The Beauty of Owning an HI Khukuri

[Daniel Koster]

A few recent posts have brought to light what I believe is the true beauty of owning an Himalayan Imports Khukuri.


Consider this:

There was once a day-and-age where knife ownership was like gun ownership in terms of care and maintenance. If you owned a knife or gun - you had to know how to maintain it or else it failed - and you paid the price.


Some modern day inventions (factory production, stainless steels, synthetic materials, etc.) have made it increasingly possible to own a knife without necessarily knowing how to sharpen it, maintain it, or refinish it.

It seems as if the number of knife-owners has increased rapidly while the number of those competent at sharpening, grinding, finishing, etc., has not increased as fast.


Going back to the HI Forum now...

I would have to say that at least half of the folks here on this forum not only know how to polish, maintain and sharpen - but are actually doing it on a regular basis.

Owning a handmade knife that is not stamped or factory sharpened, etc. - I think makes you more aware of it's need to be maintained, as well as opening you up to its refinishing potential. I mean, how many of us do mods to our Swiss Army Knives?

I believe that owning an HI khuk takes you back to that time where you had to understand how to polish, sharpen and refinish in order to be a knife owner.

I applaud the recent flood of those whose interest has been sparked and have taken matters into their own hands and learned the true beauty of knife ownership.

It's a joy to know that it's not a dying breed/art.

Dan

 

[BruiseLeee]

Some modern day inventions (factory production, stainless steels, synthetic materials, etc.) have made it increasingly possible to own a knife without necessarily knowing how to sharpen it, maintain it, or refinish it.

:footinmou You talkin' bout me?

 

[Bill Martino]

I think I'm very fortunate to have been raised in a time where economic conditions made a throw away society impossible. There was no available cash to buy new tools or anthing else for that matter so you had to take care of what you had. There was no other choice.

And I was additionally fortunate to have my grandfather as my mentor. He built his own home with hand tools that he owned. He put in a very large garden each spring with hand tools. He had cows, pigs and chickens and the appropriate buildings and tools for their maintenance.

His tool shed had everything. Each tool had its proper place on the wall, in a drawer, in a box. Every time any tool was used it was brought back to orginal condition and oiled and stored in it's proper place. Even rakes and shovels were cleaned and oiled. Saws were put in the vice, sharpened, teeth set, oiled. Knives, of course, were cleaned sharpened, polished and oiled after each use.

I remember loaning my tools to my son so that he could work on his car. Once he got the car running he drove away leaving the tools on the ground to rust.

How times have changed.

Good post, Pen, and many thanks.

 

[Sutcliffe]

I make knives as a hobby and I'm relieved when somebody opts for a good carbon steel blade as opposed to stainless. Anybody who wants a tool that doesn't understand all aspects of a tool and how it works, is maintained and appreciates it for being a tool might as well get a plastic handled, stainless, kydexed sheathed $5 knife off the internet or at the flea market.

 

[a_punker]

yes great post pen,

I would have to say that at least half of the folks here on this forum not only know how to polish, maintain and sharpen - but are actually doing it on a regular basis.

. . . and those who dont are learning!!!

Sutcliffe is right - don't forget the laerther sheath needs looking after - EVERYTHING about HI teaches you to be responsible. . . I think i even learned some lessons about morals here

 

[Yvsa]

Dammit Dan, You're just prejudiced.

quote:
a_punker:

EVERYTHING about HI teaches you to be responsible. . . I think i even learned some lessons about morals here.

And this from a young feller who has served 4 years!!!!

 

[Daniel Koster]

From what I hear, Yvsa...you should be getting a pointy package in the mail sometime this week.

I learned furniture restoration from one of the few good guys left in Historic Downtown Savannah, Georgia. We did everything by hand. We reserved 30 minutes at the end of every workday to clean-up, sharpen, polish, you-name-it, to keep the shop in tip-top shape. I learned more in a day there than even a month at a construction site taught me.

Dan

 

[Yvsa]

Originally posted by pendentive
From what I hear, Yvsa...you should be getting a pointy package in the mail sometime this week.

Dan

Oh Boy!!!! Oh Boy!!!! Oh Boy!!!! Oh Boy!!!! Now I'm gonna be both anxious and curious the rest of the weeek!!!!

 

[Daniel Koster]

Originally posted by a_punker
...and those who dont are learning!!!

Yes. That's the right idea.

I think Yvsa can take the blame for many of us getting thrown into the refiner's fire...




Respectfully,

Dan

 

[Aardvark]

I think Yvsa can take the blame for many of us getting thrown into the refiner's fire...

While you are undoubtedly correct, Dan, no fair shirking your own share of the responsibility.

