Full Tang Khuk ?

C

coaldigger

Joined
Jan 27, 2007
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3,504
Howdy...I'm thinking about getting another Khuk, my first "real" Khuk came from KhukuriHouse & it's the Jungle model w/ buffalo horn handle. It seems to be a decent knife but I think I want one with a "full tang" something I can carry & not worry about the handle working loose or breaking in hard use. Also...I'm a lefty & seems like I only see right hand sheaths. any ideas & what kinda money am I looking at for something like this ?
 
I actually own a couple HI khuks, one full tang ASTK and one WWII. I actually prefer the chiruwa handle; it's much lighter, and doesn't give any evidence that it's not durable. I don't think full tang is really necessary for strength. In fact, the wood on the full tang version actually broke off on the pommel from the vibrations from the impact of chopping, while the chiruwa handle version is just fine. Khuks run from 100-200 dollars generally.

I'm also a lefty; the usual solution is to turn the sheath around in the loop, or to have another one custom made.
 
crimsonfalcon07 said:
I actually own a couple HI khuks, one full tang ASTK and one WWII. I actually prefer the chiruwa handle; it's much lighter, and doesn't give any evidence that it's not durable. I don't think full tang is really necessary for strength. In fact, the wood on the full tang version actually broke off on the pommel from the vibrations from the impact of chopping, while the chiruwa handle version is just fine. Khuks run from 100-200 dollars generally.

I'm also a lefty; the usual solution is to turn the sheath around in the loop, or to have another one custom made.
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Mine hasn't showed any signs of weakness either but I like to see that big 'ol Full tang exposed between the handle slabs ! From what I've read the hidden tangs are not a stick tang but are a tapered tang. The handles are also a little skinny for my XL hands & the rings around the handle will bite into your hand after a few minutes of work with them.
 
Coaldigger-I believe that crimsonfalcon07 may have things turned around a little. HI's chiruwa handle has two slabs that you can see the metal between them. The non-chiruwa handles have the tang totally surrounded by the handle material with its end peened over the keeper on the pommel. The non-chiruwa handles have a beefy amount of steel inside the handle, not some skinny rat tail. They are plenty strong enough. Handles will eventually break up after constant use, though it seems a rarity here. There are posts regarding replacing handles here in the Forum that can give you an idea of what is involved.

Taking the scabbard out of the frog and rotating it seems to work for some folks who are left handed. It may be possible to order a khuk with a left handed scabbard from Yangdu but you'd have to check with her on that. There are also folks out there that will make a leather or kydex scabbard for you. Use the Search function to get a better idea of these.

Edit: Some work on the rings with sandpaper can help make a digging ring much more comfortable.
 
Correction: the Chiruwa handle is the full, exposed tang model. The rest are full length, not-exposed tangs.

Benefit of the standard handle is that it's a bit lighter, you don't have to worry about metal to wood/horn fit, etc.

Benefit of the Chiruwa is that it IS stronger -- whether or not you need the extra strength is up to the buyer -- and it balances the weight a bit further back, making the kukri a bit more neutral in balance and quick handling.

As for which to go with, you need to know what you want to do.

Chiruwa Ang Khola -- Major league tool, heavy chopper absolutely devastating on wood, still pointy in design. If you're not a biog guy, you'll probably get tired in extended use. The ONLY HI product, Chiruwa or not, warrantied for prying.

Amar Singh Thapa -- Still a major league tool, maybe a bit more toward the weapon side of the scale. Different looks than the CAK, but nothing to turn your nose up at. Also a heavyweight.

M43 -- arguably the best balanced of the heavy-hitters. Equally good as a tool and weapon, particularly the thinner ones. Still a heavy hitter, but the typical ones are lighter than the CAK or ASTK.

Other models have come with Chiruwa handles on and off, but I'd consider the above three to be the top choices.

The above poster is right in that you can reverse the frog on the sheath for lefties, or have a custom sheath made.

Maybe someone can tell if the Sarki Shop is still open for business -- they could make a traditional sheath in left-handed style.
 
Reply to Coaldigger's second post (posted while I was typing):

All HI kukri except the M43 have the rings. Stickfred is right, jut hit them with sandpaper or lightly with a file and they'll smooth right out. I've come to prefer them.

ETA: Yes, you can order them with a l;eft-hand sheath, but custom orders are closed right now, and Yangdu is out of town for the week, so I don't know if that covers sheaths as well as custom blades, but it probably does as they are made to fit the individual blades.

If you want a custom, some guys here have made nice looking sheaths, if they don't want to do it, google Chuddy Bear Sheaths (he's a member here), and he does fantastic work.
 
Cpl Punishment said:
Reply to Coaldigger's second post (posted while I was typing):

All HI kukri except the M43 have the rings. Stickfred is right, jut hit them with sandpaper or lightly with a file and they'll smooth right out. I've come to prefer them.

ETA: Yes, you can order them with a l;eft-hand sheath, but custom orders are closed right now, and Yangdu is out of town for the week, so I don't know if that covers sheaths as well as custom blades, but it probably does as they are made to fit the individual blades.

If you want a custom, some guys here have made nice looking sheaths, if they don't want to do it, google Chuddy Bear Sheaths (he's a member here), and he does fantastic work.
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Thanks...I'll try the sandpaper trick & I'll see if I can flip the frog ! Do you think my "Jungle" model is a solid knife ? It feels solid, I was just worried about the handle more than anything, I don't think I can break a 3/8" thick slab of rolled carbon steel (HD Truck leafspring) I know it's not a "rat tail" tang, its a "taper tang".
 
coaldigger said:
Thanks...I'll try the sandpaper trick & I'll see if I can flip the frog ! Do you think my "Jungle" model is a solid knife ? It feels solid, I was just worried about the handle more than anything, I don't think I can break a 3/8" thick slab of rolled carbon steel (HD Truck leafspring) I know it's not a "rat tail" tang, its a "taper tang".
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I don't see why not. I haven't heard anything really bad about the performance of KHHI products.
 
I told Yangdu that I had big hands & she provided me with an AK with a larger than normal handle.

Uplander
 
Whoops, yea, I guess I got it turned around. Agreed on the modding of the rings. I had to do that with my full tang Amar Singh Thapa. But the wood was tough enough I ended up using a file, not sandpaper, to take most of the wood off.

The standard handle is plenty beefy though.
 
No worries crimsonfalcon07. The terminology is easy to get turned around. I was originally going to mention a file but I like the ring on the handle and was hoping to get coaldigger to just shave his down a little. Though, being from another manufacturer, his ring may be really large and bothersome.
 
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