First HI Khuk

C

Cyberlync

Joined
Nov 10, 2003
Messages
28
I just got my first HI Khuk. Its a little 12in Ang Khola. Its very solid and you can feel the quality. Its very much what I expected from HI after lurking on this list for awhile.

I do, however, have one issue. The handle on this thing is very small for my hand. In fact, my hand actually completly encloses the handle from butt cap to bolsters when I am holding it. The handle is small enough that I wouldn't actually use the knife for any work. This isn't really a problem for me because, my wife took a fancy too it as soon as I opened the box and it fits her hand like it was made for her. So in this regard there is no loss. However, I am now a bit worried that if I pick up another (probably) larger khuk for myself (since my wife has claimed this one ;) I will run into a similar problem. Have any of you forumites had this problem? Is it something I should be worried about? I am a big guy (6,3 290lbs) and my hands do tend to be on the large size, but nothing truly out of the ordinary.
 
Welcome, I have a 12" AK also and have somewhat of the same problem. I have found that anything over the 15" mark total length the handles are fine size wise. I recently got a 15" Ak in a trade and the handle is more then large enough and I tend to like larger handles on all my khurks.
 
Welcome! I've run into the same problem as yourself (regarding handle size) on khuks from other outfits, but not with a standard HI model. Anything over 15" should have an appropriately sized handle, the kamis make their handles larger than normal to accomodate American-sized hands. Also, if you make a note when ordering that you would like one with a large handle, Yangdu or Uncle Bill could probably pick through the inventory to find a suitable specimin. You can also trade in an unused khuk if it just doesn't strike your fancy. So far I've been pretty happy with every one I've bought.
 
The kamis proportion the handles to the blade size.
Given this standard,
here are variations within each kamis production,
and between individual kamis.
It's the way they work.

I have some that I use a 3-finger grip just fine.

Glad your wife liked your first khuk.

Next order ask for a larger handle,
Yangdu & Bill try to please.

& welcome.
 
Welcome to this forum (some call it the "cantina"...)
I know the problem from my small balance model (not HI made).
Some of the kamis tend to make larger handles - Sher is one of them. Best thing is asking Uncle Bill to pick one with a large handle.

Andreas
 
You've already been given advise on the nest khuk. I'll just welcome you to the Cantina. :)
 
Well, this was a blem picked up for a really good price so there is no way I am going to complain at all. I was just wondering in anticipation of my next purchase. HIKV is way to contageous. There should be a warning label or something.
 
Cyberlync, let me add my welcome.

My hands are on the large side. I have several 12" AKs and sirupatis. If I choke up on the bolster, I have no trouble using the little guys. Much more comfortable with 15"+, though. Each kami is different. You're never quite sure what you will get. All good.
 
My palm is about 3 3/4 - 4 inches at the widest. I find the 16.5 WW II and Chiruwa AK have perfectly sized handles - enough to grip, with some extra for comfort. 18-inchers are about the same size, except the 18" WWII, which has an unusually long handle.

Smaller ones, I choke up a bit. Usually the thumb and forefinger end up on the brass bolster. That's usually not a problem, since there's about an inch of unsharpened blade before you get to the cho. Also, the handle ring keeps your hand from slipping up.

On smaller models, you might want to reshape the rear of the handle from an eye-shape to more of an upside-down teardrop. A flat mill file, followed by sandpaper, works well for this. Rounding the top of the handle will keep the point from digging into your hand, and give you a bit more grip space. On khuks up to about 15" (BAS and Pen Knife), I find a 3-finger grip works well - index and next 2 fingers. Even if there's enough handle for the whole hand, this grip gives more leverage for chopping, and the eye-shaped end still affords a good grip.

Welcome to the cantina, and have fun with your addiction. :D
 
Well, like I said this one is going to my wife and it fits her perfectly. I don't see any need to rework it at all.


I am pretty attracted to the M43, its probably the next one I want to pick up. Its got a nice curve that I find pretty appealing. Do any of you big handed guys have any experience with these? Also, thanks for all the welcomes.
 
And a warm welcome to you, Cyberlync. Hope you enjoy being with us around here.

:) :)
 
Originally posted by Tohatchi NM
My palm is about 3 3/4 - 4 inches at the widest. I find the 16.5 WW II and Chiruwa AK have perfectly sized handles - enough to grip, with some extra for comfort. 18-inchers are about the same size, except the 18" WWII, which has an unusually long handle.

