It's The Steel

M

munk

Joined
Mar 22, 2002
Messages
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I'm not a knife guy. At least, I wasn't when I came here. Maybe that's how it was with most of you; you were normal until you found knives. I was trying to figure this out. What was it about horn and wood and steel together that I had to have? Why do I own 9 Khuks?

With firearms it was the excitement of the event and challenge to shoot accurately. And the mechanisms were handsome and clever, the final product often truly beautiful, even from an artistic view.

Here on the desk sits a UBE. Every so often it climbs out of the sheath and I look at the metal. And I like to touch the metal. It's the Steel, isn't it?

I collect rocks. I like rocks most of you would throw away or "leaverighthere' Rocks are good. But steel is made by us, made by Man. It can be shaped and molded to wonderful machines like the Car or Crane. And it can cut.

When you hold these khukuris they are special. The steel is and we are too. When I wander the prarrie looking for rocks and meteorites, the Khuk on my belt is our own fallen star. Lay the blade on the grass and earth and you'll see what I mean. It's as different from the world around us as it can be, but it belongs here too. It's better than Gold.












munk
 
I don't spend as much time looking at anything
but the steel parts.

And the more curves & grooves & fullers,
the better.
 
I thought too many people liked knives because at heart they wanted to cut someone. I thought that even though I liked guns, and did not want to shoot anyone. The people here are good ones. There isn't a lot of anger here- contrast that to any other forum you can name- be it political, hobby, or whatnot. I didn't know why so many of you collected knives. Each to his own. I saw the history with interest, the mechanics, and I liked metal and tools. Today for some reason it seemed easy and clear; the steel. You look at rocks and dirt and know from that we made something special. If I was a Rock Psychologist I'd have to say we allowed the dirt to bloom, to 'become', we made that dirt what it is today! Yes, steel is a miracle.



munk
 
The more I learn about steel, and the way it's worked, the more miraculous it seems. I'm amazed that a coat hanger, a file and a knife blade can be made out the same basic element.
 
I think you guys just about have it there, the fact is that a knife is little more than a lump of horn and steel, wrapped in wood and leather. The Kamis take a lump of metal and change it from that to a blade that is both beautiful and functional, the ultimate demonstration of form following function. It is something that has been done for centuries, the basic elements being turned into into useable tools. I have to say I am fascinated by tools of all sorts, stilsons, stevadores hooks, even industrial machinery, they are beautiful in their functionality etc.

And I agree on the agression thing, there is so little agression on here which is odd considering the fact that if we gathered the weapons of everyone on here together into a single armoury we would have something near to that of most African nations;)
 
Originally posted by Bill Martino
I think munk may have the makings of a kami.
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Great Hanuman by munk with all the usual munk features. A tiny bit of rust on the tip puts this beauty in the blem box, and five minutes worth of work saves you $100. Delivered to your door for $95. :D
--Josh
 
It's amazing to think about how much time, skill, and effort goes into such a simple tool created, designed, and empowered for one purpose--destruction. That is why there is soul in blades--especially handmade blades. It defines man's evolution through time and is one of the most basic of his needs--tools. I have never failed to see anyone have a strong reaction to a well made blade.

--Rip
 
Originally posted by RipNTear
a simple tool created, designed, and empowered for
one purpose--destruction.
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Hmmmmm....One?....Well......it chops, slices, & bashes.

This is all destructive at the most basic level.

Sandpaper is destructive at this level.

But, that is often part of creating.

As you say,
" one of the most basic of his needs--tools."
 
I have two arms like the Kamis do...there's some makings

Many months ago I told a friend who goes to Ranch auctions frequently to keep an eye out for a forge.




<<<It's amazing to think about how much time, skill, and effort goes into such a simple tool created, designed, and empowered for one purpose--destruction>>>

I'm not getting that. A martial arts friend won't accept a gift Khukuri because the blade to him means mayhem. But I don't see mayhem. I see construction.


munk
 
A martial arts friend won't accept a gift Khukuri because the blade to him means mayhem
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One could say the same about martial arts. Never mind the ancillary benefits. I do not know to what extent the measure of peace I have found stems from my training.
 
Note I didn't say 'mayhem'. Destruction doesn't have to have a negative connotation. It's merely a part of a cycle. Oddly enough, one that is paramount to existence.

--Rip
 
No, but you did say for one purpose; destruction.


Interesting. But I still don't see it as one purpose and as only destruction. I've a feeling we're close to the same page anyway.



munk
 
Believe me when I tell you this phenomemom is not new. Read the Illiad and you will find where Odyssus was able to find Achilles because even disguised as a woman Achilles gave himself away because of his interest in the knives that Odyssus brought and put on display for that very purpose. Welcome to a very old club.
 
Some very nice sentiments there Munk. Something of the poet. You might remember the beginning of the film 'Conan the Barbarian', where his father talks about the magic of steel.

The one thing I would add is that for me the khuks have real personality because they are handmade. Each one has something about the maker in it.

You dont get that with factory made knives, or with some of the precision made benchmade ones. All great knives, but they dont have the human element that defines HI.

I still have my first pair of HI khuks and I dont see myself ever willingly parting with them. 12 and 15 inch Ang Khola's, with convex edges, (yup, vintage ones these), horn handles and the tooled leather scabbards. Beautiful.
 
Originally posted by StmmZaum
And I agree on the agression thing, there is so little agression on here which is odd considering the fact that if we gathered the weapons of everyone on here together into a single armoury we would have something near to that of most African nations;)
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It is not wise to argue or otherwise upset someone that may be as well armed or better armed than myself. :D
 
Lovely words munk.

Bill paid you a wonderful compliment.One of the most sincere and meaningful praises one could offer. Bishwakarma means "world maker" for a reason.

If you decide to take up a hammer...let me know what I can do to help.

Shane
 
And I agree on the aggression thing, there is so little aggression on here which is odd considering the fact that if we gathered the weapons of everyone on here together into a single armoury we would have something near to that of most African nations
Click to expand...

I think it is common for many people to say things like this. We as people like to push our responsibility for our own feelings and actions onto others; be they other people or things.

While, to me at least, kuhks are different from rifles or pistols in that they sometimes do have a (Base emotional) feeling to them, our aggressiveness and other feelings don't flow from them, they are generated in ourselves.

Steve Perry (The author of the Matador Series) refers to this as the Monkey Brain. I think of it more as the even deeper snake brain.

That really only understands kill or be killed; dominate or submit.

The reason this forum remains so calm and rational is because the regular members stay calm and rational. Sure you will have those who shall not be mentioned, who pop up from time to time causing trouble (it still embarrasses me that he was from Mississippi. Plus we have a sterling example in Bill.

BTW I like knives because I like knives.

I wish I could think of something terribly zen or deep to say. Hopefully Bruise will save me.

As the song goes "That's my story and I'm sticking to it".
 
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