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Pristine Appearance vs. Well-Worn: Which Do You Prefer?

J

Josh Feltman

Joined
Feb 12, 2001
Messages
4,501
I like the look of a well-worn khukuri, but to be perfectly honest, I cringe whenever I get a scratch on one of mine, especially if it happens during the course of fixing a khukuri, like scratching the brass buttcap when you are peening over a tang. I guess it's just an inevitable part of using them. I don't have any khukuris that are purely for display, so all of mine show signs of use to one degree or another. So, do you prefer your khukuris looking like they just came out of the triangular box, or do you like your blades to show the signs of use, and possibly even a little abuse?
--Josh
 
BOTH Although I would hesitate using my Sher Kothimoda with the red velvet scabbard. I DO KNOW if need be I could use the blade with no problem. My VERY special order Bura engraved BGRS I would again hesitate to use, but I know Bura made it to BE USED.

I use some of my collection, when the opportunity arises, however some I like to use and some I like to maintain and admire the craftsmanship by the BirGorka Artists. DAG
 
I don't collect, only use, so whatever happens during that use is OK with me. When I do something that unnecessarily blemishes the blade(yes, I have kissed concrete that I didn't know was there), I feel like I've let one of my children down.

Most of what I've done to the blades comes off/out with steel wool and/or Flitz.

Bottom line: I don't buy anything that I feel I will have to baby, even if I KNOW it was made to be used.
 
I also only buy knives/anything that I can put to good use! Although I have not used all my khuks! I like them to look pretty and wish that they would stay scratch free in use! I know that is impossible so I don't worry to much when they get all banged up! It really does give them their own character!:D
 
Originally posted by Josh Feltman
I like the look of a well-worn khukuri, but to be perfectly honest, I cringe whenever I get a scratch on one of mine, especially if it happens during the course of fixing a khukuri, like scratching the brass buttcap when you are peening over a tang............

....So, do you prefer your khukuris looking like they just came out of the triangular box, or do you like your blades to show the signs of use, and possibly even a little abuse?
--Josh
Click to expand...

Josh I hate to see any kind of tool or weapon showing real abuse, but well used and cared for is an entirely different matter.
I s'pose that's one reason I like the BirGhorka Village Model's so much.
They come with a nice satin finish that's easy to care for and without all of that nasty polishing compound on the handles.
A Scotch-Brite pad will keep the finish nice on the blade with a modicum of care.
It works equally well on steel furniture although I wouldn't recommend it being used on brass all to often.
I even used the Scotch-Brite on the horn handle on my 18" AK to provide a more secure grip such as wood handles offer.
The Scotch-Brite will bring out the grain of the horn just like the polish does and suits me much better than the slick polished finish.

"like scratching the brass buttcap when you are peening over a tang"

Josh, try putting a few layers of masking tape over the butt cap before peening the tang.
You can actually tape over the tang if you want to, but it's easier to see with a hole allowed for the end of the tang.
The tape will at least keep it from getting any scratches although it won't protect from dents.;)
 
Shiny is good, but I prefer users. I feel like I'd be doing a disservice to the blades if I didn't use them, and the scratches add to the character.

However, I do try to keep things in as good a shape as possible. I'll polish up any rust spots and keep the handles smooth, but I don't worry about work scratches on the belly of the blade.
 
the marks of use. I have more confidance in a blade that has done some hard work. The pristine blade is like a new girlfriend. You don't know yet if she'll go through tough times without breaking. The well worn, well loved, blade is like your wife. You know that no matter what happens you can count on her. I don't feel that a few lines here and there detract from her beauty. If anything it shows strength. And I find that beautiful.

Frank
 
When I got my 18"AK, I immediately cleaned it as thoroughly as possible and sharpened it. I bought this AK for the distinct task of chopping firewood around the camp site.

Then I spent 2 days wiping it with a Flitz polishing cloth and the knife looked better, and better.

Then I did some khukuri chop tests and it left scuffs and scratches on the blade. It made me want to buy another Khuk to keep clean.

