Tight scabbard

prn

prn

Joined
Apr 26, 1999
Messages
481
Uncle Bill sent me a 20" Sirupati as a replacement for the AK with the broken tang, which is on its way to DanK for repair. I decided that it had told me it wanted to live with someone else, so I went in a different direction for now. Someone is going to get a real nice khukuri when that one is fixed. (One day, I'll want to get another one on that level of quality.) The new knife is ok. Fit and finish aren't up to the 11 out of 10 standard that the AK was, but ok.

However, the scabbard of the new one is extremely tight. I was afraid for a while that I might have to send it back without ever getting it out of the scabbard. I finally did get it out. I had to remove the frog so I could get a better grip on the scabbard, but finally it came out.

Now I have to try stretching the scabbard. The FAQ says to soak it in water for 1/2 hour and let it dry with wooden wedges in the opening. Is the point of this to stretch the leather or the wood or both? Do they always catch at the opening or does this stretch the leather along the entire length enough that it loosens the scabbard further in? Does this mean that the wooden pieces inside get forced apart so that there would be a gap between them at the edge? That would be a problem, wouldn't it?

Am I asking too many silly questions?

Thanks.

Paul


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Paul Neubauer
prn@bsu.edu
A tool is, basically, an object that enables you to take advantage of the laws of physics and mechanics in such a way that you can seriously injure yourself.
 
Paul, whittle a tapering wedge that tightens up when you press it half way into the scabbard. Tap on it briskly but not heavily after you have soaked the scabbard. Then let it dry.

There is a chance the scabbard may stabilize. It has been here in 0% humidity Reno and has shrunk. You may want to give it 3 or 4 days and try it again. Spraying the blade with WD-40 before you resheath it helps if you go this route.

If all fails return the scabbard and Vikash will stretch it for you and send it back. We will pay postage round trip.

Or, return the entire rig and I'll try to find you another with the 11 out of 10 fit and finish the AK had.

Sorry about the scabbard.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
Himalayan Imports Archives (18,000+ posts)
 
"A good name is more to be desired than gold, yea, than much fine gold!"

Uncle Bill, you are the real deal.

Stephen

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Micah 6:8. Well worth the attempt!
 
PRN,
If you are not too sure about making wedges to fit....go to the Lumberyard and buy a package of shims for setting doors and windows. You need to just trim to needs and if one isnt enough well...
Right now I've got the GRS scabbard streatching out, but I had to put one of the shims in butt first, cuz it needs alot of resizing, also when having trouble getting a knife in or out of a scabbard try taking the Karda and Chakma out first. This gives a little bit more room when things are tight.
smile.gif

Dan
 
Sounds good, Uncle Bill. I guess first I'll let it stablize for a couple days and see if it gets looser. Then I'll try to soak it and tap in a suitable shim. I won't have trouble making wedges of whatever size or shape. I'm ok on woodworking in general. I just don't really know the internal structure of khukuri scabbards so I'm less than confident about what I'm doing there. I'm still not too clear on just what the wedges are doing to the internals of the scabbard, but I'll just shut up and follow directions.
wink.gif


I'm planning to aim for a blunt-tipped wedge that's about the same length as the blade and just a hair thicker than the widest part of the khukuri blade at about the middle with a very very slight taper so it might have an effect further in too, and I'll tap that into the soaked scabbard.

BTW, Dan, the AK ought to be arriving today or possibly tomorrow. I rigged up a shipping arrangement last weekend to protect everything with the blade out of the scabbard by ripping a blind dado about 2" deep into the edge of a piece of 2x4 and securing the bare blade edge into that. (I try to pack things securely. I've not often had problems with shipping.
smile.gif
) But when I went to the post office on Monday, I found it closed. (Not paying attention.) So it went into the mail on Tuesday. It's a beauty, so take good care of it. I want it to be happy in its next home.
smile.gif


Paul


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Paul Neubauer
prn@bsu.edu
A tool is, basically, an object that enables you to take advantage of the laws of physics and mechanics in such a way that you can seriously injure yourself.
 
Uncle Bill,
Do you have a new home in mind for this AK? If the karma is right, I am interested in providing that warm and cozy home.
smile.gif
 
Stephen is right. When that tang broke, my first thoughts were not printable
eek.gif
in this family forum, but within seconds some level of sanity returned and I never had any doubts at all that Uncle Bill would make it right.

Seegarman, that AK is a fine one, or will be again when Dan gets through with it, but it may be particular about who it wants to live with.
wink.gif
I hope it loves you.
cool.gif


Anyway, I'll give the new scabbard the soak and wedge treatment and we'll see how well I do.

Paul


------------------
Paul Neubauer
prn@bsu.edu
A tool is, basically, an object that enables you to take advantage of the laws of physics and mechanics in such a way that you can seriously injure yourself.
 
We went thru the tang failure bit last Dasein. It prompted a procedure of tang testing (bending to assure dead soft and severe blows with hammer at normal failure point -- about 1/2 inch down the tang from blade juncture). I am almost certain in their rush to get some stock built up before Dasein this procedure was abandoned temporarily.

Hopefully, things will get back to normal now that Dasein has come and gone.

Haste makes waste, for sure!

------------------
Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
Himalayan Imports Archives (18,000+ posts)
 
I believe it's a matter of karma, Paul. Like you said, maybe that particular AK was just destined for a home other than yours. I not positive I am the right one either but I'm willing to give it a try.

Hopefully it will get along with brother GS and sister Villager and assorted cousins in the knife bag.
wink.gif


[This message has been edited by seegarman (edited 10-12-2000).]
 
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