The sacriledge of sanding

t1mpani

t1mpani

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Jun 6, 2002
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I looked in this morning on a few of my wood handled khuks that I had refinished a few days back, and all have turned out very nice. Never being one to resist the siren call of the Malla, I took it and made a couple slashes against a big cardboard TV box, which it easily defeated. I noticed something (not for the first time) when swinging it, though...that I really can't stand the upper points on the handles of khukuries. This is not a design flaw but just the way that my particular grip is affected--it just spears my wrist right at the juncture. Thus, the point will be rounded.

Now, in and of itself this is nothing new--most of my khuk handles have rounded upper points--but I've never been able to do it on this one, because there's a perfect little swirl in the wood right at the tip. It's like all of the grain fell into a whirlpool around this spot, making a little woodgrain vortex that spins off into eternity. It's one of the neater effects I've ever seen in wood, and I hate to destroy it. I will make every effort to hit just the brass and see if that takes good enough care of the wrist-perforating problem, but I fear this little bit of natural splendor will have to go.
 
Do it, I say......:D


Clamp it up and hit that rascal with some high grit sandpaper. It'll come down real fast. Better plan on doing the whole handle though....so you can put on an even finish.
 
Thanks Dan,
I feel less guilty about giving into my cold, hard logic when others feel the same way. :D

I hadn't thought about the whole-handle refinishing aspect but you're right--I'd never get it to look right just trying to touch up the one spot.
 
Put in a good movie or CD and have some fun with it....that way you won't be hasty, and the time will go faster too.
 
One of my blem villagers had a chunk out of the upper point. I used the beld sander to take down the end of the buttcap and the point about 3/8 inch. Probably the most comfortable handle I have now.
 
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