Recommendation? Sandpapered sharpening a kukri

[Isaiah Gonzalez]

Now I own a sirupate kurkri from Himalayan imports, it's a very beautiful blade it's 18" total. Now when I got the blade it wasn't too sharp....so I tried to sharpen it myself...I looked all these ways..tried them very little effect...one that kinda did have some effect was the sandpaper but the sandpaper I had was 500, 800 and 1500 even worse was the sandpaper weren't full sheets they were just strips..so I couldn't run the blade all over the sandpaper because it was way too small...so I gave up..and found a guy who sharpens blades..amazingly he lived down my street..I gave him a call he told me he has sharpened many kurkris before so I was definitely going to have this guy do the job...he did shaprpen it very well he used a sand belt...used a strop...one thing I wish I asked him is if he knows that kurkris have convex edges..so I wouldn't know if he messed my convex edge up..so overall my point with all of this is this...where do I get 2000 grit sandpaper? What kind of mousepad will I need for the sharpening...and how do I tell if my convex edge is fine still...and I guess the bigger question would be how do I get my kurkri very razor hair sharp..because the blade wasn't too crazy sharp to cut hair..but it was satisfactory sharp...still any thoughts..

 

[Isaiah Gonzalez]

Here are some pictures of the kurkri after it was sharpened...you can the outline...of the polish left from the sharpening.

 

[katanas]

I wouldn't think it a good idea to get a kukri hair popping sharp considering the uses it is designed for. If, however, that is what you want then sandpaper would be the way to go-I think (experts can chime in here ). I believe an auto repair shop would be the place to go for the sandpaper you are looking for. I don't know whether your edge was/is convex. I believe I have the same one (sirupate) from them and I tried sharpening it because I did want it a bit sharper; it may have been convex when I got it, but it sure isn't now. I was too lazy to follow the advice I just gave you.

 

[Brian77]

My kukris will shave arm hair easily. All 7 of mine are that way.

They are all convex. But sharpening is a challenging. A mouse pad with sandpaper, and a fair amount of time.

 

[Ratman79]

3m Wetordry is what you are looking for. Silicon carbide paper. The pack says "Auto" and "Advanced" It is sold in full size sheets 9 x 11 inches or the 3.66 x 9 in. small sheets. Both are sold 5 sheets to a pack. The outer package is black. Grits go from lower than 220 to 2000 and there are even "trizact" sheets that go higher.

An auto part store is a good bet but the internet is better. The retailer named after a rainforest is where I go.

3m makes all sorts of papers and abrasives. I was specific because you need a certain type. (Aluminum oxide papers are meant for wood so make sure your papers use silicon carbide)

A typical progression for your kukri could be 220, 400, 800, 1500 and 2k. If the edge is not dinged or just needs a touchup, skip 220 and 400.

The mousepad can be any old school pad with the foam base. Or use a legal pad for a surface. You do not need too much give. Use a light touch and go in an edge trailing motion.