It's BEAUTIFUL! but DULL as a BUTTER KNIFE!

T

The_Shadow

Joined
Apr 18, 2006
Messages
657
Hello to all,
I'm a new HI owner, I ordered and now own a Chittlangi (sp?) that is a really beautiful piece. The gold inlay on the blade is really cool, the sheath is very well made, the karda and chakma fit well in the sheath and are well made. The horn handle is carved with skill.
I do have one problem, though.... it is the dullest piece of steel I have ever seen, and it seems to resist all attempts at sharpening.
Has anybody been able to put a good edge on these Kukuris, or are they pretty much collector's pieces to hang on the wall? It is pretty enough to hang on the wall, but I would rather hang it up sharp, if you know what I mean.
Now, I'm not unhappy, it is a great looking knife. But I thought these were supposed to be functional?
 
Welcome, Shadow,

You might try the FAQ thread and the Tips and Tricks sticky. More often than not, the high finish of these blades results in a dull edge. Stones, sandpaper/mouse pads, belt sanders, and butcher's steels all seem to work rather well.
Part of making a khuk "yours" is putting the edge on it:)

Jake
 
Yup...sharpening is a routine part of it all.

I use a Delta 1' grinder and strops.
 
Hello,

Send it back to Himalayan Imports for replacement or refund.
Himalayan Imports
3495 Lakeside Drive PMB 69
Reno, NV 89509
 
Yangdu ... I'm not usually one to argue with the Godmother but ...

... to me it's not a manufacturing defect if the knife arrives needing an appointment with the stone. If it's resisting a sharpening, then the hardened sweet spot may be bigger than many ... all to the good.

Mr. Shadow --- I'd persevere, after reading the various threads on sharpening tecnique for khuks. You'll be glad you did, if my experience is anything to go by.

t.
 
Don't send it Back!!!!!

If it resists ordinary attempts to sharpen it means it is hard on the Rockwell scale. This is a very very good thing. I suspect half the problem is the grind of the edge.

You probably have a a great blade.

munk
 
Who made it? I find Kumar and Amtrak's to be the dullest Sher and Bura's to be the sharpest.

I once worked over 2 weeks for an hour or so each evening to finally put an edge(by hand) on a Kumar
 
Yangdu said:
Hello,

Send it back to Himalayan Imports for replacement or refund.
Himalayan Imports
3495 Lakeside Drive PMB 69
Reno, NV 89509
Click to expand...

So tell me? How can you beat that! Great customer service!
 
Thanks for the replies! And an offer to take it back, if necessary!
I could not ask for more.
I will check out the tips and tricks thread before I put it in a box.
Thank you all!
 
If you want to keep it, but can't get it sharp, you can send it to me. I'll put a grand edge on it and send it back to you at no charge. I've done this for several folks and so far everyone has been pleased. It will have a convex edge that is very strong, but will be sharp enough to cut paper. My email is sferguson2@triad.rr.com

Steve
 
That's very nice of you, Steve, thank you.



God, this place has swell folks in it.


munk
 
Yes, don't send it back just because it needs a sharpening. You're going to need to sharpen any blade eventually anyways, so being dull is about as minor as buying a new coat with it's zipper down.
 
ferguson said:
If you want to keep it, but can't get it sharp, you can send it to me. I'll put a grand edge on it and send it back to you at no charge. I've done this for several folks and so far everyone has been pleased. It will have a convex edge that is very strong, but will be sharp enough to cut paper. My email is sferguson2@triad.rr.com

Steve
Click to expand...