 

[Kmark]

For me, the beauty of owning a HI khukuri is knowing that it was created from base materials by hand. It has become something worth more than the sum of its parts. Somebody had to cut and pound that car spring to shape. Somebody had to make and fit the bolster and buttcap to the hand carved wood handle. Every step of the production process had direct human input, and somehow it created this weapon.

 

[Bill Martino]

There's a mystique to them for sure.

 

[btice]

When I was an archeologist one of the most important things was to teach students a respect for those things made by other cultures. I would bring in clay and lithic material and tell the class to choose between making blades (projectile points) or pots. Mostly, the males would choose blades and the females would choose pots...interesting, no? Well, by the end of the day everyone in that class had a tremedous respect for a well made point or pot.

It's the same thing with these khuks. I appreciate them. If you don't, get a piece of steel, a couple of hammers, a small anvil, squat on the ground all day, and then call me in the morning to tell me what you think.

 

[Daniel Koster]

BTTT

 

[Josh Feltman]

Great thread! I missed this the first time around as I was on vacation. Himalayan Imports Khukuris have redefined knives for me, and the Cantina has warped me even more than I alread was, which I didn't think was possible before I started hanging out here Great knives, and a great group of folks. The two go together well.
--Josh

 

[Don Nelson]

Originally posted by pendentive
A few recent posts have brought to light what I believe is the true beauty of owning an Himalayan Imports Khukuri.


Consider this:

There was once a day-and-age where knife ownership was like gun ownership in terms of care and maintenance. If you owned a knife or gun - you had to know how to maintain it or else it failed - and you paid the price.


Some modern day inventions (factory production, stainless steels, synthetic materials, etc.) have made it increasingly possible to own a knife without necessarily knowing how to sharpen it, maintain it, or refinish it.

It seems as if the number of knife-owners has increased rapidly while the number of those competent at sharpening, grinding, finishing, etc., has not increased as fast.


Going back to the HI Forum now...

I would have to say that at least half of the folks here on this forum not only know how to polish, maintain and sharpen - but are actually doing it on a regular basis.

Owning a handmade knife that is not stamped or factory sharpened, etc. - I think makes you more aware of it's need to be maintained, as well as opening you up to its refinishing potential. I mean, how many of us do mods to our Swiss Army Knives?

I believe that owning an HI khuk takes you back to that time where you had to understand how to polish, sharpen and refinish in order to be a knife owner.

I applaud the recent flood of those whose interest has been sparked and have taken matters into their own hands and learned the true beauty of knife ownership.

It's a joy to know that it's not a dying breed/art.

Dan

I agree. But also want to add that there is a certain excitement that comes from owning a unique speciman of a given family of items, especially one that is hand-made. I think for example that it is a real hoot knowing that I can go on a website and see the actual craftsman who made my daughter's British Army Service Khuk.

I wish I could see a picture, and at least know the name of the mysterious Kami "!" who crafted my beloved BAS. It is constantly within my reach and I often times remove it from its sheath and just heft it a while - kind of bonding with it, ya know?

And I find myself sharing a certain level of excitement and comraderie with other members here who own Khuks crafted by "!".

It's really cool (grin).

Don

 

[JUSTRIGHT]

Since getting into blade forums and HI,I've learned so much more FROM ALL of you guys.Before I just had knives,now I own knives!I maintain them.Keep them sharp,clean and bright.They now are alive to me.Especially my khukes. I've never owned a hand made knife before.They speak to me.If I nik it,it tells me don't send me back,fix me.In which I learned from you guys. When done grinding the khuk rewards me with good work.I'm that much more a part of it as it is a part of me. Like Don says,Its a bonding. I learn more and more each and everyday.thanks to all of you and thanks to HI people.


FRANK

 

[Kismet]

"It seems to me that taking responsibility for damage is part of the ownership of a tool. Being able to bring the tool back to usability is part of the joy of having a quality tool. In a sense, the owner shares creation with the maker of the blade, and they join together to create a functional implement to achieve a purpose."

And, in the Cantina, the sharing goes on as members contribute ideas and examples of their work and designs to the rest. Granted, an idealized community, but marvelous nevertheless.

 

[JUSTRIGHT]

YES ,YES , YES...........

 

[Rusty]

You don't have to learn here.

You are just invited to do so, and encouraged to go ahead and try. Mistakes are expected. Usually several times before you pick up the knack of what you're trying for. And you're expected to post the screw ups so we can laugh and tell of the dumb things we've done.

At the least you learn so many ways that you'd never have though of that DON'T work. At the best, you find something that works for you, and the joy of a new skill learned.

I don't claim to know "the right way" to sharpen a khuk, but if I keep at it, somehow, someway, it develops a bevel and an edge that responds to my efforts and resharpens with minimal effort. I go through this with every khuk until a steel can bring the edge back. Then IT'S MINE! ( I won't say I own it, but we belong to each other. )