Khukri bladesmiths, sharpness and blade profile

A

alberich

Joined
Mar 15, 2005
Messages
219
So I spent some time with my new khukri and I can say I'm pleased. Feels great in hand, has a superior balance - I'm temped to say that it might be well the ultimate design for a close combat weapon - and it's incredibly fast and quite eager to jump out and slash something when fastdrawing. Also it seems to be handy as a tool. I have yet to go to the wood and have some hacking, but so far it's doing a good job in kitchen and so.

But it's blunt. All new knives I ever had came pretty sharp and it was some time before I had to sharpen them for a first time, but the khukri is just blunt. I tried the sharpening tool (well it's not sharpening but I don't know the correct english word, it's just the treating of the blade with a steel tool just before and after use) which came with the khukri but there was not too much improvement.

So I supose I will check it here for some sharpening trick and give it a try, but what I want to ask is how much one can really sharpen the khukri? Can be something with this blade profile - looks like a convex V - really sharpened? I have no experience and no knowledge here.

Were your khukris blunt or sharp wneh new? How much did you manage to sharpen them in comparison with common knives (my typical test is if it shaves hair on forearm or not :) )? Do the blade profiles differ for different khukri types, and who are your favourite khukri bladesmiths (and khukri types and sizes) for an everyday use khukri?
 
Wow! our favorite subject, there are hundreds of threads in this forum on sharpening kukh's (try a 'search' from the top menu line), including dissertations on sharpening & profiles, pictures, videos, etc on how to get that hair-poppin' edge - which can easily be done, by the way.

the convex profile is the most natural and strongest profile for chopping and major slicing & dicing events, when done properly. dave rishar & others have been known to sharpen their kukhri's to the point that they cut off their target BEFORE they even contact it, while keeping a convex profile allowing them to cut cars in half without damage to the edge.

some of the highly polished kukhris come with a less than razor edge as the final buffing may round the profile a tad too much, villagers - with their satin unpolished surface - tend to come alot sharper. the 'sharpener' steel that comes with the kukhri, is a chakma, the small utility knife is the karda.

see also Himalayan Imports FAQ, there is a link there on sharpening as well as a ton of other useful info. see especially the items on safety as a kukhri can easily remove a body part if you are not careful, even if less that hair-shaving sharp.

also see
Dan Koster's Profile info
Dan Koster's Sharpening info
and the ultimate Dan Koster's Sharpening Video . dan is one of our cantinista's and not only makes beutiful knives himself, but can sharpen kukhri's to perfection and beyond.
 
There seems to be some variation in the sharpness of HI blades upon arrival. The chakma (sharpening steel in the sheath) will align the edge on a sharp blade, but as you discovered will not sharpen up a dull blade. You will have to get another tool to do that.

Many things will work. sharpening stones, diamond hones, sandpaper, ceramic rods (if knife is not too dull), belt grinders, etc. See kronckew's references below.

Yes, it is possible to get them very sharp, and they will easily shave forearm hair if you choose to sharpen them up that way.
 
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