Proper Blade Maintenance Tips?

[Uberanium]

I just ordered an 18in M-43 from the latest DOTD, and I was wondering what you guys do to maintain your blades properly.

1. Is there anything I should do as soon as I get the blade, before I start using it?
2. Does the handle need any sort of treating?
3. What do you think works best to prevent rust?
4. If I stropped the blade, will the edge it comes with last longer, or is that unnecessary?
5. How sharp should it be, and how often should I sharpen it?
6. What sharpening techniques work best with this kind of blade?
7. Last but not least, I'm assuming that the Karda is utilitarian in purpose instead of decorative, and is made with the same or similar techniques as the Khukuri?

You'll have to excuse my lack of knowledge when it comes to Khukuris, and you can pick and choose what you want to answer as you please. I appreciate any help I can get, since I'm super excited to receive it, and want to make sure it lasts a long time in great condition.

 

[davidf99]

I just ordered an 18in M-43 from the latest DOTD, and I was wondering what you guys do to maintain your blades properly.

1. Is there anything I should do as soon as I get the blade, before I start using it?
2. Does the handle need any sort of treating?
3. What do you think works best to prevent rust?
4. If I stropped the blade, will the edge it comes with last longer, or is that unnecessary?
5. How sharp should it be, and how often should I sharpen it?
6. What sharpening techniques work best with this kind of blade?
7. Last but not least, I'm assuming that the Karda is utilitarian in purpose instead of decorative, and is made with the same or similar techniques as the Khukuri?

1. Take lots of pictures and post them here.
2. Depends on whether the handle is wood, horn or something else, and what condition it's in.
3. Depends somewhat on your climate and type of usage. Many of us use mineral oil. Wipe the blade dry and apply mineral oil after every use.
4. I haven't heard of many people stropping the edge of an M-43. It is a workhorse design, after all.
5. Opinions vary on sharpness. After chopping you can take out minor edge rolls by running the chakma (the small, blunt utility blade, companion to the karda) along the edge.
6. There are a number of past postings on sharpening techniques. Perhaps others can point you to some of them. The most important thing is not to change the convex edge geometry. Sharpening with electric power tools is risky. Manual sharpening is usually preferred. Many people go a long time without having to sharpen the edge.
7. The Karda is just a small utility knife. It's traditional but not terribly important in this age of folding pocket knives. That's just my opinion. Now some khukuris come with oversized or fancy Kardas that can be very nice.

Here's an example of a YCS model by Vim Kami (20.5", 47.5 oz) with two very beautiful, carved kardas and an extra tool:

 

[Uberanium]

1. Take lots of pictures and post them here.
2. Depends on whether the handle is wood, horn or something else, and what condition it's in.
3. Depends somewhat on your climate and type of usage. Many of us use mineral oil. Wipe the blade dry and apply mineral oil after every use.
4. I haven't heard of many people stropping the edge of an M-43. It is a workhorse design, after all.
5. Opinions vary on sharpness. After chopping you can take out minor edge rolls by running the chakma (the small, blunt utility blade, companion to the karda) along the edge.
6. There are a number of past postings on sharpening techniques. Perhaps others can point you to some of them. The most important thing is not to change the convex edge geometry. Sharpening with electric power tools is risky. Manual sharpening is usually preferred. Many people go a long time without having to sharpen the edge.
7. The Karda is just a small utility knife. It's traditional but not terribly important in this age of folding pocket knives. That's just my opinion. Now some khukuris come with oversized or fancy Kardas that can be very nice.

1. That's a given
2. It's a Satisal wood handle
3. I live in Missouri, and plan to use this as a camp knife. Something to take the place of both a hatchet and fixed blade knife so I can carry less. The climate around here is pretty moderate, but it can get very humid during the summer.
4. That's good to hear. I've heard that if you don't strop your blade, it has little micro-burrs, and your edge can wear faster, but if most don't strop their Khuks, then I suppose it's okay.
7. Okay, I figured as much. I was just making sure though lol.

 

[Dobe_1]

You will find the sharpening techniques vary from mouse pads to traditional stone work. I'm the latter. And yes, stropping will and does true up an edge. It doesn't make the edge thinner, just aligns it. I finish my HI Khukuri edges with either a strop or a steel. I have posted pictures of three trees that have falling to these blades. After each tree, no more than five to 6 strokes with a steel put the edge back in to top performance.

 

[Dobe_1]

Repeat

 

[EricTheRedBeard]

As a fellow Missourian, you will have to see to believe but, you are going to love your M43... and probably want to buy more. In my experience a dull khukuri will still cut all day long. I use the Lansky 5 stone system for mine if there are visual dings. Other than that I use the chakma. My brother has never sharpened his. We worked together to cut a trail and his still cuts like a hot knife thru butter.

You will find a ton of good info here. http://www.himalayan-imports.com/FAQindex.html

 

[Bawanna]

I'm a displaced Missourian myself. Everyone here nailed it in my opinion.
As Eric said, a khuk don't really have to be sharp, at least shaving sharp to work very well.
Wipe the blade down and keep it oiled between uses and it will last forever.
Doubt you'll be able to live with just one.
As you mentioned also I hardly ever use my hatchet anymore. It's a khuk for kindling and chopping chores, just works better for me, and really no need for a big knife although I carry my little AK Bowie always. Real handy.

 

[Uberanium]

I'm a displaced Missourian myself. Everyone here nailed it in my opinion.
As Eric said, a khuk don't really have to be sharp, at least shaving sharp to work very well.
Wipe the blade down and keep it oiled between uses and it will last forever.
Doubt you'll be able to live with just one.
As you mentioned also I hardly ever use my hatchet anymore. It's a khuk for kindling and chopping chores, just works better for me, and really no need for a big knife although I carry my little AK Bowie always. Real handy.

I used to be active on here years and years ago under a different account. I'm 99% sure that I remember you from then. It was probably about 2013-2014? I remember that You and Yangdu gifted me a little blem Kagas katne. Now here I am, years and years later getting my first real Khuk lol.

 

[Mateos]

One other important thing to remember is not to store your blade in the sheath. It will rust. I keep mine in a plastic tub.

 

[Bawanna]

I used to be active on here years and years ago under a different account. I'm 99% sure that I remember you from then. It was probably about 2013-2014? I remember that You and Yangdu gifted me a little blem Kagas katne. Now here I am, years and years later getting my first real Khuk lol.

Good things are worth waiting for.
Mateo's brings up an excellent point. I don't store mine in a sheath either. With these being wood on the inside wrapped with leather, perhaps not as critical as with an all leather sheath but can still attract moisture which usually equals rust.

 

[Uberanium]

Good things are worth waiting for.
Mateo's brings up an excellent point. I don't store mine in a sheath either. With these being wood on the inside wrapped with leather, perhaps not as critical as with an all leather sheath but can still attract moisture which usually equals rust.

One other important thing to remember is not to store your blade in the sheath. It will rust. I keep mine in a plastic tub.

I was thinking about keeping it in a heavy layer of mineral oil and displaying it out of the sheath on the wall when not in use.

 

[Bawanna]

That's what I do. My non users I just put paste wax on occasionally, oil the handles. My users get Ballistol which is primarily mineral oil.
I don't have room to display the sheaths so I tag them and have a tote I store those in.
The users I keep the sheaths close by.