Does HI do custom Kukris?

jumpmonkey

jumpmonkey

Joined
Oct 16, 2006
Messages
970
Having more time with the M43,I have a much better idea of what I want in a Kukri. I want it lighter, a smidge longer, with a much easier sheath (the HI sheath is a beautiful piece of work, but the draw is too slow) and I'd like a micarta or G10 handle. So, I'm thinking something like a Sirupati with a full tang bare bones, doing the slabs and sheath myself. Anybody ever done this? Pics?

Thanks
 
HI dont sell blanks but you could get a custom anyway and replace or have the handle replaced. There are custom sheath makers here on the forum as well that could make you a sheath at a very reasonable price.
 
I may be misusing terminology here, I'm not look for a blank. That is a rough shape. I'd be looking for a finished blade, without the slabs and sheath. To my knowledge blanks tend to be shapes, perhaps partially ground. Do I have my terms wrong, or different from yours anyway?
 
I'd send Auntie an email, only she can determine what she will do. Karda mentioned they do not sell knives without a handle but on a custom, maybe so.

It all depends on the situation over there, orders they are currently working on and your patience.

Again if Auntie can help she will, she's first class in every respect and it's her call.
 
Cool deal, thanks for the replies and clarification. I'm gonna save up a bit, and I'll trouble auntie then. Dunno what there backlog is like, but this wouldn't be the first time I've gotten a custom piece. I've endured some waits, but with a good maker, always worth it.
 
jumpmonkey said:
Cool deal, thanks for the replies and clarification. I'm gonna save up a bit, and I'll trouble auntie then. Dunno what there backlog is like, but this wouldn't be the first time I've gotten a custom piece. I've endured some waits, but with a good maker, always worth it.
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While you're waiting to save up, you should pay close attention to the DOTDs that Yangdu posts on this forum. You might get a better idea of what suits you, since Yangdu posts length and weight along with photos. The most common type of "blem" is a khukuri with a cracked handle, which can be removed and replaced with your own micarta or G10.

I would focus on models like the sirupati, chitlangi and chainpuri, which seem to match your comments about length and weight.
 
david, I've considered that idea. For one, I'm not certain those models are full tang. I don't have confidence in myself to be able to put a good pair of slabs on anything else. Beyond that, I notice that even on my M43 that the tang seems to have a taper to it. I'd need the tang flat and level to attach the slabs. Thus my thinking for a custom.

Thanks
 
The few full tangs I've rehandled were tapered but at the same time flat. The handle to knife joint wasn't a problem.
I thought there might be issues before hand but my fears were unjustified.
 
My M43 is a Beautiful piece of work But I too am looking for something Much smaller, Not quite so "curved" and 15 inches... In the past few months i have seen maybe 3 that meet what i have in mind. So , what i am saying is that when you do see "that" one. get it quick because it is not gonna stay up for sale More then a very little while !
 
This thread reminded me of a chainpuri by Purna kami that went for only $85 on a recent DOTD. It's 15" overall length and 16 oz. I wish I had gotten it for myself.

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I would also suggest that you try the traditional handle for a while before deciding to rehandle a khukuri in micarta or G10. It takes a bit of getting used to, but the handle ring really helps to lock your hand into a secure grip and prevent slippage. The M43 handle is already a non-traditional, western type, so it doesn't give you a chance to discover the benefits of the traditional khukuri handle.
 
David,

I may try one. But my dislike is not so much handle shape as it is material. I don't like horn, and the weather here tends to destroy wood things that I purchase.
 
If you find the horn too slippery you can rough it up with some 600-800 grit sandpaper. Really makes a difference in the grip.
 
Phil,

I'll have to consider that. I'm thinking along lines of, what is to me functionally and aesthetically 'the kukri'. We'll have to see.
 
davidf99 said:
This thread reminded me of a chainpuri by Purna kami that went for only $85 on a recent DOTD. It's 15" overall length and 16 oz.
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And it's lying on my chest right now.

And I can sympathize with not liking horn, jumpmonkey. I wish the Purna chainpuri I just got had a wood handle instead of horn. I may have to try what philllll suggested and rough up the horn.
 
I like slippery handles they eat away less of my hand when I use them and since they stick less they need less power when i let the blade do the work. This works better when less connected to the hand.

Kind of like soft rubber covered ax handles give good blisters but the smooth wood ones don't and let the handle glide through your hands and make work easier.

The handle profile alone is enough to prevent it from escaping my grip.

Of course there is some ideal middle ground between super slippery and rough like a file. For me there wasn't any HI knife yet which was too rough or too smooth be it horn, bone or wood.
 
Jens, I'm with you in a way. I like smooth, but not slippery. The horn is definitely smooth, which I do like. But, it's slippery when my hand sweats at all, which my hands are want to do. The shape of the handle on my M43 is not enough to provide a good grip when this happens (bearing in mind the 2lb weight of the beast, with about 10" of blade ahead of my hand.) I'd rather have a smooth, but somewhat absorbent surface. For me, that means some Micarta. It's a good material without some of the issues wood faces up here in the north.
 
Start with 800 or even 1000+ grit wet/dry sandpaper, just enough to take the polish off, and if it's still not grippy enough you could go 600, but really 800 should be all you need. It's not rough like a file or anything, far from it. Just grippy enough to stick when your hands get a little sweaty, but still slide around if you loosen up your grip.
 
Jens Schuetz said:
I like slippery handles they eat away less of my hand when I use them and since they stick less they need less power when i let the blade do the work. This works better when less connected to the hand.

Kind of like soft rubber covered ax handles give good blisters but the smooth wood ones don't and let the handle glide through your hands and make work easier.

The handle profile alone is enough to prevent it from escaping my grip.

Of course there is some ideal middle ground between super slippery and rough like a file. For me there wasn't any HI knife yet which was too rough or too smooth be it horn, bone or wood.
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People talk about that, but just yesterday I had it slip scarily in my hand when the handle got sweaty. I didn't lose control of it, but the bottom of the bell was between either middle and ring fingers or ring and little fingers, don't remember which. I didn't damage the sheet rock, but it was enough to scare me.
 
Email me details on customs knife and will send order to shop and Kamis, jumpmonkey
 
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