Starting out.

H

HolyRoller

Joined
Jul 18, 2007
Messages
675
Been lurking for awhile. I've grown to love, and yet hate this forum(too many things I feel the urge to buy, now...).

Recently scored myself a HI 18" Gelbu Special as a serious user. I don't know about anyone else, but the straight-drop frog that comes on the average kukri just doesn't keep my knife in a good position. I decided to stitch up my own.
Now it sits at a comfortable spot, diagonally, for a natural cross-draw. Another reason for the new frog was the scabbard's lack of a tinder-pouch(which I guess is only on older kukris). I added a piece directly on the belt-loop, it being the best spot. Currently I only have a small wallet of folded garment-leather, holding a few feet of jute, on the pouch. This weekend, the jute will be waxed, and a ferro-rod will be added, slid down the longest side of the pouch. I guess I'll add a PJ cottonball or two, since it seems to be the most effective fire-starting medium I've found mentioned on this board.
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That makes up my general field-kit, while my dedicated get-home-kit is coming along slowly, as well.
A Hattori fighter from Junglee(cheap version, but still a surprisingly good knife for the price), in a Spec-Ops sheath, with lanyard and TAD Gear large skull bead. Sheath also holds Leatherman, S&W S.W.A.T. folder, and a Bic lighter. Along with it is a SOG Fusion tomahawk(with a jump-sheath from Ferhman Knives on the way). Still looking for a decent pack, and anything else that would be good to have if I ever have to get home from here(college) in a crisis.
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You can also see my new CS Trail Hawk. Another weekend project. Finish stripping the head, blue it, treat the haft with tung oil... Nothing major.

Comments? Suggestions?
 
Welcome to the forum bro,

I like the Gelbu kit, good ideas. Did you give it a new edge, looks mighty shiney.
 
tonym said:
Welcome to the forum bro,

I like the Gelbu kit, good ideas. Did you give it a new edge, looks mighty shiney.
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Thanks.

Only thing I've done was refine the edge with a carbide-V sharpener. The Gelbu is used, but in nearly-new condition. The shine comes from the flourescent lighting of my apartment. Makes decent photography pretty difficult...
 
They say, "Misery likes company." I guess us addicts do too. :D

Welcome to the forum, HolyRoller. Now, get your Visa out...............

Doc
 
Welcome to the forum, you will spend a lot of money.:D
One more mod you should do is put a better edge on the trail hawk, it will cut worlds better. Check out the axe/tomahawk forum for more info.
 
Welcome, looks like ya got a good start. How do you like the Hatori? I always liked the looks of them. Definitely agree with Liam on the trail hawk edge. Lay it back or better yet convex it and you will be impressed with the little work it took.
 
Have you used the SOG Tomahawk to cut anything yet? I was curious what your impressions were.

Welcome to the fourm.
 
Liam Ryan said:
Welcome to the forum, you will spend a lot of money.:D
One more mod you should do is put a better edge on the trail hawk, it will cut worlds better. Check out the axe/tomahawk forum for more info.
Click to expand...

wiser words have never been spoken. You will learn alot here (I have) and also spend a ton of money.

Welcome.
 
Thanks all. This kinda thing's been boiling in the back of my brain ever since I stumbled upon the Primitive Ways website a few years ago.

Bladefrienzy: The Hattori is great for the price. Hollow-ground, comfortable. Holds an edge surprisingly well, considering it's the bottom-of-the-barrel version(I think there's 3 levels: the originals, the Japanese production, and the Taiwanese production). If the Taiwanese version is as good as it is, I'd love to get my hands on one of the better ones.

22-rimfire: Haven't cut with it yet. I'm actually heading home, today, for the weekend. I have a feeling the edge is a little thin for generic work, so I might make it a little less acute. It's pretty heavy compared to the Trail Hawk but so far, I like it.
 
It's nice to see Hattori here. That one isn't a design I'd find especially useful at this point, but I think along with that other Japanese make Moki, they are either undervalued for the build quality or show up some other makes as well over priced. I'd sooner buy a Seki XXX than any knife manufactured in my country.
 
Welcome to the forums. I have several of HI's Kukri's now but started out with one of their M-43's. It served me very well over a several year period living outside, even used it to build a couple log cabins.
 
Kit continues to evolve.