Smaller ones, I choke up a bit. Usually the thumb and forefinger end up on the brass bolster. That's usually not a problem, since there's about an inch of unsharpened blade before you get to the cho. Also, the handle ring keeps your hand from slipping up.

On smaller models, you might want to reshape the rear of the handle from an eye-shape to more of an upside-down teardrop. A flat mill file, followed by sandpaper, works well for this. Rounding the top of the handle will keep the point from digging into your hand, and give you a bit more grip space. On khuks up to about 15" (BAS and Pen Knife), I find a 3-finger grip works well - index and next 2 fingers. Even if there's enough handle for the whole hand, this grip gives more leverage for chopping, and the eye-shaped end still affords a good grip.

Welcome to the cantina, and have fun with your addiction. :D
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Most excellent advice!!!!:D

On the older curved handles all of this is pretty much already done and what isn't doesn't need done. With the curve in the handle the point of the top part of the pommel is dropped enough so that it doesn't dig into your hand.
But the curved handles are much harder to make and in today's world, even in Nepal we get easier, not necessarily better.
 
Originally posted by Cyberlync
Do any of you big handed guys have any experience with these? Also, thanks for all the welcomes.
Click to expand...
Think of us as your friendly enablers for HIKV.

I just got my first HI M43 last week.

Blade looks more beautiful in hand than in the pix.
Hefty, hefty blade.
Took it to a 2x4 right out of the box;
(the khuk, not the 2x4)
sharp, but not shaving sharp.
A closer look shows me that someone put a last-minute
chisel-bevel on the edge about 1/16" wide.

Whale of a chopper with a -wide- sweet spot.
Took deep bites from the 2x4.
Chiruwa (exposed tang) handle not my 1st choice,
but not a real problem.
Up til now I've advocated the 18" AK.
I think I've got a new favorite.
We'll see after I've had a chance to take it to the woods.

Even if not quite the chopper as the AK18,
the beauty pulls it up a notch.

BTW, the horn portion of the handle is exactly 4" on this one.
 
Originally posted by Cyberlync
Well, like I said this one is going to my wife and it fits her perfectly. I don't see any need to rework it at all.
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Treat that lady like the goddess she is man. If she likes khuks you don't know just how lucky you are. Oh, about the HIKV, you did get a warning. Did you notice the part on the HI website that says 80% of sales are from repeat customers? Replace 'repeat customers' with khukuri junkies and you've got your warning label. I've said before that khuks are more addictive than crack but a lot more wholesome, so it's OK. Welcome to the madness.
 
Originally posted by ddean
Think of us as your friendly enablers for HIKV.

"I just got my first HI M43 last week.

Blade looks more beautiful in hand than in the pix.
Hefty, hefty blade.
Took it to a 2x4 right out of the box;
not too sharp.
Whale of a chopper with a -wide- sweet spot.
Took deep bites from the 2x4.
Chiruwa (exposed tang) handle not my 1st choice,
but not a real problem.
Up til now I've advocated the 18" AK.
I think I've got a new favorite.
We'll see after I've had a chance to take it to the woods.

Even if not quite the chopper as the AK18,
the beauty pulls it up a notch."

I just recently got one too. I really got it just more for the style. Didn't figure it would chop well. I got it all sharpened up and I was blown away by how well and comfortable it was to chop with. Beat my 18" AK easily. Better edge. More wood penetration. For me I think the M43 handle is more comfortable and the lighter weight makes it easier to chop with.
Click to expand...
 
I get along with the shorter handles OK. It's the distance around that sometimes give me the problems. I don't like to mess with such good work on these khuks. So, I alter the grip until I can get comfortable with the khuk. My wife say that I handle the Kagas Katne and Biltons like my fingers were on a monkey. Say I curl my fingers just like the primates would on small object.

She came up with a statement day before yesterday that surprised me just a bit. I was cleaning and polishing my 12" AK Villager and she said that, "That knife scares me worse than any of the others and I don't know why" "I know that it is smaller than most of those things you've got but there is something about that one that kind of makes chills go up and down my spine". I kind of wonder if it just not being fancy as the ones with the brass fittings that makes it look meaner to her. Then too she has watched me working on the blade while we have watched TV and knows for sure just how sharp the darn thing is. What ever, she's handled most of the others but not this one. She wouldn't take it when I tried to hand it to her.:)
 
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