My first Khukri…now what?

A

akatul

Joined
Nov 19, 2007
Messages
13
So I was lucky (and quick) enough to get a WWII by Vim Bhadur Kami during one of the Christmas specials. The blade is beautiful. I hope to test it this weekend, but had a few questions.

There appears to be some heavy oil(?) on the blade protecting against rust. After I test the blade (by whacking a few logs) what should I put back on the blade to keep it stored until I can use it again, probably in the spring? I have tuf-cloth and tuf-glide, would that be enough or are there suggestions for something else. Is there anything I should put on the wood handle?

Aligning the edge. Does anyone one use something other then the chakmak?

Sharpening. In another post, Salamander42 mentions sharpening the blade on his leg with a mouse pad for the convex edge. What type of sandpaper is glued/taped to the mouse pad?

Thank you for your help. As soon as I get her out I will post a few pics.
 
akatul said:
So I was lucky (and quick) enough to get a WWII by Vim Bhadur Kami during one of the Christmas specials. The blade is beautiful. I hope to test it this weekend, but had a few questions.

There appears to be some heavy oil(?) on the blade protecting against rust. After I test the blade (by whacking a few logs) what should I put back on the blade to keep it stored until I can use it again, probably in the spring? I have tuf-cloth and tuf-glide, would that be enough or are there suggestions for something else. Is there anything I should put on the wood handle?

Aligning the edge. Does anyone one use something other then the chakmak?

Sharpening. In another post, Salamander42 mentions sharpening the blade on his leg with a mouse pad for the convex edge. What type of sandpaper is glued/taped to the mouse pad?

Thank you for your help. As soon as I get her out I will post a few pics.
Click to expand...

First of all, Congrats on your new khuk:)! The WWII is a fantastic blade.

As far as oiling going, you can do a number of things. Tuf-cloth seems to work just fine. Also, mineral oil (or baby oil if you don't mind the scent) is a cheap and easy way to keep you blade rust free. Some people store the blade dry. It just depends on what your climate is like. At home, I can store my khuks unprotected for months and months at a time. However, the ones that I keep here at the office need constant case since I work around Chlorine, and it pits the steel like crazy.

Another thing to consider, if this is going to be a user, then you might just forgo the finish all together. It's going to get scratched, dinged, and marred. If you want to protect the blade, yet give it a uniform finish, then you might consider putting a patina on it. Basically, you'll just be doing a mild etch with acid (usually acid fruit juices work fine) that will give the blade a nice satiny gray color that will stave off some of the rust.

As far as chakmas go, they are hit and miss in the hardness and length department. From what I understand, Yangdu is getting a message to the kamis that they need to make them a little harder so that they are more useful. I actually use a couple of butcher's steels to align my edges. I use a toothy one to sort of hog off a bur, then I use a smoother one to push the steel back into alignment. I also have a couple of really hard chakmas that I use after that to finish it up. Then I just give it a good stropping on some polishing compound loaded leather to bring it all the way back....or you could just stop after the toothy butcher's steel:o

As far as convexing the edge, many khukaholics will invest in a belt sander to make the work much easier. For me, I have nothing but time here at work in my office season, and no real space for a belt sander in my garage (I would if I cleaned the danged thing out). The best way that I have found to convex and polish an edge is to start out with around 400 grit sandpaper and move up from there. Just keep stropping the blade until you get it as sharp as you can, then move on to a finer grit. Some guys go up to 1000+. I'm lazy and usually stop at 600ish. After 600 grit, I just move on a leather strop to polish the tooth off the edge. It'll shave hair, but not split it.
Also, keep in mind that keeping a khuk razor sharp is not really recommended for a heavy user. It'll take and edge, and it'll keep and edge. However, the thinner more polished edges will dull and deform before a good sturdy "axe sharp" convex edge.

Once again, Congrats and welcome!:D:thumbup:
 
The best anti-rust I have found is EEZOX, I use it on guns and it is dry to the touch, nothing stops rust better. The light scent is ok too. Try it you will like it.
 
WOW! First time using this Khuk and boy does it like to chop. I hit a few test branches to get used to the feel. I then turned her on a tree that was damaged due to wind. First swing, she bit deep into the wood. Pleasantly surprised with the results. After the workout, I washed her down with Bar Keeper's Friend, good as new. I'll rub her down with a Tuf-cloth tonight and can't wait to get out again! Thank you for the information provided in this post.

Here's a few pics.
pic1.jpg

pic2.jpg

pic3.jpg
 
That's a fine workin' blade you have there:):thumbup: A real keeper. You'll probably find that you'll gravitate back to your first khuk more often than you think. I have well over 40+ khuks and knives from HI. One of my most cherished is my 15" villager AK made by Kumar. It was my first. My first to chop with. My first to bugger up the edge, my first to experiment with bluing and woodchucking, my first to try to make a serious attempt at crafting a leather sheath. I wouldn't give it up:D
 
Great fun, thanks for the pics of your WWII doing her thing. She looks like a real champion.

