Chiruwa handle modification possible???

[Triquetra]

Still looking for the "perfect" Khuk, I picked up an UBBB special the other day. It was a "light" Chiruwa AK by Bura. Light and Chiruwa AK seemed like a contradiction but it gave me a chance to have a Chiruwa handle and still have a light camping/hiking blade. The blade has the possiblility of being my favorite. It is probably the thinest one that I have even compared to my 12" AK's. Maybe the Siru is thinner. However, the handle is the only one that I have that doesn't feel right to me. I like small thin handles and this one is "fat". Which brings me to my question. If I try to slim up the handles can I file, sand, grind, or otherwise modify the metal pins just like the handle material or will it loosen the plates. Also, what is the best tool to do this with? I don't have any power or belt sanders. I know it sounds crazy but I even thought about grinding down the handle to make a regular hidden tang because the blade on this this is exactly what I have been looking for. First though I'm going to give myself time to get used to the Chiruwa. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[munk]

The techno boys will clobber this one, but I'm here anyway. I like the question because it sounds like something I'd break. It might be the pins would need to be splayed out again if you take a lot off. I don't think you'll have a problem. The handle can be reduced to fit.




munk

 

[Bill Sanders]

I sanded (and filed) my 16.5" chiruwa handles down far enough that I had to completely re-do the rings. I have not had any problems with the handle slabs coming loose.
I do not have any power tools myself. On the wood I used a combination flat/half-round wood rasp. The pins are soft enough that the rasp cut thru them easily. Had to buy a half round mill file for the tang. Then used sandpaper to finish it. If you are worried about the handles you could peen the pins a bit. Not too much though, you could crack the handles.
Seems that somewhere in the process, I added something that makes this khuk "Mine".

 

[raghorn]

I think the handle slabs have a serious coat of epoxy holding them on as well. But I'm sure the pins could be replaced if they quit holding.

 

[Rusty]

Took down the handle on my M43 and added rings around it through the metal. and took the file to my AK Bowie's handle to reshape and dress down both horn and metal. No probs. One pin I had to add glue and horn powder to fill in around. I think. Never noticed afterward once I polished it up.

 

[Triquetra]

Thanks for the advice. I'm off to the hardware store this weekend to find some type of file. I don't think that I'll have to worry about filing the tang part of the handle it's just a little fat so I think narrowing it up will be what I want. Part of the reason that I thought that I might like a Chiruwa tang is that I figured that it would be easier for me to replace the handle if it came off in a less that ideal situation than a hidden tang so this may be an unplanned opportunity to find out. May lighten it up a bit also even though it already is a light 21.8 oz. Don't think this one is a heavy duty chopper like a 2 lb Chiruwa AK but I think that it would be a perfect candidate for the "tactical" look seen in a recent post with the light weight and thin blade.