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 | | From: | SinPar | | Subject: | First edge on a new knife | | Date: | Sun, 23 Jan 2005 14:03:45 -0600 |
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 | You would think that a new knife wouldn't be the source of such a dilemma.
I got a khukuri (kukri) knife as a gift over the holidays and sat down to
sharpen it the other day. I didn't know a lot about them except that I saw
one used in the UK in a knife scene and it was.. um.. damn hot. I've wanted
one ever since, but haven't been able to justify the cost.
The knife has an unpolished blade and no edge. The longer I looked at it the
more I knew I needed skilled advice. I took it to a professional knife
sharpener and once we got past the "what is a 45+ year old woman" doing with
a knife like this" look, he wasn't much help either. It seems that I have
to decide how far up the blade to sharpen and whether or not I want an even
*v* shape or a *v* with one side longer than the other.
I did some research on the web to see if I could find some hints and have
lots of pictures. I can't afford a trip to Nepal to find out how it is
traditionally done although I suspect that everyone sharpens their blades
according to their own tastes and usage. I agree with this but want to make
sure that I'm not going to do something to the blade that will compromise
it's integrity.
So my question (at last): Does anyone on here know anything about the
traditional sharpening of a khukuri or anything that I absolutely should not
do to it?
I won't be using it in combat, just to cut, terrify, and thrill consenting
folk. (and the occasional strut because it is a super cool knife that I've
wanted for a very long time.)
Thanks in advance,
SinPar
--
The weak are the most treacherous of us all. They come to the strong and
drain them. They are bottomless. They are insatiable. They are always
parched and always bitter. They are everyone's concern, and like vampires
they suck our life's blood. (Bette Davis)
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| | From: | O J | | Subject: | Re: First edge on a new knife | | Date: | Mon, 24 Jan 2005 09:22:05 GMT |
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| SinPar wrote:
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>So my question (at last): Does anyone on here know anything about the
>traditional sharpening of a khukuri or anything that I absolutely should not
>do to it?
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Others have discussed various sharpening methods and the link Heikki
posted was very interesting. I too was disappointed when my kukri
came without the edge sharpened. If you bought the same 'official'
one as I did the military specs came with it. If I recall correctly,
they said that the blade had to be hard enough to cut a certain size
copper wire without showing a nick in the blade, while being soft
enough to sharpen with a file.
At work, I have sharpened knives and small shears, both used for
cutting copper and thin corrugated steel, that are softer than the
really good blade steels but not too soft to take a good edge with a
file. Since my kukri, which I have not sharpened, would need a lot of
metal removed to bring it to and edge, I'd start with a 'mill' file.
Regards,
O J
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| | From: | Philip_the_Foole | | Subject: | Re: First edge on a new knife | | Date: | Mon, 24 Jan 2005 00:57:40 GMT |
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| SinPar wrote:
> You would think that a new knife wouldn't be the source of such a dilemma.
> I got a khukuri (kukri) knife as a gift over the holidays and sat down to
> sharpen it the other day. I didn't know a lot about them except that I saw
> one used in the UK in a knife scene and it was.. um.. damn hot. I've wanted
> one ever since, but haven't been able to justify the cost.
Hmmm, I just noticed that the khukuri has some design similarity to the
kung fu saber. I've read that the kung fu saber was designed to cut the
legs of an opponent's horse on the battlefield. The angle between the
blade and the grip helps to keep the weapon from slipping out of your
hand in case it gets bloody during combat. Blood is quite slippery stuff.
The flat side of the blade is excellent for spanking.
Here is a description of the experience of being sword-spanked by one of
my favorite victims:
"Jynx has a wooden practice sword hanging on the wall of our dungeon.
Philip was using just such a grip when he whacked me with it. He raised
it high above his head, and in that fraction of a moment when it
*whooshed* through the air, there was ample time for regret. How could I
have agreed to what would surely be a dose of non-erotic pain such as I
would never, ever want to feel, given the force he was using? *Thwack*
The blade struck. Pain and pleasure were delivered in a perfect,
precise, sensitive, sensitizing harmonious blend. *swoon* It is
unbelievable what a skilled martial artist can do with pain-play."
Your Humble Jester,
Philip the Foole
Never beat your wife with your sword. It shows a lack of respect for the
sword.
- Ancient Samurai Saying
Show respect when you beat your wife with your sword.
- Ancient Kung Foole Proverb
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| | From: | Bob King | | Subject: | Re: First edge on a new knife | | Date: | 23 Jan 2005 14:00:10 -0800 |
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| Well, recall that the Kukri is both a throwing and chopping implement.
Primarily shearing/chopping, so a chisel like edge is probably best -
see picture here http://www.coldsteel.com/fixed-blades-gurkhas.html
Oh, while visiting Cold Steel, don't forget to lust after one or three
of these....
http://www.coldsteel.com/sjambok.html
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| | From: | Morgane | | Subject: | Re: First edge on a new knife | | Date: | Sun, 23 Jan 2005 23:42:01 -0600 |
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SinPar wrote in article
...
.. It seems that I have
> to decide how far up the blade to sharpen and whether or not I want an even
> *v* shape or a *v* with one side longer than the other.
Keep the *v* even. Khukri's have a tendency to spin in the hand during heavy
cuts. My Khukri also bucks my hand like a mule if it hits something that's hard
to cut. Severing hard objects is exciting because one is never quite sure at
what angle the blade will come whizzing out the other side. I know you aren't
going to be doing this kind of thing but, -just in case. As far as I know, the
Nepalese are pretty concerned with preserving the rounded bevel of the blades.
I'd go with them on that. Keeping the bevel as original as possible really
helps control the blade. Plus, the convex grind will help you with edge
orientiation, -crucial with this kind of knife.
> So my question (at last): Does anyone on here know anything about the
> traditional sharpening of a khukuri or anything that I absolutely should not
> do to it?
As I understand, the edge is sharpened by re-forming it via pinching it between
two chunks of iron or hard steel. This isn't easy. For the sake of your sanity,
I'd suggest a a kitchen steel, or a sharpening system.
> I won't be using it in combat, just to cut, terrify, and thrill consenting
> folk. (and the occasional strut because it is a super cool knife that I've
> wanted for a very long time.)
They're great stuff : )
> Thanks in advance,
And thank you, - I never even considered using a khukri in a knife scene
before.
Morgane
--
Handmade Rope:
http://members.rogers.com/ziamorg/
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| | From: | Heikki | | Subject: | Re: First edge on a new knife | | Date: | Sun, 23 Jan 2005 22:53:24 +0100 |
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| SinPar wrote:
> So my question (at last): Does anyone on here know anything about the
> traditional sharpening of a khukuri or anything that I absolutely should
> not do to it?
You got me curious, and a little googling found the sharpening secion in the
FAQ:
http://www.himalayan-imports.com/faq/Sharp.htm
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