Recent KLVUKs

D

dvancleve

Joined
May 14, 2018
Messages
116
Howdy folks.

I got mine yesterday, it was supposed to be from the first batch offered. I was expecting it to weigh about 20oz, but on my scale it weighs 18.5oz. The handle also doesn’t seem to match any of the ones that have been recently posted. Probably none of that matters, I was actually wondering if I should have chosen one that was a little bit lighter. Just curious, has anyone received one that was more like 20oz when you were expecting 17-18oz?

On a different note, I knew that “forge scale“ is what makes the VUK blades black. I didn’t realize they were actually a little on the crusty side. I am thinking some 0000 steel wool with maybe WD-40 on it to smooth out the blade finish. Does that sound about right?

Thanks, Doug
 
Hey Doug,
When the KLVUK'S came out they were basically a trad villager style. That style of khuk is a pure working type, pretty much no frills. And yeah man they are a bit crusty, the forge scale can be removed if you like, actually a few guys here have done it. Im sure a few will chime in with pics as well. I have a few myself and just cleaned up the handle some and have at it. If you dont like it or are unhappy just reach out to Auntie and she will make it right for you. If you do like it just make it yours, anyway you like and post up some pics so we can see what ya did. Cheers
 
Hey pugs :)

I don't want to remove the black or "polish" anything, I do want the blade to feel smooth. I will try some gentle 0000 steel wooling with some sort of penetrant. I assume the roughness that is present in a few spots will come off more easily than the black. On the weight, no big deal. I doubt I can feel 1.5oz difference, mostly curious that it isn't an obvious match to any of the 7 (!) recently posted...

Thanks, Doug
 
Making it smooth will most likely remove some of the scale/black.
The scale is actually what's making it feel rough.
I removed the scale on one of mine, it was remarkably easy. I just soaked paper towels in apple cider vinegar and wrapped the blade. Try to keep it as flat to the blade as possible with few folds, that way you don'd end up with any lines.
In about 20 minutes, I added a bit of vinegar now and then to keep it wet, it just rinses off.
It will still have an aged been around the block a few times look but the scale is gone and it's smooth.
I'll find or take a picture here after a bit.
 
Thanks Bawanna. So the black is not super smooth, but there are a few areas that are definitely crusty (er) than the rest. I would like to smooth that out with as little disruption to the black as possible, I think ;^)

Doug
 
Last edited:
If you want to keep the underlying blackish "patina" you can try what's commonly suggested for axes, which is to gently work it over with a wire wheel, preferably brass, attached to a drill or angle grinder.

By the way, I think 18.5 oz is a great weight for lots of chopping, not so heavy but heavy enough for a good wrist-snap impact.
 
I don't have a villager, but have found I really like lighter khuks. I think you'll really dig it in use. Let us know how it works out. Also, with the rough finish you won't be afraid to work on it and make it yours. Enjoy!
 
Steve Tall said:
If you want to keep the underlying blackish "patina" you can try what's commonly suggested for axes, which is to gently work it over with a wire wheel, preferably brass, attached to a drill or angle grinder.

By the way, I think 18.5 oz is a great weight for lots of chopping, not so heavy but heavy enough for a good wrist-snap impact.
Click to expand...

Thanks Steve. I might have a small brass wheel for a drill, I will have to do some digging. I actually wondered, as I was waiting for that tall triangular USPS box, if I should have chosen one of the lighter KLVUKs. 20oz was the heaviest one listed up to that point, so it doesn't bother me that it is a bit lighter. I do find it interesting that that handle doesn't seem to look like any of them that have been listed, probably just a picture quality issue...

Doug
 
Doug,
I think there was an issue posting with pictures. The "Midnight Offers" from 8/13/2018 15 inch 16 ounce villager Utility Knife by Keshar Lal.$60 has the same picture as the "Weekend Blems for 8-18" KLCUK project #3 15.5 inch 18 ounce $35". The reason I noticed is because I had already received this knife from the picture when I saw it in the later post. I knew it was not still for sale. Probably just a copy and paste error.
 
Dough, if you would like to exchange that one for other knife then send it back to HI and I will pay for return postage and send you another knife when shipment from Nepal arrives in Reno.
 
This is one more example of the superior service and dedication to customer satisfaction that is typical of HI.

I don't know of another company in the U.S. or anywhere else whose owner goes out of her way to this degree.

Lots of companies talk about a "customer community," but HI is one of the few that lives up to the rhetoric.
 
david speaks the truth. HI places the customer service bar extremely high.
 
Auntie is the BEST, no company in the world offers the type of personal customer service that Auntie and HI offers each and every time.
 
Yangdu said:
Doug, if you would like to exchange that one for other knife then send it back to HI and I will pay for return postage and send you another knife when shipment from Nepal arrives in Reno.
Click to expand...
No, it’s cool :) As I mentioned, I wasn’t sure 20oz. was really the best weight for me (like I know ;^) The one I got is fine, I was mostly just trying to match it up to the recent pics...

Thanks, Doug
 
Last edited:
She has shown excellent customer service to me with every transaction. I have had a few orders that needed her attention and she always delivered beyond expectation. Thank you.
 
Auntie and HI were the reason I came here in 09 and still here, her service and commitment to us you will never find anywhere else. I am an HI customer for life!!
 
Do what you want with the khuk to make it "yours", but better not if you change your mind and request an exchange. Brass has been known to leave a thin coat of brass on the scale, so it might require a tad more elbow grease to be expended. My KLVUK is a tried and true work horse that has beau coup hours cutting, plowing into the dirt & stones. Use has removed almost all of the black from the blade over time and a nice satin patina is accumulating. Pugs is dead nuts on about Mrs. Martino. Too many times she's taken a loss in order to make a customer happy. You will not find a more considerate & conscientious business woman this side of Mt. Everest.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top