18 Inch AK - Production Change

[Craig Gottlieb]

After our return from Nepal, we brought with us some of the "scrolled buttcap" khukuris that were left over in TBs shop. I said about a year ago that I'd never sell the scrolled buttcap khukuri because it was HI's territory. However, now that TB has stopped selling khukuris to HI, I felt that customer demand for a "scrolled buttcap" justified a limited offering.

In an effort to differentiate the 18 inch AK and the 18 inch Panawal, all 18 Inch AKs will now come with scrolled buttcaps. But that's it. No other model will come like that. The price hasn't gone up on the 18 inch AK because it costs me hardly anything to get the buttcaps scrolled.

Just an update for the crowd.

I invite criticism or questions about this decision.



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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
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[Jaeger]

I like the scrolled buttcap that I have on my HI, Shop 1 15" Ang Kohla. I think it looks sharp. On the flip side, it is loose. I don't think that the scrolled buttcaps are as sturdy as the flat caps, however I have used and abused my AK severly and the buttcap has never failed. It's just a little loose.

 

[Lt. Dan]

Will there be any Rosewood handles in the batch? (definitely NOT a X-mas rush item...I can wait 'til 2001)

 

[Chris S.]

Hey Craig,



[This message has been edited by Chris S. (edited 10-26-2000).]

 

[Warthog]

What's a scrolled buttcap?

Warthog

 

[Big Bob]

It's a somewhat larger buttcap with a vine design engraved on the side.

Bob

 

[Craig Gottlieb]

Anybody have a picture of one?

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
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[Berkley]

HI stopped using 'em because Bill (and a lot of his customers) don't like them, contending they aren't as durable as the flat buttplates and tend to dig into the back of the hand during hard use. I respectfully disagree, and would like to see them available as (at least) a special order option, not just on one model.
Berk



[This message has been edited by Berkley (edited 11-02-2000).]

 

[Craig Gottlieb]

Due to "inventory constraints" we'll only carry the 18 incher in "scrolled buttcap" version, but that doesn't preclude us getting in a couple each shipment in another model.

As for the "discontinuation" factor, I believe that the reason they stopped building scrolled buttcaps has something to do with the fact that they no longer have access to TB's kamis, who pioneered the scrolled buttcap. PURELY conjecture, but there's NO reason why they would be less durable. They use the same brass, the same affixation process, etc.

Sure, they're decorative, but that's no crime

Berk: Thanks for the picture!

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
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