THE KHUKRI PROJECT- 06-05-2012

[Bruno22]

Way to go Moin!! All the best with your mods and thanks for sharing the whole process.
Cheers
Bruno22

[Moin.]

The Kauda or the Notch at the Choil was filed off to make way for a finger groove. Will round off the edges later with coarse grit emery paper taped to a small wooden pice or modify the shape slightly for the index finnger to sit in comfortably.

[Moin.]

Way to go Moin!! All the best with your mods and thanks for sharing the whole process.
Cheers
Bruno22

Thank You Bruno.

Regards
Moin.

[ak27]

Moinji, asking this out of ignorance...won't the placing of index finger in the groove which is fairly distant from the wooden handle weaken the grip and reduce the chopping power?

If not intended to be used when chopping, what other use the Finger groove would provide?

[marthandan]

moin...push fitting (for want of a better word) the brass section onto the spine might not work. brass is too soft and a couple of cuts will loosen it. it might be better if you drilled holes. a 2mm carbide drill bit should do the work. since u have been able to file it. i am guessing that drilling shouldn't be a problem.

ak27...the finger groove would be used for more controlled cuts(such as whittling and making fuzz sticks) and not for chopping.

[Moin.]

Moinji, asking this out of ignorance...won't the placing of index finger in the groove which is fairly distant from the wooden handle weaken the grip and reduce the chopping power?

If not intended to be used when chopping, what other use the Finger groove would provide?

Hi Ak27, it is called choking up on the blade. This grip is used where greater control on the blade is required for fine work. The index finger is place on the choil area and thumb on the spine. It's more of a bushcraft thing for making wooden shavings for fires etc.

P.S: That's probably the reason for having the choil (the unsharpened section between teh edge and the cross guard) ro where the handle starts.

Regards
Moin.

[Moin.]

moin...push fitting (for want of a better word) the brass section onto the spine might not work. brass is too soft and a couple of cuts will loosen it. it might be better if you drilled holes. a 2mm carbide drill bit should do the work. since u have been able to file it. i am guessing that drilling shouldn't be a problem.

ak27...the finger groove would be used for more controlled cuts(such as whittling and making fuzz sticks) and not for chopping.

Thanks Marthandan, very valid observation. Will try and see what works best.

Regards
Moin.

[ak27]

moin...push fitting (for want of a better word) the brass section onto the spine might not work. brass is too soft and a couple of cuts will loosen it. it might be better if you drilled holes. a 2mm carbide drill bit should do the work. since u have been able to file it. i am guessing that drilling shouldn't be a problem.

ak27...the finger groove would be used for more controlled cuts(such as whittling and making fuzz sticks) and not for chopping.

Thanks for the clarification dear marthandan. Could not imagine such a hefty blade would be used for delicate jobs

moin...push fitting (for want of a better word) the brass section onto the spine might not work. brass is too soft and a couple of cuts will loosen it. it might be better if you drilled holes. a 2mm carbide drill bit should do the work. since u have been able to file it. i am guessing that drilling shouldn't be a problem.

If I am not wrong.I remember Moinji saying that he is not willing to use any power tools. Hence, drilling the holes would be a real challenge

The beauties at http://www.hibbenknives.com/expendables.htm do not seem to have any kind of rivets or bolts on the brass gimping. So, i think a good metal-adhesive would suffice. What say marthandan?

[ak27]

Thanks for the information Moinji.

Then, I think a better grip could be provided for choking up on the blade by making provision for a finger groove on the spine of the blade as well. That conflicts with the brass gimping you plan to add though.

[essdee1972]

Great work, bhai!! Getting some ideas .....

[Moin.]

Working with files is tedious and physically very tiring so brought me some power tools. A Skil 6" Bench Grinder, a 4"x4" Orbital Sander for polishing, levellling of billet etc, a nice set of fine files, a small variable speed Dremel like multitool with some attatchments and some protective equipment like eye protection, leather apron, leather gloves and mask.

Tried the bench grinder and ruined three good kitchen knives, the wheels grind away a lot of metal very very fast. Will have to find or build some kind of jig to bet a consitent bevel.

Here's my rig.

[Moin.]

Wanted to do something similar to this becker, but getting the curves right would be problematic so settled for a staraighter handle design that can be acheived on a grinder.

Since the blade has a rat tail tang, toying with the idea of fusing/welding a brass plate to it to make it full tang.
BRought these two brass plates, 6mm thick and did some rough sketched and then transferred the design to the plate. While getting the shape of the profile of the handle would be easy have to find a way to gouge the cutout for inserting the rat tail tang into the brass handle.









A bit of tweaking here and there as per my hand size

[only32owner]

Wow, Moin
Your power tools looks fantastic
What a dedication towards your passion !!!
Best wishes once again.

Regards.

PS. If I am not asking too much, kindly post video of yours while working on the power tool.

[Moin.]

Wow, Moin
Your power tools looks fantastic
What a dedication towards your passion !!!
Best wishes once again.

Regards.

PS. If I am not asking too much, kindly post video of yours while working on the power tool.

Thank You Only32owner . No one around to shoot, and it's dangerous holding a camera in one hand and working on a grinder with the other. You are more than welcome to come and have a lookie, you have my number

Regards
Moin.

[Moin.]

Th Rat Tail Tang edges and surface was very irregular, wanted the damn thing to slide in the notch easily, took out the irregular edges on the grinder. Will do the final finishing with my trusty files and polish papers.



Brass being soft wanted to see if I could use a hack saw and take out large pieces, wanted to finish the rest on the grinder.





Th Brass piece gets terribly hot, I can feel the heat even through the thick leather gloves.







Still lot of grinding work to do on the handle, have to figure out a way to cut a notch in the brass piece to accomodate the rat tail tang and finally fuse the two together.

Regards
Moin.