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

mross · 8th March 2010, 05:24 PM

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

Lew · 8th March 2010, 05:47 PM

The damage is pretty bad and it would cost you more to repair than buying another old one in better shape.

Atlantia · 8th March 2010, 10:04 PM

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?

DhaDha · 9th March 2010, 12:23 AM

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.

Berkley · 9th March 2010, 12:57 AM

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.

Robert · 9th March 2010, 03:16 AM

Please don't grind the blade down to remove the damaged area

When I said I would restore it I was thinking along the line of replacing the missing section of the blade by forge welding in a piece of another old blade. If you don't want to go through all that trouble I would just clean it up and leave it at that.

Robert

Atlantia · 10th March 2010, 10:28 PM

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.

Atlantia · 10th March 2010, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DhaDha

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.

Ah, seems reasonable.
Hmm, not sure about the quality of mine though

Rick · 11th March 2010, 01:46 AM

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

9th March 2010, 12:23 AM	#4
DhaDha Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 178	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. Attached Images

10th March 2010, 10:28 PM	#7
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	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.

8th March 2010, 05:24 PM	#1
mross Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 478	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

8th March 2010, 05:47 PM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	The damage is pretty bad and it would cost you more to repair than buying another old one in better shape.

8th March 2010, 10:04 PM	#3
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	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?

9th March 2010, 12:57 AM	#5
Berkley Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin, Texas USA Posts: 257	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.

9th March 2010, 03:16 AM	#6
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Please don't grind the blade down to remove the damaged area When I said I would restore it I was thinking along the line of replacing the missing section of the blade by forge welding in a piece of another old blade. If you don't want to go through all that trouble I would just clean it up and leave it at that. Robert

11th March 2010, 01:46 AM	#9
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	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