle said and after a min rinsed it and scrubbed it with steel wool. I think the steel wool imparts something to the reaction, it got much darker.

I repeated this about three times with the Kabar. Turned out very nice Blue Black.

Now the Khukuris were a different matter. They were more difficult.
The AK is not as dark as the Kabar after the same treatment and the Service One is kinda greenish. :|

While being a lil blotchy and weird in the colors, it accomplished the goal of darkening the blades. I even did my lil biltong kukri which turned out great.

They all passed the night test. The 2 big ones just look like dog poo in day light. I think I will scrub them extra clean tomorrow and blue some more.

Price: 3.89
 
put the bluing on your fittings too. :thumbup:
 
Frogs made of heavy canvas webbing are much tougher than leather under high strain & excessivly moist or dry conditions.

Spiral
 
Blueing doesn't seem to hold up well on a blade that sees frequent use, as it abrades off fairly easy. A low tech solution may be to "satin" finish your blade with a scotch-brite pad, or 400 grit sandpaper, then "gray" it with lemon/lime juice, et cetera. The gray patina that develops from contact with the acids in fruits, vegetables, and meats, can be handily touched up in the field with stuff glommed from the mess tent.
As far as scabbards go, I wouldn't bother replacing the original unless it's too tight or too loose. Lo-tech method me and my guys settled on for making a standard khuk scabbard "tactical" is as follows; Give the whole thing a good coat of Kiwi boot polish, let it dry, and don't buff it. Now wrap the thing from throat to chape with 100 mile an hour tape, tan if you can get it, so it'll blend with the rest of your gear. You can even tape wrap the handle to cover the shiny bits and protect it from dings and scratches. Looks like hell, but works fine. You can even experiment with cord wrapping prior to taping, to build up the grip if you like. The tape wrap will get a bit drab and scruffy looking with heavy use, that's fine, that's what you want. When you get home, that coating of Kiwi will help the tape come off without leaving gummy deposits, so you can just buff the scabbard back up to a shine and press on. :D

Sarge
 
I already made a kydex sheath for each one. See previous threads, ;)

The bluing is in a lil bitty bottle. Portable. Once I hit the Box, they won't be used much, 'cept for protection. Damn Camel Spiders.

I tried the vinegar fruit juice thing. I didn't like it.
 
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