World War One

[Johan van Zyl]

I'd like to share my enthusiasm for my latest khukuri acquisition with you if I may. It's a World War One khuk with rattail threaded tang and slotted nut. I did a lot of soul-searching before buying this one, because the good ol' KPF (khukuri purchasing fund) was already overburdened. The new acquisition has the date 1915 stamped on it. I can't figure out yet if it is India-made or British made. I also don't know if it is kami-made or machine-made. Seems to me to be machine-made, because there's absolutely no sign of the tell-tale hammer marks apparant on a forged blade. I need to do a lot of further fact-finding. The blade has "Co" stamped on it, meaning "Contract", but that in itself doen't say much to me. There's also a "16", probably meaning a 1915 model actually made in 1916. JP's excellent photo's and facts show it up as a Mk I, but I secretly think it's a Sheffield designed variant of the Mk I, due to the machined look and because the cho on my blade looks just like the cho on JP's photo of the variant. (A lawyer would say that's very scant circumstantial evidence!) I have to make sure, because I need to make a handle for this khuk, and the handles vary slightly on the two models. Seems the variant handle has a single ring (ridge), and the conventional Mk I has two rings.

I have already inletted the tang hole in the piece of South African Stinkwood (black Stinkwood, Cape laurel) I selected, and also inletted for the bolster, and the circular hole for the slotted nut. The handle itself looks like hell at this stage, because all of the shaping still needs to be done. I'll post a pic to Craig by snailmail when it's all done, and ask him to put it in the forum so you can see if I made a muck of the job. (If I'm satisfied I'll post a pic. If not, I'll just silently retreat into the corner...)

- He who laughs last, didn't understand the punch line (ancient Nepalese saying) -

 

[Lt. Dan]

Sound like a GREAT project to me. Can you tell me more about the Stinkwood? (looks, smell, density, open/closed grain, common uses for it)

 

[Johan van Zyl]

South African Stinkwood is Ocotea bullata. It "stinks" when you work it. It's not really "stink" to me, more like a strong musky fragrance. In this context the word stink refers more to a stronger than normal smell. Of course, when the work is finished, there's no more smell. I'll try to get hold of the specifics you asked for. The wood is very dark brown with a subtle pattern. It works easily enough. Stinkwood is very scarce indeed nowadays and has become synonymous with "top class wood - the very best".

The Mk I handle looks a bit better now. It doesn't look like hell anymore, rather like purgatory!



[This message has been edited by Johan van Zyl (edited 05-18-2001).]

 

[Johan van Zyl]

I managed to get SOME further information about Stinkwood (Ocotea bullata), from Palmer & Pitman (1972) TREES OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (Vol 1):

It is of fine texture, naturally lustrous, and fairly heavy - dark wood usually being the heaviest. It is easily the loveliest furniture wood in SA, and is one of the finest in the world. Stinkwood has always been in the greatest demand. Used extensively in the 19th century for external doors and window frames because it weathers well. It is the most expensive native wood. The wood possesses one strange quality - a disagreeable odour that is given off when freshly cut.

 

[Lt. Dan]

Thanks for the interesting wood info, Johan. Stinkwood properties seem to make it an excellent choice for your WW1 handle. Looking forward to an update....Dan

 

[Johan van Zyl]

I put on the first coat of Woodoc varnish yesterday. Only very delicate smoothing still needs to be done. Now the making of the scabbard is looming ahead!

Funny, I've taken a liking to the word "scabbard" for a khukuri. I think I'll not use "sheath" anymore...

 

[Johan van Zyl]

Glad to say the work on the handle is finished now! I'm 99% satisfied - the 1% is for the wood which is darker than I think it ought to have been.

The scabbard - now THAT's a different kettle of fish! I now have much more respect for the sarkis who make these things! One has to try making one of these khukuri scabbards to really appreciate the art of the sarki. The inner liner, there's the first hurdle. This seems to be the heart of the scabbard. Goof this part up, and your scabbard has had it. The procurement of the leather to cover the wooden scabbard, that's also problematic. I've read it's supposed to be 1/64th inch! Also, you MUST retain all your exact inner measurements for when you want to finish the wooden scabbard on the outside, unless you've got X-ray vision.

I've put in a bent piece of tin plate 2 inches long in the area inside the scabbard where you might get severed fingers in the case of a worn scabbard - ain't I the clever one! Don't follow safety precautions - rely on the metal protector!

(((In secret... actually... the plate covers the hole I accidentally made... ground into the cavity... because I didn't retain the exact inner measurements...

)))

"The water buffalo moves slowly - but the earth is patient"