Clacking M43

T

thalion

Joined
Oct 12, 2009
Messages
31
Hi all!

I gave my M43 its first taste of fresh wood and it really was something... I can't remember who said it but it is true, you just can't stop chopping. You cut one, then two, then three and who can count them in the end. It goes so easy and you constantly feel you should cut just one more and you'll be done :))) I will post some pics once I transfer them to the computer...

But something happened when I was cleaning the khukuri after. I noticed it began to make a clacking sound when you move it left to right. At first I thought I was imagining it but then I took it in my right hand and moved it left to right quickly and there it was... Clack-clack-clack! I can't figure out what happened. It wasn't that hard a workout. Ten to twenty minutes tops and I never hit any stones etc. It is a full tang knife so it shouldn't be moving in the handle, right? Best I can figure is that the "habaki" is loose because when I squeeze it real tight, the sound disappears. Either that or the tang in the handle snapped, but that is impossible, right? It cuts normal, and handles normal so if it is just cosmetic and happens a lot, I really don't care but I would not like to swing it some time and have it snap in mid air or the blade falling out or something. I know I am probably exaggerating but I just need to know what that might be. It is my first khuk so I have no experience with actual use their behavior in the field...

So, if you have any ideas, please put my mind at ease... At least what should I check or look for... It's probably nothing but you know how it is, little things drive one nuts, right? :)

Tnx!
 
I would say you're probably fine:)

Sometimes the laha (stuff they glue the khuk up with) in the bolster gets knocked loose. It's not a big deal. it's probably just a small chunk rattling around in there. If it bugs you and you have a heat gun (or maybe even a heavy duty hairdryer), you can carefully heat the bolster up and the laha SHOULD melt enough to solidify.

Or you could leave it:) It's probably not a big deal.

If the handle were cracked, You'd see it.
 
Hmmm, could be I am overreacting :)

I tried knocking the bolster and its right side sounds nice and full while when you knock on the left side, you hear the strange cackling sound. That side also has about a millimeter of space between the bolster edge and the blade. Perhaps it came loose there? Other side is full and there is no space between the blade and the bolster. If it is just cosmetic, I don't think I will go through the trouble of heating it up etc. Perhaps it is just cracked in there and it makes the sound as the pieces rub together or something. Guess I will just leave it and continue to chop :)

Thanks for the info!
 
Try stuffing epoxy putty into the habaki where it joins the blade. Or you can try injecting liquid epoxy in any openings around the habaki. Sounds like a void in the laha allowed it to come a little loose.
 
If there is a bit of a gap, try squeezing a little of the liquid super glue down there. For whatever reason, super glue remelts laha then of course dries. It's a good way to get to those deep down areas:thumbup:
 
Sounds like the problem I was having with my m43... the laha dried up and the handle slabs got a tad loose. I fixed it with some epoxy jammed between the tang and handle slabs.

Here's my old thread on the issue.
 
Before you add epoxy, try what Steely suggested. The laha is just tree sap, some ash, and (maybe) some dried dung. It is very plastic in nature and will crack...think "peanut brittle" in nature. Heating it up lets it flow back into shape and adhesive properties.
 
I had a similar issue with my BAS. I fixed it by submerging the entire handle in a pot of boiling water for a few minutes. If you go that route, I'd recommend coating the blade with grease first, as mine picked up a patina right above where it stuck out of the water.
 
Do your heating outside... laha stinks when it is hot and your woman will rip you a new one if she smells it inside.
 
Thanks for the warning! :)

I think I might give it a go in the end... I wouldn't put the handle in hot water since it is wood and who knows how it might turn out. BTW, I have a pretty strong hairdryer and that's about it so how long do you think I should heat the thing up? Should I heat the entire handle or just the bolster?
 
Steely's suggestion on the liquid super glue is probably the easiest and safest bet. I've read in the archives that it softens the laha at first and hardens it back up when dry. Put some down the gap of the bolster and let it set back up. My $.02.
 
All I know is that, when refinishing rifle stocks, I have mixed water-thin CA (super glue) with the sawdust from sanding the stock to make a hell-for-stout putty to fill in bad spots in the wood. Kind of like a good Bakelite or Micarta, only made with CA, not phenolic resin.
If the CA dissolves the laha, then it should make a good stout putty, as well. I only say IF, because I've not tried it myself, not because I doubt the word of those who use it(I don't). I just don't have any personal experience with it, therefore I can't speak with authority about it.
Just saying that based on my experience with CA/sawdust, it should be excellent for the job. Plus, thin CA will wick down small gaps and cracks better than epoxy.
Ultra thin CA (available at hobby shops) will also fix cracks in the wood that result from quick drying, as well as penetrating the wood and hardening it. It's great for making soft woods hard and useful. as well as waterproof.
 
Ok, I will give superglue a go first... Loctite will work, right?

And, as promised, here are some pics of a quick hack and slash through some wild brush. No sapling is thicker than two inches but it was fun to chop anyway. I plan to clear all of the thick brush in a week or two when the weather over here stabilizes a bit...





And here is my little boy checking the wood out :)

 
The only thing about the super glue for your purpose is to use the liquid and not the gel. Can't remember brand being important. I believe Yvsa has done this before. Maybe he'll lend his expertise if he gets a chance.

Teaching him young-that's good. Have you picked out his first khuk yet?
 
Tried the super glue... Worked like a charm! Thank you for your help and suggestions. I can hear no sound except my own wrist bones clacking after lon use :)

As for the boy... I don't think he will wait for long... He will be two years old in June so there is time but a bilton might find him soon. Still, those beautiful Salyan's that Yangdu put for sale recently could also fit his small hands well :)
 
Glad to hear all went well. And isn't that the way it always is with the next khukuri? Which one to get, decisions, decisions.
 
stickfred said:
The only thing about the super glue for your purpose is to use the liquid and not the gel. Can't remember brand being important. I believe Yvsa has done this before. Maybe he'll lend his expertise if he gets a chance.

Teaching him young-that's good. Have you picked out his first khuk yet?
Click to expand...

Hi guys.:) Actually I -Was- the first one to try this and post it here, my gawd how long ago that must've been. :eek: :D :cool: ;)
I can remember my surprise at the super glue melting the laha and thought of it being an extra benefit for owning a khukuri.:thumbup: :cool: :D ;)

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Hi guys. Actually I -Was- the first one to try this and post it here, my gawd how long ago that must've been.
I can remember my surprise at the super glue melting the laha and thought of it being an extra benefit for owning a khukuri.

YuhnSuh?

I remember that. It was right after they invented dirt!

How are you?

:)
 
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