Khukri Hardness...

slash-5

slash-5

Joined
Nov 25, 2002
Messages
9
Little bit about myself, I have made around 20 hand forged knives in my time, but am certainly not an expert.

I have a couple of questions:

I just got a 15" Ang Khola from HI. After cold bluing it (I hate shiny work knives), I decided to sharpen it. I started with a new, small sharp file and noticed that it "cut" into the steel a lot more than I was used to with large knives. (I have great working machetes from Costa Rica that it won't "bite" into). Anyway, I then tried a dull file and it cut pretty easily too. I would guess that the RC hardness is somewhere int he high 40's, but I have no way of verifying this.

It seems that the Khukri is softer than it should be. Now, I understand that larger blades should be softer than smaller knives because they need this to absorb the shock from heavy work, but this blade does not seem to be much harder than unhardened steel (34 RC?).

What do you guys think?
 
First things first ~ Welcome to the Cantina, Slash! Does the file easily bite into the full length of the edge, or just the tip and in the small recurved area of the edge? It is very typical on kukris for these areas to be softer than the "sweet-spot" where you would chop; these blades are both zone hardened and differentially tempered. I would say, though, that your blade is atypical if the whole edge is as soft as you describe. The sweet-spots on my HI's are in the high 50's range, tips and recurves maybe 50. My generic nepali kukris are in the mid 50's, but I have one from around WW11 that is as soft as you describe. I would contact HI and they will set you up with one that is harder ~ more than likely this one just snuck past QC.
 
Yep, it bites into the full length pretty easily, actually very easily.

I read the other article, and I am wondering about the concept of carbon migration. I have forged a couple of knives myself and I do know you have to have it in the forge for quite a while before this happens. There are a lot of factors though; such as steel type, forge temp, duration, etc.

I really don't want to wait until several sharpening go by to find out it is still bad, and then I cannot return it because it is too "used".

I think it is too soft...but I am afraid to test it too much lest I ruin my chances of replacement.
 
If I were you, I would take it out and test it in wood. Go out and do some chopping to test it. Uncle Bill and Yangdu stand behind their products, and if it does by some chance fail. They will make it good for you. I have bought quite a few from them, and on the rare occasion that one failed in testing, Bill and Yangdu made it all good for me. They are tops. Test it and see how it performs. Good Luck and WELCOME to the Cantina!! :D
 
slash, I won't presume to speak for Uncle Bill or Yangdu, but I can tell you that I got a soft khuk once and didn't realize it until the edge was rippled like the a piece of lasagna. It was badly damaged. I had a replacement khuk in my hands three days later. I have no doubt they will take care of you if it turns out you have a lemon. BTW welcome to the Cantina! :)
 
If it's in the 40's it is not right and send it back for replacement. If it's dead soft they forgot to harden it! There's been some weird things going on at BirGorkha and I'm not sure why -- nothing's changed except for the weird things.
 
Bill Martino said:
If it's in the 40's it is not right and send it back for replacement. If it's dead soft they forgot to harden it! There's been some weird things going on at BirGorkha and I'm not sure why -- nothing's changed except for the weird things.
Click to expand...

Wierd things are the norm at Bir Gorka, but they still put out a fine product, backed by your excellent guarantee.
No complaints here.
 
With all the strife going on in Nepal, it's a wonder there are not more problems. HI are amazingly consistant in their quality and Bill backs them to the hilt (well...including the hilt actually).
 
My more recent purchases all seem to be some of the most well tempered ones I've ever owned. Seems to me they are getting better on the temper.
 
Kind of interesting (serendipity maybe) how the khuk with the very best and most uniform temper that I have, and the one I've taken a shine to the most, packing it everywhere in the bush, is the only one I DIDN'T buy at a cantina sale but instead paid full retail price for.
 
Sorry for the lack of reply guys. I changed my e-mail in my profile and I mistyped it twice. :eek: Rough week.

Anyway, I took it out and chopped several pine boards with it today and the edge was rolling over pretty easy, with pine mind you. In addition, I tested the hardness again (with a small, dull file) and it cuts evenly along the entire length.

I am going to call HI tomorrow.

The only problem is that I have become attatched to this Khukri. It is forged so beautifully.... :(

Also, the small utility knife has a serious crack in the handle...I'll call them. Thanks for your help.
 
hollowdweller said:
Slash,

Just curious. Who made it? What is the makers mark on it?
Click to expand...


K.M. Star of david, and a sun with six rays are stamped at the base of the blade.
 
Slash_5 said:
Sorry for the lack of reply guys. I changed my e-mail in my profile and I mistyped it twice. :eek: Rough week.

Anyway, I took it out and chopped several pine boards with it today and the edge was rolling over pretty easy, with pine mind you. In addition, I tested the hardness again (with a small, dull file) and it cuts evenly along the entire length.

I am going to call HI tomorrow.

The only problem is that I have become attatched to this Khukri. It is forged so beautifully.... :(

Also, the small utility knife has a serious crack in the handle...I'll call them. Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...

DON'T CALL EMAIL........BILL HAS REQUESTED NO TELEPHONE CALLS. He answers by email when he is feeling better at different times of the day.. Have a heart!!
 
lcs37 said:
DON'T CALL EMAIL........BILL HAS REQUESTED NO TELEPHONE CALLS. He answers by email when he is feeling better at different times of the day.. Have a heart!!
Click to expand...
1)WHY ARE YOU YELLING???????????????
2) How was I supposed to know this?


:mad:
 
Slash_5 said:
1)WHY ARE YOU YELLING???????????????
2) How was I supposed to know this?


:mad:
Click to expand...

1) Perhaps to gain your attention?

2) Perhaps to gain your attention - so you would know this?

Peace and love.

Tom
 
Slash_5 said:
1)WHY ARE YOU YELLING???????????????
2) How was I supposed to know this?


:mad:
Click to expand...

If you read the UBBB Deals as they come up, the message reads "No Telephone Calls, Email only"

If you have been reading the forum, you would know Bill Martino is sick and not feeling good at all. Yangdu , his wife , if taking care of Uncle and doing a fine job with the specials, also.
It is time to consider others rather than your constant complaint about the hardness. Uncle has already told you , he would fix it, others have related their belief and trust in Uncle. However you persist in complaining. Email Uncle Bill and the problem is resolved.. End of Story
 
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