So I'm Thinking About A Khukuri...

Eli Chaps said:
Let me start this by saying I have zero practical use for of these any more. I've just always dug these blades. There are some knives (or general designs) that just speak to me and this is one. These are functional, badass, and carry a ton of legacy.

I know Kailash Blades has a sub-forum here and I'm very much interested in this them but am open to others as well.

One issue for me is, I won't own a knife I can't sharpen and these blades shapes are challenging. Rods?

I'm not going to spend a lot here. I like the idea of "user" options for these guys. Not crap, but good working blades. Utilitarian vs. fancy.

I welcome all input on makers, sharpening, care, etc. @Steely_Gunz?
Click to expand...
I was gonna say, where is @Steely_Gunz

The steel should be pretty soft, no? Shouldn't need a lot of work done to keep it sharp. Like some have posted pics of, maybe start with one of the budget options and if the desire is still there, up the budget a bit more.

Chronovore said:
Well excuse me. I see this thread. I make a comment about my experience with actual kukri blades. I also just happened to have bought a knife that is explicitly marketed as being inspired by a Kukri like a week before this thread started. Sure, it doesn't have the forward bend in the spine and doesn't recurve as drastically. It's also got a blade under 5" and a Kydex sheath for EDC. So it's obviously not a Kukri. The picture might not do it justice but holding it in hand, the Kukri inspiration makes sense to me.

I probably just got carried away having fun and enjoying this hobby. Thanks for snapping me out of it.
Click to expand...
When you earn a reputation, post something so far off from the question, and in a thread started by a person you have had lengthy arguments with, what do you expect? You've made your bed here, don't be surprised that it is full of fleas when you go to lay down in it...

Should I give my experience with a ZT 350 for the OP's consideration? It's got just as much in common with a khukuri as the blade you posted...
 
craytab said:
When you earn a reputation, post something so far off from the question, and in a thread started by a person you have had lengthy arguments with, what do you expect? You've made your bed here, don't be surprised that it is full of fleas when you go to lay down in it...
Click to expand...

Wow. I hadn't realized that I had earned a reputation here, or that my bed here was infested with vermin.

I didn't think this was a very friendly post. I tried to reach out an olive branch privately. You know, with a civic attitude and good faith. I was told to never contact this member again, and that I needed to act like an adult and address his words publicly. Well, I'll only go as far as saying that I'd rather not bog down a thread with personal attacks and off-topic interpersonal nonsense.

I'm sorry for my participation in this thread. I've retracted my apparently unwelcome comments. If anyone would like to insult me or talk about personal issues, you are welcome to do so via private message.
 
I've had a tamang kuk from HI and it has served me well for years. It has a less extreme bend to it which i like.
 
It's poorly finished and ugly but the cheapo from certain sites that runs about ten bucks on sale, I've seen them as much as twenty, is okay for what you pay. Full tang, Easy to sharpen (soft cheap steel) , chops all right. I got mine as a gift. The sheath is total garbage. I use it to chop poison ivy, sumac and such and that's all I use it for. The entire family knows not to touch it without gloves on. Because it doesn't really matter and the sheath stays in the shed I basically poured old motor in oil it to stop the thing from rusting when sheathed, seems to be working. I'd never carry it but it's useful for what I do with it.
 
Chronovore said:
Wow. I hadn't realized that I had earned a reputation here, or that my bed here was infested with vermin.

I didn't think this was a very friendly post. I tried to reach out an olive branch privately. You know, with a civic attitude and good faith. I was told to never contact this member again, and that I needed to act like an adult and address his words publicly. Well, I'll only go as far as saying that I'd rather not bog down a thread with personal attacks and off-topic interpersonal nonsense.

I'm sorry for my participation in this thread. I've retracted my apparently unwelcome comments. If anyone would like to insult me or talk about personal issues, you are welcome to do so via private message.
Click to expand...
Olive branch? No. You claim to not understand that you have a reputation as a clone defender and promoter here. A reputation you earned because most of your posts on this forum are in support of clones in one way or another, going as far as to throw a fit and say that every time someone here bashed clones you would by one. Did you forget all that? The rest of the forum hasn't.

Knock off the childish passive aggressive butthurt. Your first post in this thread was silly and got called out, mostly in jest. Next, you complain can't understand why you got that reaction rather than realizing that the knife you posted wasn't remotely on topic. And now, you are trying to weave a story of unjust treatment with you as the protagonist. No. Just no. Stop.

I will agree that we should try to keep the OP's thread on topic, which is was the point in responding to you. If you have a problem with my, or any other member's post outside of the topic of discussion, report it and let the mods handle it. Don't PM me like a baby and claim not to understand. Hell, report this post if you like. I am no doubt off topic and likely deserve a warning. I understand that and will take my lumps in stride.

