Kukris not made by Windlass Steelcrafts seem to have this problem.
To find a better source for a well-made Kukri, with good steel, and color that does not come off in water, click on this link. Link added after article was written.
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Original Article
If You Buy a Kukri, any Kukri with a black sheath, beware.
NOTE: YOU NEED TO CHECK ANY BLACK KUKRI SHEATH FOR COLOR FASTNESS. NOT ALL KUKRIS HAVE COLOR THAT WILL WASH OFF UNDER THE TAP. THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE APPLIED TO TWO OF THE "CHEAPER" KUKRIS, WITH BLACK SHEATHS.
In the article that follows I talk about my first discovery that water will cause the black coloring to come off the Imus knives. A look at the Imus Plus Kukris
Later I discovered that just running the sheaths under water would remove the black. As well, two large K45 Kukris with black sheaths, bought at a flea market separately, were found to loose their black coloring under a stream of water.
In the case of the knives bought from the flea market, part of the harness that is supposed to hold the sheath to the belt, was actually some kind of white, thin, Patten leather, under the black coloring. Kukri Sheath Strap Remaking .htm
Please note that after removing the black, the remaining brown color was found to be no longer water-soluble.
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original article:
Be warned that the black color on the sheath of the Kukri Knife sold at Imus Plus comes off when wet.
(applies to
other black Kukri sheaths from India as well, as noted above)
As an artist, and a craftsman, I like making things with my hands. I like working with the Imus Plus knife, and it may be because it still needs finishing, when you buy it. The low price of the Kukri Knife, coupled with its unique shape, and usefulness make it a “good deal.”
Be warned that the black color on the sheath of the Kukri Knife sold at Imus Plus comes off when wet.
I got the
sheath of my knife wet, when carrying it out to my truck, in the rain, this
morning. When I got into the truck, there was black on my hand, where I had held
the sheath between thumb and first finger. Taking the index finger of my right
hand, and rubbing the sheath with it, I found that the black color came off.
On the way in to work, I got some neutral shoe polish, and dabbed it on to the sheath, thinking to “fix” the color to the sheath. Left in on the dash, to dry. It did not work.
Seems that
later, at work, I locked the knife in the tool box on the back of the truck.
Taking it out later, I laid it on the wheel well. Apparently there was some
moisture on the wheel well, from the rain, because when I picked it up, the
black color was gone, where some water had gotten on the sheath.
The black die is not apparently die at all, but something like black water-color paint. If I had taken the knife camping, and gotten it any where around moisture, or worn it in the rain, there would have been black everywhere.
Now, to be
sure, I still like the knife, and recommend it, and need to explain why. First,
let me explain why I had the knife in the truck. Let’s also make sure you have
“no surprises” if you buy one.
What I have been doing is processing the knife so that I will be better able to use it, “in the field.” First, I removed the brass tip from the end of the sheath, and filled the end of it with a black-color-epoxy-resin that I have.
Second, I
sharpened the blade, with a file, and it took a razor sharp edge. It took quite
a while, but I enjoyed it.
Third, I roughed up the slick plastic (may be bone?) handle, with some sandpaper. That was done so that the rough edges would be softened and it be given a non-slip grip.
I carried
it in the truck, to work on in it during odd hours. Am a carpenter, and have
sandpaper to work the handle with, in a box on the seat.
Working it, in the sun light, I found some small “voids” in the handle, particularly where the knife enters the brass guard-area. These were filled in with my black, two-part epoxy resin. If I am going to cut up fish, or other food, or use the Kukri to butcher meat, I do no want any place for such material to catch, and build up.
This
morning, I placed it in the truck, again to work on it during “odd” moments. The
temporary nature of the black on the sheath, when wet, became apparent. On of
the reasons I work with a knife like this, is to discover problems I may have in
the field.
I want to give the reader the strengths and weaknesses of this knife. I still like the knife, and converting it from “show knife” to “use knife” just takes a little work.
I think
next to run the knife sheath under a faucet, and wipe off the “black,” with a
sponge. From there, after drying, I will probably polish it with black shoe
polish. A final coat of neutral shoe polish will “clear coat” it, so the black
will not rub off.