"Modern Khukuri"(I didn`t say the T word!)

Okay, so I'm overwhelmed! But this is do-able. I actually had a long (and about $25.00) conversation with Lalit on the phone last night (morning for him). Among other topics, we discussed this project, and he told me to send it along and he'd give it a shot. Really, there's not much for him to do besides send some incomplete blades along for us to finish and "handle". Here's the verdict (based upon the posts above):

The WWIII - World War blade, blued (sorry, I don't know anything about parkerizing). Handles: micarta (both a white model and a black model). Lanyard hole.

The only issue I have is the handle construction: I think the scaled handle with full tang would be the most durable and easy to craft. And besides, most Panawal users have commented that the vibration they would expect to feel when using the blade are minimal or nonexistant. I'd say we ought to have a slightly protruding, khukuri shaped tang butt extending slightly beyond the scales. The lanyard hole could go there, and it could be hardened for hammering.

I'll pass this on to Lalit, and await his reply. We are finalizing the Christmas order, and I am sure I can get about 20 of these things under way. It will delay the shipment (all special orders do), but that's okay. I have enough inventory to last me until Christmas.

Sheaths will be up to Edge Works. I'll call today.

So let's talk about the handle plan now . . .

Craig.
 
You guys have my juices going! IF the price is within my budget, I'll want one too. Although, my vote would be to base it on a 20" sirupati with everything else the same.

Craig, where in Virginia are you? If you're close enough I might stop by some day during lunch to try a few different types of khuks. I've never handled one before, other than a CS and based upon what I see from you and HI, I don't consider CS's real khuks.

Dave.
 
Actually I doubt vibration will be an issue here. It's really something to worry about if you're using it to split logs continously. Craig has the AK in full tang. I've never seen it, but if it works on the AK, we wouldn't ahve a problem on ours.

For anyone who hasn't seen Livesay's RTAK (Randall's Training and Adventure Knife), take a look. This is one possible configuration for the WW3 to be based upon. (The blade here is parkerized)

<img src = "http://apollo.netservers.com/~randall/_borders/Rtak.jpg">

The RTAK has a 10.75" blade -- about an inch shorter than the World War. The blade is 3/16" thick -- about half that of a khukuri.

[This message has been edited by tallwingedgoat (edited 03 September 1999).]
 
Craig,sounds good to me. I like the idea of letting a little bit of hardened tang remain exposed. The micarta should be canvas with a bead blasted finish IMHO. The grips should be oval in cross section to avoid the diamond point hot spots and the rib around the center of the grip should be a rounded more than the traditional one also to avoid hot spots. Any ideas for the bolsters? Blackened brass(somehow)? For the finish bluing would be okay but I`d prefer something tougher and more rust resistant. I flipped through the Brownells gunsmithing catalog and found a spray on coating called Aluma-hyde 2. It`s an aerosol epoxy coating available in flat black,gray or OD. You just spray it on and let it dry. They recomend heating the piece and the coating can to 90 degrees,a simple heat lamp bulb could do that. It`s supposed to be quite durable and only runs $7.55 a can. Just a thought. Now...I wonder how they`d inscribe WW3 in Nepalese?
wink.gif
Marcus

[This message has been edited by Marcus (edited 04 September 1999).]
 
The bolsters are definitely something I hadn't thought about. They can make them in brass and steel (I think). And I'll have to ask Lalit about a suitable engraving. I spoke to him a couple of nights ago, and we had a very illuminating conversation about many things - about his kamis, Nepal, future project plans, my March trip. We happened to get a great phone connection, and I learned more in 25 minutes on the phone than I have in a great while.

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
Craig,

Check out the "Chirua AK" on the HI forum. Can the WW3 be made with the grip ridge built into the full tang handle like these are? If so I think that would be a very worthwhile feature.

Mike
 
:
TWG,et al:
The bolsters cover up the roughness and unfinished ends of the handle material.
When the hot glue is poured it completely fills the bolster and pretty much fills the butt cap solid too.
The process of drilling the hole for the tang appears to be a job in itself with the tools the kamis have to use. Then fitting the rectangular tang into the round hole requires some extensive inletting.
The solid butt caps and bolsters have the same purpose.
I read somwhere that the bolsters also helped to take the beating the wood or horn would have been exposed to when chopping up close in a limited space area.

I am in the process of putting solid heavy,11/32" or 0,3430" thick aluminium bronze caps on a couple of kuhkuris.I am using it because it is availible and free.
smile.gif

It is also a very tough,strong material.It is better than brass for this purpose.

I believe a steel butt cap of about 5/16"-3/8" thickness would be the best for all around usefullness.
Of course Stainless steel would be the best,but I don't know about working it down.

