"Phlegra" Fine Handmade Custom Khukri

• Size: Knife: Length overall: 18.0" (45.7 cm), Blade Length: 12.25" (31.1 cm), Thickness: .240" (6.1 mm)
• Weight: Knife: 1 lb., 13 oz.; Sheath: 14.5 oz.
• Blade: O-1 High Carbon Tungsten-Vanadium Alloy Tool Steel, Hardened and Tempered to Rockwell C59, hollow ground, bead blasted, hot blued
• Bolsters, Fittings: 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel, Satin Finished
• Handle: Ziricote Exotic Hardwood
• Sheath: Hand-stamped Black Basketweave Leather
• 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.

Thanks, T.H.!