interesting -old- khukuri

Gonzo_Beyondo

Gonzo_Beyondo

Joined
Jun 9, 2003
Messages
476
i'm not sure exactly how old, at least 30 years...

As-Forged?

I wiped the crud off, but did'nt "clean" it. This patina rocks!

No orange rust, whatever kind of grease was on here, the stuff works... but smells bad. I re-lubed lightly with slick-50 :D

it no longer smells like ass.

old2.JPG


old8.JPG


old5.JPG


Click here for handle and sheath close-up

Click here for another

Interested to hear what you guys think.
 
Maybe a real village model,

doesn't look like mil issue.

Nice karda chakma, amazing still an intact set.

Good addition.

Nice sheath.

I have this chrome plated khuk with a lion-head pommel......
 
I have seen some attractive lion head khuks, in fact, i posted pics of one on here not too long ago. Was'nt mine, but a friend's looking for info. It was definitely decent looking, but i can't overlook the chrome-plated "wonder-metal" blade.
 
Definitly, "as forged!!!!":D
And I suppose you -could- call it a patina, but if it is a dark carbon sort of appeareance it is the finish from right out of the forge. Sometimes there will be mottled reds and blues and other colors mingled in the black and dark charcoal grey as forged finish.
A little cold blue really helps to enhance the finish on a modern khukuri such as the two I bought from HI, but if it's an old one I don't think I would mess with it.
I have the same finish pretty much all over my Filipino Sundang. The nice thing about it is that the finish resists rust like you wouldn't believe.
 
It's definitely carbon-like. Seems to be fairly thick, but seems obvious from looking that it isn't "caked on crud" either.

I suppose the grease on here was possibly animal fat. Whatever it was, did a nice job preserving it, but i am glad it's now gone, as it did indeed stink. I gently wiped that stuff off, using mostly warm water with just a bit of citrus. Immediately after, i remoistened the blade with PTFE oil thinking i wanted to nip any rust in the bud.

If i had examined it clean and dry, i'd probably be able to tell more about any mottleing, but alas hindsight being what it is, the blade is now oiled and just seems mostly black with a little brownish color in flat, smooth areas.

The Chakmak and Karda also show no signs of rust, but have this black carbon on them as well. The sheath is delightfull, the stitching still seems fully intact with no rips or problems so far as i can tell.

As far as any other treatments, since it is old, i'm very hesitant. I'd like to know how it chops as well, but again another caveat-

The handle has no tang peened over a pommel, it's just nicely shaped and rounded off wood. While the handle seems very secure, it also seems very old and a few impacts may break it loose. I would cry i think. The handle is in good shape with no cracks, but the laha may be too brittle.

I don't think this khukuri has found it's true owner yet. Until i locate him, i will only do my best to preserve the condition in which it arrived to me.

Thanks to all for looking and for the comments. I'm happy to be so fortunate to be able to share this with you.
 
Originally posted by Gonzo_Beyondo
I suppose the grease on here was possibly animal fat. Whatever it was, did a nice job preserving it, but i am glad it's now gone, as it did indeed stink.
Click to expand...

Gonzo was there any grease in the scabbard and if so how did you remove it?
Someone else here had a stinky scabbard not long ago, but I can't recall who it was. The memory is better, but far from perfect. Old age and health takes things away.:rolleyes: ;)
 
Well, i'm sure some remains in the scabbard. For i am not so daring as to try cleaning in there.

This is interesting too...

I went and pulled the blade, before my last comment.
No habaki, and yet this sheath is very snug!
Anyhow, as my face was so close while examining under the ceiling light, i could smell "that scent" but it was'nt strong. I suspect i got rid of the majority of it. What remains is certainly acceptable.

I really don't know how i'd get smell out of a sheath. Perhaps using a Lysol can, fitted with a nozzle, allowing a tube, similar to the WD-40 applicator? This would kill anything 'making' a stink.

Someone mentioned baking soda too, i wonder, if you placed the scabbard into a Rubbermaid type storage box, with a box of baking soda and closed the lid on it for a few weeks. It might pull the smell right out? It can keep a whole refridgerator fresh, after all.
 
Gonzo, I picked up the 1st cousin to your new baby on EBay in October. As forged; same blade shape; blind tang in wood handle; "fish" chakma (4" long); same steel bolster; flap over pouch for tinder. Mine is 18" OA w/ blade just over 13". 5/8" thick at spine. 2.12" wide at sweet spot. A little more fancy work around parallel fullers in first half of blade. Karda is whopping 7.25" OA -- something you can really use. Even some charred cloth in the tinder pouch. Some geometric tooling on sheath. No chape (or dap). There is just something special about old blades.

TAL
 
Mr. Linton,

I have taken the liberty of emailing you. I hope you don't mind.

Thank you for posting about your excellent find as well!
I am hoping to learn more about these.
 
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