Now that I can say more than "Wow"

SilverFoxKnows

SilverFoxKnows

Joined
Sep 25, 2002
Messages
3,179
Fit and finish are excellent. At first I thought Uncle goofed on the handle fill. It took me a while to find it. It's about 1mm thick the length of the buttcap on one side. The rust is miniscule. There's a larger fill on the handle of the karda but it's no big deal. Handle perfect on chakma. Sheath very well done, not too tight. Seems like a lot of rouge on the handle. I've taken some of it off with Murphy's oil soap, but no sanding yet.

It's a little nose heavy, but not bad. The more I hold it the more balanced it seems. So far I've just cut air. Got it to whistle, too. Scary. Pretty soon it'll be going up against a maple and a couple of avaccado trees as well as some old fence material. I'll write more after she's gotten dirty.

I've already started thinking about khuks two and three. Something big, maybe a 20"AK or a GRS and something lighter, maybe a 20"siru or a 21"GS. Now to go back and finish reading all the woodchuck threads.

Frank

P.S. When I hang the khuk by the little loop the handle is a good place to hang my rudraksha seed mala. It goes that when Man grew too wicked and Siva was forced to act, he wept as he destroyed Man with his bow. Where his tears fell the rudraksha grew.
 
The first one's a wonder. You realize there are people making the real thing, pleasing to the eye but not a hollywood prop. These are what the fantasies are based on. You realize they're handmade and feel and see what the Kami saw.

You realize there are more where this came from. But for how long, you wonder? Will my children find these in twenty years? How much longer will there even be Kamis? And you think of a byegone Age where men had elephants feet for umbrella stands, where ivory was common, and where people harvested or built by hand what is done by machine today.


munk
 
Originally posted by munk
You realize there are more where this came from. But for how long, you wonder? Will my children find these in twenty years? How much longer will there even be Kamis? And you think of a byegone Age where men had elephants feet for umbrella stands, where ivory was common, and where people harvested or built by hand what is done by machine today.
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You're so right, Munk, we've got it lucky right now. Every time I lift a HI khukuri, I know, I just know, that in 20 years I will be kicking myself for not buying more (and right now I've got more than I could wear out in a lifetime). For what you get, as the ultimate durable good, the price right now is negligible. When everything is made of disposable plastic or built like the rapid-prototyping machines work now, atom by atom, how much will a proper hand-forged blade cost you?
 
mPisi, I've a friend who attends ranch auctions a lot. I've asked him if he ever sees a small forge for sale. He does. Here I am, a mechanical dimwit,wondering if I could make a blade. I wouldn't be wondering so much if I believed the Kamis would be here tomorow.



munk
 
American Bladesmith Society is coming to Reno for the first time in January. Forget what forum I heard that on.
 
Go check out the Shop Talk forum, there's alot of good info there. I've pondered it myself, but the apartment neighbors may not like all the hammering :D
 
mPisi, I've a friend who attends ranch auctions a lot. I've asked him if he ever sees a small forge for sale. He does. Here I am, a mechanical dimwit,wondering if I could make a blade. I wouldn't be wondering so much if I believed the Kamis would be here tomorow.
Munk, I've been perusing some forging threads for a while, having fantasies of trying it someday myself. As far I can tell, it's not that hard or expensive to build a very servicable forge that fueled by propane or charcoal (not briquettes!! real charcoal--which can be made or purchased from restaurant supply places).

What does seem hard to come by, are decent anvils with a good bounce to them, and hand-cranked blowers (if you're inclined to go old-fashioned or portable). If your friend can pick up either at a good price, I bet you can easily resell them later if you never use them. Apparently the hand-cranked blowers can fetch a good ammount on E-bay if they've been cleaned up and operate.

If you want I can try to dig up some sites I bookmarked somewhere....Wasn't Maui's brother gonna give forging a shot??? Any reports Maui??
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The American Bladesmith Exposition will be Jan 31 - Feb 2 2003 at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino in Reno. I don't know if there will be bladesmithing demos, but there are a lot of very talented makers scheduled to attend.

If you can come to the Eugene Oregon Show April 12-13 2003 there will be a bladesmithing demo at least one of the days and we could probably arrange for anyone interested to try beating on hot steel.

Munk, you know you have an open invitation to come over here and try any aspect of knife making that interests you.

The only caveat is that most people who are interested enough to try forging blades find themselves hooked and end up setting up their own smithy.
 
Thanks Art. Hey, do you do blacksmithing tasks too? Make things besides knives?

I used to think a welder was a keen guy. But a blacksmith...creates.

Never can tell when I'll make it to the Coast. The reasons to go keep piling up.

munk

almost forgot; Firkin, you're someone I'd guess would already be pounding steel,with your interest in science and mechanics. (how things go together)
 
Munk,
No, I don't do general blacksmithing, but I do have enough equipment in the shop to do most of it. You could try that here too, if you wish.

I get myself in enough trouble trying to keep up with knife work.
 
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