Tamang Khukuri

dondulah said:
Is there a current link on this forum with specifics about the current HI Tamang model? I searched but was unable to find it. I noticed the blade appears to have a different finish and was looking for some additional info on it. Thanks!
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The current Tamang model was patterned from the knife above. It is new enough that you wont find much about it except for in DOTD's and maybe a mention in some threads.
The finish on the blade is black forge scale or as we like to call it "As forged finish". It is the hard scale that is there before H.I. does any filing or finishing after forging. Several H.I. models have been seen with this finish.
 
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Karda said:
The current Tamang model was patterned from the knife above. It is new enough that you wont find much about it except for in DOTD's and maybe a mention in some threads.
The finish on the blade is black forge scale or as we like to call it "As forged finish". It is the hard scale that is there before H.I. does any filing or finishing after forging. Several H.I. models have been seen with this finish.
Click to expand...

Great info as always! Do you know of any pros or cons for that finish other than the very cool looks? I am wondering about the rust-resistance properties and implications for food preparation for example. Or perhaps some people who own knives with this finish can tells us how they like it?

Thanks,
Alex
 
Karda said:
The current Tamang model was patterned from the knife above. It is new enough that you wont find much about it except for in DOTD's and maybe a mention in some threads.
The finish on the blade is black forge scale or as we like to call it "As forged finish". It is the hard scale that is there before H.I. does any filing or finishing after forging. Several H.I. models have been seen with this finish.
Click to expand...

Thanks Karda! That is an awesome explanation. Thanks for responding to my inquiry.
 
alexs said:
Great info as always! Do you know of any pros or cons for that finish other than the very cool looks? I am wondering about the rust-resistance properties and implications for food preparation for example. Or perhaps some people who own knives with this finish can tells us how they like it?

Thanks,
Alex
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Alex, I have one and first off let me say that it feels alive in my hands, it is perfectly balanced, the length to weight ratio is perfect it is 15in at 15oz, I love this knife. As for the black scale when I received it I could see some light rust on the scale it quickly came off and I gave the blade a nice coating of mineral oil. If you are thinking of using the khuk for food prep the mineral oil would be the way to go. Since I have cleaned the blade no rust has come back. Hope it helps.
 
The Forge finish will show rust on it's surface ,looking kinda like dust which wipes off fairly easily, but it does protect the steel underneath from pitting. This finish can be scraped, sanded off, so it isnt absolutely permanent, but it is a good natural alternative to epoxies,bluing...etc. That being said, i don't know if i'd use a blade with this coating for food prep. I'm not sure if the scale is edible or not and the polished blades are far easier to keep clean.
 
The black scale should just be black iron oxide, which is very hard, as anyone who's ever ruined an end mill, by milling hot rolled steel without first grinding it off, can attest.
I sprayed my blade with WD40 and rubbed it in with my hands. Then I let it sit for about 5 minutes before rubbing it with a rag. That removed the light dusting of red oxide without removing the black oxide or the blue oxide. It looks great as is. I think it would be a mistake to grind/polish it off this knife. That would defeat the purpose of the villager fit/finish. Actually it's only villager finish. The fit is as good as anything I've ever seen.
And, yes, this knife is very lively in the hand. I may sand down the handle ring just enough to smooth it a little, to prevent hot spots. I think it's very possibly the best all around knife ever made. Auntie did us a solid by introducing this model. It should be heavily advertised. If you don't have one, you need one. If you have one, you need another.
 
We need more photos in this thread...same as I posted before..but I like 'em!

IMG_2323.jpg

IMG_2321.jpg
 
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The first release of HI production Tamangs were full polish but all were sold very quickly.

Since then only the black finish has been available, and I have one of these, but I would like to see a polished version again for sale.
 
b.c.,
the first HI Tamang was offered 07 Apr 09 and it was in black finish. I know, because I have it. I'm not saying they were never produced with full polish, I've just never seen one.
Regards, Charles
 
A horn handled, full polished version would be gorgeous. That said, I'm keeping my Dhar handled, mill scale finished one just as it is. It just looks right on this knife. The black mill scale is hard and tough. Plus it affords some corrosion protection. The light dusting of red rust seen on them when they're new is normally a result of the forging temperatures, and not of after-rusting. Stainless steel will rust at aluminum-melting temps, much less at forging temps, so it doesn't bother me in the least. The Tamang knife looks and feels like it's equally useful as w weapon and a tool. I bought mine strictly to use as a tool. Well, that and to look at.
 
I hope to get some Dhar wood on something some day... I just don't see it though. I keep my eyes peeled though.
 
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