Knife: A monster Khukri
custom made for a great client, Phlegra was named for a location
in Greek mythology, a burning field where unconquerable giants
were born, and where Zeus hurled thunderbolts to protect
Hercules from the Titans. This is a titanic knife, indeed! This
khukri is 18" long, and weighing nearly two pounds, makes a
formidable weapon and awesome tool, definitely classifying as a
tactical khukri. I made the blade of O-1, an oil hardening tool
steel heavy in carbon, tungsten, and vanadium, making it a
great, wear-resistant, tough, hard, high alloy tool steel,
capable of holding a long lasting edge, yet serviceable and
sharpenable in the field. The client went for a bead blasted
blade for no glare, and I hot blued the blade for a full hour
for deep, penetrating passive oxide corrosion resistance. Though
O-1 can corrode, the deep bluing greatly inhibits corrosion. The
blade was ground from quarter inch thick stock, and I left
plenty of thickness in the hollow grind for a tough cutting
edge, and plenty of thickness in the point for strength. This
khukri has a nice, wide, half-length top spine swage for a
reduced point profile without sacrificing strength. The client
wanted clean lines and to limit any debris on the blade and
handle, so the knife has no filework. The spine is heavy, the
center of percussion is balanced at the center of blade weight,
so this is a great feeling knife. The grind termination is
sweeping, matched, and elegant, to prevent thin areas and stress
points between the blade and handle. With a razor keen single
bevel cutting edge, this is not a knife for the timid; the
weight alone behind the razor edge could be dangerous. The
client wanted zero care bolsters, so I attached 304 austenitic
high nickel, high chromium stainless steel bolsters with seven
1/8" zero-clearance peened pins for absolute permanence. The
dovetailed bolsters and fully tapered tang bed a pair of rich,
dark, hard Ziricote exotic hardwood handle scales, secured with
eight 1/8" 304 stainless steel pins through the tang. The handle
shape has substantial front and rear quillons for great security
and comfort in the hand, and the rear bolster has a 5/16"
through tang lanyard hole for optional additional security. The
thumb rise makes this a very secure handle for every chore and
it feels superb in the hand, ready for action.
Sheath: The sheath had to be a
substantial, tough, well made accessory to tame this wild blade,
so I made it from 9 - 10 oz. leather shoulder, hand-stamped with
a geometric pattern, dyed black to match the knife. This is a
thick, heavy sheath, over 1" wide at the throat welts, and I
fully double stitched the sheath body and substantial belt loop
for extra strength and longevity with polyester sinew. The
entire sheath is lacquered and sealed and is very rigid to
protect the wearer and the knife.
This is one of my largest tactical khukris, a substantial
weapon and tool.
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