Cold steel khukuri mod

BarberFobic1992 · Sep 14, 2008

this was a modifycation to the $20 version, not the expensive one. it started like this:

the handles were extrremely uncomfortable and extremely abbrasive on my hands during extended use. i also am not a big fan of coated blades.

i started by sawing off the black-pvc like handles and then sanded down the entire blade. for handle materiel, i used some peices of left over unfinished oak flooring. to attach the handle, i used epoxy and pins. for the pins, i cut up some long nails. after the epoxy dried, i spent alot of time with a rasp to get the handle scales down to size.and the finished product:

in hand:

and one of just the handle:

BarberFobic1992 · Sep 14, 2008

oh, and i forgot to mention the linseed oil soak. it made the handle look much better.

siguy · Sep 14, 2008

pretty cool mod.

i'm waiting for the soft rubber handle to tear off of my LTC, basically the same blade as yours but with a rubber handle.

then i get to do a nice custom wood handle instead...

looks like you did a good job. i assume it's comfortable?

BarberFobic1992 · Sep 14, 2008

siguy said:
pretty cool mod.

i'm waiting for the soft rubber handle to tear off of my LTC, basically the same blade as yours but with a rubber handle.

then i get to do a nice custom wood handle instead...

looks like you did a good job. i assume it's comfortable?

yea, it is pretty comfortable, at least compaired to that handle it had before. the only thing that i should have done to make it more comfortable would be to have made the scales a bit thicker.

BarberFobic1992 · Sep 14, 2008

i just noticed that one of my cats made her way into the 3rd picture

udtjim · Sep 14, 2008

Great looking job. I have been wondering what to do with CS knife like yours. I have been bust Messing with the Trams for a while. I fell in love with the 12 inch Tram. Get a good Convex edge on them and they are a super versatile camp companion. AND... Darn near free. I am sending one to siguy this week for the experts touch.

savagesicslayer · Sep 15, 2008

Your not kidding about the handles being abrasive.It had to have the worst feeling handle I've ever worked with.I wrapped mine in hockey tape.
great job.it gives it a more natural look.A great improvement.

tholiver · Sep 15, 2008

Cool!
:thumbup:
I bought a Cold Steel Magnum Kukhri this summer.
I haven't chopped with it yet, heck haven't even sliced paper with it yet,lol.
I've been kinda trapped in town all summer :grumpy:
But i will get out this month though. Then its chopping time!

So did you have to drill holes for the rivets or were the holes already there?

CShepherd · Sep 15, 2008

That looks cool. I have that same machete and love it. I haven't had any problems with the handles but wouldn't mind changing them anyways. You didn't happen to take a pic of what the tang looks like did you?

Also wondering what the Tramontina tang looks like. Anyone with pics?

Thanks,

Charlie

BarberFobic1992 · Sep 15, 2008

tholiver said:
Cool!
:thumbup:
I bought a Cold Steel Magnum Kukhri this summer.
I haven't chopped with it yet, heck haven't even sliced paper with it yet,lol.
I've been kinda trapped in town all summer :grumpy:
But i will get out this month though. Then its chopping time!

So did you have to drill holes for the rivets or were the holes already there?

CShepherd said:
That looks cool. I have that same machete and love it. I haven't had any problems with the handles but wouldn't mind changing them anyways. You didn't happen to take a pic of what the tang looks like did you?

Also wondering what the Tramontina tang looks like. Anyone with pics?

Thanks,

Charlie

the tang was pretty much the same shaoe as the handle except it had 3 holes in it.