Khukri ....... Why do I do it?

Atlantia · 7th March 2010, 06:01 PM

I've been out of sorts for the last couple of weeks due to some bad luck and a minor car crash (no harm to me, just the car).
Anyway, finally got the car back, and todays been the first time I've had more than a spare minute, so went to the local sunday antiques markets and car boot sales.
I've seen this kuk a couple of times, the vendor brings it out occasionally.
And I'm a sucker for the 'sad case' damaged weapons.
Its rather large at 52cm, but has the rather obvious horrible edge 'click'.
The madness struck me and I bought the damn thing.
My question.... 'Is it worth the effort of restoring?'

Robert · 7th March 2010, 08:08 PM

I am very happy to hear that no one was hurt in the accident. As for the damage to the blade, if you are going to do it yourself I would say yes. If you are going to have someone else do it it could be cost prohibitive. Myself, I think that I would go ahead and repair it, but that's just me.

Other than the damage it looks to be a very nice item.

Robert

ThePepperSkull · 7th March 2010, 09:43 PM

depending on how far the hardened edge goes back from the edge to the back of the blade, you may be able to reprofile it into a more sirupati-like blade.

DhaDha · 7th March 2010, 10:09 PM

I have a thing for old warriors too. My vote would would be to do what you can. I think I have one that is quite similar. I've always loved the balance. The blade flattens ever so slightly in the belly. I think either due to a lot of sharpening or an old repair, similar to yours.
Cheers

Atlantia · 8th March 2010, 12:33 AM

Hi Guys,
Thanks Robert

Its a strange thing, I've not had a knock in a car for 12 years, and this was one of the first times the mrs and I had gone out for a drive without our new baby. It was one of those bumps where it was relatively minor, but nearly was a bad one. I was stationary, so I'm just waiting to see if the other driver will be honest about it.
I somehow doubt it

Anyway, the Kuk.
Its slightly bent, so its going to have to survive straightening first.
What are everyones thoughts on the length and the possibility of etching showing anything?

Pepper, I was wondering about the hardened egde........
Hopefully it'll work.

DhaDha, I think thats a much nicer one TBH. Mine is very plain, just rather on the large side.

spiral · 8th March 2010, 10:26 AM

Wow what a lovely old warhorse! very early 20th century I would think.

I think I would either keep it as is or renovate it taking the edge back past the chip & have it as a user, Id leave the length the same, as the chip is so large it implys it was tempered to at least that depth & very hard as well. Many modern kukri are tempered that hard but most old ones were made a bit softer so the edge would deform rather than chip & so they could be sharpened in the field.

As long as the metal isnt burnt in the grinding process I susspect the current temper taken back to depth of chip & with a convex edge will do fine.

Spiral

7th March 2010, 06:01 PM	#1
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Khukri ....... Why do I do it? I've been out of sorts for the last couple of weeks due to some bad luck and a minor car crash (no harm to me, just the car). Anyway, finally got the car back, and todays been the first time I've had more than a spare minute, so went to the local sunday antiques markets and car boot sales. I've seen this kuk a couple of times, the vendor brings it out occasionally. And I'm a sucker for the 'sad case' damaged weapons. Its rather large at 52cm, but has the rather obvious horrible edge 'click'. The madness struck me and I bought the damn thing. My question.... 'Is it worth the effort of restoring?'

7th March 2010, 10:09 PM	#4
DhaDha Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 165	I have a thing for old warriors too. My vote would would be to do what you can. I think I have one that is quite similar. I've always loved the balance. The blade flattens ever so slightly in the belly. I think either due to a lot of sharpening or an old repair, similar to yours. Cheers Attached Images

7th March 2010, 08:08 PM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	I am very happy to hear that no one was hurt in the accident. As for the damage to the blade, if you are going to do it yourself I would say yes. If you are going to have someone else do it it could be cost prohibitive. Myself, I think that I would go ahead and repair it, but that's just me. Other than the damage it looks to be a very nice item. Robert

7th March 2010, 09:43 PM	#3
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	depending on how far the hardened edge goes back from the edge to the back of the blade, you may be able to reprofile it into a more sirupati-like blade.

8th March 2010, 12:33 AM	#5
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Hi Guys, Thanks Robert Its a strange thing, I've not had a knock in a car for 12 years, and this was one of the first times the mrs and I had gone out for a drive without our new baby. It was one of those bumps where it was relatively minor, but nearly was a bad one. I was stationary, so I'm just waiting to see if the other driver will be honest about it. I somehow doubt it Anyway, the Kuk. Its slightly bent, so its going to have to survive straightening first. What are everyones thoughts on the length and the possibility of etching showing anything? Pepper, I was wondering about the hardened egde........ Hopefully it'll work. DhaDha, I think thats a much nicer one TBH. Mine is very plain, just rather on the large side.

8th March 2010, 10:26 AM	#6
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Wow what a lovely old warhorse! very early 20th century I would think. I think I would either keep it as is or renovate it taking the edge back past the chip & have it as a user, Id leave the length the same, as the chip is so large it implys it was tempered to at least that depth & very hard as well. Many modern kukri are tempered that hard but most old ones were made a bit softer so the edge would deform rather than chip & so they could be sharpened in the field. As long as the metal isnt burnt in the grinding process I susspect the current temper taken back to depth of chip & with a convex edge will do fine. Spiral