This will be my last response to you in this thread, I'd suggest you do the same.
 
I strongly recommend HI. They function wonderfully as users, but I also think they're much more attractive than most modern interpretations. I don't have any experience with Kailash, so I can't give any advice there.

As for sharpening, as others have said, if you can freehand with a ceramic rod (and I know you can ;)) you'll be fine. Sandpaper and a section of dowel rod works well, too.
 
Insipid Moniker said:
I strongly recommend HI. They function wonderfully as users, but I also think they're much more attractive than most modern interpretations. I don't have any experience with Kailash, so I can't give any advice there.

As for sharpening, as others have said, if you can freehand with a ceramic rod (and I know you can ;)) you'll be fine. Sandpaper and a section of dowel rod works well, too.
Click to expand...

^ Thas all ya need to knowd on the subject. :thumbsup: :) Try one; you'll like it.:cool:
 
Won't mention any brands, but I'd look for one approximating the M-43 shape -

M43s.jpg
.

I find it to be one of the nicest feeling, and quite visually appealing in the traditional and modern forms. You can play with weights, but one that shape will always be my recommendation shapewise.
 
Sharpening khukuris can be an intimidating prospect, but as long as you're not too married to the concept of using a benchstone it can actually be a very pleasant experience- helped along by the simple composition and high sharpenability of the majority of khukuri steels.

I sharpen my blades by sticking the point down into a piece of wood then running a tool across either side of the blade much like a chef would with their kitchen knives. Keeping a consistent angle can be a challenge initially but is pretty rewarding once you get it right.
This can be used to reprofile all the way down to polish a blade depending on the tool you use. In order of fastest cutting to finest some options are: 2nd cut metalworking file, smooth small file, 120g sandpaper wrapped around wood, diamond file, serrated kitchen steel, ceramic rod, loaded strop.

A finer, semi polished edge might seem like overkill on a khukuri but it has some advantages. It'll bite deeper on thin flexible brush, sink through knots better and hold up better in rough chopping. As long as the wood is clean a toothier edge is a lot weaker under the high force push cuts that wood chopping includes.

Eli Chaps Eli Chaps if there's a specific vibe you're after for your next khukuri let me know and I might be able to make some suggestions- there's a lot of variety to what we do outside of what you might see on our website :)
 
What manufacturer you choose must atleast begin with what you will need the Khukuri for. Some have options of different steels, micarta as handles or just straight up traditional. There is a lot of alternatives out there, but with slight different approaches and takes on Khukuris. Some use water quenching and some oil. If you dont have any special requests I would say it doesnt really matter were you buy from. If details matter, some are pretty much making their living out of customisations. Handle length, spine thickness etc etc. For some thats important, others couldnt care less. Reading reviews from different sources cant hurt either.

Sharpening... well gladly, this also has a multitude of options. I`ll just straight up skip the angle of it, it can range from 17 degrees to 35 depending on use. Personal preferance. Victorinox has a sharpening rod, or sandpaper on a rod, Lansky C-Sharp are things I have used. But also a Tormek, freehand. The latter is best if you need to do some grinding, that is rarely used. I have heard that some use Ken Onions Worksharp on Khukuris with good result. I personally dont think a Khukuri has to be that sharp, but biting the nail it must.


The sharpening aspect may be a learning curve, but dont be afraid of it. :thumbsup:
 
43Tinman said:
What manufacturer you choose must atleast begin with what you will need the Khukuri for. Some have options of different steels, micarta as handles or just straight up traditional. There is a lot of alternatives out there, but with slight different approaches and takes on Khukuris. Some use water quenching and some oil. If you dont have any special requests I would say it doesnt really matter were you buy from. If details matter, some are pretty much making their living out of customisations. Handle length, spine thickness etc etc. For some thats important, others couldnt care less. Reading reviews from different sources cant hurt either.

Sharpening... well gladly, this also has a multitude of options. I`ll just straight up skip the angle of it, it can range from 17 degrees to 35 depending on use. Personal preferance. Victorinox has a sharpening rod, or sandpaper on a rod, Lansky C-Sharp are things I have used. But also a Tormek, freehand. The latter is best if you need to do some grinding, that is rarely used. I have heard that some use Ken Onions Worksharp on Khukuris with good result. I personally dont think a Khukuri has to be that sharp, but biting the nail it must.


The sharpening aspect may be a learning curve, but dont be afraid of it. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Did you just basically search kukuri and reply to every thread that popped up recently?
 
Yes thats pretty much it. Lets keep the Khukuri discussions alive. :) Not responding to everything though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top