Khukuri Sharpening

U

unky_gumbi

Joined
Aug 28, 2009
Messages
7,951
Ok I have been brousing the forums for a few days now trying to find the anwer to my question, and haven't found it yet so I am just going to come out and ask it here.
I recently purchased a KHHI khukuri http://www.khukurihouseonline.com/Content/Catalog/Browse/ProductDetail.php?PID=d34ab169b70c9dcd35e62896010cd9ff|5d474d (the Infantry No.1 model) and I am wondering how to maintain the edge on it. I have searched through the HI threads but I am unsure if the two companys make thier blades the same way, and KhHI has change the way the blade is sold, it no longer comes with the small knife and sharpener. I currently have the Smiths diamond sharpening kit, but the stones are too wide to follow the curve of the blade. Any suggestions would be helpful to me and thanks.

George
 
If your only problem is the curving of the blade, you could get some sandpaper 600grit-2500 and wrap it around a wooden dowel to sharpen(remember not to let the tip slip off the sandpaper!).
 
a belt sander is the way to go. i convexed a khuk for a member a while back and it turned out great.
 
I use Spyderco Profile rods for touch-ups and the wet/dry/crocus cloth around a thick wood dowel most of the time for Khukris.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I would love to get a belt sander, but my garage has no power and the one room i have in the house that it could go in is for my renderfarm so its already packed with 5 computers. Looks like I will be going with crocus cloth and the spyderco rods
 
Dave Rishar said:
That will likely take a very long time. Do you own any files?
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Yes I own files. I am looking to maintain the edge, not create one, it came quite sharp. Sharp enough to slice through 3" branches with no effort, haven't tryed splitting logs yet but I am sure it will handle that too.
 
unky_gumbi said:
Yes I own files. I am looking to maintain the edge, not create one, it came quite sharp.
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But it will not remain sharp for long if used hard. These things are generally made from steel that's softer and less wear-resistant than the folders that we're more used to, and the edge (even in the hardened zone) can go quickly under certain circumstances. Also, you'll probably find that the tip (which often isn't hardened) will pick up dings, rolls, and other damage on the edge, especially if you're chopping downwards onto things and risk the chance of hitting the ground. Such damage won't really affect performance but it's too ugly for most owners to tolerate, and chips/cracks are a potential source for catastrophic failure later on.

The reason why I often suggest files is that they're simple to use, most people already own one, and they're fast. Removing a chip/wave/ding/whatnot with ceramics will probably take weeks, if not longer. They're simply not efficient at removing material. Even a fine file will do so fairly quickly. As I said above, if you're using the khukuri like it was meant to be used you'll probably find that ceramics just won't do the job. This is more of a splitting maul than a folding knife in terms of applications and wear, so plan accordingly.

If it only needs a touch-up, just touch it up -- one or two light passes on either side, deburr, and resume the defoliation. Using a file does not require one to remove a lot of material; it simply makes it possible should the need arise.

If you're dead set on crocus and ceramics, at least keep that file handy. A file is indeed my "field" sharpener for my khukuries and will continue to be so until someone figures out a way to make a portable belt grinder. ;) Such an edge will not shave nicely, but we have razors to shave with and khukuries to chop wood with, right?
 
Used the file on it today, hit a nail with it. Someone a long time ago had put a nail in an old dead tree on the property. I was hitting it just to get use to the feel of the khuk. I was a little upset when I saw the spark fly, but put the file on it and the chip/ding was gone in a few passes. I am picky about the look and feel of my edges though, I like them smooth as glass, and I just can't get that finished look with a file.
 
you need more than a file to put the edge you want on the knife. you need some abrasive cloth or a belt sander. if you want i can help you out.
 
richard j said:
you need more than a file to put the edge you want on the knife. you need some abrasive cloth or a belt sander. if you want i can help you out.
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Yeah I know that, I have been using the smiths diamond sharpening kit on my other knives and a lee valley strop with thier green compound to finish them, but the stones and strop are too wide to follow the curve of the Khuk's blade, thats why I posted here to see what others suggested.
I personally would only use the file to fix damage to a blade, I should have taken a picture of the nick I put in it last night before filing it out. Now its a case of working through different grades of emery/crocus cloth to get the finished edge I want.
Thanks for the offer to sharpen it up for me though, its just I think it would get a little anoying to pack it up and ship it off everytime I needed it fixed up.
 
if you're in the states email me your number and i'll give you a ring. i'm sure we can figure out something that will work so you can sharpen it yourself.
 
Sorry I am up north, in Canada. Winnipeg to be exact. One of my co-works is a knife guy as well and he lent me his Smiths retractable diamond sharpener to try tonight. if it gives me the finish I am looking for I will go out and buy one on the weekend. We also talked about going splits on the Lee Valley belt sander and just keeping it at work so we both have access to it.
 
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