Karda, Sheath, and Chakma Question

Peter_E_Ryt

Peter_E_Ryt

Joined
Oct 26, 2005
Messages
1,179
I have my first Khukuri headed on it's way over here, and as the excitement has become almost unbearable, I've decided to take up the task of preparing the tasking of preparing the rest of the total Khukuri package.

Things that need to be taken care of:
-Handle
-Sheath
-Karda
-Chakma

-The handle has only a small crack (.5"), and unless it's starts to get worst, or can't be fixed up to what I consider appropriate, I'll leave it be.

-I've looked around, and Dan's sheaths are amazing looking, but before I get the design finalized, I need to know what usually is assosciated with a Khukuri sheath. I've noticed what look to be two seperate spots for Karda, but nothing for the Chakma- is that caried separately, or am I missing it? Is there anything else that should be included in the sheath? An auxilary pouch for import gear/ just incase gear that may be needed while camping/treking/clearing?

-How many kardas are usually with a khukuri? It looks to be two for a full khukuri package as per HI standards, but I could be mistaken. Can someone recomend me a company or maker that makes nice kardas for a nice price, or would one of HI's smaller knives work fine for the kit?

-Can someone provide me with a picture of a chakma? I've searched google and the picture thread, but haven't found anything. I've also taken a look around the Himalayan Imports site, buts still haven't found anything. Are there "aftermarket" chakmas? Could I buy one seperately from HI?


For my last thing- I just want to say that after my experience with Yangdu, I'm hooked on HI. I looked at the How to Order guide several times, determined not to make newbie mistakes and make myself look like a fool, but in the heat of the moment, trying to get an amazing deal, I made every possible mistake. I sent a PM first, then an email asking a question, then an "edit" email, then an "I'll take it" email, and then I sent a "shipping info" email while leaving out my zipcode, which I then had to send in another email. Somehow Yangdu managed to keep patience with me, and things finally got finished. I'm an HI convert.

~Peyton T. Runyan
 
Peter_E_Ryt said:
I sent a PM first, then an email asking a question, then an "edit" email, then an "I'll take it" email, and then I sent a "shipping info" email while leaving out my zipcode, which I then had to send in another email. Somehow Yangdu managed to keep patience with me, and things finally got finished. I'm an HI convert.

~Peyton T. Runyan
Click to expand...

o brother

now yangdu is gonna think I'M up to something
using two different names and addresses or something
but with the same MO:D

jokes aside
congrats on your first HI
im kinda new here myself and just recieved number 5 today
(a beautiful kerambit / posting pics in pic thread right now)
and this is in maybe two months
as to your other questions
hang tight
someone will answer you soon


and because all MY orders really do seem to be like the one you described
let met take this opportunity to again say

THANK YOU YANGDU
YOU MUST HAVE THE PATIENCE OF A SAINT

mark k
 
Welcome to HIKV land, or soon to be.

As far as chakmas and kardas are concerned, there is one of each with every kukri (unless otherwise stated, such as a blem). There is a place for both the chakma and karda on the scabbard, which are the little leather circles behind the main blade.

I do not know of anyone who sells chakmas or kardas seperatly, however if you're interested in some I am sure Yangdu would be able to provide you with a pair. Some people will put knives/tools from other companies where the chakma and karda normally go.

Here is a picture with some HI chakmas, different shapes and sizes. The largest is 7 3/8" and the smallest is 3 1/4"

DSCF0611b.jpg
 
Sklyer- thank you. I got a blem, so the total package needs assembling. I guess that I'll try and special order a Chakma when I find the right Karda.

What's with the different shapes? Do you just drag is at the angle you want the edge to be to realign the edge?

Thanks again!
 
The different shapes are more just for style, or to match the kukri. Yes, you press and drag it along the edge at the angle you want to realign the edge, however I find that most modern chakmas are not hard enough to do much. I personally only use my ganga ram, 18" CAK or 25" kobra chakma since they seem to be harder then the rest, and they do work decently, but I do find myself using a ceramic rod most of the time.
 
If all that there is to it is hardness, I may just forge myself out a chakma of my own out of O1, quench it, and leave it un tempered. If that doesn't work, then the ceramic rod would be a good idea aswell.

Thanks

~Peyton
 
i personally am not fond of most kardas and chakmas and plan on having a sheath made for my ww2(when i get around to it)with another small knife and sharpener. dan koster should be able to set you up with a sheath that meets your needs.handle should be a minor fix.post pics and let us know what happens.
 
