KLO project continues...

S

shane justice

Joined
May 12, 2003
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TO anybody who is interested in the KLO project...
Forging is done...
Hardening is done...
Tempering and testing is in progress...
Original temper was too hard...chipped out on the brass rod flex test so I am tempering again 25 degrees higher...then will re-test.
Looking at handle ideas for the past two weeks. Have decided to go with a non-traditional ,conservative design.
I'll use black and green canvas micarta and a brass guard. I may well decide to include a pommel.

OK let's hear it...
SHane
 
hmmm...wonder where I've seen that before...


:rolleyes:
 
Shane, I'm curious as to what angle the spine is going to extend from the handle? Also, will this have a full tang or partial tang and if it is a partial tang will it be pinned or just epoxied?
 
This is a simiar handle...bu tthe palm swell will be a bit different...
I tried a number of ideas... I have even been modeling some clay to get the feel of a more traditonal handle. I tried a distal taper without a guard...but could not seem to make it comfortable...Here's a pic of one of my knives...it a water buffalo hormn handle...It hat a different kind of swell to fit a customers hand....but for me it was a little narrow in the butt.

Ready for some thoughts...
Shane
 
Shane - seeing that water buffalo pic makes me feel a lot better about it...

For some reason, your drawing just got my feathers all ruffled...
 
I am planning a three quarter length tang...pinned also...because it is a requirement.

I am posting my second choice handle style. It is shown with a pommel...but may go without...and pin instead....depends on the balance when it is on the knife...

Shane

Do you guys have a problem with Ed?
 
:) Nope, I have no probs with Ed. Darn nice guy from what I could tell when I've talked to him at various shows. Always willing to give pointers. Even if I had a problem with him (I don't) it wouldn't influence whether I liked his handles, nor would it change my opinion of you. Me thinks you are one of the good guys.

I like handles 2 and 3 better than number 1.:) For whatever that's worth.

Adios,
stevo
 
Looks like I opened up a can of worms with this simple project...

this is the first handle idea I came up with...no guard...
It comes from a pair of old goloks I have...they are pattern welded san mai fashion...I am trying to restore them...

This handle would use "scallops" the way an Ek knife does to retain the user's grip.

It is simple and elegant to my eye.

I have decided not to post any more on this project. I thought it would be a fun way to share shop stuff with the group.

If this blade turns out half as good as I hope, it will become one of my journeyman test blades in Atlanta this year.
Shane
 
#2 - much better, imho


The problem isn't with Ed, Shane. You see, Ed's done something amazing in the world of knives and that is "brand recognition". There's no mistaking one of Ed's knives. To put his handle on your khuk is what gives me pain. With all respect to Ed, he's been working on his handle design in the "sub-100-yrs" category and the khukuri handle has been around for much, much longer than that. It doesn't do either camp justice.


I hope you don't see my comments as negative. Personally, I'm really excited to see what comes of your ABS-ready khukuri. I've considered taking the test with one myself...

Don't know how much testing/cutting you've done...but there's a lot to be said for tapering the blade. I have done both. Tapered thin to the tip, as well as tapered thicker to the tip. I'm now leaning more toward the latter...actually more like a "bubble" swelling in the sweet spot to give it more of a hatchet feel.

Just as a note: the khukuri I used for the leather sheath tutorial had a thicker spine at the bend, than at the bolster. Interesting...
 
Shane, I hope that nothing that I wrote would keep you from posting; If anything that I said was offensive to you I will quickly retract it. I appreciate all your input on this forum as well as the others we both frequent. I feel no ill will towards you or Ed; as far as your original handle posted ~ I recognized Ed's influence, that is all. Ed is one of your mentors if I remember correctly, it stands to reason that there would be similarities in your designs.

Again, I am sorry if what I had written caused you to feel as you do.

Sincerely,
Steve Miller
 
Shane, I believe I like handle #2. It looks more like a khukuri handle than the ones with the finger guard and I'm just partial to the spirit of tradition. I also like the downward curve in relation to the spine of the blade, it gives it a symmetry that I believe adds to the overall look of the klo. I have enjoyed your sharing of your ideas and wish you the best. Please give us a few pictures of the finished product when that time comes, I'd really enjoy that.
 
Originally posted by shane justice
Looks like I opened up a can of worms with this simple project...


I have decided not to post any more on this project. I thought it would be a fun way to share shop stuff with the group.
Click to expand...

:(

Please don't stop posting your progress on this project. I don't think anyone wants that. I think it's fantastic what you're doing. I've tried making a khuk via stock removal and it's a daunting project. I've put mine aside for now. I'd like to continue to see what you're doing. Forging is the only way to go. I salute you.

Steve
 
This is the last and only time I will ever make this statement...

Ed is my friend and mentor. He has given me his blessing to make replicas of his "pronghorn". I consider it a great honor. Even so Ed has always encouraged me to find my own style.

IN sprit these are my inspiration. Just as all of the blades I have owned or handled in my life time. But there is too much of my own blood sweat and tears in each completed knife to consider them anything but my own.

We bought these khukuris so that I could understand the form and become a better craftsman. And so I have.

This KLO uses the Modified Michael Price Grind. THe first three inches of the blade past the ricasso are ground at a much steeper angle the sweet spot which is more of a chisel. The tip is ground in an armor piercing "serpentine". These were Ed's ideas. Many hours at the grinder and much experimentation allowed me to earn the knowledge.

I have felt welcome here. You are good folks, one and all.

Shane
Here is a pic of my journeyman knives...
 
Shane
I like #3. It just appeals to me. I have been trying to come up with my own blade and handle designs for a few years now. It is not easy you figure how many knifemakers are out there and how many beginners and this goes back over a span of a few hundred years, it is hard to come up with something different. Most knifemakers that I have had the pleasure of talking to find it a compliment and a bit flatering that someone incorporates prt of their design into your own. And most knifemakers when just starting out copy someone elses design until they come up with their own. Goodluck.
 
Re: handle designs

Both Ed Fowler and Bill Moran have disclosed to me that part of the reason behind their handle designs were that they felt good in their own hands first...and I've used that idea to make my own handles.


Shane

I hope we can continue to be buds - no harm intended, ok?


The blade farthest to the right in your pic is crazy-big..!

Whatcha have in mind for that one? :eek:
 
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