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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: The Sharp end
Posts: 2,928
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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?' ![]() |
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#2 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Centerville, Kansas
Posts: 2,196
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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.
![]() Robert |
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#3 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 338
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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.
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#4 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 165
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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 |
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#5 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: The Sharp end
Posts: 2,928
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Hi Guys,
Thanks Robert ![]() 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. |
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#6 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,712
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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 |
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#7 |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 478
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I had a khuk restored by Dan Koster. It looked more like a corkscrew than a khuk. If memory serves me he heated it with a welding torch and straitened it. If you do something like that then you can reprofile the blade and re-heat treat it to something usable. So yes it is very doable, with the right expertise.
Here is Dan's link; http://www.kosterknives.com/home.htm |
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#8 |
(deceased)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 3,191
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The damage is pretty bad and it would cost you more to repair than buying another old one in better shape.
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#9 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: The Sharp end
Posts: 2,928
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Spiral,
Thanks mate, Its a rough old thing but I do think it has some slight possibilities... ![]() I've got a nice slow bench grinder to do the shaping, then I'll file the edge again. Mross, I'm a little worried about the straightening it. My usual method is what we call over here a 'lump hammer'. Louie, You're probobly right, I just have a problem resisting the urge to 'save' those hard luck cases! ![]() DhaDha, By weird conincidence, I noticed that mine also has a mark on the blade. Same as yours but two, back to back. Whats the significance? ![]() |
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#10 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 165
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I think there are a few theories. I've heard them called armoury marks but I personally think it is a stylized crescent moon. Certainly, more often than not, the mark is found good quality pieces.
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#11 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Austin, Texas USA
Posts: 257
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If it were mine - and I have a few that are in about that condition - I would leave it as is. Appreciate it as an artifact that shows considerable use for the purpose for which it was made. If you grind away a significant portion of the blade to remove the damaged area, all that history is reduced to metal shavings. If you need a kukri to use, buy a new one and promote the preservation of an ancient craft in a very poor country. There is nothing about the condition of that "old warhorse" (to adopt Spiral's eloquent description) that a collector should be ashamed of or apologize for.
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#12 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Centerville, Kansas
Posts: 2,196
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Please don't grind the blade down to remove the damaged area
![]() Robert |
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#13 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: The Sharp end
Posts: 2,928
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Hmmm,
well, the thing is.......... The reason I buy things like this is because it sadens me to see them in such a god awful state. I would feel bad owning it and not trying to restore its funtionality. I think its what 'it' would want. Last edited by Atlantia; 10th March 2010 at 10:54 PM. |
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#14 |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 40
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I agree with Berk, if the damage to the blade looks old then let it be.
Who know what history that blade and its dings has to tell. Warren in Arizona |
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#15 | |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: The Sharp end
Posts: 2,928
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![]() Quote:
Hmm, not sure about the quality of mine though |
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#16 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,287
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If you do anything, please have a piece welded in .
The damage to that edge is catastrophic in nature . Is the blade forged hollow ? If you re-profile into the concavity, IMO the piece is destroyed . Quality ? It's a blade struck with a mark . ![]() $.02 |
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