I will back that up...Steve put an edge on my 15" AK that scares me!!!!now for my Sarge and Kerambit...:D
 
ferguson said:
If you want to keep it, but can't get it sharp, you can send it to me. I'll put a grand edge on it and send it back to you at no charge. I've done this for several folks and so far everyone has been pleased. It will have a convex edge that is very strong, but will be sharp enough to cut paper. My email is sferguson2@triad.rr.com
Steve
Click to expand...

when i got my big GRS (see the hemlock thread), it was dull as butter. it also had some cleanup to do, and i did, and i figured this was a good one to learn sharpening on. it took *a while*... longer than i thought, but was worth it. i almost was going to be and shop around for a sharpening person to help me out.

however, some 200, 400, and 600 grit auto finish sandpaper, and the mouse mat sharpening system, really easy when you get down to it, did the trick. the mouse mat/dense foam is attached to a wood block with glue. the sandpaper is attach to the foam with rubber bands holding the end, or photo-tack or clips if you're going to town. the mouse mat deflects when run over the end of the knife, producing a convex edge. you might have to really work it a bit, and even MAYBE use a diamond stone to make a starter edge/angle.

this reminds me, if one has about $99, what's a good small belt grinder to get? i'm sure i don't need 72" belt, vari-speed, and stuffs. good and basic. the $40 (sometimes $20, sometimes $10) one from harbor freight scares me i think (doesn't come with motor?) - i'd like a complete, plus pointers to good belts. this would be for my later sharpening and making career. i figure with some more tools, i can crank out handles too. am consider a dremel too base/kit that i've heard of that can do basic drill-press/milling. mmm.

bladite
 
Bladite said:
this reminds me, if one has about $99, what's a good small belt grinder to get? i'm sure i don't need 72" belt, vari-speed, and stuffs. good and basic. the $40 (sometimes $20, sometimes $10) one from harbor freight scares me i think (doesn't come with motor?) - i'd like a complete, plus pointers to good belts. this would be for my later sharpening and making career. i figure with some more tools, i can crank out handles too. am consider a dremel too base/kit that i've heard of that can do basic drill-press/milling. mmm.

bladite
Click to expand...

Munk led you correctly. Get a 1" x 42" as a minimum. Belts are available all over the internet, and Dan is the guy to ask about that. I get mine from woodworker supply by the 10 pk pretty cheaply. Most knifemakers use much better belts though. I just haven't invested in them yet. As far as relying on a dremmel for your drill press... get a drill press. I use my Dremmel for small tasks pretty often, and also use one a good bit at work. But to think that all the attachments for it are going to save you having to buy some shop tools is a mistake IMHO. YMMV.;)
 
ferguson said:
If you want to keep it, but can't get it sharp, you can send it to me. I'll put a grand edge on it and send it back to you at no charge. I've done this for several folks and so far everyone has been pleased. It will have a convex edge that is very strong, but will be sharp enough to cut paper. My email is sferguson2@triad.rr.com

Steve
Click to expand...

Steve

It is attitude of people like you and of course like Yangdu's that made me want to stay with this forum and obtain as many khukris as I can. What else can I say?

MUNK said:
Don't send it Back!!!!!

If it resists ordinary attempts to sharpen it means it is hard on the Rockwell scale. This is a very very good thing. I suspect half the problem is the grind of the edge.

You probably have a a great blade.

munk
Click to expand...

I totally agree with this comment. I have put eldow grease in the past on khukris that were not as sharp as I wanted them to be right out of the box only to see that they have become excellent cutting tools:thumbup: :thumbup: !

So, stick with it, take advantage of Steve's generous offer and try to learn as much as you can about sharpening a khuk. It is a little challenging but, also a very rewarding thing to do!

My 2 cents:) .

George
 
that's what I'm going to do. The knife goes to Steve, and then it is up to me to keep it sharp.
Sending it back was never on my mind, but Yangdu, thank you for the quick offer!
I have been on forums before, but this one is a class act. I look forward to seeing what this kukuri can actually do.
 
I look forward to seeing what this kukuri can actually do>>>> Shadow


It'll cut things....


You think? Yes indeedy. And once you've worked with it, and learn how to keep it sharp, you will know the tool better and it will work for you all the better.


munk
 
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