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Post by Nujukamma on Jun 2, 2019 21:52:38 GMT
I bought this, with two other pieces from a guy on craigslist. imgur.com/gallery/xzkMJBIimgur.com/gallery/kWEOQGWI thoughg based on the post it was just a wall hanger, but when i saw it in person i found out how heavy and solid it was. Its sharpened to boot. Its hard to see but theres two very shallow fullers on the blade as well. Im not suggesting its a diamond in the rough, by any means, but the peened pommel leads me to believe its at least meant to be functional... any thoughts on it? I admit im new to collecting, and I know very little about khukris. So I could be waaaay off base.
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Jun 2, 2019 22:13:58 GMT
Indian-made lion-head kukri. Probably late 20th century. These are usually for the tourist/decorative market. Often wall-hangers.
Whether it's properly functional or not depends on whether the blade has been hardened - on the tourist ones with punched-dot decoration on the blade, they are often unhardened. These still have peened construction; that doesn't tell you it's functional.
If the blade is hard enough to keep an edge well enough for use, it's functional. If not, wall-hanger.
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Post by Nujukamma on Jun 2, 2019 22:16:49 GMT
Whats the best way to test it? I lopped off a decent sized branch with a couple swings, edge didnt roll.
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Jun 2, 2019 22:46:23 GMT
Just test by using. If it stays sharp enough in use, it's fine. If it loses its edge too quickly, use as decoration.
Depending on what you want to do with, fairly soft can be hard enough. For example, machetes are often about 45HRC - tough, easy to resharpen, including in the field.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Jun 3, 2019 1:43:30 GMT
I have a machete that I doubt is even 45 HRC and that’s the beauty of it. It’s a loaner to a handyman working on the property when needed and I use for those abusive jobs as it is so easy to sharpen.
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Post by Nujukamma on Jun 3, 2019 2:20:57 GMT
Probubly worth keeping then.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Jun 3, 2019 14:10:24 GMT
Probubly worth keeping then. By all means. If in time it proves unsatisfactory then considering parting with it.
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Post by Nujukamma on Jun 3, 2019 20:50:13 GMT
Im gonna keep it as a camping knife. I know a bit of bushcraft and put it through some further tests. I chopped off a dead 1"-1.5" branch on my hardwood trees (apple and peach) without much effort. Was still plenty sharp enough to shave kindling off a branch. Used it to baton and split some firewood. Made spits and roasted hotdogs too. The cutting angle is closer to an axe than a knife.
I want to wrap the handle in leather to add some comfort to the grip but it wasnt noticebly duller. Im up in the northwest though, so im more likely to deal with pine trees and bush than vines anyway...i wont need to keep it razor sharp. Might be a little over kill, but thats kind of the fun of having one of these anyway.
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