Peter_E_Ryt said:
Sklyer- thank you. I got a blem, so the total package needs assembling.
Click to expand...

Peyton the package comes totally assembled. You will find both a karda and a chakma in behind the khukuri proper in their own little pouches.

Peter_E_Ryt said:
I guess that I'll try and special order a Chakma when I find the right Karda.
Click to expand...

A lot of folks buy a $4.00 Mora to replace the original karda. Forging a chakma out of 0-1 would be a great idea but you still want to temper it back to a very light straw color so it isn't brittle and to prevent its breaking if accidentally dropped.

Peter_E_Ryt said:
What's with the different shapes?
Click to expand...

The different shapes are simply because each karda and chakma is made for the khukuri. The originals tend to be too soft for real use but they can be disassembled and hardened and reassembled.

Peter_E_Ryt said:
Do you just drag is at the angle you want the edge to be to realign the edge?
Click to expand...

Yup, you got that one right.

Peter_E_Ryt said:
Thanks again!
Click to expand...

You're welcome.:D
 
Peter_E_Ryt said:
The handle has only a small crack (.5"), and unless it's starts to get worst, or can't be fixed up to what I consider appropriate, I'll leave it be.
~Peyton T. Runyan
Click to expand...

Peyton go to your local WalMart and back to the paint section and buy yourself a bottle of Loctite Super Glue.
When you get the khukuri simply drop a little into the crack and let it dry. After it has dried scrape or sand it off even and then finish with tung oil or the like.
Actually I usually sand the whole handle down and then use my own mix to finish it the way I like it.

Oh yeah, when you get done with the super glue put it in your refrigerator and it will keep a long, long, time.:cool: :D
 
Peyton, A good idea I got from a forumite it to use a slim Swiss Army Knife in place of a Karda. There is a specific slim, two blade model.... Cant think of the name at the moment but someone here will probably know.
 
Skyler R. said:
Yvsa, I think he is talking about the 15" AK that he ( I assume) won during this dotd http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=466135 . It came without a scabbard, chakma, and karda.

I guess he was the one who beat me to it....;)
Click to expand...

I see and thanks Skyler, my mistake.:o It does have a scabbard though albeit a loose one according to the DOTD writeup.;)

And in that case a thin or a couple of thin pieces of leather glued into the scabbard's throat will fix the loose part. Then for sure get the $4.00 Mora and forge the 0-1 chakma, fix things right up!!!!:thumbup: ;) :D :cool:
 
Yvsa said:
I see and thanks Skyler, my mistake.:o It does have a scabbard though albeit a loose one according to the DOTD writeup.;)

And in that case a thin or a couple of thin pieces of leather glued into the scabbard's throat will fix the loose part. Then for sure get the $4.00 Mora and forge the 0-1 chakma, fix things right up!!!!:thumbup: ;) :D :cool:
Click to expand...
Haha- Skyler, we may have been going for the same Khuk... good luck next time my friend :thumbup:

I got the one under it- khukuri only (but I'm not complaining -it's a chance to get everything to spec).

I figure that the superglue will work as well on horn as it will on wood, so I CAN seal the crack, however, does the sand and tung oil work with horn?

Can't stop with the thanks

~Peyton
 
Peter_E_Ryt said:
I got the one under it- khukuri only (but I'm not complaining -it's a chance to get everything to spec).

I figure that the superglue will work as well on horn as it will on wood, so I CAN seal the crack, however, does the sand and tung oil work with horn?

Can't stop with the thanks

~Peyton
Click to expand...

Well my mistake again I see, for not reading closer.:o :o :o :o

Horn is a different story Peyton. It can be sanded but it loses its shiny finish when done so. Actually for a user I prefer my horn handles to have a fine sanded, steel wool, or Scotch-Brite finish for that matter.
And chances are the crack may not ever go anywhere.
If you send the khukuri to Dan he can fix you up with a nice Kydex scabbard and no doubt a way to carry a karda and chakma on it if you so desire.
But probably the easiest thing would be to just carry a good smaller fixed blade with a through hardened blade like a Marble's Fieldcraft or the like. The 52100 models hold one heckuvan edge and the spine can be used as a chakma as well as to scrape magnesium and ferrocerium to make a fire if need be.
You have a ton of options really.:thumbup: :D :cool:
 
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