Tactical AK from Bex for Sarges Knuckleheads

ferguson

ferguson

Joined
Feb 21, 2001
Messages
4,238
Bex, our friend and Cantina member in the UK shipped me a Bura AK to sharpen up for Sarge's boys. It needed an edge really badly, but was otherwise in very good shape. The horn had shrunken just a little, so I wicked some superglue around the buttcap and ground the brass down flush with the horn. Sarge had said that some of the boys hesitated to use the khuks because they didn't want to mess up the "magic stone" mirror finish. So I used a scotchbrite pad and some 320 grit paper to put more of a satin finish on the blade. Now that really went against my nature, as I like shiny things.:) But form must follow function. Next the horn handle was sanded with some 600 grit paper to give more grip. Then to the grinder for a convex edge, first with 240 grit then 40, and 15 micron belts. Stropped on the back of a worn out belt with some green compound on it.

Since this may be a combat khukuri, I sprayed the brass bolster and buttcap with satin black paint. When it's service in combat is over, a little scotchbrite and some elbow grease will take the paint off.

The chape on the end of the scabbard was loose, so off it came for a coat of paint. I'll leave it off, as the leather is sewed to the end of the scabbard, and it should hold up just fine. Sarge can put it back on as he sees fit.

After the paint dries tonight, a coat of hooflex will go on the horn before packing it up.

Thanks to Bex for donating this khukuri to our fighting men. Sarge, be looking for a triangular box Wed. or Thursday.

Steve
 
Great job. It looks to khuks what stainless and matte finish plastic was to rifles.










munk
 
Now -That's- a Tactical Khuk!!!! Been nice if the blade was blued.;) :)

I keep looking at my Foxy Folly in it's purty brown leather scabbard and keep wondering what it would look like blued. Maybe, just maybe I might find out. A little 320 and the blue is gone soon anyway.:D
 
Originally posted by Yvsa
Been nice if the blade was blued.;) :)
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I thought about that Yvsa, but again, I thought they might hesitate to use it for fear of scratching the bluing.

BUT, I wondered the same thing, so I blued my WWII this week!
 
Dadgum Steve, you've got that AK lookin' meaner than Arnie Schwarzenegger in a black leather jacket! No sweat on not blueing it, I'm actually glad you didn't. I've grown very fond of using the lemon/lime juice rub as a means of "toning down" khuk blades. It's low tech, but you can usually lay hands on some kind of citrus fruit, even in an Army field kitchen, so touch ups aren't a problem.

I'll be pretty selective about who I "issue" this one to. After all, it will have passed through the hands of no less than four forumites before the troopie gets it, so it's loaded with some good karma. I'll see if my boys over in Baghdad can't line me up a special forces troop who's been pulling real shi& duty, and could use a pick-me-up in the form of a triangular box.

Big thanks to BEX for the donation of this khuk, and to Steve for working his "Tactical Black Magic" on it. You can bet I'll do my best to hold up my end.

Sarge
 
Looks great.

Are you sure the paint will stay put?
I'd be concerned about it chipping off.
 
Hey, you have the Google toolbar. Pretty useful, isn't it?:D The AK looks nice. I'm thinking about blueing my WWII but really like the shiny finish. I'll have to get a villager for blueing:) .
 
Sarge, that's one long-distance Khuk.
Nepal > Reno > Australia > England > North Carolina > Texas > ????

Ddean, I'm SURE that the paint will chip off.:) It's only temporary. If I was going for a more permanent coating I probably would have tried some Brass Black from Birchwood Casey.

Steve
 
Originally posted by Diamond Cut II
Hey, you have the Google toolbar. Pretty useful, isn't it?:D The AK looks nice. I'm thinking about blueing my WWII but really like the shiny finish. I'll have to get a villager for blueing:) .
Click to expand...

Google toolbar is great. Stops those annoying popups and makes searching a breeze.

Blued blades are nearly as shiny as unblued. Just darker.:)

Steve
 
That's some fine work Steve...
I've gotta agree, that will surely brighten
the day of this overseas recipient. ;)
 
Ain't worried about paint chipping off. They sell some stuff at the PX that's, best as I can describe it, like flat black nail polish. Soldiers use it for touching up any black painted stuff that gets scratched, like buckles, insignia, etc..

Steve, it's a pity khuks don't qualify for frequent flyer miles. Somebody would be taking a free vacation off of this one.

Sarge
 
Originally posted by ferguson
Yvsa's reflection in the WWII.:D

Steve
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That -IS- Scary!!!!:D Looking good Steve!!!! I've already taken the Scotch-Brite to my FF so there won't be any reflections there.
I'm also wondering about blueing the steel furniture but wondering if that may not be overkill?
Wahtcha think?
 
Originally posted by Yvsa
I'm also wondering about blueing the steel furniture but wondering if that may not be overkill?
Wahtcha think?
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Blued blade, satin steel bolster & buttcap. SEXY. Just enough contrast.

I used Birchwood Casey Perma Blue that I got from Wal-Mart, but I think Brownells has some better stuff. Oxpho-Blue Creme



Thanks everybody, but Bura did the work. I just sharpen them and tune them up.

Steve
 
Thanks everybody, but Bura did the work. I just sharpen them and tune them up.
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Yes, but application of that same principle is what makes a Mercedes an AMG... ;)
 
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