THE KHUKRI PROJECT- 06-05-2012

[Moin.]

Gent's the itch to try something handson is now uncontrollable after reading the wonderful posts by Marthandan. Been avoiding this due to shortage of time ( *read as laziness ), but not anymore.

This Khukri was brought many moons back, during my college days from the Stalls outside the Golden Temple. Have lost the Chamak & Karda (were crappy anyways).

Mods planned for this blade are shown in the image below. Spent a few hours yesterday filing off the bevel with a rough file and corborumdum stone.

MODS PLANNED.

[Moin.]

The shoulder was filed off using a carborandum stone and coarse file, one side slightly buffed with fine grit paper to check for forging undualtions on the surface (it's a spring steel blade) and even them.

Also shaving off a lot of metal from the shoulder and the undulations on the blade will make it lighter and more manouverable. Convexing the edge will make it a better slicer as well ( Thinner and smoother cross section)












BUFFED UP ONE SIDE TO CHECK FOR UNDULATIONS BEFORE FILING AGAIN



Any suggestions on removing the Buffalo Horn Handle, tried burning it. Did'nt work. The reason is replacing with a more comfortable wooden handle. The Flare at the pommel digs ito the palm of the hand as well. Also need to see a way to put in a lanyard hole. At the moment the blade seems to have a rat tail tang.



Regards
Moin

[snIPer]

if you want to remove it try by straightening the rats tail and then pull it out , or you can drill small holes in a straight line across the handle and then force apart.
/S/

[marthandan]

thats a wonderful project .
to remove the handle, u can cut lengthwise using a hacksaw. how do u plan to fit the brass spine strengthner?

and if you are still looking for a dremel tool, buy a die grinder. its cheaper, has a smaller range of speeds. otherwise, it performs all the work of the dremel tool.

[ramtiger]

nice work

[Moin.]

The shoulder/bevel has been taken off. Hours and hours of manual filing work. Will finish the rest of the blade with coarse emery paper. Getting the Buffalo horn handle was harder than I thought. Did not have a hacksaw handly, literrally took a large knife and hacked away, burnt it, hacked away, brunt it at the handle till it came off. ( the Bathroom's a mess )

[Moin.]

if you want to remove it try by straightening the rats tail and then pull it out , or you can drill small holes in a straight line across the handle and then force apart.
/S/

Thanks Sniper, no drill machine with me, hacked the handle away

Regards
Moin.

[ak27]

literrally took a large knife and hacked away, burnt it, hacked away, brunt it at the handle till it came off. ( the Bathroom's a mess )

Just getting curious, what 'large knife' did you use for the hacking Moinji? I mean it's an easy job to use a Khukri for the hacking, but a Knife?!

[Moin.]

thats a wonderful project .
to remove the handle, u can cut lengthwise using a hacksaw. how do u plan to fit the brass spine strengthner?

and if you are still looking for a dremel tool, buy a die grinder. its cheaper, has a smaller range of speeds. otherwise, it performs all the work of the dremel tool.

Chief, thank You. , your posts inspired me to try something out.

You get these brass rods, bars in various thicknesses, specially around industrial areas. Intend to have a U section made with the groove slightly less wider than the spine. The AC Techicians at my site use these portable gas can blow torches for flaring copper tubing for the refrigerant piping. Also not very expensive. Once the U channel is done, heat it, so it expands slightly and hammer it on the spine. Once it cools down should hold on tight.
Atleast that's what I have in mind.. Not sure how workable it will be..

This is where I got the idea from





Not not really looking for the dremel tool or a grinder. Want to do this the old fashioned way, without power tools. I 've been working on construction sites for more than 10 years now, the die grinders scare me man. even the 4 inch ones

[Moin.]

literrally took a large knife and hacked away, burnt it, hacked away, brunt it at the handle till it came off. ( the Bathroom's a mess )

Just getting curious, what 'large knife' did you use for the hacking Moinji? I mean it's an easy job to use a Khukri for the hacking, but a Knife?!

Mum's large knife that we use to cut meat, cheap but works, it keep it sharp on the carborundum stone...

Regards
Molin.

[Moin.]

nice work

Thank You Ram Tiger.

Regards
Moin.

[mundaire]

Moin, don't mind my asking this - but how exactly is brass (a softer metal) supposed to strengthen the spine of a carbon steel (you mentioned leaf spring steel) chopper? I would imagine that while it may be aesthetically pleasing, it can't add much in the way of strengthening the spine...

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[only32owner]

Hi moin,
best wishes,
Hope to see the final yummy yummy knife soon.
Brother you are a real insperation !!!!

Regards.

[Moin.]

Moin, don't mind my asking this - but how exactly is brass (a softer metal) supposed to strengthen the spine of a carbon steel (you mentioned leaf spring steel) chopper? I would imagine that while it may be aesthetically pleasing, it can't add much in the way of strengthening the spine...

Cheers!
Abhijeet

Hi Abhijeet, my logic or understanding is more metal at the spine means added weight for giving that additional "whack" and more "flexural rigidity-remembered this term from college " Brass while softer than steel is metal .i. e more metal at the spine as a stiffener, I did not mention strengthing the steel blade. The blade is anyways 5-6mm thick, not that it is really required, but was toying with the idea. Have yet to figure out a correct way to do this. Plus polished brass will look lovely in contrast to the patina i want to add to the blade.

I also want to see if it makes any difference in the balance of the blade, this like all other Khuk's , this khuk is very forward heavy for the chopping action. The Damascus Khukri that I received as a gift from a very generous and senior IFgian has a flared pommel as a counterweight to the forward heavy leaf shaped blade. No mkethod to it. Just experimenting to see if it works.

Regards
Moin.

P.S:Check these beauties out..

http://www.hibbenknives.com/expendables.htm

[Moin.]

Hi moin,
best wishes,
Hope to see the final yummy yummy knife soon.
Brother you are a real insperation !!!!

Regards.

Thank You Sir . You are kind.

Regards
Moin.