Villager Rehab - Standing offer

Daniel Koster

Daniel Koster

www.kosterknives.com
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 18, 2001
Messages
20,978
***This is a standing offer for anyone purchasing a village model from Himalayan Imports***


If anyone wants their village model convexed and polished up nice, let me know.

The reason for my offer? I'm converted to the convex edge and want to "spread the word" and the best way to do that is to be able to put one in your hand. ;)

My offer is really more for those who want the edge but aren't sure how to do it themselves.

In addition to doing the work, I'll take some videos of how I put on the edge and them burn 'em to a CD for anybody who's willing to make the leap.


Again, this is a standing offer - but I'll only take the first 2 or 3 that request it.


The 20" AK villagers that have come around lately have great potential.

My intent is not to just do the work and give it to you, but to show you my process and perhaps help and/or encourage you in your own methods. (especially when you see how easy it is, and how much I screw it up while I'm doing it anyway ;) )

Dan


(BTW, is this too arrogant an offer? - not intended that way)
 
Dan,

REALLY looking forward to that video. Just got a 1x42 belt sander from father-in-law (Kalamazoo Industries). Nice little machine, and am itching to use it properly. Tried sharpening a few old knives with 400 grit belt, and they turned out pretty well. But I don't want to try changing the profile on any of my khuks until I know what I'm doing (Hah!).
 
Dan

Count me in for one of those CD's and thanks.

Arrogant? Hail no, I say very generous!

Semp --
 
Dan,
Good deal! Would like to see your video/Cd. I do like the convex edge myself. Works good for most applications. Have noticed that Sher about has it down. One factory knife that has a great convex edge is the Fallkniven. These knives out of Sweden have an incredible edge from the factory and are made of good high-tech steel. Anybody wanting to check out a convex edge could also look at one of those.:)
 
If you'd make the cd alone available to people I"d be interested in buying a copy. I"ve done two convex blades myself(ground from scratch) but always interested in learning something new. Plus if I rehandle and sell these two khuks, might be even better if I regrind them to a convex edge too(least, if I think I can do it without screwing up the nice finish beyond repair).
 
Originally posted by donutsrule
If I can get that 20" AK back from my dad, I might just take you up on that...
Click to expand...
Tell him that the cho has to be replaced every 5,000 chops.
 
Well, I got that last 20" villager by nip and tuck a couple days ago. There was barely enough discretionary time to fire off an email about it, and I didn't realize until later that you were offering to completely rebuild it for free.

That is a great offer, but I think it would be wasted on me as far as "spreading the word" goes. Your instructions are still posted over my bench and I just finished grinding khuk #2 with better results than the first. Also, I slack-ground both kardas and they are definately some lively little tools now.

If the weather stays calm, I should have this villager slack ground and mustardized by the end of the week, and begin walosifying the handle. However, if the wind blows I will be out flying kites instead at the insistance of my 3-year old aeronautical engineer who is not yet interested in grinding khuks.

Anyway I think your offer is more benevolent than arrogant. If you can do this for some folks who don't have a belt grinder, or have one but are sceptical about it, you will head them in a direction well worth going.
 
Pen
I'll send you a knife if you still have room. Let me know and I'll ship it off.
 
Dan,
really looking forward to that CD! Please count me in for one - maybe there still is hope for my sharpening skills..
 
Yikes! :eek: What kinda monster have I created?

Ok. I think perhaps I'll open it up a bit more than just 2 or 3...:rolleyes:


I had no idea there would be this much interest. The offer still stands (but only for village models).

Two things you need to agree to before sending your khukuri to me:

1 - you don't care how long it takes to get it back ;)
2 - you are willing to risk that I might screw it up. :D


Please email me to get my mailing address and to let me know what you want me to do to your villager (I'm open to doing repairs as well).

I'll have to cap this at 8 though :eek: (I must be nuts...:D).


Thanks to all who have responded.


Aardvark, Semp, hoghead, ept777 & Red - gotta send a villager to get a video. ;) (eventually I'll have a full video available, but not for a while)

Aardvark - Check out Darrel Ralph's website www.knifekits.com - there is a forum there and the Kalamazoo is popular with them. Just finished dry-fitting a GX6 myself - very nice stuff.

donutsrule - send when ready.

cliff355 - you got the goods! :cool:

JDP - send me an email to get the mailing address.

Cinquedea - there's always hope! Send an email to get the mailing address.

Bill - many thanks. ;)




So far, got 5 takers. Room for 3 more. Send now while I'm still in a generous mood...:rolleyes:

Dan
 
I just got that Ang Khola Bowie from Pen. The edge is phenominal. I haven't had a chance to chop with it yet, but it slices and push cuts better than any knife I own, factory or custom.
 
Pendentive,
If you don't mind me asking, how do you sharpen convex edges on khuks?
I am using mousepad+sandpaper method and even though I was able to get shaving sharp edge on both of my khuks, I don't think this is the best method. Too time consuming, and I can really feel my shoulder in 30-40 mins after pushing 2-3 lb blade back and forth :)
 
Just to clarify - the CDs that I'm sending are going to be videos of me giving your specific khukuri the work-over. In other words, each villager will come back with it's own "makeover tape". ;)

What you do with it from there is your business. :D


Aardvark - bug Bill - I bet he has more...

stripey - you gotta get out in the woods with that one. It's just begging to be used. You gotta feed it at least twice a week or it goes crazy...:eek:

BruiseLeee - 2 spots left. ;)

Gator - part of the CD that I'll include will be putting on the final cutting edge.

In a nutshell - use sandpaper mounted to a foam-covered sanding block and "strop" the khuk with it (khuk in one hand, edge up, sanding block in the other - like you would a chakma). Then strop with a piece of leather mounted to a dowel or small block (no wider than 1").

Never takes me more than a few minutes to get it sharp.
 
Hey, Pen. I would like to get a CD, too. Why don't you make a bunch of copies of one celebrity Villager as "convexed by Pen"? Offer it up to the forum at say $5 each to cover burn costs and postage. Any extra cash can be donated to the Nepalese medical student.
 
You have just fired your gun and started a stampede. You know that, don't you, Dan. :D

What a lovely offer. Too bad I have nothing to offer you right now except positive thoughts on your endeavour.

But one of these days, I swear..... that villager will just come marching in. :D :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top