Am i crazy for wanting a HI full tang biltong?

[uluapark]

Help talk me out of asking auntie for a full tang biltong. I have used the one HI makes that is a rat tail, and find the size just right for bushcrafting, but I would feel better if it was full tang. the 5 inch long 1/4'' thick blade is perfect. Am i crazy for wanting a full tang biltong? what are your thoughts?

 

[Steve Tall]

Help talk me out of asking auntie for a full tang biltong...

To help talk you out of it:

The normal Bilton's have a full length tang, but they are "hidden" within the handle portion and peened over at the butt plate. These normal Biltons should be more than strong enough, especially for their length (no major leverage encountered when using them, for example).

Some Biltons (along with most of those antique khuks) are "partial tang", with no butt plate. These should be plenty strong, especially considering what those antique khukuris were put through during wartime.

What I think you are talking about is the "chiruwa" style handle, with exposed steel along the full length of the handle (top and bottom). In wintertime, that exposed steel is colder to hold. Also, you'll have to take more care that the handle doesn't rust. More shock is said to be transmitted to the hand with a chiruwa handle, compared to the normal HI full length tang.

A chiruwa Bilton would probably have to be a special order, costing you more money than the normal Bilton.

To answer your question "am I crazy?", I say no, you are not crazy. If that's what you want, especially after considering these factors, then special order one and please post a review!

 

[davidf99]

Help talk me out of asking auntie for a full tang biltong. I have used the one HI makes that is a rat tail, and find the size just right for bushcrafting, but I would feel better if it was full tang. the 5 inch long 1/4'' thick blade is perfect. Am i crazy for wanting a full tang biltong? what are your thoughts?

In this day and age you'd have to want a lot more than a full tang biltong to be called crazy. Even people who are actually crazy have to push their limits to be called crazy. I think the politically correct term is "reality challenged" or something like that.

I'm assuming that by "full tang" you mean the chiruwa style handle with rivets and exposed tang. If you like the look and have the money, no reason not to request one. You might have a long wait, since it would probably be a special order.

On the other hand, besides the looks I can't think of any reason why it would be any better than a standard biltong. If you're worried about the strength of the handle, the worry is misplaced. If you want a handle that just looks stronger, then it comes back to looks again.

Quite a few forumites have duplicates of various models because slightly different sizes or handle types appeal to them. To us, I should say. Think of it like someone who has a small collection of paintings and they're all landscapes. That doesn't make them (us) crazy because the only difference between two of the paintings are a few trees or a mountain.

Oops, cross-posted with Steve Tall. If I had seen his post first, I might have just written: What Steve said.

 

[Bawanna]

Well most folks figure I'm completely crazy so if you need me as a measuring stick for comparison, I'm your man. I do this free of charge as a public service.

Other than that exactly what Mr Tall and Mr David said all the way......

 

[mohd]

.. Am i crazy for wanting a full tang biltong? what are your thoughts? ..

It seems you have the symptom of the disease!
IIRC that's what we called as HIKV Infections!
IMHO the senior members in here knows the name of the medications and where to get it!
You have to regularly take the medications but it's gladly incurable

mohd

 

[ndoghouse]

There is a new surgical procedure requiring a big scalpel with tin chirras! Dont know if it has been successfully done yet but might be worth a try I think your given a bottle of Khukuri Rum in recovery so It cant be a total loss.

It seems you have the symptom of the disease!
IIRC that's what we called as HIKV Infections!
IMHO the senior members in here knows the name of the medications and where to get it!
You have to regularly take the medications but it's gladly incurable

mohd

 

[wildmanh]

AS others have already said, a Chiruwa AKA Exposed tang knife isn't required, but if you like the looks, go for it.

Word of warning, a Chiruwa style Khukri tends to be heavier then it's hidden tang counter part. The balance is also different. Most Chiruwa style Khukris balance a little further back then the others and they feel much different in hand.

 

[blue lander]

Normally I say "buy whatever makes you happy", but you asked to be talked out of it so here goes: I think a full tang on such a small knife would be pointless at best and throw the balance of the blade off at worst. I know full tangs are all the rage now, but I think rat tail tangs are more than strong enough for bushcrafting. Full tangs just make you feel better. How often do you see someone break a rat tail tang knife? I've never heard a reliable report of it happening, the only place you see it is on youtube "stress test" videos where people deliberately destroy their knives.

I'd save your money and buy a different khuk you don't already have.

 

[Jens Schuetz]

Normally I say "buy whatever makes you happy", but you asked to be talked out of it so here goes: I think a full tang on such a small knife would be pointless at best and throw the balance of the blade off at worst. I know full tangs are all the rage now, but I think rat tail tangs are more than strong enough for bushcrafting. Full tangs just make you feel better. How often do you see someone break a rat tail tang knife? I've never heard a reliable report of it happening, the only place you see it is on youtube "stress test" videos where people deliberately destroy their knives.

I need my Kukris for doing pullups.