Now that I have a 18" beast of a CAK( eventually to have a Bocote handle ) and a 12" lil' beast AK to terrorize the logs in my woods, I can treat my 17" Chirua handle WWII with loving care. I'm keeping her zombiehair popping sharp and making some khaki pants for the leather rig to give the overall feel of a WWII rig. It is my first and favorite as Steely mentioned, I take her out and bask in the amazing bond between a man and his first khuk. Bura made this one and I can feel the hot sun and the cool wind of the Himalayas on my face when I unsheath her.

Have a great new year with your new friend, akatul,
mark
 
Good lookin' khuk. :thumbup:

Welcome to the fold.

oh. Your khukuri called. Wanted to know if it could invite some friends over. :p


Mike
 
Akatul?

"Things in motion tend to stay in motion unless acted upon by an outside force."

i.e.: khuks in motion will keep moving even if your leg is the next thing in their paths.


Be safe. Have fun. Read the safety thread.




Kis
enjoy every sandwich
 
I use either WD40 or CLP on my khukris, and Flitz to remove the occasional rust spot or polish the brass.
 
I use a mixture of baby oil with 10% clove oil to remove the sickening feminine stench of the baby oil. You may be able to find clove oil at your local pharmacy (drug store) sold as tooth ache drops. Seems to work fine as a blade protectant and has a nice smell too.
Regards
Nigel
 
What a great response, Steely Gunz - friendly, informative and useful, not just to akatul but to others including me. Thank you.

Quick note: Uncle Bill recommended that "wall hangers" be wiped down with a Tuf-Cloth and given a light coat of Renaissance Wax. A Tuf-Cloth plus a tiny tube of Tuf-Glide can be had for $13.99 delivered and Renaissance Wax for $29.60 delivered, both on ebay.

Akatul: the answer to your question, "My first Khukri…now what?" is "Time to get your second one." :-)
 
Basically, what everyone else has said; all good advice. Pay heed to kis's advice on safety!!

Now that you know how to take care of it and know it's usefulness, what is your next step? Buy more!
 
This thread got me so excited, I just went out and bought my first khuk! M43 from Kumar. Can't wait to get out there and chop!
 
Everyone thank you for the responses. Steely provided some great information and when using this beauty, safety first has been my motto. She's definitely a user not a wall hanger, been out twice since those pics, still chopping well after some simple steeling. I figure before the spring I will attempt to sharpen and strop (something I have not tried yet) but no need right now.

PS Last night I woke up to someone was crying, it was my Khuk, she's lonely. There will be more added to make her happy. I like the Seax style, very different.
 
akatul said:
PS Last night I woke up to someone was crying, it was my Khuk, she's lonely. There will be more added to make her happy. I like the Seax style, very different.
Click to expand...

Heh heh heh! :cool: Another victim of HIKV. :thumbup: Our work here is done, boys.
 
Coincidentally, Four years to the day ago, in a response to Dr.D's inquiry "what is HIKV?"


01-18-2004, 03:28 AM
Kismet
Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: WI
Posts: 5,283

DrDan?

If you are serious about your question, I have some possibilities for you to consider:

1. The product itself is a marvel of a single person's effort, talent and diligence. It is created in an environment of minimal amenities, tools, or power assistance. It represents hundreds of years (perhaps more) of applied talent to create a tool, weapon, and personal ornament--depending on the circumstances. It is hand-crafted with pride in an age in which neither pride, nor craftsmanship are commonplace. It is also beautiful if you have an affinity for edged tools.

2. Himalayan Imports was founded on, and continues to be based upon, the concept of actually benefiting the people who are in circumstances which we, in the Western world, would certainly considered "reduced." It is virtually, or completely, a non-profit organization set up by a man and his relatives and associates to bring some semblence of well-being into an environment which has few opportunities for such.

3. The persona of Bill Martino, and his on-going dedication to helping those he can, beyond the boundaries of HI--such as Ram the med student, or the Bhuddist monk he has helped here, lend one a sense of renewed faith in the diminishing sense of goodness of humanity.

4. The gentlemen, and occasional ladies, who frequent the Cantina, are forth-coming in their welcomes, their offers of information, their help in their respective areas of knowledge or expertise, and their wry humor. They, in and of themselves, create an atmosphere of warmth and society. They support one another, offer prayers or smoke or good thoughts to friends and strangers in times of need; they provide an outlet for talking about problems that might not otherwise be discussed in this age of self-containment. If they disagree, they disagree with good humor and respect for the others' points of view.

Moreover, they do not flame nor chastise posts with which they disagree--most often, silence is their response to opinions proffered with which they take exception. This is a forum of courtesy, respect and tolerance.

It is unique. It is a place where strangers are just friends you haven't met yet. It is a place of learning, wisdom, knowledge and laughter. It is a special place.

Each of these elements, and more, I'm sure, coalesce to create the HIKV syndrome you mention.

For me, it's been a place of comfort and society during a time in my life when I very much needed such...and didn't realize it, initially.
 
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