New KLVUK advice

U

Urban redneck

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Sep 4, 2015
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393
So I just picked up my firs KLVUK (Thx Auntie!) And I can totally see why everyone loves these things so much! I just wanted to know, I would like to finish the handle with linseed or tung oil to give it some more weather resistance, and also, is there anyway to remove the forge scale, or is that not a good idea? Thx!
 
They are awesome aren't they:D
The beauty of these khuks is that for the price, you can pretty much do whatever you want to them.
I finished my handle with a combo of boiled linseed and some plain old deck sealer.
I removed the scale from mine with a bit of diluted muruatic acid and a sanding sponge.

Probably one of my top 3 user khuks, for sure.

Here's a link to how I had to refinish mine after I left it out in the snow for a few days.:o
 
Urban redneck said:
...is there anyway to remove the forge scale...
Click to expand...

Vinegar will remove the scale.

Bawanna said:
...I used Apple Vinegar, soaked a paper towel and laid it nice and flat around the blade so it's in full contact all over and keep it damp with the vinegar. I was shocked how quickly the scale came off, I tried sanding and it didn't even phase it but that vinegar soak for maybe 20 minutes and it was gone...
Click to expand...
 
Yeah, vinegar is easier to come by that Steely's muratic acid I think too. I got it out of the kitchen. I have no idea what the wife uses it for.

I just soaked the paper towel and made sure it was covering evenly with no wrinkles and it only soaked for 20 minutes.
I guess Mr. Tall covered all that in his attachment.

I did kind of like the scale myself, it was a tough decision. I got the scale on my Tamang and I'm leaving it on that one.
 
I second the apple cider vinegar. I've taken the forge scale off 3 of my blades so far. The first one I did with a grinder, and while shinier, it wasn't worth it... At all...



After that I did the vinegar, which gave the patina look that I love so much anyways. I used the technique outlined by Bawanna above. Here's the Tamang after some use.



And the KLVUK exploring a turkey



Also for the handle, I recommend light sanding, then a BLO or mineral oil soak, or at least a bunch of applications of mineral oil. Someone mentioned using a condom to cover/soak the handle, and I happen to think it's a great idea. I went ahead and ordered some cheap non-lubricated ones for that very purpose, since I've always had trouble finding a place to store a tub of oil with a knife in it for a few days. Seems like you'd use/waste a lot less too. We'll see how it goes. Good luck!!
 
I only have one with the scale on it, a Tamang. The uniform smoothness of the blackness against the perfect grind and beautiful Satisal wood makes an extremely attractive combination. I'd never change it. I will have a Farm Knife and Farmcata inbound once I return home. Not sure what I may or may not do.
 
I think we all ought to meet at your house when you get home for a big opening party!

Probably need a few bodies to help get the box off the truck and into the house anyhow.
 
Phosphoric acid works great.
Grout and Tile prep contains lots of it. It's said to convert rust back to metal. Certainly looks like it evaporates scale and gives a nice dull and gray finish which turns very dark grey when oiled.
 
They certainly looks awesome without the forge scale.
I personally leave it there as it gives some rust protection to the blade.

Everyone on earth should have a KLVUK :-)
 
Awesome advice guys! I was a little concerned about removing the scale, as I didn't know what I was going to find underneath it lol! But after seeing what the blades look like bare I think I'm going to go for it! As far as finishing the handle, to I just keep rubbing the linseed oil into the handle, or just soak the whole thing until it's saturated?
 
Bigbore577 said:
I only have one with the scale on it, a Tamang. The uniform smoothness of the blackness against the perfect grind and beautiful Satisal wood makes an extremely attractive combination. I'd never change it. I will have a Farm Knife and Farmcata inbound once I return home. Not sure what I may or may not do.
Click to expand...

I also have a Tamang like that, with a nice combination of black forge scales and polished edge that I wouldn't want to change.

I have a couple other blades where the forging scales were rougher and seemed to attract dirt and surface rust. I removed the scales easily by soaking the blades in vinegar. I first taped the point and edge, then put the blades in a large plastic freezer bag with the vinegar. Left it in a bathroom sink overnight and the next day most of the forging scales had just flaked off. The rest came off easily with a little rubbing with a paper towel.

This is the Tamang that I have not modified. It's 15" OAL and weighs 16 oz. Made by Vim Kami. The sheath is a very nice one made for me by Pugs at a reasonable price.

View attachment 620502

This is a before image of the two blades that I cleaned up with vinegar. The small one is a Baby CAK. The big one is a KLVUK by Keshar Lal, 16.5" OAL and 22 oz. A very nice knife but the forging scales were rough, so I removed them. Unfortunately I didn't take an after image and the knives are put away somewhere. The excellent sheath is by Wildmanh.

View attachment 620503
 
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That Tamang is a beauty for sure as is Pugs' leather craft. I hope to have him do something realativly soon. My big decision is which one to start with. I've narrowed the field down substantially but, I have to play with them a bit more to see which one would best fit my uses in the field. My Puma Waidbesteck mit Waidblatt und Jagdnicker have served well for decades along with a small Gransfors Bruks axe. The Khukri as a replacement for all three seems feasible if I choose properly. I'm certainly am not getting any younger and wish to make the best choice possible without to much trial and error.
 
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I don't think they are on the website. It stands for Keshar Lal Village Utility Knife. It's what you would probably see the locals using if you were to visit.

Send an email to Yangdu, she might have some, usually tries to keep some on hand. Or watch the DOD's, that's where she post them from time to time.

They generally do not come with a sheath, not a big issue to me, I never could cut or chop much in the sheath anyhow.
 
I used the vinegar soak for my tamang and it was super easy and came out a really nice dull gray color. I leave the scale on my KLVUKs because they get put to immediate use and don't have time to get pampered. I sand and oil the handle then start chopping.
 
I find just using them makes the handles better and better too.

I've been using my CAK all winter making kindling and the handle is prettier than it ever was. I don't wear gloves on the knife hand, I do wear one on the support hand and sometimes target hand if I get a little careless.
I think the oil in the hand along with the rubbing from work makes the handle better all the time.

The blade is near pretty as the day I got it. Month or so ago I took it over to the buffer and in just a couple minutes it was near perfect once again, I was happy.

Found a fella last night that will wire my garage for super reasonable price so no more extension cords and jury rigged lighting. Can't wait to flip a switch and have light!
Then maybe more meaningful production and work out there instead of a storage unit for wife and kids.
 
I used cider vinegar after the scale on mine got worn out from constant use. To be honest I kinda miss the way it looked with the scale.

Here it is next to my cousin's cak
 
Do not just allow the handle to soak in oil until it's saturated. It will not dry out in a month of Sundays if you do. Oil it. Rub it in until it's hot. Allow it to dry well. Can take a couple of days to do so after a few coats. Then repeat as often as you have patience for, but for guns in my business, 6 coats is the minimum.
 
I normally use a 50/50 mix of Shelac and BLO let dry overnight after about 3 or 4 coats (45 min spacing).
Handle stays grippy and is well protected for a long time.

The more use it gets the less it will dry out.
 
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