My trip home was more fruitful than expected. My parents were cleaning out the attic, so I scored a nice, small shoulder bag and a small mag pouch. My GTFO kit currently is as follows:
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Also I got the jump-sheath I ordered for the SOG Fusion from Fehrman Knives. The external case is reversable, but the internals aren't. The internal part is a hard plastic sheet sewn together at the blade edge, and held in with velcro. It supports the spike so the haft falls straight.
My only complaint is the type of plastic used. It's VERY brittle. I've already had the small bridge piece, connecting the spike-suppsrting end to the main section, snap off with zero effort. This doesn't effect the functionality of it, but I plan to replace this section when I get a chance. Also, the plastic, being hard, causes the hawk to lie in the sheath, instead of being held tight. It's secure, but wobbles. Other than those little details, I love it.
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On to the bag. I like the size. It's thin and compact, but has just enough room to make for a useful GHK. It goes along with the SOG Fusion, Hattori(which I plan to replace, but for now it's my best knife in that size range), and whatever I decide to place in the mag pouch.
Within the satchel itself, at the moment, it some sterile patches, a chemical icepack, a handful of Advil sample packs(it's good to have an EMT for a brother), a pen, and an MRE.

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Planning to add:
>steel cup
>firemaking kit(waiting on the RAT Cutlery ferro rod)
>signaling mirror
>compass
>hat(oh, how their importance is overlooked...)

That's all I can think of at the moment. Ideas, people? Keeping it light and simple.
 
My TrailHawk is in exactly the same state ,being stripped and readied for bluing. I much prefer the nice light trailhawk with the useful hammer to the SOG.

I am also a big Hattori fan and a good friend actually suggested the Junglee because I can't quite afford the ebony handled hattori fighter. The Jungalee is a great fighter which is actually pretty handy in a GTHO situation.
 
Welcome to the forum HolyRoller!

Those are some great looking blades. I'd love to see some shots of your HI in the field.

As for your tomahawk sheath, I wonder if it would be worthwhile replacing the existing plastic insert with a formed kydex shell. You can get single sheets of kydex from most knifemaker supply sites, and it's pretty easy to form. It would definitely address your concerns about the brittle insert.

SpookyPistolero, that's a gorgeous looking hawk!

All the best,

- Mike
 
Welcome to the forum bro, it looks like you are off to a great start with your gear so far !!!
 
Looks good.

Can you take some more pics of you hattori fighter?
I've been interested in those for years and never knew ayone who had one.
 
Mentor said:
Welcome to the forum HolyRoller!

Those are some great looking blades. I'd love to see some shots of your HI in the field.

As for your tomahawk sheath, I wonder if it would be worthwhile replacing the existing plastic insert with a formed kydex shell. You can get single sheets of kydex from most knifemaker supply sites, and it's pretty easy to form. It would definitely address your concerns about the brittle insert.
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Not sure what material I'll use. Kydex is a possibility, but I was thinking about something with more flex. Not sure what, but I damn well know there's vinyl plastics out there that don't snap like this stuff does. This stuff is more like celluloid.


While home, I gave the trailhawk a convex edge, stripped it with a wire wheel, and gave the head a mustard etch. Didn't come out great, but I'm liking it. Also filed in a few lines to waffle up the hammer-face a bit. The haft was hit very lightly with a dark oak stain, then finished with several coats of tung oil.
It really does make a great little chopper. One piece I attacked turned out to have a nail in it, though. Surprisingly, the nail was cut deeply(though not cleaved), and the edge suffered NOTHING. Not even a teeny tiny roll at the strike point. That alone proves it was worth the money.

I took the HI out for it's first walk in the woods. Should've gotten pics, but I wasn't thinking about that. It's been over a year since I've gone on a short hike. Chops like a dream.
There's an old hunting cabin in the woods behind my house. Hasn't been used since the property was purchased in the 70's by a holding company(Curtiss-Wright, of WWII aircraft production fame), then by the state in the 90's. I managed to find a nice, old, rusty scythe blade tucked into the wood-pile lean-to. I was kicking around the area for an axe, but no luck.

Again, no pictures. Kind of a hectic weekend. My only real vacation in a long time... Plus I left the hatchet and HI back home, so no more pics of those for awhile. I don't like taking a lot of stuff back and forth, since I live on the 3rd floor in my apartment building, and there's no stinking elevator...
 
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