First Chiruwa Blister

ferguson

ferguson

Joined
Feb 21, 2001
Messages
4,238
While I've been afflicted with HIKV for several weeks now, today was my initiation into the use of the Khukuri. My 16.5" chiruwa AK and I went to the spare lot to clear some downed trees. Most were pines about 4-6" diameter that blew over during winter ice storms. They had months to dry out and were very hard. I'm a small guy and not in the best of shape. Safety was my primary concern, as I understand the physics of a heavy sharp blade. All I can say is unbelieveable. I was able to do much more work than if I had been using an ax or a hatchet. What I would call the "sweet spot" is much wider than I would have thought. After chopping through several trees, I was pretty tired, but the edge on the blade felt like new. Just now I stopped typing long enough to see if it will still cut paper. It will, but just barely. Try that with an ax! As I got tired I tried to be even more careful, as fatigue costs control. Chopping through a 2" sapling, I saw what looked like a spark shoot off the khuk. "Crap", I thought. I must have hit a rock imbedded in the tree. A few chops later I saw it again. Then I realized it was the setting sun flashing off the spine as I swung. It was an eerie, magical sight. Looked just like flint on steel. My AK was telling me it was time to stop, and I did. I had been expecting a blister from the steel ring in the middle of the handle and I wasn't disappointed. Well not a blister, exactly, but a bloody groove at the first joint of my middle finger. I've got some toughening up to do. (and maybe a little filing ;) ) The middle ring helps give great control and makes the handle very secure in your hand. It is just going to require building up some callouses. I'me so pleased with this fine tool. THANKS UNCLE BILL. THANKS BURA!

Steve Ferguson
Kernersville, NC, USA
 
These past few years, "outdoors" has been the walk to the mail box. As a result, I'd handled my Khuks a great deal and built a light callous before I did any chopping at all, and that has been resticted to old shrubs and a few tree limbs. The neighbor's telephone pole was a near trial, but it's gone now. Still, although it was light, it made me wonder about a Nepali kid raised in the country, and ready for his Gorkha trials. Bet he could slap a rock with his "Khukuri hand", and strike sparks :)
 
Fess up: You had a good time trying to make that blister. The AK's sure are something arn't they.

I've retired my axes too, they will sit around till something might heavy comes along. You sure are right about them not holding the edge like the AK's.
 
I'll use gloves the next time, but wanted to make sure I had a good grip on it the first time I used it. Thought bare-handed would give me better feedback on how I was doing. Love this khuk.

Steve
 
Congrats on your first khukuri Steve!!:)

Like I've said many times, the first one is special. Isn't amazing how khukuris can make yard work fun, even with blisters?:D

Nice review too BTW!
 
Re: wearing gloves when using a khukuri.

Your mileage may, of course, vary. Personally, I prefer not to do this, particularly when I'm working with someone else in the vicinity. Highly polished wood or horn handles can slip through gloved hands, especially if the gloves are well-used and the palm is starting to get worn and shiny. A big, sharp khukuri flying through the air could spoil somebody's day.

To avoid blisters, maybe you should consider wrapping the handle. In the past I've used jute and sisal twine, which is soft on the hands and gives an excellent grip. Lately, I've taken to wrapping the handles of my cutting tools (and blacksmithing hammers, for the same reason) with suede lace - that's just long strips of suede cut off an old leather apron; same sure grip, and it seems to cushion the hand and (more important) the tendons of the elbow and forearm - a very important consideration for me, as I have chronic tendonitis and bursitis, which has kept me away from the anvil and my khuks for far too long, and I don't want to risk a relapse!

Suede or twine wrapping obviously doesn't look nearly as cute as polished buffalo horn; but IMHO it's safer, and kinder to skin and tendons.
 
at the suggestion of somebody or other around here, I wrapped the handle of a semi-ugly villager with racquet tape. It's padded, self-adhesive, and unbelievably comfortable. I reach for that one a lot as a result. I've also been pleased with the results using an old bike glove. The palm is padded and grippy, while the fingers are exposed for greater control. It's been on the palm where I've tended to get blisters, so this has worked out real well.
 
A golfing glove might work, too. I'm thinking of the ones I've seen with the rubber strip in the palm.

S.
 
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