posting pix for Johan von Zyl

John Powell

John Powell

Joined
Mar 9, 1999
Messages
1,440
Here is the MkI knife that Johan rebuilt and made a sheath for. I will let him add any details.
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This project has caused me to sit up and take notice when a guy like Terry Cisco writes about scabbard making. I didn't realize that there were so many intricacies. Upon reflection I realize the scabbard has a bit more "paunch" than it should have. The handle should have been a bit lighter in colour (as it is, it's imbuia - I couldn't get stinkwood), and the scabbard leather is a bit too dark also. I would have liked it to be more of a tan colour.

Just before completion I e-mailed my son Hansie in Stellenbosch and asked him what he thought of the idea I had to artificially age the handle and scabbard. I said, "Is that crazy, or is it crazy?" He replied, "It's totally insane - go ahead!!!!" (See the nicks and dents in the handle, and blemishes in the leather.)

Thanks a lot for your kind involvement in the project, JP!:)
 
Hi Johan, Really great job. You can always second guess yourself on a project, but when it comes to aging any object it has to be random effects. All sorts of things will happen to an object over time particuarlly a knife or sword. I think your restoration is super.
 
Thanks, Gary! I was quite nervous when I started to deliberately nick and chip the shiny new handle. Same with the blemishes I put on the scabbard. You have to sort of think what kind of "harm" a rig could come to over time, and then try to simulate it. But your aging must not be of the unattractive kind. For example, you can't go and rip the scabbard leather. (Can you???) :eek:

Reminds me of the comment given to me by the chairman of our re-enactment group when I proudly showed him the old-fashioned leather hat I bought, which I would use in a Boer War shoot. He said, "That's nice. Too nice. Now put it behind the rear wheel of your car and reverse over it.." :D
 
Hey Johan, Nice job. It looks good!

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Mr. Powell, The MKI and M43, How simaler/dissimiler are they? I'm really interested in that style. Also, Do you know where any can be purchased from?
 
WILDMAN
Here is a photo comparing a Mk I (top) to a MK43. You can see the M43 is a sleeker knife and has better balance. It is also slightly heavier at 1lb 13oz v 1lb 10oz.

Both pieces turn up at auctions and on EBay. I have a very nice one for sale, but it has no scabbard and is marked with the maker and the date. If you're looking for a first knife, mine wouldn't be the one.

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Mr. Powell, Thank you for the picture. You sure do have some nice Khukuri's. What are the dimensions of that M43?


BTW: What is the average going price on an M43? The more I see them, the more I want one. Do you think it's possible to have the HIKV with out owning a Khukuri? :D
 
Johan:

Excellent Job! :D I'm no authority, but grading purely on asthetics, it is very pleasing to the eye. Keep up the good work!

-Craig
 
What you have is KDS, Knife Deficiency Syndrome, and of course you have it without owning a khukuri!

Jim Clifton and I (the only sane members of this forum) are pursuing research as fast as we can (keep those donations coming in, folks!) but for now, preliminary results indicate early detection and treatment is the most important thing. As in all deficiency diseases the deficiency must be rectified -- if you try to ignore the symptoms they will not go away by themselves. Buy a khukuri as soon as possible -- do not delay treatment! The deficiency only gets worse with neglect.

Delay only long enough to determine exactly what sort of deficiency you have -- there are several varieties and numerous subvarieties, each with its own specific remedy. You clearly have the variety known as HIKDS, Himalayan Imports Khukuri Deficiency, and you seem to have the subvariety M43 Deficiency -- but it could be one of the other similar subvarieties. If the KDS is misidentified, even the wrong remedy will relieve symptoms but only temporarily -- for instance if you really have a deficiency in 12" Siripatis a M43 will seem to cure the deficiency -- and in fact it will have a very good effect; you will feel better than you've ever felt before -- but after a time, perhaps months, perhaps only a week or even less in severe cases such as Blues had for a while -- you will begin to realize you still have a deficiency, which can only be relieved with a 12" Siripati.

It is also possible to have more than one variety of KDS at the same time. In those patients the problem is identifying which is the most severe deficiency so that can be remedied first....
 
I think that my deficiency is very bad and that just getting an M43 won't cure it. I also have an urge to get an Ang Khola, I'm thinking an 18' should do nicely. One for each hand and maybe even one for my car.

But is there no cure for the deficiency or virus? Or will I be stuck with this forever? Is there a way to get a fix on very little income?
 
Well, we're researching as fast as we can.... Clinical experience with KDS so far tends to confirm the natural assumption that just as in deficiencies in other necessities of life such as vitamin C and caffeine, the only effective course of treatment is to remedy the deficiency and be careful to ensure a steady supply for the rest of your life -- if you mean a "cure" in the sense of someday being able to live a normal healthy life without khukuris, no; that is no more possible than health and vigor without vitamin C and caffeine.

Jim Clifton is researching the question of whether extreme cases of KDS can be alleviated at all, even temporarily. Fortunately for science, he has one of the most extreme cases known to experiment on....

A lower-cost treatment can be obtained with blems and villagers, but availability is limited and great alertness is necessary to find them in time.

P.S. Avoid imitations; though the price of an imitation may seem attractive, clinical (and cave) research indicates no one ever has a deficiency of Atlanta Cutlery banana-shaped metal objects. Any appearance of such a deficiency always turns out to be a misdiagnosis.
 
Thanks for the good advice. I guess I'll just have to get me some Khukuri's soon. I'm glad that there is some one out there that knows about this dificency. Of course, my mom is probably going to hate it when I keep getting more knives and Khukuri's. :p
 
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