Karda ?

M

MAC-F250

Joined
Mar 20, 2012
Messages
12
Hello all,

I am looking for some info on the construction and heat treat of the Kardas that come with the Kukris. I have the M43 and it is awesome! when I recieved it, it was scary sharp and holds an edge like a champ i touched it up with some sand paper and it sails through paper effortlessly. the Karda however was almost as flat and square as the chakmak i sharpened it up with stones going from course to fine then convexing the edge from 400 to 2000 grit sandpaper and it got decently sharp but not like the M43 and when tested it would never perform quite the way I though it would. After hitting the cutting board while going through some cutting test I noticed the edge was rolling over very easily. What can cause this is it a bad heat treat is the steel to soft. I know a knife will get dull with use but this happening really quick and really easily. Also the chakmak seems relatively soft is it supposed to be. i was hoping to use it with my fire steel this coming weekend and it barely produces a spark compared to the back edge of any other knife i own (case, buck, schrade) or is this due to the type of steel? Any suggestions? thanks
 
Geez Mac, I wonder if it just wasn't an oversight in the manufacturing process and your "secondaries" didn't get finished and heat treated properly.The Karda should have a decent edge that could be dressed to razor sharp with a few minutes effort.By your description,it almost sounds like you received 2 chakmaks...Well, I am inclined to carry a pocket folder in addition to a large blade, but that doesn't address the issue you face. Perhaps an e-mail to Ms.Yangdu will aid in resolving this,but not an issue that is a deal breaker as the main blade is the focus of attention in assembling a rig.
 
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Kardas and chakmas are very hit or miss in my experience. I believe they are usually made by helpers IIRC. I have some which due to size or heat treat are nothing more than interesting "furniture", while others, especially chakmas, have been very good. I think most folks around here don't expect too much in the way of K&C. It's like Christmas when you get a really good one:) Good luck.
 
I plan to either build a new sheath or modify the original and make either an ESEE-3 or Izula-2 my "Karda".
 
Kardas and chakmas tend to be more decorative than anything. I generally test them out when I get a khuk. If they hold an edge or can smooth out a ding, then I either make a pocket sheath (in the case of the Karda) to carry it as a utility knife or keep the chakma close at hand with my sharpening supplies. The rest go in the drawer or get stashed in my tool boxes for use as scrapers and wire strippers.

The karda and chakmas duties are usually the first job given to apprentices. It allows them to hone their skill without potentially mucking up a bread and butter product like a khuk. There are more robust "modern" tools to replace them. On the few khuks I pack with traditional piggyback slots, I usually replace the karda with a Swiss Army Knife and the chakma with a ceramic steel.
 
Thanks for the info guys I appreciate it greatly. I do understand the apprentice posistion and getting skills up. Steely, your idea of the swiss army knife in theKarda posistion is a good idea and im sure i have laying around in a draw somewhere that would probably fit :thumbup: and that link rocks. I may just have to try that out one day.
 
I use 1 of those HUGE ceramic rods 2 keep the 18 ak up and going and carry a CS SRK 2 replace the small karda. You will be suprised how well one of those big honkers hugs the curves in a khuk and gets the sharpening done. A small ceramic rod is part of everyday life as well. Good luck!
 
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An "Old Hickory" paring knife fits the karda loop in the scabbard nicely. Right now, a firesteel & a small diamond hone ride in my loops.

Uplander
 
I thought this thread was asking where did our Mod Karda went.

Miss that ole bugger. No homo just some good ole dose of bromance.:D
 
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