A question about proper handling

RayseM

RayseM

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Having read this on another post I'm hoping there is a good video that someone can link or direct me to that will illustrate the proper technique for chopping with a Khurkri.


Posted by - ndoghouse
"The normal western interpretation of chopping with a knife (rare is that is) is if you could imaging grasping the knife how you feel comfortable then have someone start wrapping an ACE bandage starting at the blade ricasso and wrapping tightly all the way to your elbow so that you cannot rotate your wrist or move your fingers then thats about it. Some even use two hands which reduces the velocity negating almost completely the ergonomics of the tool. Then one would be inclined to raise the knife high as they can to get some speed and come down hard as they can to accelerate the knife to get a cut.

That's completely counter to the ergonomics of the Khukri design. Imagine using the ring as a fulcrum or center of rotation of the knife and utilizing your whole arm and even your shoulders and body in a whip cracking like motion to make the chop. Figure your hand , arm, shoulders etc as a noodle and begin applying energy from the body out! The rest of your joints are to guide the tool to the right spot. Let the tool do the work period! It takes far less energy from your grip to the body to accomplish this whipping action. It really is black and white. You WILL notice the difference when you get this technique down. You will be surprised how much work can be done with a foot of stroke of the knife versus raising it over your head with both hands and gorilla gripping it down on a piece of wood. I will be happy to explain this further if the need arises. These knives are bent for a reason and that ring is critical! Im pretty bent too tho so feel free to question me too."

Sounds like if I learn to handle my - soon to be new khukri - properly I will be saving myself lots of effort and potential bodily harm. I have watched quite a few videos recently but they pretty much show off someone chopping through some stick or another but without any hints as to how to properly hold and direct the swing. I think I have a pretty good idea from the post above but a video could be very helpful.

Thanks for any help.

Ray
 
The 18" khuk weighing around 1.5lbs is going to respond well to what most folks call the "snap cut".

Instead on holding your knife in a rigid fist and trying to "punch" your way through, think of the khuk as an unfurling extension of your arm. When you cut, keep your wrist loose. As your arm comes down, snap your wrist forward and let the weight of the blade bite deeply.

It's commonly called "letting the khuk do the work for you".

Trust me, the khuk will teach you how to swing it with careful practice. However, listen to your body. When your arm gets tired, STOP. A tired arm or grip invites an accident. An accident with a pound and a half knife can be disastrous.

Open your mind and have fun:)
 
Precision more important than power, for both effective use & safety when chopping with khuk. When learning new one I pretend like the sweet-spot is hammering a nail. Start with small accurate strikes and gradually increase swing. Begin each swing with loose grip (usually 2 fingers and thumb in front of ring with ring-finger & pinky more relaxed), just enough to direct blade (and prevent an accidental glance from getting away). Work slow enough paying attention to motion and the khuk will tell you how it wants your grip positioned.

Most recurve blades have sweet spots on the belly or just inside. They will tend to pull away from you on impact, which is why the pommel is flared. You don't need a death-grip if you respect that. A glance or chop-through can be dangerous., make sure no body parts or bystanders near the follow-through arc.

There is a great "safety" thread near top of HI forum http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/269016-Latest-and-Greatest-Safety-Thread-REQUIRED-READING!
 
Building off what Steely and joeraz said, I often "pinch" the blade/bolster with my thumb and index finger and only use the rest of my fingers to help flick the blade at the end of the swing. I do that mostly with my M-43, but the technique is pretty much the same if you move back onto the handle.

The hammer analogy is perfect. Watch how an old carpenter swings a hammer with a loose grip and precision, and lets the hammer do the work.
 
SingleGrind said:
Building off what Steely and joeraz said, I often "pinch" the blade/bolster with my thumb and index finger and only use the rest of my fingers to help flick the blade at the end of the swing. I do that mostly with my M-43, but the technique is pretty much the same if you move back onto the handle.

The hammer analogy is perfect. Watch how an old carpenter swings a hammer with a loose grip and precision, and lets the hammer do the work.
Click to expand...

Being an old carpenter/by way of boatbuilding myself (35+ years) AND - the son of an old carpenter - I think I can handle it :D. Just needed to get a "feel" for the method which you have all elucidated nicely. Thanks much.

Ray
 
Ill try to do a video soon and explain the best way I know how. Ill prolly flub it up if I try to think about it tho:D
 
This is where the ring on the hilt comes into it. Grip it with thumb, middle and index fingers, ring and pinkie loose.
When you cut, at the moment of impact, snap the ring and pinkie fingers shut tight around the hilt-this does two things: 1) it imparts a little extra velocityat the finish (big circle from the shoulder, smaller circle from the elbow, little circle at the wrist, tiny circle in the fingers) and 2) it ensures that your grip is solid when the edge bites-(my personal theory about khuks chipping out is that the drop of the blade creates a lot of lever compared to a straight blade, and when your grip is flawed or you're tired the knife can shift laterally in the cut media...and that lateral jerk is what causes chips in otherwise soft targets)
Just my $.02
 
Right click, save video as. Open it with a movie player like MS Video Player or (my favorite) VLC.
It's a great video, JW is such a grizzly badass. I just started looking at his work, outstanding. Stuff of my dreams for sure.
 
Got it - thanks guys. I was trying to load from the links in thesis line. I didn't realize the photo was the video.:confused:
Just when you guys were beginning to think highly of my intelligence :rolleyes: Oh well...


Ray
 
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