Should I or shouldn't I?

M

MassMatt

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Apr 2, 2006
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I was the lucky dog who bought the Dragon AK near the end of last month, it is a beautiful BEAUTIFUL blade. Someone asked are you going to make it a user? I have been split ever since. Generally I figure a knife should be USED, my personal preference is not for knives for example with gold leaf and scrollwork etc. But the dragon engraving was/is stunning. So far I have simply given it some whacks on the side and spine to test for basic failure (as if that would really test even bad steel this massive!), I have done no chopping.

So my question is, should I or shouldn't I? Please help me get off this fence. Either this is a precious artistic object and my god how could I THINK of blemishing it?

OR get over it, it's a freaking AK and it is MEANT to chop stuff! Use it or give it up for someone who will you wuss!

(please note that last part was rhetorical, I am NOT giving this thing away!)

The original thread has expired, I will see if I can post or link to a picture so you can make an informed decision, where's that guy who posts "how to post a picture" in his sig?...
 
Normally I'm the first to say USE IT, but IMO engraved blades like that are functional art so I probably would put it on the wall and not use it. Get a plain AK if you want to beat on a blade.
 
Well, it is your khukuri. Do with it as you feel should be done.


My father has an old WW2 era Colt 1911A1 with a beautifully engraved blade and ivory handle. Even though we both have newer ones, we still get out the old one once in a while and pop off a few rounds.

Things like that are special, but being able to actually use them and develop a personal history with them make them even more so.

JMO.
 
I have a number of one-of-a-kind blades from HI. All have some scuff marks. Every one has been used at least once, if only so that I could say that I've used it. Even the 40" Monster Ram did a little yard work before it retired to its tachi stand.

Hell, even my antiques have done some cutting. It was light and harmless, but I had to know.

You have to decide for yourself. If you chose to melt it down and sell it for scrap I would not be that angry...you bought it, not me, and you decide what happens to it now. (In that case however I would offer to send you an equivalent amount of scrap steel in exchange for it, as that only makes sense. I would of course cover postage both ways. ;) )
 
Roadrunner said:
Normally I'm the first to say USE IT, but IMO engraved blades like that are functional art so I probably would put it on the wall and not use it. Get a plain AK if you want to beat on a blade.
Click to expand...

I agree. Also (heaven forbid), if you ever decide to sell it, you would likely get a better price if the blade is in good shape and the engraving is intact.

Eric
 
At least you know you can use it.

It's a really hard call. I bought a Hanuman Ang Khola (monkey-head carved handle) last month from a bud here... even though it's wall art (not a shelf queen) I could use it. COmfy handle!

But I bought it for art- the last couple I've bought from Yangdu were blems to pound the snot out of and get rusty using. Fish heads, boxes, shrubs etc.

But that's what they were bought for.

Frankly, that beautiful AK won't disappoint you either way.


Mike
 
Use it Matt!:thumbup: :rolleyes: :p A lot of people said that the YCS was too pretty to use as well but I designed it to be a user. Every since mankind discovered how to make a knife they have decorated them in some fashion at some time or another.
A friend of mine has what is now an old AK with a nice bone handle and a village engraved blade that is totally one of a kind and it has seen duty in the deep jungle and other high use areas.
It was also bought before any involvement with Shop 1 and when HI was searching for good village models to sell here so he paid a premium for it! I saw it a few years back and it still looked good although it didn't have a mirror finish on the blade but then it never had it too begin with. Use it and take care of it and don't look back!!!!:thumbup: :D :cool:
 
Here's another vote for using it!:D I might not be as hard with it as I would a plainer blade, but I'd definitely make use of it. Two things I can think of that I would avoid with a blade like that are battoning and digging. Of course, with a khukri you have enough chopping power that battoning is never really necessary (It's just FUN! :D ), and you can always use the khuk to obtain a stick that you can dig with.

I just have a cheap beater of a khuk that I use and abuse in every way I can imagine. Still waiting 'till I can afford a full sized khuk. I love my little HI 9 inch BAS but I definitely want something full sized as well.
 
I'd use it but wouldn't turn it into a user as much as I love HI blades i prefer the "used" look of a satin or scuffed finish.
 
The Texicans, bless their hearts, have "Barbeque Guns". Fancy rigs for social occasions. Maybe those of us with advanced HIKV can use this concept as an excuse to buy engraved Khuks.
Uplander
 
I've used every knife that I've ever owned for a reasonable period of time, but man...:confused: Were it me I'd be inclined to trim a loose thread from your pants or shirt, and then retire it. That engraving is gorgeous.

You could always chop with it, then send it to a knifemaker to clean it up for you.

Good luck with your decision. :)

Jeremy
 
I've got kukris for using..... but must admit if I could afford to get one like that I'd be sorely tempted.... and then almost certainly couldn't bring myself to risk scratching such a nice piece of engraving.
 
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