Deciding on a Khukuri.. WW2 Model?

[TheManiot]

Yes, the kami for the chiruwa horn-handled WWII is Dil.

Here's a non-chiruwa WWII by Vim kami. A little smaller, at 17" OAL and 24.5 oz, and just as beautiful in my opinion.

View attachment 426556

The shape of the handle there really interests me. Can you tell me more about it? It looks like it is offset. I have seen other Khukuris made by other companies that have a different style of handle like this one here. Can you tell me the benefits and disadvantages of both?

This is one interesting design I found. It looks as if the handle is more curved.

 

[Steve Tall]

The bend in a handle adds to the curve or "drop" of the blade. The "drop" is addressed in this thread:

www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1142090-How-do-you-like-them-drops

A knifemaker named Daniel Koster did a related analysis for a wide lineup of HI khukuris. He wrote,

"Imagine holding a khukuri with the handle exactly perpendicular to your body. Now imagine if you could hold 5 at the same time and judge each one to see how much they individually "bend". That's the intent of this analysis. Let this be a guide for those who wonder what it would feel like to have an AK instead of a Sirupati, or a Gelbu Special instead of a Kobra..."

from http://www.himalayan-imports.com/Khukuri_Dynamics.html

 

[TheManiot]

The bend in a handle adds to the curve or "drop" of the blade. The "drop" is addressed in this thread:

www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1142090-How-do-you-like-them-drops

A knifemaker named Daniel Koster did a related analysis for a wide lineup of HI khukuris. He wrote,

"Imagine holding a khukuri with the handle exactly perpendicular to your body. Now imagine if you could hold 5 at the same time and judge each one to see how much they individually "bend". That's the intent of this analysis. Let this be a guide for those who wonder what it would feel like to have an AK instead of a Sirupati, or a Gelbu Special instead of a Kobra..."

from http://www.himalayan-imports.com/Khukuri_Dynamics.html

What about the flare of the handle also? It seems that the WW2 model and others have a flare on the rear of the handle.

I didn't see much in those about the curved handles?

 

[davidf99]

Personally I like a bit of a down curve in the handle, but not as much as in the khukuri pictured above. The curve helps to keep the top corner of the pommel from digging into the hand, and for me at least it makes a better feeling grip. That's apart from the question of the drop in the blade, which is another consideration.

Lokendra kami, unfortunately no longer at HI, was a master at making that kind of handle. His khukuris usually had a subtle down curve in the handle that enhanced the overall look and feel. Other kamis seem to do the same thing now and then, but not consistently.

Here's an example. Notice that the down-curve starts just after the center ring. It's much more subtle than the one pictured above, but the eye can see it, and the hand can feel it.

View attachment 426682

The overall length of this Chitlangi is 15". I don't know the weight off hand, but probably about 18 oz.

The handle flare, which is generally more pronounced on the Chitlangis than most models, is supposed to help keep the knife from slipping out of the hand in a swing. Probably more important in wet conditions when everything is more slippery. It also looks great.

Here's an M43 by Arjun kami that also has a nicely curved handle:

View attachment 426685

This one is 18" overall length and weighs 31 oz.

 

[TheManiot]

Very interesting. I put an ad in the wanted section asking about WWII knives. If I find one I like I'll buy it.

 

[Shavru]

Saw a couple of other types of HI blades in the for sale section. Wish I could afford them both...