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Ww2 gerkha khukhi knife
- Thread starter bivikez
- Start date
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- May 10, 2012
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You ought to ask in the Himalayan Imports subforum. They're the experts on all things Khukuri.
If you want to have a go at sharpening it yourself, I'd suggest getting some sandpaper of various grits (220 through 600 at least, maybe a 120 to start if it's really dull). Set the paper on a soft mouse pad and run the blade edge along it at as close to the original grind angle as you can without scratching the side of the blade. Run it over the paper a few times, flip, and repeat on the other side. Repeat with a couple less strokes, then a couple less again, until it comes to a noticeable edge. Swap to a higher grit and repeat, until you get to your highest grit. At that point, you want ease up and give it very little pressure, so you can refine the edge as much as possible.
If you want to have a go at sharpening it yourself, I'd suggest getting some sandpaper of various grits (220 through 600 at least, maybe a 120 to start if it's really dull). Set the paper on a soft mouse pad and run the blade edge along it at as close to the original grind angle as you can without scratching the side of the blade. Run it over the paper a few times, flip, and repeat on the other side. Repeat with a couple less strokes, then a couple less again, until it comes to a noticeable edge. Swap to a higher grit and repeat, until you get to your highest grit. At that point, you want ease up and give it very little pressure, so you can refine the edge as much as possible.
Last edited:
jdk1
Gold Member
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I wouldn't dream of sharpening it myself. It will destroy any collector value and just isn't needed for an antique which won't be used. It's yours to do with what ever you please, but I would reconsider anything other than preservation/cleaning. Post some pics. We'd like to see it. Take care.
jdk1
Gold Member
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- Apr 21, 2010
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I have quite a few WWII era khukuri and would not use them. The handle on many are not secured as well as they were 70 years ago, though not immediately obvious in handling. There are so many great khukuri available, modern and traditional design, and I think you would be happier with one of them as a user. take care.
Do not sharpen it. Don't do anything to it. Post pictures in the Himalayan Imports subforum before doing anything to it. If you really want a khukri to use then buy a new one from HI. The antique one might have collector value that you can very easily ruin by doing anything to it.
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Please post photos before you do anything to it. Vintage kukris are best left alone. I have one completely unused from WWII and I'd love to play with it but can't risk ruining such a rare piece.
On that auction site last year I saw a near perfect WWII M43 but a nickel sized half moon chip out of the blade. Someone just had to go and chop wood with it. These are fighting blades and aren't like the the heavy duty modern choppers that kukris have become.
On that auction site last year I saw a near perfect WWII M43 but a nickel sized half moon chip out of the blade. Someone just had to go and chop wood with it. These are fighting blades and aren't like the the heavy duty modern choppers that kukris have become.
unfortunately i cant post pics because my only access to the net is on my phone and for some reason it wont let me select the right icons etc.im new to the net as well.
The knife was presented to my grandfather by some gerkhas he had served with.it has a full tang which is visible all the way to the pommel.the handle is made of a red coloured wood inlaid with ivory.the sheath is made of wood covered with black leather.it looks completely unused although it is quite blunt.
I would never dream of practising survival techniques-shelter building etc but i am a bit of a doomsday preper and would like to know how to sharpen it in an emergency.i would never dream of selling it so i dont care how much it is worth.
Any comments would be wellcome.
The knife was presented to my grandfather by some gerkhas he had served with.it has a full tang which is visible all the way to the pommel.the handle is made of a red coloured wood inlaid with ivory.the sheath is made of wood covered with black leather.it looks completely unused although it is quite blunt.
I would never dream of practising survival techniques-shelter building etc but i am a bit of a doomsday preper and would like to know how to sharpen it in an emergency.i would never dream of selling it so i dont care how much it is worth.
Any comments would be wellcome.
- Joined
- May 9, 2002
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- 12,700
Congrats
Like others have said, I wouldn't sharpen it. I don't know enough about presentation khuks and without seeing pictures, I don't know how "dull" is. While I'm positive it is of a higher quality than your average tourist khuk, it may be just a show piece in terms of blade hardness and temper. It's an heirloom. Keep it as is and think of all the things your grandpa did to earn such respect in the eyes of those Gurkhas.
Khuks have a kind of steep learning curve both in sharpening and use. While they are tough to bugger up beyond repair (unless you just take it to a belt sander), they are very easy to scratch up and uglify. Here's an open invitation: If you promise not to take a stone to your grandpa's old khuk, I'll find you a beater khuk in my collection that you can practice on. I just don't want you doing something to your grandpa's knife that you might regret in 20 years.
Like others have said, I wouldn't sharpen it. I don't know enough about presentation khuks and without seeing pictures, I don't know how "dull" is. While I'm positive it is of a higher quality than your average tourist khuk, it may be just a show piece in terms of blade hardness and temper. It's an heirloom. Keep it as is and think of all the things your grandpa did to earn such respect in the eyes of those Gurkhas.
Khuks have a kind of steep learning curve both in sharpening and use. While they are tough to bugger up beyond repair (unless you just take it to a belt sander), they are very easy to scratch up and uglify. Here's an open invitation: If you promise not to take a stone to your grandpa's old khuk, I'll find you a beater khuk in my collection that you can practice on. I just don't want you doing something to your grandpa's knife that you might regret in 20 years.
- Joined
- May 9, 2002
- Messages
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No problem Stop by the HI Cantina board if you have any other questions. Lots of great history associated with the khuk
Stop by the HI Cantina board if you have any other questions. Lots of great history associated with the khuk
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2003
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- 20,207
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"Upload" pictures from your computer/device to your Photobucket account using Photobucket "browse" button.
In your Photobucket "library" locate a picture you want to post here, and left click on it.
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In a post to this thread, use "paste" to put the IMG link in the post. The picture will then appear to everyone.
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