Two tips for Khukuri use: Sharpening and Sheath tightening.

Here are two tips for khukuri collectors:

1) Occasionally, you'll get a khukuri with a blade-to-scabbard fit that is too loose for your tastes (some like them looser and some like a nice tight fit). One technique you can use to "tighten" your rig is to use the soft part of velcro. You can buy these self-adhesive strips at the hardware store, and with a little trial and error, you can custom fit your scabbard to taste. Reminder: stick the strip into the sheath with the knife BEFORE you actually remove the backing to do the final application to see if it's "just right." Once it's stuck in there, it's a pain to get out again.

2) Sharpening: this is common knowledge, but I thought I'd stress that buying a $60.00 polishing/sharpening wheel at Home Depot can be the best investment of your khukuri-collecting life. I can put a PERFECT edge on any khukuri in about 30 seconds using the rough-cloth wheel. A side benefit is that the wheel imparts a really nice "temper-line" to the khukuri (no, it's not a real temper line, but it does look very nice). Looks aside, though, it creates an ideal edge for a khukuri. You need to get the technique down, but once you do, you're set for life. Another benefit of the polishing wheel, if you get a soft cloth wheel with some white rouge, is that you can easily restore your khukuri blade and handle to a "new" shine (get off all those tiny scratches). My wheel was the best $60.00 I ever spent.

------------------
Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
S

Steven F

Joined
Oct 12, 1999
Messages
1,237
Craig, thanks for the great tips; I tried them both. However, so far I've not had real good luck with the sharpening -- obviously a problem with my technique. Would you please give a bit more info on that aspect -- blade position, angle, pressure, etc. Thanx
 
Craig, I just got back from Depot. The only thing I saw was a "4 in 1 sharpener" for 49.95. It works on knives, scissors, and drill bits. It looks like a little box with the wheel inside and an angle guide. Is this what you're talking about? Would you mind posting what yours is called. I don't think the one I saw polishes.
 
Steven: The trick is to find the right attachment (I have a really nice wheel that sharpens khukuris to an EXCELLENT edge). When I can find the name of it, I'll post it for everybody.

OMRie: Not sure what device you saw. What I recommend is a double sided grinding wheel - you can take off the "grinding wheels" and put on cloth buffing wheels.

Since this is of interest to many, I'll look at my wheel tomorrow and get back to you all regarding where you can buy the proper cloth wheels.

As for angle, I hold my edge facing down almost parallel (but at about a 30 degree angle) to the EDGE of the wheel surface. I only contact about 1/3 centimeter of the blade. This really puts a GREAT edge on the piece. Practice until you get the feel. Once you do, you'll never sharpen a khukuri any other way again (unless you're cutting rebar, in which case you'll probably need a file).

------------------
Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
Craig, you're not talking about a bench grinder, are you?


[This message has been edited by X-Head (edited 06-22-2000).]
 
That`s good advice Craig.I have a couple of electric motors,maybe from washing machines,(who knows?), set up with a mandrel,a couple of washers and a nut to hold it all in place.I use my grinder too much to bother with changing it out.

For those starting out; Brownell`s will have what you want.Balder is supposed to be a good brand.You`ll only buy one.Mine is a Craftsman.Not high bucks and will do the job.

A belt sander with slack is prefered by many.

I do most by hand.I have the old long,round stones from the farm.It`s easier for me to maintain a convex edge with a mill bastard and stones.

Craig is right though.I`ve some way beyond edges to polish,and will set up the wheels.Very long edges are especialy amenable to this method.

Why not do it the easy way?
 
Yes, I think I'm talking about a bench grinder.

The one thing you HAVE to be careful of, though (besides your fingers) is overheating the blade. If you are a polishing maniac, and the blade becomes almost too hot to touch, you can actually remove the temper on the edge, rendering your khukuri next to useless. That's why I always keep a thermos full of cold water - when doing a serious polishing job, I always let the khukuri cool off in the cold water between passes.

------------------
Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor


[This message has been edited by Craig Gottlieb (edited 06-22-2000).]
 
I'm a new guy here but I sort of feel compelled to post on this one, please be very careful using a buffing wheel to polish/sharpen knifes. I was taught this technique by Ralph P. Bone when he taught at the Colorado School of Trades in the late '70s and it will put a super sharp and long lasting edge on a knife or tool but it can also throw the knife into you. All you have to do is get part of the blade above the center of the wheel (level with the thru hole) and the knife can dig into the wheel and be thrown downward and forward. I wish I could remember the maker's name but there was a nationally famous custom knife maker who was severely injured this way a number of years ago. He was laid up for a very long time. The last time I saw a picture of him he was wearing a custom knife proof shop apron!

Sorry to put myself forward on my first post here but a kukuri could dismember someone in a heartbeat!
 
I recall reading about that. It was Gil Hibben, and he was seriously hurt.

Be careful with buffers!

--Mike L.


------------------
Real men ride Moto Guzzis!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top