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- Feb 23, 1999
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Chandan or Sandalwood is a parasitic tree of the genus Santalum. It gets its water and nutrients from the roots of its host. The wood of the tree and its roots are quite valuable, due to its use as incense and medicine in many cultures. Some background, including stories of poaching, smuggling, and government control, can be found at the following URL's.
http://www.pcweb.com/sandalsoap/sandtree.htm
http://www.american.edu/projects/mandala/TED/sandalwd.htm
http://www.oller.net/sandalwood.htm
http://www.pcweb.com/sandalsoap/hisreli.htm
I recently had a chance to use a Chandan handled WWII model khukuri. The wood is a deep, rich brown. The texture of the wood is smoother than the Nepalese Oak handles on many of the khukuris. The handle has a delicate scent that I would not immediately recognize as related to the smell of sandalwood incense. If I had to use a single word to describe the handle I believe that word would be sensual.
The wood has a timeless quality. Whether this is a property of sandalwood, or a consequence of this particular piece of wood aging for many years as a part of a barn prior to being made into a handle, I cannot tell. The knife as a whole is charming, in the old sense of being able to cast a spell over its user. I can now understand why Chandan is used in sacred carvings and religious rituals.
Bill,
How much Chandan was obtained in the demolition of the barn you mentioned? Do you think HI will be able to continue to offer these handles?
The continued use of Chandan may require great care to avoid exploitation of the resource. But HI has already evidenced such sensitivity and care in its use of rare deer horn. Chandan is grown commercially in Australia for export to Asia. Are their any import or export restrictions on this material in Nepal?
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Howard Wallace
Visit the Khukuri FAQ
[This message has been edited by Howard Wallace (edited 05 October 1999).]
http://www.pcweb.com/sandalsoap/sandtree.htm
http://www.american.edu/projects/mandala/TED/sandalwd.htm
http://www.oller.net/sandalwood.htm
http://www.pcweb.com/sandalsoap/hisreli.htm
I recently had a chance to use a Chandan handled WWII model khukuri. The wood is a deep, rich brown. The texture of the wood is smoother than the Nepalese Oak handles on many of the khukuris. The handle has a delicate scent that I would not immediately recognize as related to the smell of sandalwood incense. If I had to use a single word to describe the handle I believe that word would be sensual.
The wood has a timeless quality. Whether this is a property of sandalwood, or a consequence of this particular piece of wood aging for many years as a part of a barn prior to being made into a handle, I cannot tell. The knife as a whole is charming, in the old sense of being able to cast a spell over its user. I can now understand why Chandan is used in sacred carvings and religious rituals.
Bill,
How much Chandan was obtained in the demolition of the barn you mentioned? Do you think HI will be able to continue to offer these handles?
The continued use of Chandan may require great care to avoid exploitation of the resource. But HI has already evidenced such sensitivity and care in its use of rare deer horn. Chandan is grown commercially in Australia for export to Asia. Are their any import or export restrictions on this material in Nepal?
------------------
Howard Wallace
Visit the Khukuri FAQ
[This message has been edited by Howard Wallace (edited 05 October 1999).]
