Khuk bolsters---construction question...

Joined
May 16, 2002
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Hey, yall:

Anybody know much about the bolsters/collars on the HI khuks? Looks like folded ansd soldered sheet brass, but what is under it? Does the handle fill in that part?

Curious, might be doing some handle work, and I jsut wonder what I'm in for. Are chiruwa bolsters any different?

Any help would be appreciated, especialy from those who have doe the handle rework (Terry)?

Keith
 
The bolsters are filled with Laha, then the handle is smooshed/glued down into it so that the brass is solid, and dosent have any 'hollow' places. Yes they are a sheet of brass that has been soldered, some are more obvious than others.

Just use masking tape when epoxying the bolster back to the blade. Then epoxy the handle to the bolster using tape over the area of the material that is showing so that you dont have to sand the epoxy out of the pours. After that fill the handle with epoxy. This is what I have done on my past 2 khuks that I rehandeled, and I dont think I could get the handles off of'em if I wanted to.
 
Keith,
Dave seems to have said it all. The laha can hold extremly well. I've had to cut the old handles off before.
God Bless.
Terry
 
Originally posted by Ferrous Wheel
Are chiruwa bolsters any different?
The Chiruwa bolsters are the same. They're not like full tang knife bolsters (one on each side).

The only difference being that you have 3 pieces to dismantle instead of 2. ie. 2 slabs + tang

This takes more fitting to get it back right. But the bonus is that with the bolster in place, it's easier to whittle the handles down to a tight fit. Just fit one in and then fit the other while it's still in.

Doesn't the laha dissolve when you put "X" on it? (I can't remember what "X" is right off hand...:rolleyes: )
 
Experts are correct as usual. Laha will soften up enough to let go at water boiling temp of 212 degrees. Propane torch gets the job done faster but requires more care.
 
for the great info. I like having some direction b4 goin at it. You guys gave me some MapQuest style info!

Keith
 
The other kamis butt the brass together and then solder it.

Bura folds the two ends together and hammers it flat or somehow dovetails the ends together before soldering.
 
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