Chape (brass tip) on scabbards preference?

Yvsa

Yvsa

Joined
May 18, 1999
Messages
15,395
:
Uncle Bill asked about this on another thread and I think perhaps a vote may be in order.

It would probably be too much of a problem to have the chapes left off and sent seperately, but I think that would be the Ideal situation.
However we don't live in an ideal world and the logistics would be impossible I think as well as special orders.

I have seen some of Terry's scabbards without the chapes and they are Super Nice so I would say get rid of them if the sarkis in Nepal could make them as nice as Terry's and I believe they can.!!!

However on the silver mounted models like the Kothimoda and YCS I would vote to leave them on.

Comments?


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>>>>---¥vsa---->®

Each person's work is always a portrait of himself.

---- Samuel Butler.

Khukuri FAQ
Himalayan Imports Website
 
IMHO, chapes on scabbards look good and serve a useful function. Also, they're traditional, and tradition is an essential part of the charm of the khukuri
 
The chapes do serve a purpose, they protect the end of the sheath from damage. They are traditional but so are sheaths without chapes. I have several old khukuris that don't have chapes on their sheaths. One of these is from the 1800's. I've seen some very old khukuris with chapes to.
They are both traditional sheath designs.

I like the sheath with no chape and the traditional geometric designs scribed into the leather.
Most of the sheaths I make for my personal khukuris are with out the chape.
Take it easy.
Terry
 
For what it isn't worth, I think the chapes are a real pain in the butt. They damage more stuff by accident than most two year old kids can by intention.
Dan
 
Dan,
My garden tractor seat agrees with you (Grrrr). However, they do add to the "Mystique" of the Khuk.

Rob
 
I have one of Terry's scabbards sans chape. It is nice.

If I carry a khukuri in a pack or jola I find that I have to cover or remove the chape in order to prevent damage to the cloth. The chape is useful in protecting the scabbard if the knife is to be carried on the belt. It still may punch holes in upholstery.

Yvsa's suggested solution of sending the chapes unattached is a good one. Putting one on is much easier than taking one off. The fragile chapes may be damaged in transit though.

Another possibility is that the chapes could be made with blunt tips that will not poke holes in cloth etc..
 
At the risk of revealing that I'm clumsy, I'll tell you why I DON'T like 'em. I once was wearing my 20" AK on my belt on my right side, and bent down which drove the chape right into my bare ankle(I was living in Maui at the time and wore slippers all the time). I also find that they dig up my tractor's "fenders" and many other things. But for fancy "show" khuks I'm all for them. Drive a chape into YOUR ankle and I bet you'll agree with me! OUCH!
frown.gif

I think Howard's blunt tip idea is a great compromise between form and function!
Rob

[This message has been edited by MauiRob (edited 12-13-2000).]
 
I have stated this in another thread in a rather oblique way. But...

I really prefer the scabbard without the chape for utilitarian reasons.

However, if I were simply wearing the khukuri with my tuxedo on a sash I would prefer the "traditional" dress up of the chape being present... MMmmmm... I wonder how it would look on a Sunday morning with my black pulpit robe???

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Best Regards,
Rev. George
 
Bill said:

"I fear the sarkis will rebel with no chape. "It has always been there!""

My response: Don't rock the "oriental" Nepali boat with too many "occidental" special requests. It is just too easy to remove it. But are there little scarps of water buffalo (in black) laying around somewhere? 1.0 x 2.25 inches is all I could use.

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Best Regards,
Rev. George
 
So then tell the sarkis that:

"Yes, it has always been there, but you have been too lazy to put a ball shape on the end of the point as your fathers and grandfathers used to do."

My 20" Chainpuri with carved wood scabbard came with a brass chape which continued down from the point into a hollow ball. ( The ball apparently died during shipping, but that just meant I paid Uncle a more decent price (VBEG).
 
I wonder if the chape is sharply pointed to be used as an awl in a pinch, and in a defensive situation- the scabbard in the "off hand" blocking/parrying and the chape piercing, remembering the overall design is for the scabbard to be readily removed from the frog.

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"To know and to act are one."



[This message has been edited by Finnean (edited 12-15-2000).]
 
Hi Guys,

I guess it has been a while since I have posted here, sheesh...

I think Terry is correct about the early chape-less khuks - I have quite a few sans chape khuks in my collection that date back to the early 19th C. Most of the 20th C. BPIP military versions I have seen were also made without them (John P., am I right?), though I have seen WWII versions with steel chapes, leather chapes, and no chape at all.

I started removing the chapes from my HI khuks right after I discovered my Shop 1 15" AK had punched a hole right through the bottom of my bug-out bag. Uncle I can certainly understand why would wouldn't want to introduce more complexity though, and they are extremely easy to remove.

Take care,

Gary B. in the PNW.
 
I took of the chape of my BAS. I worried a little about the overall apperance of the knife but it looks really good without the chape. When my knife is up for display ,in the bookshelf or on the wall ,I can put the chape back on.It sits in place without glue due to the laha left inside and good fit.So the chape of my "kuhk" still can do it's job as "mystifier".

Regards
Daniel
 
I have poked holes into my backpack a few times with the chape. Some military knives have had metal caps or pieces added to the sheath to prevent sheath damage. So I guess with a heavy khukuri the problem may be worst. I prefere to leave the chape on. I just tape them up.

Would a velcro on Chape be too much to ask for?

Will
 
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