WWII Workout

jdk1

jdk1

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Apr 21, 2010
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I gave my old Tirtha WWII a workout today. I have a palm in the yard which was quite a mess due to lack of attention on my part. The weather was nice, so I grabbed my WWII and attacked. This was particularly sweet for several reasons. One is that I haven't really been able to swing a khuk for quite a while due to multiple arm/shoulder surgeries. The other is that this was the tree which gave me fits with this khuk in the begining. This was my first khuk and when I received it, I trimmed this very tree. The edge had some rolling and I panicked. Some of the older hands told me to sharpen it as it was probably some soft steel from polishing. As I discovered, this was sage advice. I sharpened her up using a cheap Lansky copy and gave it a regular old "V" edge. This edge and khuk have held up wonderfully, as I saw again today. The 16.5" WWII is a great khuk. Perfect for general use, I believe. This one is about 25-26 oz. and is a joy to carry and use, especially in the tight spaces like around this palm. Well, enough talk, here's the pics. Take care.

The victim.
WWIIPalmTree001.jpg


WWIIPalmTree002.jpg


WWIIPalmTree006.jpg


WWIIPalmTree005.jpg


The dry fronds are incredibly tough and fibrous. Like steel cable IMHO.
WWIIPalmTree008.jpg


The edge is perfect!
WWIIPalmTree009.jpg
 
Can you hold it in your hand and have it be with some other similar size objects so I can get a feel of the size of it? Thank you!
 
If I knew what a secondary bevel was I'd answer:) I just picked the most obtuse angle on my Gatco Lansky copy.

As for size, that's a CS LTC on the left. This WWII is two over to the left. Just one tiny Bilton between the CS and this one.
Khuks10-9-2010004.jpg


Here it is with my HI M43 and an ESEE Junglas. This WWII is on top. That's about the only pics with other brands for size comparison.
Junglas001.jpg


It isn't large or heavy. It just works very well at everyday tasks. Uncle Bill's favorite was this model, I'm told, and I know why. It is as handy as can be and effective enough to make chopping/cutting fun, as long as your not trying to fuel your woodburning stove all winter;) Take care.
 
Those fronds are no joke, John.
Hope you enjoyed your revenge.:D

From the picture your secondary bevel looks like a 30 degree on an angle; best for rough use.

WWII might just be THE khuk when you start handling one. It's a KHUK101 prerequisite course instructor.
 
JayGoliath said:
Those fronds are no joke, John.
Hope you enjoyed your revenge.:D

From the picture your secondary bevel looks like a 30 degree on an angle; best for rough use.

WWII might just be THE khuk when you start handling one. It's a KHUK101 prerequisite course instructor.
Click to expand...

Jay, you are very close. My Gatco says that slot I used is 29 degrees. Timelord, sorry it took awhile. I am not very good or experienced at sharpening. This simple Gatco set-up is about the best way I have to get a good edge (until I get some time with an as yet unboxed Harbor Frieght belt sander), and it seems to work well. With a khuk, you have to work in sections and it's not always easy to get the clamp on a 3/8" + spine. This angle seems very strong and cuts well enough for my uses. It held up perfectly on the tough wood that waved my HI M43 edge. BTW, the M43 is headed back my way and Heber didn't have any more problems after reprofiling the edge. Take care.
 
looks like that tree cleaned up nice.

kinda like a bonsai project :)
 
Like a gigantic dangerous bonzai, I discovered! I was wearing leather golves, but the thorns tore right through them. It had gone so long without trimming, there were layers of fronds bunched together. One of my fingers started to bother me Sunday and by Monday, I couldn't bend it. Went to the doc and found out it was infected at the joint. Long story short, it's better now and improving. I learned in this compact work space the 16.5" WWII really shined. The blunt nose puts the belly way out at the tip and this really helps in tight spaces. If I had used a more "tippy" design, that tip would have been digging into parts I didn't need to tear up, or interfered with my swing. As it was, the sweet spot was just where I needed it to be. You guys who haven't tried this model really should give it a try, especially since they turn up regularly on the DOTD;). It might not be the prettiest girl at the ball, but boy can she dance! I'm so tempted to pick up one of these recent 22 oz models. Take care and watch those palms:o
 
Awesome! I think you'll be thrilled. This khuk was a blem with a cracked handle and I've had ZERO issues with the crack. This is the khuk I grab for yard and brush work. It's a great all around design. Let us know what you think after it arrives. take care.
 
and love that full tang round butt plated M43 - sweetness :>
 
Washingtonian (sp?) palm? Yeah, they're unholy terrors to work! I always end up a bit bloody! I love my 16.5 WWII , so much I'm going to buy one for a friend for his Bday!
 
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