The "Whiz Kid" Kami does good work

Sylvrfalcn

Sylvrfalcn

Joined
Jun 4, 2002
Messages
3,930
I recently acquired a 15" AK made by young Shanker. It was a blem due to an itty bitty crack in the handle (Bondini + 1500 grit + Hooflex =:) ), but it's now virtually flawless.

What a sweet, sweet, khukuri! It's got the compactness of a BAS, the legendary strength and chopping power of the AK, and, something I hadn't expected, the agility of a Sirupati. No kidding, this thing is quick as a cat. I don't know what it is, something to do with the handle and the balance, I noticed the same thing with my 18" AK (also made by Shanker), a "feel" to it that makes the dang thing just come alive in your hand. The cutting edge is straight as an arrow, and only took a few minutes of honing to be made shaving sharp. I gave the blade a lemon juice rub to bring out the temper line, and it's right where it's supposed to be.

All in all, I'm very happy with this khuk, it epitomizes what I look for in a heavy duty camp/trail knife. I'm also very impressed with this young kami's work, and would heartily recommend if you see one of his blades come up as a blem, to grab it and enjoy it.

Sarge
 
No doubt about it, the kid is good. Wonder what his blades will be like when he gets 50 years experience under his belt like Bura?

Many thanks for valued report from the field, Sarge.
 
Oh man, I had been looking at the last 18" AK by him with the "almost convex". Really wanted to jump on it but have holding out for right 15" AK. So many Khukuris......
 
Sarge, would you be so kind as to explain the "lemon juice" rub? How does that work?

bt
 
Re: Lemon juice rub

It's a tip I picked up from Federico (you can learn a lot on this forum). Repeatedly rubbing a slice of lemon on a carbon steel blade will turn it a nice, dull, light blueish gray. It's almost like gun blueing, it doesn't harm the steel, and actually seems to help inhibit rusting. If you don't like the resulting look, you can restore the bright, shiny, blade with Flitz, or other good metal polishes.

In the course of applying this process to a khuk I use as my military field knife, I was pleased to find that it brings out the temper line of the differentially hardened "sweet spot", making it clearly visible. I've tried it on my other khuks, and it's added to my education.

Sarge
 
Thanks for the lemon juice rub tip. I am going to try that. Have to go get a lemon:)
 
Sarge,
Good review,thanks.
In regards to the lemon rub: is the result something like this in the picture? This was done by soaking in white vinegar (not nearly as pleasant as yours and Federico's method).
Regards,
Greg
2003168057591171203770.jpg
 
Gotta credit Federico with that one. Like I said, you can learn a lot on this forum. Guys like Pappy, Yvsa, and others, know more ways to skin a cat than a cat would care to ponder.:eek:

Sarge
 
Ripper,

Yup, same overall effect. Apparently the acid in the lemon juice and the vinegar lightly etches the metal. Keith could probably share more insight on the process as he knows quite a bit about etching metals.

Sarge
 
Blade etching is a blast. I've tried hot sauce, mayonaise, and citrus fruits-- all seem to work well. When I did my last AK, I used lime juice and wrapped the blade in a plastic grocery bag. It produced some really interesting foliage-like patterns-- lo-tech camo:)

Sarge-- as you mentioned, etching brings out the temper line. On the AK I recently etched, the dark temper line dips to the blade edge right in the middle of the sweet spot for about 1/2 inch or so. Does this mean that the metal there is not tempered to the same hardness as the rest of the blade? I haven't noticed any blade wear issues in that spot, but I haven't really cut that much with it yet.
--Josh
 
Josh,

I wouldn't sweat it. A clean, even, temper line is pretty, but the temper line alone doesn't tell the whole story of what's going on inside the steel. I've got a 12" AK made by Sher that has a really funky temper line, and yet it's one sweet little performer. It gets sharp and stays sharp like a knife's supposed to do, and has quickly become my favorite "casual" khuk.

I strictly adhere to Uncle Bill's sage advice, which is to test any knife thoroughly before investing it with your trust. If the knife holds up well to the testing, I know it'll do it's job when it matters, regardless of what the temper line looks like.

Sarge
 
Ripper that looks like a WW II Q225 Catteragus Quartermaster Knife?
Is it?
The only thing that's throwing me is the guard doesn't look like steel nor is it as thick as mine.
These are the best kept secret around when it comes to WW II issue knifes!!!!
They may be simple 1095 High Carbon Steel, BUT It's 50 Year Old 1095 High Carbon Steel!!!!:D :D :cool: :cool: :D :D
 
I must agree with Sarge...
The new kid does good work. I just received my "blem" today and I'm real impressed! Of course I had to give it a little work out behind the shop during break time. The russian olives didn't stand a chance ;). Thanks again Uncle Bill! You never let me down!
 
I got 2 by by him. :D

A BAS and Chiruwa Ang Khola and both show Excellent work and are very nice. Very sharp edge indeed.:D
 
Sher must be training him because he Knows how to put an edge on a Khuk.:D

Just got a BAS and A Chiruwa Ang Khola and both have awesome edges on them. :)
 
Ripper that looks like a WW II Q225 Catteragus Quartermaster Knife?
Click to expand...
Yvsa,
I wish it was, you are absolutely correct about them being one
of the best kept secrets of WWII issue knives.
I guess the Germans thought so too, because this knife was made there. It is an older one a friend found at a swap meet, only markings are "Solingen and Made in Germany". A pretty well made tribute to the Catteragus I think.
Regards,
Greg
 
One of my BAS's is by the young man and, I don't think anybody would have any complaints about this knife. It was a blem when I got it but the hit the handle took in transit is not the young mans fault. It is repaired now, Polished and Moisturized with Mane'n Tail Hoofmaker. Ready for any thing it might be needed for.

I'm with Uncle Bills wondering, What is this guy going to be like in another 10 - 15 years? Another Bura?:)
 
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