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- Oct 9, 2003
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- 5,594
How d oyou use a chakma?
Is there a better sharpening tools we can make that will fit in the sheath ?
Is there a better sharpening tools we can make that will fit in the sheath ?
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lets get this chakma thing sorted out
- Thread starter DannyinJapan
- Start date
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- Dec 24, 2003
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- 1,390
Lots of great small ones that will easily fit your rig... Check out:
http://www.knivesplus.com/DMT.HTML
Dan
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2003
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- 314
The DMT Diamond hones are great,
unfortunately they are almost an inch wide.
I picked up a DMT aligner system a couple months ago
and it's really the cats @ss when it comes to
sharpening 'flat' double angle edges. I sorta retired
my Lansky sharpening system but still use the blade guide.
Their hones are a bit smaller but still to large
(5/8" X 7/8" X 4-3/4") to fit in place of the chakma...
unfortunately they are almost an inch wide.
I picked up a DMT aligner system a couple months ago
and it's really the cats @ss when it comes to
sharpening 'flat' double angle edges. I sorta retired
my Lansky sharpening system but still use the blade guide.
Their hones are a bit smaller but still to large
(5/8" X 7/8" X 4-3/4") to fit in place of the chakma...
t1mpani
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2002
- Messages
- 5,536
I find the chakmas to be excellent finishing burnishers. If I'm taking a khukuri out with me to use, I have the chakma in one of the pouches and the severed end (5 inches) of a cheap course kitchen steel in the other. The course steel can, with light pressure, pull the edge back into alignment, or with heavy pressure, pull off metal and reset the edge.
When I'm ready to get it really sharp, I switch to the chakma. I put it flat side down on my knee, and then rest the khuk blade on top of it, tipping the edge until it is perfectly flush against the chakma. Then, I lightly pull the edge along, using only the weight of the khukuri as pressure, two or three times on a side, and then switch, and finish with one more time on each side.
Many of my chakmas are not as hard as the hardest part of the khukuri. This is fine, it may just take a few more passes, but it will still work. In fact--and people can argue with me all they want--I find that the soft ones are excellent for achieving super sharp edges on all of my knives. When you come up to nicks or wavers, there will be a slight pulling sensation, as the blade is actually cutting into the chakma a tad bit, but the chakma is also pulling that little imperfection straight again. I have a couple of Dozier skinners that weren't as sharp from Bob as they are after a little chakma work.
So, have a serious sharpener with you to do actual edge work, and let the chakma just serve as your grand finale. If all you have is the chakma, it will still help, just keep in mind that it will take it a long time to put the edge back into alignment if you've gone too long between honings.
Personally, while I like all my little kardas, they don't go afield with me. Using the Pendentive method, I have several of them full-height convex ground and shaving sharp, but they still don't slice as well as my pocketknife.
When I'm ready to get it really sharp, I switch to the chakma. I put it flat side down on my knee, and then rest the khuk blade on top of it, tipping the edge until it is perfectly flush against the chakma. Then, I lightly pull the edge along, using only the weight of the khukuri as pressure, two or three times on a side, and then switch, and finish with one more time on each side.
Many of my chakmas are not as hard as the hardest part of the khukuri. This is fine, it may just take a few more passes, but it will still work. In fact--and people can argue with me all they want--I find that the soft ones are excellent for achieving super sharp edges on all of my knives. When you come up to nicks or wavers, there will be a slight pulling sensation, as the blade is actually cutting into the chakma a tad bit, but the chakma is also pulling that little imperfection straight again. I have a couple of Dozier skinners that weren't as sharp from Bob as they are after a little chakma work.
So, have a serious sharpener with you to do actual edge work, and let the chakma just serve as your grand finale. If all you have is the chakma, it will still help, just keep in mind that it will take it a long time to put the edge back into alignment if you've gone too long between honings.
Personally, while I like all my little kardas, they don't go afield with me. Using the Pendentive method, I have several of them full-height convex ground and shaving sharp, but they still don't slice as well as my pocketknife.
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2003
- Messages
- 13,182
I've got an Ez Lap diamond rod that's about 3" long that has a little plastic handle. The rod is maybe 3/16". I also ordered one of the little "Runt" blades from Texas Knivemakers supply it is 2 11/16 long. I have some antler and I thought I might try to make up an alternative Chakma and Karda. Bust the plastic off the diamond rod and set it in the antler.
Even Bill himself has said he would rather have to kardas on a long term carry situation. 
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- Jun 16, 2003
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I would think the back edge of the karda could be used rather easily. I presume it is not differentially hardened being so small.
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- Dec 24, 2003
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Danny, I just purchased a 3.5" Victorinox fine diamond sharpener that has a 2" red plastic handle. If you took the plastic off the handle, and set it in a piece of horn, or made a wood handle, it would fit perfectly in the areas reserved for either the karda or chakma. Dan
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2002
- Messages
- 127
Danny:
What I did was get a SAK leather pouch with a sharpining steel sleave on one side, and whip tie the sheath to the frog of my Khuk. Than instead of using a SAK in the pouch I use a Japanese water stone instead. I found the pocket sized ones fit just perfect. So this way I have the Chakma for burnishing, the steel for the light quick stuff, and the water stone for the bad stuff.
But thats just my 2cent worth.
What I did was get a SAK leather pouch with a sharpining steel sleave on one side, and whip tie the sheath to the frog of my Khuk. Than instead of using a SAK in the pouch I use a Japanese water stone instead. I found the pocket sized ones fit just perfect. So this way I have the Chakma for burnishing, the steel for the light quick stuff, and the water stone for the bad stuff.
But thats just my 2cent worth.
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2003
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- 1,601
Danny,
I've been using a neckstone that I bought from another company on my kuhks. I have a couple of them that I've removed the accessory pockets from for streamlining purposes and now I use the stone to replace the chakma that I'm too dense to figure out.
I've been using a neckstone that I bought from another company on my kuhks. I have a couple of them that I've removed the accessory pockets from for streamlining purposes and now I use the stone to replace the chakma that I'm too dense to figure out.
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2003
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- 5,594
Thanks everybody.
I think I have the idea now.
I guess its all gonna have to be done in the field to figure out the bestest way.
I think I have the idea now.
I guess its all gonna have to be done in the field to figure out the bestest way.