setting the record straight...

GregS

GregS

Gold Member
Joined
May 6, 2008
Messages
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I recently received my first Khukri, a CAK, and in a previous thread I was wining about the condition of its initial edge, which was terrible. I sharpened it on my belt sander and gave it too my friend, he loves it.

It saw its first bout of rough use this weekend, it passed with flying colors. Every year at this time we smoke about 50lbs. of ribs and tenderloins in a homemade smoker. The Khukri was the only tool used to split/chop three milk crates full of small smoking size chunks of wood... seasoned apple wood, black walnut and maple. All of which are very hard woods IMO.

I steeled the blade every hour or so with the one provided by HI, and I was amazed at the edge retention it exhibited, still shaved at the end of the day!:eek: At one point a pebble found its way onto my chopping block, needless to say I hit it, on accident. I know I hit because it threw a spark. However, zero edge damaged occurred, no blunting, rolling or chipping.

In closing I'm very impressed with it, it's a great tool with a fantastic warranty. I hope HI will be around for many more years, thank you.:thumbup:
 
hollowdweller said:
Might you have a few pics of this chopping action so share??:thumbup:;)
Click to expand...

Dang it! I don't! Wish I did... Imagine a big shiny Khukri surrounded by dominated chunks of hard wood. And a smoker made out of a trash can. Classy... real classy.;):cool:
 
Greg; In starting that CAK sharpness thread, I also want to share some detail after my testing this past week. My CAK was not sharp and is barely passable right now with 1500-grit sandpaper. I am getting an A.G. Russell field sharpener in a couple days which has two fine diamond rods and two super-fine ceramics. This should fix the issue.

In the interim, I'm happy to say I tested the blade on some hard, dead apple and cherry in 10-degree Wisconsin weather. The wood was hard and quite frozen. For those in northern climes - you know how tough this is on a blade. The blade still cut without deforming or edge loss. It took about ten swings to sever a six-inch deadfall. It was taking some good-sized chips out and I know with a properly sharp blade the work would have been near effortless.

I also learned through trial how to "snap" the blade forward at the point of impact to increase the leverage at the last split second. I swung hard and stuck it about eight inches into a trunk the size of my arm and then pried it laterally. The wood split. The blade did not bend. I am also very surprised by the lack of shock transferred to the tang. I will NOT be reforming the handle. It's perfect the way it is. I love the ridged grip as I can put three fingers in front and my pinkie behind it.

I went inside, oiled it to prevent rust and inspected the edge with a magnifying glass and found no burr, deformations or edge loss. I then viewed the length of the blade from cho to point to make sure there was no edge wave produced by impact on either side of the bevel. We'll see how it holds up when truly sharp... but for now it passed. Very happy with the initial result.
 
GregS, interesting turnaround. I recall your disappointment with the edge as it was delivered, sounded more dull than any of the medium sized khuks in my collection. But after your sharpening job, your account of the edge retention on this CAK leaves my own HI users in the dust! These handmade blades... ya never know till you put 'em to the test I guess.
 
I am glad to hear I am not the only one here with a passion for kuks as well as smoked food. I use my BAS frequently to cut down kindling etc for starting her up.

DaddyDett

(name is the same over at the TX BBQ Rub forum and the Gatorpit forum.)
 
What would be the best way to straighten the "folded" and "wavy" blade on my new bonecutter? :( I used it to chop hardwood, and it folded right up. I got the fold out, but can't seem to get the waves out. Don't know why this happened, although the blade edge on this kuk does look thinner than on my other HI khuks. Maybe it wasn't heat treated properly.
 
hkfrost said:
What would be the best way to straighten the "folded" and "wavy" blade on my new bonecutter? :( I used it to chop hardwood, and it folded right up. I got the fold out, but can't seem to get the waves out. Don't know why this happened, although the blade edge on this kuk does look thinner than on my other HI khuks. Maybe it wasn't heat treated properly.
Click to expand...

Start a new thread with this info and maybe a pic or two and i'm sure it'll get noticed and you'll have all the info and help you need. I'm rather inexperienced in this matter...so i wont offer advise other than to talk to Yangdu. I'm interested in what the more experienced members have to say.
 
Hello hkfrost, send the Bonecutter back to HI for replacement


Himalayan Imports
3495 Lakeside Dr.
PMB 69
Reno, NV 89509

Ph # 775-825-2279
 
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