Re: Finally lost my HI virginity!! --report

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Phalanx7.62

Joined
Nov 19, 2003
Messages
127
Well, the triangle box showed up today, HOORAY!! Inside was a super cool WWII 16.5" Horn handled beauty (pics coming). I am really impressed, and was wondering why this was in the blem box. Too pretty. Sheath is way top notch, and the blade is even better.

I know someone can decipher the inscriptions for me:

http://home.comcast.net/~rizobb/DSC01115edit.JPG

It came "kinda" sharp, with a burr on one side. This was quickly remedied with the use of my leather strop and some Veritas green. Now she is sharp. Horn looks good, although there is a little jagginess on the buttplate corners where the horn might have shrank a little?

Overall I love it, and can't wait to do some choppin an de-limbing!

Robb

Edited to add, Thank you Bill Martino and Yangdu, and thank you fellow Cantinistas for being super cool!
 
The SB over the half sun near the handle means your khukuri was made by Sher, known for his robust blades and nearly-convex edges. The characters near the bend in the spine are the company initials, HI, written in Devanagari.

Sounds like you got yourself a nice first khukuri! It's definitely possible for horn to shrink. You might want to try moisturizing it with a lanolin-containing product of some sort--people use everything from Hooflex to Alberto VO5 :D I've heard of people using mineral oil or olive oil as well, though I'd stick with the mineral oil if you go that route as it does not become sticky over time, at least in my experience. If that doesn't work, you might be able to fill in the gap with epoxy. If you want half a million suggestions, just post a thread on handle repairs :)
--Josh
 
Brass is pretty soft. You can use some sort of scraping device and debur it. I think I used a utility knife for this once. Just put a 45 degree angle on the edge.
 
The symbols half way down the blade near the top of the spine are devanagari for Hee Eee.

Nepali is written in the devanagari alphabet, so is Sanskrit and Hindu. English, French and German use the same alphabet whose name I forget, and Russian uses the Cyrillic alphabet.

The half sun and initals SB stand for Sher Bishwakarma. I have a 16.5" Sher WW2 myself. It is a backup for my Bura WW2. I also have 18" WW2's by Sher and Bura ( technically Bura means 'old man' and his name is actually Lal Bahadur Bishwakarma, and one's about as good as another. More difference between each's good and bad days than between one another.

Both turn out good work on a day in and day out basis. There doesn't seem to be Detroit Assembly Line Monday-Morning syndrome except for Dasein or Dasheera (?) where everything shuts down for two or three weeks around September/October.

The other symbol, a small circle with two parallel lines reminds me of a Zuni or Navaho design. I think I used to known what it meant, but it's addition to the Bir Gorkha shop's blade marking is relatively recent.
 
Phalanx--after reading Bruise's response, I had to go back and reread your post--I kinda misread it the first time. While it's possible that the horn in your handle has shrunk and could stand some moisturizing, the real problem is the brass. This may or may not be fixed as the horn expands. As Bruise suggested, you can trim the sharp spots down, or even sand them down. I've had to sand down the pointy ends on a few of my khukuris for comfort.
--Josh
 
Careful,

Once you've availed yourself of the thickest, beefiest Ang Kholas, you'll slowly turn your eye towards the rest of the line and the frequent specials. It's not a bad thing, but be careful nonetheless.
 
You've got it down, Rusty.

That latest mark or sign which looks very American Indianish is stilll a mystery. I've asked why they added it and what it means and, as usual, my query goes ignored.
 
A bit of time with an inexpensive set of needle files, some assorted grit abrasive paper (down to 320 or 400 grit) and then 4/0 steel wool will get your handle smoothed down to where it feels sooo god in your hand, you'll think it was made for you. Well... It kinda was :=)
I stick the finished handle in a jar of olive oil for a day or two, but other folks use mineral oil, or other proprietary emollients sold for horse hooves.
Take good care :p
BTW, Always put a strip of masking tape over the sharp edge when working on a handle. Even if your only going to do a "little" work. Trust me, fingers aren't replaceable.
:eek: :eek:
 
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