Dharane Chitlangi handle - like or dislike?

[jnphares]

I received the Dharane Chitlangi from a Three blems DOTD (9/28/07) on Wednesday. It's a 20-in 26-oz and I really like the length, weight, handle diameter, and blade shape (I've found that straighter blades that aren't very broad tend to fit in the sheaths better and draw more easily). I also liked the look of the bell pommel, but I couldn't stand the feel of it -- the forward flare was OK (even very good), but the rearward one bit into the base of my palm.

So I "bobbed the tail" of the pommel with a hack saw, filed it to a round circumference, whittled the wood at the back of the handle to flare toward the new edge, and sanded it all smooth and pretty. I also sanded the edge of the buttcap -- it arrived rather sharp. In the end, I had a mod that feels much better in my hand; I also think it looks good, though it certainly isn't symmetric. As a user with the modified handle, I think it may be my favorite khukri -- it's got good reach and some heft, but is still light enough that you can use it continuously for a while.

I don't recall hearing anything but good comments about the Chitlangi handles. As I said, the handle looked great, but am I alone in the opinion that its ergonomics leave a lot to be desired?

 

[Steely_Gunz]

Different strokes for different folks. Personally, I don't like the look of bell handles. So much, in fact, that I have never handled one. The ergonomics might be great for some (the bell probably acts as a counter weight), but the aesthetics of the handle just put me off. I would rather have a kobra or siru or Sher Attitude Special.

 

[Grappler1911]

More Chitlangi's for me.
I like the handle.

 

[Ad Astra]

You can see in the picture the bell edge does look pretty sharp.

Interestingly, I had to make the same mod on a metal-handled Dharan-made khuk a few years ago...

The one I had came sharp, which also set it apart somewhat.

Have a 20" chainpuri, and love the pommel/handle.


Mike

 

[hollowdweller]

I don't grip a khuk tight anywah so being able to use the bell as a place to hang onto is good.

 

[Yvsa]

Have a 20" chainpuri, and love the pommel/handle.


Mike

IIRC the Chitlangi borrows its handle from the Chainpuri except for the full covered butt cap. I love 'em too and wish all of my khuks had the bell pommel/handle or a curved handle like the old khuks all came with.:thumbup:

 

[Skyler R.]

It seems that the new shop is giving the pommel larger flare then previous ones, which IMO is a great thing. Like HD I don't grip the handle to tightly, so the larger pommel flare is nice to prevent slipping, plus I think it makes the handle look better.

Hopefully more curved handles, or deeper curved, will follow as well.

 

[CallsThunder]

Don't mean to be the odd guy out but I prefer less flare at the end. I find they bite my hand. I have used my khuks for hard chopping and haven't had any problems with the khuk falling out of my hand...not even using the sher attitude special (very narrow end).

 

[Yangdu]

Thank you for your very honest report on the Dharane Chitlnagi special handle. I shall send your comments to the shop manager and Kamis.