- Joined
- Jan 10, 2002
- Messages
- 121
My Fellow Khukurites: I am numbed w/ amazement as I sit and write to you all tonite. I recieved my first HI khuk by mail today; after bugging uncca bill for 3 days "when;when" like some little kid goin to the beach for the first time with mommy and daddy--"Are we there yet--are we there yet??"
I have a fairly large number of production knves by different makers but this was my first leap of faith into the hand forged world of bladesmithing. And I have nothing against all my brothers here who insist we must have tons of modern bullsheet to get the job done..but I swear;I have so much to learn..
I mean if these artisans--and thats the only word for them--can produce a blade of this quality in a pit of hardened mudd--with sledge hammers;railroad ties--goat blood and sweat; Where has it gone?? Passed along to the hands of a few receptive souls who continue the expression of our craft.
My 18 in AK arrived wrapped in of all things--newsprint--good sign--this means my $ wasnt wasted on bubble wrap to impress me..packing tape..acceptable..I took a hard look at the newspapre that uncca Bill had caged the monster in...A production knife company's ad..How Ironic. Im sure the subject on the newspapre wasnt chosen on purpose although it could be elaborated on for hours in every page of this forum.
I removed the khukuri from its sheath and sort of picked my jaw up out of the floorboard of my car..I kept it with me all day; braggging to my blacksmith when I arrived at his new home..."SEE what I got in the mail today??
The edge was field sharp in some places and shaving sharp in others; easily corrected by an old ceramic rod I had kept for too long and never understood why I still had it. There were a few buffer marx on the otherwise perfect finish. Theyre sorta deep; but simi-chrome is workin ok; Companion tools were perfect in form;but needed a small amount of polish as well. Handles appeared a little dull; being water buffalo horn, I had requested that from Uncca by e-mail too..Companion tools were ill-fitted in sheath, but no major biggie once I forced the issue a little bit..now they wont fall out.
I applied a VERY VERY small amount of waterproofing cream called "Duckback" I use on my oilcloth duster-- to the sheath after the suggested coat of kiwi black; and a smaller amount still to the handles until I can get to the "cowboy store" and get some hoof treatment. I polished the brass on the assemblies just to crown the whole thing off...
I took "Her Majesty" outside...and beat the living hell outa a salt treated chunka wood..When that Khuk was finished that piece of wood wished it had died as a child..
No dings and very little dulling to my newly furbished edge..A little EEZOX on the blade...Shes at home again...Im happy..getting ready to place another order for her baby brother...Thank You ALL SO MUCH...HI has restored my faith in the "knife gods"...Peace to u all.. RAZ
I have a fairly large number of production knves by different makers but this was my first leap of faith into the hand forged world of bladesmithing. And I have nothing against all my brothers here who insist we must have tons of modern bullsheet to get the job done..but I swear;I have so much to learn..
I mean if these artisans--and thats the only word for them--can produce a blade of this quality in a pit of hardened mudd--with sledge hammers;railroad ties--goat blood and sweat; Where has it gone?? Passed along to the hands of a few receptive souls who continue the expression of our craft.
My 18 in AK arrived wrapped in of all things--newsprint--good sign--this means my $ wasnt wasted on bubble wrap to impress me..packing tape..acceptable..I took a hard look at the newspapre that uncca Bill had caged the monster in...A production knife company's ad..How Ironic. Im sure the subject on the newspapre wasnt chosen on purpose although it could be elaborated on for hours in every page of this forum.
I removed the khukuri from its sheath and sort of picked my jaw up out of the floorboard of my car..I kept it with me all day; braggging to my blacksmith when I arrived at his new home..."SEE what I got in the mail today??
The edge was field sharp in some places and shaving sharp in others; easily corrected by an old ceramic rod I had kept for too long and never understood why I still had it. There were a few buffer marx on the otherwise perfect finish. Theyre sorta deep; but simi-chrome is workin ok; Companion tools were perfect in form;but needed a small amount of polish as well. Handles appeared a little dull; being water buffalo horn, I had requested that from Uncca by e-mail too..Companion tools were ill-fitted in sheath, but no major biggie once I forced the issue a little bit..now they wont fall out.
I applied a VERY VERY small amount of waterproofing cream called "Duckback" I use on my oilcloth duster-- to the sheath after the suggested coat of kiwi black; and a smaller amount still to the handles until I can get to the "cowboy store" and get some hoof treatment. I polished the brass on the assemblies just to crown the whole thing off...
I took "Her Majesty" outside...and beat the living hell outa a salt treated chunka wood..When that Khuk was finished that piece of wood wished it had died as a child..
No dings and very little dulling to my newly furbished edge..A little EEZOX on the blade...Shes at home again...Im happy..getting ready to place another order for her baby brother...Thank You ALL SO MUCH...HI has restored my faith in the "knife gods"...Peace to u all.. RAZ
