Micro Mini Bowie and Seven blems for 10/20

If a Reti is made out of an old file, would that mean it's made out of a different steel than our other Kuks? Would the heat treatment be the same?
Too bad this one is gone. Would like to play with one to see if there are any differences beside the look.
 
I would guess that they are made from super hard steel seeing that they are files. The files have to be able to remove material so it should be harder than a normal kukri. My Reti feels diamond hard.
 
5160 has a carbon content of 0.6 and most files are made of steel close to 1.0 or even higher up to about 1.2 from what I understand. Its the quench (water pour) that hardens the knifes edge. The Kamis probably make the retis much the same way as the rest. I would think the Kamis would know the difference in the files versus the 5160? They dont quench them fully submerged like a Katana. They do the water pour and leave enough heat stored in the spine so it will temper down the blade otherwise it would probably break if you ever dropped it on the concrete of something. If you slammed a file on top an anvil or something it would break because its not tempered down. The Retis do seem a bit harder though.
 
ndoghouse said:
5160 has a carbon content of 0.6 and most files are made of steel close to 1.0 or even higher up to about 1.2 from what I understand. Its the quench (water pour) that hardens the knifes edge. The Kamis probably make the retis much the same way as the rest. I would think the Kamis would know the difference in the files versus the 5160? They dont quench them fully submerged like a Katana. They do the water pour and leave enough heat stored in the spine so it will temper down the blade otherwise it would probably break if you ever dropped it on the concrete of something. If you slammed a file on top an anvil or something it would break because its not tempered down. The Retis do seem a bit harder though.
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gurkha berserka said:
I would guess that they are made from super hard steel seeing that they are files. The files have to be able to remove material so it should be harder than a normal kukri. My Reti feels diamond hard.
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Thanks guys. Sounds interesting. More reasons to try one.
:-)
 
I just unpacked the 17.5 inch 15 ounce Reti Knife by Kumar. And it feels extremely alive in hand, and very fast. To hold the handle is also very comfortable i must say. I can understand why a Kobra, like this is based upon, is a favourite amongst martial artists. I'm very pleased to have bought this Reti.



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You'll find most knives made from files will snap or break if struck wrong, hit an object it should have never been swung at, let alone dropping on the concrete, particularly in Winter. The heat treating needs be watched carefully. Get it too hot when you're working on it and the metal will actually crumble like a muffin. Files can be made from W-1 or W-2, some from 1095 and probably a few other steels. Understand that the W stands for water quenching, but when you've hammered out a blade why not lessen the risk of warping by using oil? Oil will also reduce the chance of cracking the blade. I also align my oil container to magnetic North and quench the blade in the same direction to further lessen the chance of warping.
 
Bookie said:
... I also align my oil container to magnetic North and quench the blade in the same direction to further lessen the chance of warping.
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Thats crazy man! You pulling my dog leg? Who wouldda thunk it? I guess if the particles are aligned the length of the knife instead of another oblique direction it would decrease chance of warpage. I wouldnt have thought it would make any difference unless the metal was molten or something. Very interesting.

Grats on a beautiful Reti Ballistol:thumbup:
 
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