I bought my first HI Khuk 2 weeks ago, now I am considering a second one, a 18" WWII.

Are these symptoms typical of HIKV? How many khuks are usually bought before the fever subsides?

:)
 
Consider this formula:
(grossly harsh and generalizing)


If you cringe at scratches and spend an excessive time polishing or sharpening or cleaning - you are at heart a collector/dealer. You are keeping it "ready" in case you should ever need to show it off or sell it (the basic definition of collecting and dealing).

If you brag about your scratches or they bring back fond memories - you are at heart a user. Your knife is dear to you and you'll probably never sell it.


Nothing wrong either of these camps of thought.

In fact, I believe it may even be a case-by-case basis.


Here's a sampling:

My YCS was the last one made last year and was not, ahem, up to spec. Because of that, it became an immediate user and has seen some serious usage.

AK Bowie - again a reject. (anybody sense a pattern here?) I plan on going so far as to put a convex edge on it and reshape the handle. Definite user (once it's done ;) )

Pen Knife - well, you all should know about that one by now...:rolleyes:

The others get rotated in service as choppers or kitchen duty. I don't hesitate to pull any of them out. Nor does it bother me to get scratches. Sometimes it takes a little courage to put that first scratch on it, but I usually end up forgetting about that stuff after a while anyway. Besides, if anything happens to it, I'm confident enough in my shop skills to know I can put it back together (decently). Maybe that's why I like rejects - fits in with all my other "projects".
 
BOTH :)
First thing I did when I got my Chiruwa AK and my M43 was to go outside and start chopping at a fallen tree. It really made me appreciate it and respect its power. These khuk's are TOUGH and wicked sharp. It nearly outchopped my ATC tomahawk. The M43 is so purty that I'm leaving it pristine for now, but the AK is a beast and it's a shame (IMO) to never use it.
I've got a bead-blast Busse Battle Mistress on order and I swear I'm gonna chop some 2x4's the day it arrives.
That's just me. My pride and joy, a '93 Mustang 5.0 ragtop, is a daily driver even in the winter, and I just had it fully repainted. I know lots of 'stangers who build show queen cars, but I'd never do that... it's no fun unless you use them. Then again I don't own a fully restored Shelby, either.
I do like the Kothimoda khukuris a lot, and I do hope to snatch one up someday. And I admit, I probably will never use it much. But as long as you respect the tool and don't abuse it, I think they should be used.
 
Even Sarge has a very nice Dhankuta that sees some serious shelf time...
 
Originally posted by Sundsvall
Are these symptoms typical of HIKV? How many khuks are usually bought before the fever subsides? :)
Click to expand...

Subsides? We'll let you know when we find the first case of that!


I'm a user (as anyone who's seen my collection of dinged-up Spydercos can attest), but I do like to clean them up in between. Right now my khuks only look good because I don't have much to chop with them...
 
Both I guess now. That Katana with the carved horn handles, well may not use that one,,. Some are not used much or at all because don't have a use for them at the present time. Still looking for a Yugo to try out the big AK. Since it's been so dry here in usually humid central Nebraska had to repair another cracked wood handle. Used epoxy. Getting pretty good at it. Can still see it but you have to look hard. Just adds a little character to the khuk.
 
Hoghead-- have you tried mixing in a little sawdust from the handle with your epoxy? I tried this on my last wood handle repair, and it looks pretty good. I'm going to put a Tru-oil finish on it once I'm done sanding the whole handle, and I'm thinking that the epoxy repair won't even be visible when I'm done (I'm keeping my fingers crossed anyway)

Munk--My local natural food store has a suggestion/request box. I wrote a request asking if they were ever going to carry Soylent Green. They never replied:rolleyes: Needless to say, I stopped shopping there.
--Josh
 
Aardvark-- whatever do you mean??? Soylent Green comes from the oceans; it's an algae-based product, full of plantly goodness. That's why it's green. Everyone knows that...you're not thinking of those silly rumors that Soylent Green is people, are you?
--Josh
 
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