I can see where a solid bolster may be desireable too.
It would have to some thought put into its' installation to keep the handle in the correct place if an extreme blow should happen to try to move it.The two stainless screws in the butt cap would prevent this kind of movement.

I am going to see how this goes.It is looking okay so far.
I _may_ start a _limited service_ of replaceing the regular butt caps with a flat heavy one for those that would prefer that.I have no idea of the time and cost yet.

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&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;---¥vsa----&gt;®
The civilized man sleeps behind locked doors in the city while the naked savage sleeps (with a knife) in a open hut in the jungle.

 
Got here late. I have been considering a kuk for a long time. But have not found exactly what I want. I think the WWIII is just about it!! Be sure the sheath is designed for rapid deployment and various carry postiions. Then tell me when I can order it?
 
Don't know about ordering, but the handle-less blanks should, assuming Lalit goes ahead with the project, be here in about a month. Then, give about another month for US finishing, and they should be ready for early Christmas presents.

The sheath is another story - have to contact Edge Works on Tuesday.

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
Ok, but what about the chakma & karda (sp?)? Will they receive the same finish and handles as the khukuri? Also, will they be able to do the (kydex?) sheath so that they can also be carried?

Just curious.

Dave Fulton.
 
I think it would be unlikely anyone would bother with a full tang chakma and karda with micarta scales. I own several khukuris. And although the smiths can do consistant khukuri blades, the side knives are always irregular. So if there is going to be a standard sheath, it'll be hard to fit them in. It would be pretty cool if the sheath can accomodate a Spyderco Moran though. Several people have said the Moran is a perfect mate for the khukuri.

Jim March's rapid deployment sheath is outstanding. Check it out:
http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum26/HTML/000306.html
 
Yes, Tall-winged is right - the chakma and carda will probably be horn (although I can at least finish the steel on them so they match the main blade. As for the kydex sheath, you've hit the nail on the head - regularity of blade dimension will be the key to success here. I spoke to Edge Works, and I should hear something from them today. I know they've been real busy building a new building, but I think it's finished. They told me they have a great concept design. God bless'em!

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
TWG, I was aware there is lack of consistency in the chakma & kardas but didn't realize it was significant enough to pose a problem.

I personally agree that the full tang & micarta handles is not necessary, but I can see where some people might want to carry them with the khukuri and so might want them to match. If the chakma/karda handles will be horn and Craig blues their blades, then opting for the black micarta handles on the khukuri might make them look pretty close.

Another thing to consider is how to wick moisture away from the blade while in the kydex sheath. This is something Jim March is looking at in the thread, regarding his own project khukuri, on the HI Forum.

I brought up these details because I didn't see anyone else discussing them.

Craig, have you been able to determine a ball-park price on the proposed WWIII?

Dave.

[This message has been edited by Dave Fulton (edited 08 September 1999).]
 
And oh, yes. The blades will be ready for Christmas (read in your best Wayne's World dialect). Seriously, I can't make any promises, but assuming that 90% of this project goes well, there should be enough left for Christmas to go around. As for cost, I have no earthly idea. You can expect prices to follow my normal patterns. The knife will be more expensive due to the labor and the price of the kydex sheaths, but they won't be exhorbitant. Definitely worth the money, though. BTW, I asked Lalit to come up with some marking to identify the blades, and I think I'll get them serialized. Number One will go in a creative way - on a bladeforums auction, I think. Sound good?

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
It sounds like you`re really into this Craig ,cool.
smile.gif
I hadn`t thought the WWIII would come with accesory tools. What a nice suprise! Might I suggest that you mention they should spend a bit more time on the heat treat and shaping of the karda than normal and make it a bit larger. This would make it truly usefull. Horn is fine for the grips on the tools,if it was bead blasted once they`re stateside they should match blasted micarta quite well. Just some more ideas to mull over. Marcus
 
Hmmm, maybe they can make a pouch for the sheath. So little things like side knives and /or sharpening stones can go in.
 
I wouldn't mind if the package included just one knife instead of two. Why would you need a burnisher when you could just use the back of the knife. It makes no sense.

Instead of two, make a one big well made one. Bigger knives are easier to do consistantly. Therefore more likely to fit. Cord wraped could be a way to go. Craig can sell extras on the side as a neck knife.
 
Forget the bolsters and the buttcap. Have the project done by Chris Reeves outa one humungous solid piece of 440V, bolster and (tempered) buttcap integral. Use narrowed full tang with center milled out, pour cast aluminum handle, anodize, then coat steel with Glock's tennifer or S&W's mellonite. Or maybe cast the thing using dendritic steel.

Oh, I've other ideas but they can wait til later
 
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