Habaki Bolster VS Old Fashion Bolster

mohd

mohd

Joined
Jun 3, 1999
Messages
1,989
Pakcik Bill & Fellow Forumites.

Please refer to picure # 2 in thread: Harry's Sanu-Bhimsen Special. Pix and worth a look.

http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum65/HTML/000323.html

I noticed that the Habaki Bolster is not covering part of the blade --- instead it covers part of the tang! I checked my Khukuris at home and it is proven that it actually covers part of the tang --- I guess it just the same as the old fashion bolster!

What I want to bring up to Pakcik Bill as well as to other Fellow Forumites are:
  1. Is that the correct way Habaki Bolster being fixed to a Japanese genuine Katana? My guess is that it should covers the blade rather than the tang --- Please do correct me if I'm wrong in my guess work!
  2. Which bolster is actually stronger? --- My guess is that the old fashion one stronger because the present Habaki Bolster is actually made of brass which is weaker than the steel ... and now the Habaki is one weak part in between of the blade and the handle!
  3. Do you agree that the Habaki Bolster caused the current blade shorter while the tang longer? IMHO this will effect the strength of the handle ... and the handle part which is longer is actually covers the longer tang which is considered as the softest part of the Khukuri --- Please do verify this 2 cents opinion of mine!
  4. Is it possible to enhance the fixing of the Habaki Bolster that it actually covers part of the blade? --- In this case the length of the blade and the tang wouldn't be effected and instead it will strengthen the handle --- by this technique the Habaki part would be somehow thicker than the blade and will function better in tightening the fix of the Khukuri when sheathed to the scabbard --- maybe the blade part near the tang should be designed slightly narrower![/list=a]Of course the Kamis have better knowledge than me in this issue --- But ... for the sake of our love to Khukuris ... I just want to get Pakcik Bill and other Fellow Forumites' opinion about it --- If we brainstorm this view ... BirGorkha might be able to further enhance the already high quality of our Khukuris!

    What do you say about it?

    NEPAL HO!

    [This message has been edited by mohd (edited 01-24-2001).]
 
Mohd, you raise an excellent point. I should add that the habaki styled khukuris I have show no problems with weakness. However, I do rotate to use a new khukuri each time out. Other forumites,what is your experience?

------------------
Harry
Himalayan Imports Khukuri Range Safety Officer
Himalayan Imports Website
Howard Wallace's Fabulous Khukuri FAQ!

"He either fears his fate too much,
Or his deserts are small,
That dares not put it to the touch,
To win or lose it all...."
- James Graham, Marquess of Montrose (1612-1650)
 
:
Osiyo brother Mohd!!!
I think the new style bolsters cover the blade only.
Do you recall a thread called."cho creep that Berk, I think, posted some time ago?"
He showed by pics the way the cho has creeped further and further away from the handle over the years.
The very early khukuris cho's were right next to the handle.
Notice how the bolster on Harry's blade isn't as far from the cho as what we usually see?
That's what makes me believe the bolster is in the same place as it's always been and is covering up more of the blade as you suggest and so nothing to worry about.
smile.gif


Been meaning to ask if you don't mind....????
Do you get your e-mail at home or at work?
I have been wanting to write and ask some questions about your beautiful country and the very beautiful blades from there that surely you're familiar with and I didn't want to get you into any trouble.
smile.gif




------------------

>>>>---Yvsa-G@WebTV.net---->®

"VEGETARIAN".............
Indin word for lousy hunter.
 
Mohd,
Here's the pic Yvsa was referring to:
View

Even though the most recent khukuri used for the comparison predates the "habaki" bolster by a couple of months, it shows that there's plenty of blade there to accommodate the longer bolster. I don't think that blade strength is an issue for BirGorkha
smile.gif
.
Berk
 
I think the traditional habaki is removeable on the Japanese katanas -- not such arrangement at BirGorkha where the katana habakis are welded in place.

The habaki style bolster is mostly decoarative in terms of overall strength. The blade and handle would stay together without a bolster of any kind. But the habaki bolster is functional in that it wedges the khukuri into the scabbard for a more secure fit. But, it's still easy to draw. The feed back has been about 95% pro habaki bolster. And it does look good.

------------------
Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
Himalayan Imports Archives (33,000 + posts)
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">... Been meaning to ask if you don't mind....????
Do you get your e-mail at home or at work?
I have been wanting to write and ask some questions about your beautiful country and the very beautiful blades from there that surely you're familiar with and I didn't want to get you into any trouble ...</font>
Click to expand...
Yvsa --- Maasyaa-Allaah! It's OK bro --- please don't hasitate to email me if you have anything to ask --- please feel free to do that --- I access email at office or sometimes at cybercafe. Insyaa-Allaah! The environment in my office is just OK --- complete the job first --- then anybody can always access internet during his free time as long as it doesn't disturb the daily operation work --- we need exposure to outside world!

NEPAL H
smile.gif
!



[This message has been edited by mohd (edited 01-26-2001).]
 
:
Okay, thanks Bro.
There was something in the news a while back that I wanted to ask you about, have forgotten now, but I sure didn't want to cause you any problems by someone reading over your shoulder or something.
Some things should be just between one other and yourself if it might not be a popular subject for governments and the like.



------------------

&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;---Yvsa-G@WebTV.net----&gt;®

"VEGETARIAN".............
Indin word for lousy hunter.
 
I have some Jap katanas and wakasashis. They strip down to blade/tang.
; one piece.

The bolster secures the blade; yet a thumb press releases it for the draw.

Without the proper teqnique, the blade would be difficult to draw.

So,here`s to fast swords and sixguns.
 
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