05-28-1999
"Chandan" handled 21 inch Sirupatis coming.
I hope Kami was able to get a fair supply of sandalwood. It is really nice wood and the very few khukuris I saw in Nepal with handles made of sandalwood smelled like it plus looking really nice. Unless this wood is so old it's lost its aroma (I'm not sure this is possible -- any wood experts know?)it should not only look good but smell good.
Kami ran across this sandalwood accidentally when some neighbors were tearing down an old barn. He bought it up right on the spot.
Kami found some sandalwood (Chandan) and used it to handle four 21 inch Sirupatis made at shop 2. This might sound easy but it isn't. Sandalwood is very hard to come by because it is ground up for use in making incense. The profit margin is much greater doing this than using it for handles.
Because sandalwood handled khukuris are so rare one of these will go into my personal collection. That leaves three. They are in the air now so if anybody is interested in one of these let me know and I'll log you in. I'll post a report when they arrive.
Uncle Bill
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10-05-1999
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.oller.net/sandalwood.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
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Unfortunately the stuff seems to split or crack real easily.
I had to give up 2 truly beautiful knives because the handles just didn't hold up. Bill of course replaced them without question.
Mine were cracked due to temperature/humidity changes.
A real pity because they were beautiful knives.
John Powell
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John,
This may be the first time in my life I can honestly say I'm glad I don't live in San Francisco. I've been very forunate that my chandan-handled Sirupati survived the transition from Reno to Austin without any problem (he said knocking very loudly on non-chandan wood to keep the Evil Eye away).
Berk
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Bill,
Have you considered using sandalwood slabs on Panna Buttas? I think the tendency to crack might be minimized with slabs. The charm of this substance is great, and cracks can be repaired very effectively. The khukuri I spoke of in my first post had been repaired by Kami Sherpa. The crack was not noticeable. I imagine, and hope, that the cracking and subsequent repair provided some stress relief.
What is the experience with cracking in Nepal? You mentioned that chandan handles are used there. Does Kami Sherpa have knowledge or experience with chandan?
Old sandalwood, as I imagine the remnants of the barn to be, is highly valued. If the pieces were big enough for structural use they probably came from an old tree also. The heartwood of the tree develops its fullest oil content at an old age, 60 or 80 years.
I hate to see HI give up on this marvelous substance, so full of spirit.
Howard Wallace
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I hate to give up on it, too, Howard, but I don't know what else to do. We lost more than 50% of the handles due to cracks.
The handles were not only beautiful but as you noted they smelled good, too! But since we guarantee both handle and blade the 50% loss is something we can't live with.
Uncle Bill
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