Strange Blade Geometry, Windlass Bolo

M

Maya_steel

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Jun 28, 2014
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I recently purchased the Windlass US 1917 Bolo knife. My initial impressions were very positive - the knife and scabbard have a very solid construction. The factory edge has a secondary bevel that I would like to get rid of, but when I was examining the edge I noticed the odd geometry of the blade: essentially, the knife is flat on one side and curved on the other. The best way I can explain this is thinking of a capital letter "D". It seems like a strange shape and I feel the need to grind down the raised curve when I remove the secondary bevel to try and shape the blade to resemble a more traditional knife.

Does anyone have experience with this kind of blade shape? Is there some advantage that I'm not aware of? Does anyone have experience sharpening a blade like this (my plan is to get a DMT Diamond sharpening stone and take it slow)
 
Assuming I'm understanding what you are describing, I'd leave it the way it is. Is possible this is how they were historically ground.

It sounds like you have a convex/chisel edge. Unless the convex side is really obtuse I wouldn't bother with it. If it is too thick, then by all means grind away but it will take a some time to do it by hand. I'd spread it out over a handful of sessions. Either way I'd work with the existing geometry.

Is this meant to be a user?
 
Definitely meant as a user - I'm taking it camping next week and intend to use it to baton firewood.

A chisel is a good way of describing it, thank you. It's not overly pronounced (I was exaggerating by saying it's a "D" shape), so I think your advice is the best move: I'll get rid of the secondary bevel and perhaps remove a little material on the rounded side, but if this is indeed how these knives are supposed to be shaped I'll try and keep the geometry true to form
 
That's how they were made historically. I have an original one. They were often used as a digging tool and it's common to find them with a distinctive longitudinal scratch pattern on the tips from being jammed repeatedly in the dirt.
 
Ah, very cool - great to hear from someone who owns an original.

I can see how it could be effective to shape the blade like this to double as an entrenching tool. As I mentioned, I'm very impressed with the overall quality of the construction and design. The knife just feels like it was made to survive a world war.
 
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