Full tang or not?

SeanH

SeanH

Joined
Oct 3, 2003
Messages
64
Howdy,
I just bought 10 acres of hardwood forest near Lake Superior and need to clear brush, do minor chopping and de-limb future firewood. I’ve got my eye on a couple of models but have some tang questions.

Is the Chiruwa Ang Khola the only AK with a full tang?
Do I need a full tang if I want to use my khuk for the next 30 years?
Do khuks without a full tang absorb shock better?
Do khuks without a full tang have more handle trouble after a decade or so?

Thanks for your time and advice in advance.
Sean
 
Originally posted by SeanH
Howdy,
I just bought 10 acres of hardwood forest near Lake Superior and need to clear brush, do minor chopping and de-limb future firewood. I’ve got my eye on a couple of models but have some tang questions.

Is the Chiruwa Ang Khola the only AK with a full tang?
Do I need a full tang if I want to use my khuk for the next 30 years?
Do khuks without a full tang absorb shock better?
Do khuks without a full tang have more handle trouble after a decade or so?

Thanks for your time and advice in advance.
Sean
Click to expand...

The M43 has a full tang and is byootiful :) Handle can be a little small for big hands.
No, you do not need a full tang for it to last 100 years. I have a 125 year old khukuri right here with a rat-tail tang. I'm sure John Powell and other cantina folks have dozens more. :)
Yes, I think the rat-tail tang models absorb shock better AND are more comfortable. The "ring" can he sanded down easily. Not so on a full tang.
Not sure about trouble down the line, but scales are easier to replace, I think. Knifemakers, especially Bowie makers, use ferrule tangs and solid handles all the time, and they can be replaced.
Just take care of your khukuri, and it will take care of you.
 
My experience (yours may vary) is that the partial tangs are as strong as the chiruwa (full) tangs, and they transmit less shock than the chiruwa tangs as well. Although they are not full tangs, they are still pretty substantial. Most people think of the term "rat-tail tang" when they think of a partial tang, which definitely is not the case whth HI products. Somebody once described them as kangaroo-tail tangs. In other words, I don't think you will have trouble with either tang style. Choose whichever appeals to you most and start chopping :)
--Josh
 
Welcome. Most of the Khurks do not have a full tang. There is still alot of metal that goes through the handle. There are seldom problems with breakage. I would not be worried about that. As a rule if it is going to break at that point it will in the first few swings and if is going to break it will break full tang or not. For me the partial tang cuts down on the amount of shock that my hand feels. Other will say just the opposite. I think alot depends on how the handle is held in the hand.
 
Sean:

I believe the M43 is also a full-tang, but either tang works fine. I have both and can't complain about either. If the Chiruwa is transmitting more shock, I sure can't feel it through my gloves and it seems like it would take alot more power than my arms can generate to break one of those stick tangs.

One advantage of the stick tang is that it is enclosed inside the handle material and protected from the elements. Around Lake Superior that might be a consideration since you get alot of rain/fog. Also, a horn handle might be better than wood since water won't hurt it.

Say, are you anywhere near Two Harbors? I got a couple forties just north of there.
 
Originally posted by cliff355
Say, are you anywhere near Two Harbors? I got a couple forties just north of there.
Click to expand...

Don't know where Two Harbors is but my ten is 3 miles inland of Whitefish bay near Paradise MI.
 
Just finished my second novel by Steve Hamilton about Paradise, MI.
 
Excellent and timely referral. I just hit a dry spell, literature-wise.

Two Harbors is about at the same latitude, but on the other end of the lake. There is plenty to be done with a khuk in those parts.
 
Originally posted by SeanH
Howdy,
I just bought 10 acres of hardwood forest near Lake Superior and need to clear brush, do minor chopping and de-limb future firewood. I’ve got my eye on a couple of models but have some tang questions.

Is the Chiruwa Ang Khola the only AK with a full tang?
Do I need a full tang if I want to use my khuk for the next 30 years?
Do khuks without a full tang absorb shock better?
Do khuks without a full tang have more handle trouble after a decade or so?

Thanks for your time and advice in advance.
Sean
Click to expand...

I would get :
1-A Martindale machete #358-460-01-18 from Daren Cutsforth--$25.00
http://www.cutsforthknives.com/catalog-list.cfm?start=11&storeid=1&Cat_Display=All
2-A Golok SG-XL#AJ-01XL from WD Suwandi at Valiant--54.00
http://www.valiantco.com/menu.html
3-A HI Kukri based on forum inputs.Cost-?

I'd take these three out on your property and determine which you want to use for each different category of cutting you intend to do.They are all fantastic tools and awesome cutters.

These fellas did some blade testing and are a good place to start reading before your blades arrive:
http://outdoors.free.fr/s_topic.php?id_rubrique=2
 
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