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Question about chakma.
- Thread starter Mad Mike
- Start date
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2001
- Messages
- 5,946
Pretty much the same way as using a steel on a knife. It's supposed to realign the little microscopic dents and flaws in the edge. I've even used it on the no-so microscopic dents in the edge.
Put one edge of the chakma on the cutting edge of your khuk and pull away from cutting edge. I work small sections (about 2 inches) per stroke. Keep in mind that you're re-aligning small imperfections in the edge and you probably won't go wrong.
Most likely someone with more skill and better english will explain this better than I.
Put one edge of the chakma on the cutting edge of your khuk and pull away from cutting edge. I work small sections (about 2 inches) per stroke. Keep in mind that you're re-aligning small imperfections in the edge and you probably won't go wrong.
Most likely someone with more skill and better english will explain this better than I.
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2001
- Messages
- 5,946
Oh.. the more goofy or dull your blade is, the more pressure you'll have to use. Eventually you will have to resharpen it but the chakma will make your edge last longer. This means the knife will last longer too.
- Joined
- Feb 23, 1999
- Messages
- 4,855
I prefer a ceramic rod to a chakma. The chakma does serve in the field when the rod is not available. The rod can also be used to realigh the edge and it sharpens too. It removes so little metal that I am not concerned about undue blade wear. I might consider carying a ceramic rod in the chackma pocket when I get my working khuks back.
- Joined
- Mar 5, 1999
- Messages
- 34,096
There should be some info in the FAQ.
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2002
- Messages
- 191
I agree about including more info in the FAQ about the proper use of the Chakma. I do not use it right now due to lack of knowledge.
The questions I have are:
1) Do you keep the khukuri edge towards you or away when striking it?
2) Most Chakmas are curved. What is the proper way to hold it?
3) Maybe include some pictures in the FAQ that shows the correct use?
Like Howard, I currently use a ceramic rod. Grandchildren should buy their own Khuks, the inherited Gramps should hang on the wall
Cheers,
-Emile
The questions I have are:
1) Do you keep the khukuri edge towards you or away when striking it?
2) Most Chakmas are curved. What is the proper way to hold it?
3) Maybe include some pictures in the FAQ that shows the correct use?
Like Howard, I currently use a ceramic rod. Grandchildren should buy their own Khuks, the inherited Gramps should hang on the wall
Cheers,
-Emile
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2000
- Messages
- 3,708
I usually hold the khukuri facing up, point away from me.
Then hold chakma with index finger out 3/4 of the way on the chakma itself so I can apply needed pressure(widest side of Chakma down on edge).
Keep the khuk (point away from me) facing edge up, then turn edge to the left 45degrees(or the angle you would steel it at)and run the chakma down the whole length of edge. (However for very dull edges, esp. ones with rough spots, Bruise is right. You often can put alot of pressure in small stroke increments as you go. But remember you'll have to align the edge to match those parts you work over extra hard)
Now, depending on a few factors, you'll be doing it differently. If you have a good HARD chakma your life will be easier. If the chakma seems to be really soft and won't really even raise a burr on the softest parts of khuk (right near cho and farthest part of tip)then you're better off finding a harder chak. from another khuk(I have one from my 20"AK that I always use cause its really hard, and huge!)or using a smooth steel.
Now, start on one side and as Yvsa taught me, I work one side completely with strokes going all the way from cho to tip (until thre is burr running whole length of edge). Sometimes(often)you'll find that you need to apply more pressure within the course of the stroke when you hit the sweet spot. SO you stroke goes like this pressure wise "normal pressure--hard pressure--normal P.". Then when you have an evenly rough edge in one direction(burr) turn it over and do the other side.
I let off pressure as I go and the khuk becomes sharper. It is possible to do fine sharpening work with the chakma. I often just let the weight of the chakma rest along the edge for the final touches. I have been able to bring a chopping dulled khuk back to semi-shave sharp this way. And its very possible to bring them to shaving sharp if they aren't dulled badly to start with.
Once you get the hang of using the chakma I bet you'll find yourself reaching for one to put edges back on other knives as well
The nice thing about the chakma for me when I started out sharpening these knives, is that it is much more forgiving of mistakes than a course diamond steel or stone.
Enjoy!
Then hold chakma with index finger out 3/4 of the way on the chakma itself so I can apply needed pressure(widest side of Chakma down on edge).
Keep the khuk (point away from me) facing edge up, then turn edge to the left 45degrees(or the angle you would steel it at)and run the chakma down the whole length of edge. (However for very dull edges, esp. ones with rough spots, Bruise is right. You often can put alot of pressure in small stroke increments as you go. But remember you'll have to align the edge to match those parts you work over extra hard)
Now, depending on a few factors, you'll be doing it differently. If you have a good HARD chakma your life will be easier. If the chakma seems to be really soft and won't really even raise a burr on the softest parts of khuk (right near cho and farthest part of tip)then you're better off finding a harder chak. from another khuk(I have one from my 20"AK that I always use cause its really hard, and huge!)or using a smooth steel.
Now, start on one side and as Yvsa taught me, I work one side completely with strokes going all the way from cho to tip (until thre is burr running whole length of edge). Sometimes(often)you'll find that you need to apply more pressure within the course of the stroke when you hit the sweet spot. SO you stroke goes like this pressure wise "normal pressure--hard pressure--normal P.". Then when you have an evenly rough edge in one direction(burr) turn it over and do the other side.
I let off pressure as I go and the khuk becomes sharper. It is possible to do fine sharpening work with the chakma. I often just let the weight of the chakma rest along the edge for the final touches. I have been able to bring a chopping dulled khuk back to semi-shave sharp this way. And its very possible to bring them to shaving sharp if they aren't dulled badly to start with.
Once you get the hang of using the chakma I bet you'll find yourself reaching for one to put edges back on other knives as well
The nice thing about the chakma for me when I started out sharpening these knives, is that it is much more forgiving of mistakes than a course diamond steel or stone.
Enjoy!