I made a KLO

RockFarm

RockFarm

Joined
Mar 27, 2008
Messages
193
So about a year ago I cranked up the forge, grabbed some truck leaf spring and started pounding steel. The idea was to try make a tough, usable khukuri like object and see just how hard they are to forge. It took me over a week to finish this knife, two days of that were spent just hammering the blade and tang! The only power tool used was a 1/4hp grinder that I used to make the two fullers as I don't have that attachment for my anvil. After forging, filing, sanding and differential tempering the blade it was on to the handle. Since this knife was made just for me I experimented on the scales. Thick vegtan leather was epoxied against the steel and the outside Oak is from my families old barn. The wood was hand hewn and predated the civil war, the barn itself burned 15 years ago but I was able to dig up one of the timbers. 1/4" Stainless steel tubing was used for the pins and shark skin laced over the grip. Finally three epoxy soaked flat 550 cord in a Turk's head knots helps keep my hand secure. The sheath is vegtan with copper rivets and brass D-rings on every corner. The wet molding keeps the 31oz beast in place, overall it is 18" in length.
This blade has been fantastic to use! The convex edge holds great and the handle is super comfy. The balance seems right, not too far forward but still a beast of a chopper.
The main thing that I have taken from this experience is this: HI knives are an incredible steal for the amount of labor that it takes to make them!!! Seriously, if you added up my hours on this project the price would seem ridiculous. I have even more respect now for the amazing talent of the Kamis, those guys are worth every cent they get.
Anyway enough typing, here are some pics :)
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I don't do metal but it would take me a week just to duplicate their wood handle. I honestly don't know how they do it.

Tried a couple times and never did get very close.

Well done.
 
Bawanna said:
I don't do metal but it would take me a week just to duplicate their wood handle. I honestly don't know how they do it.

Tried a couple times and never did get very close.

Well done.
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Seriously! At first I was going to try the traditional Chiruwa scales but quickly decided that it was way out of my league. How the kamis eyeball the correct size boggles my mind.



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This is a "real" khukuri, not a KLO. You definitely went the extra mile to capture the spirit of a khukuri. It's a unique blade. I agree that the HI kamis are amazingly talented. Considering that you haven't had the benefit of sitting at the feet of a master kami in Nepal since the age of ten, you did a great job.
 
Brother you done good:thumbup: That looks two hundred years old right now! Love the little accents like the Turks head knot placement. Sheath is awesome and that Blade! Wow! I think Aunti is looking for good Kamis to go to Nepal;) How did you temper it? Traditional? ...and I agree with the others. That AINT no KLO!
 
ndoghouse said:
Brother you done good[emoji106] That looks two hundred years old right now! Love the little accents like the Turks head knot placement. Sheath is awesome and that Blade! Wow! I think Aunti is looking for good Kamis to go to Nepal;) How did you temper it? Traditional?
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Thank you! I use a mix of paraffin, lard and oil. When the blade was nonmagnetic I sunk it down about halfway up from the edge then let the spine just air cool to black. Next was reheating the tang back up to make sure it was not hardened, just the edge. Then tempered the entire blade in an oven at 425° for three hours.

I would love to see a video of their tea kettle method!

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RockFarm said:
Thank you! I use a mix of paraffin, lard and oil. When the blade was nonmagnetic I sunk it down about halfway up from the edge then let the spine just air cool to black. Next was reheating the tang back up to make sure it was not hardened, just the edge. Then tempered the entire blade in an oven at 425° for three hours.

I would love to see a video of their tea kettle method!

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Thanks RF. OH I get it. Ive done a few smaller blades that way but nothing as massive as a Khukri.
 
philllll said:
Towards the end:

[video=youtube;xRGsLCqLho4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRGsLCqLho4[/video]
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Wow, I always wondered what that would look like! Can you imagine how hard it would be to "read" the colors just right? Thanks for this philllll :)

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OUTSTANDING - Oh did someone already say that? :D All kidding aside that is a superb piece. I really - really LOVE the handle. Blade & sheath follow the beautiful rugged form to a T. Very impressive :thumbup:

I would really enjoy putting that one to work and then letting it rest on its very own wall, maybe with a spot light - yup - like the work of art it is.

No hyperbole intended. This is so cool :cool:


Ray
 
Blue Lander is a long time member that has been kind of quiet for a long time. I've sent PM's but he must not see them or maybe he wants to start dating other people?

I noticed he was viewing this thread earlier so I thought I'd slip in a Hi and see if he saw it. Apparently not or see above.

I thought he liked me????
 
Bawanna said:
Blue Lander is a long time member that has been kind of quiet for a long time. I've sent PM's but he must not see them or maybe he wants to start dating other people?

I noticed he was viewing this thread earlier so I thought I'd slip in a Hi and see if he saw it. Apparently not or see above.

I thought he liked me????
Click to expand...
I'm pretty sure everybody likes you Bawanna ;)

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