Sharpening question

B

bemo

Joined
Oct 19, 2006
Messages
509
Hello folks. Any one sharpen their khukuri with stones? I have sharpened them using the tried and true sandpaper/mouse pad combo and have also used my belt sander. But I really enjoy using my water stones for my other knives but the re-curve of a khukuri seems like it would present some problems for sharpening with stones.
 
I usually use a sharpening steel for kitchen knives then move to the chamak (sp?) then a leather strop.... Will slice paper with little to no force
 
A stone works fine on the belly, but for the recurve, not so much. If you use a Chakma, butchers steel or other product in the field to help maintain the edge, you can get more life out of it between sharpenings. When hiking or camping, I normally have an EZE-Lap M series Diamond hone on me for field touch ups. Sometimes I also carry a small pocket wet stone. Between those two, I can keep all my blades in working shape till I get home to my main sharpeners.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I use stones from the tip to as far into the curve as I can. For that area, I use a butcher's steel and a loaded strop. That part really doesn't have to be that sharp anyway:)
 
THe only things I've been able to successfully sharpen them with (due to size, curve/recurve) are DMT diamond steel sharpening rods. 12-14" long.
 
I think wildmanh is right about being able to use a flat stone only for sharpening from the tip to the point at which the curve starts to reverse (the belly). I'm not really sure how sharp a Khukuri needs to be. I sharpen the entire blade length of my Khukuri using a piece of 600 grit automotive sandpaper rolled up into a cylinder, sort of like a Spyderco Sharpmaker.
 
Thanks for the replies. I can and have sharpened using other methods; I just really like using waterstones. Perhaps I'll take a look at the local wood working shop, they have sharpening stones in all kinds of shapes.
 
chefknivestogo_2233_31325022


My WWII needs some sharpening.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
bemo said:
Thanks for the replies. I can and have sharpened using other methods; I just really like using waterstones. Perhaps I'll take a look at the local wood working shop, they have sharpening stones in all kinds of shapes.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a great idea! Please let us know if you find something that you like. :)
 
bemo said:
Is that ceramic?
Click to expand...

No, it is a borosilicate glass sharpening rod. Supposedly it is the ultimate steeling rod, but they are expensive and the company that makes them has been having financial problems. They have been "out of stock" for a very long time and nobody that owns them ever sells them on the used market. As I understand it, they are popular with high-class professional chefs who depend on the sharpness of their blades to give them exotic cutting abilities that make them worth their salaries. For the pros, $100+ for a steeling rod is nothing.
 
A couple options for $10 or less:

Big John Super Stick (1" diam ceramic, 16" OAL)

31W47VSZHaL._SL500_AA300_.jpg


Craftsman Diamond Butcher Steel

craftsmanknifesharpenerbutchersteel.jpg
 
I like the idea of how Gurkhas did it out in the field. I heard they liked to use river rocks and sandstone from streams instead of their Chakmak. But I think they may have had softer steel than our 5160. Anyway, I think that still could work and be a good survival experiment.

Below: A good video on this subject from Self Preservation Strategies.
[video=youtube;UxgbrxwFoeI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxgbrxwFoeI[/video]

Another modern way is using:
- an EZE-LAP Diamond rod or Fallkniven DC4 to touch up the main blade.
- a Lansky Puck (or similar): it's a circular stone that allows you to get into the recurve while keeping a convex shape there.

At home the best and easiest way is:
Using the sandpaper/mouse pad or phonebook method as you have done before.
 
I've been using a nagura for the inside of recurve blades. It's adequate so long as there are no dings or chips.
 
Thank you abdelhazred. I went ahead and gave it a try with, I guess you could say my beater King waterstone. I used the corner and can tell it will eventually wear into a nice curve (Kings wear pretty fast). Appreciate all the suggestions. This forum is ever helpful. Easily one of the best!
 
Anyone see the video about using 2000 grit and a phone book to sharpen the kukri. If it was already mentioned sorry.
 
I have a super crock stick and it works very well. It's 1" diameter is great for larger blades.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top