Had some fun with my Kukri today...

[Grease]

I got to chop down a small tree, but that's not what I'm here to talk about. After all that work, the brass cap on the end of the handle was loose. No amount of tapping and trying to glue it seemed to be working, so I just took it off.

Naturally, this made the handle ugly, so I had to fix it:

I ground off all the polished black finish on a bench grinder, leaving all the lighter sideways scratches you see here, then sanded over it to smooth it out a bit, resulting in the black lines running all over it. I probably need to finish it somehow, maybe seal it or something, but I'm not entirely sure what to use on buffalo horn...

Still, I think it looks pretty interesting now. I might try sanding it a bit more, to bring out more of those lines toward the end if the handle.

 

[jdk1]

I can't see the pic, so I'm not exactly sure what your talking about. From what I know, water buffalo horn doesn't require sealing or finishing, just regular (but not often) hydrating. Hooflex and mineral oil work great. Other than that, I would just finish it with sand paper or polish as you wish and soak it a few times a year or more often for dryer climates. Good luck.

 

[Grease]

I can't see the pic, so I'm not exactly sure what your talking about.

Really now? Well that's unhelpful...

Guess I'll see if I can re-upload it from somewhere else...

 

[Dirtbiker]

What does the very end of the handle look like (pommel) The cap is the retainer for the handle on a stick tang and I'd be afraid you could lose the blade if you were chopping without an end cap.

You could drill and cross pin the handle and tang with a small steel pin. That would add some strength and safety back to the knife.

 

[Grease]

I actually had that fear when the end-cap came loose, but I realized it wasn't actually attached to the tang in any way. The handle just has a hole drilled down the middle that is full of quite strong glue, which they forced the tang down inside of. I originally wanted to remove the handle entirely, but I realized there was no way to get the handle off without cutting it in half. No amount of force would budge the tang out of it. I clamped it in a vice and hammered on it, but it just bent and flattened the protruding bit of tang. I'm not worried about it coming loose...

 

[jdk1]

I see it now. Kind of cool looking. IF they used laha, which is the traditional Nepali method, you can stick the handle in a thick ziplock bag and then submerge it in boiling water and that will melt the laha. Judging from the pics, it's not an HI or Tora, so I can't say for sure if they used laha, but it may be worth a try. If it is as secure as you say, plus the fact it looks like you made a really comfy handle, I would probably just get it to where you want (sanding wise) and use the heck out of it. Let us know how it turns out. As I said earlier, you shouldn't need any sealer of any type. I would soak it overnight in mineral oil, or baby oil, and repeat as needed. I treat my horn handled khuks about twice a year. Good luck.

 

[shortwinger]

Grease,

If I understand correcty, the butt plate is still off? If so I would HIGHLY recommend that you do not use it until you get some type of butt plate back on there and peen over the end of stick tang. The glue (laha) is generally good but it is not meant to handle the force of swinging without the assistance of the butt plate. If that handle breaks loose, or should I say "when that handle breaks loose" you or someone else can/will be seriously hurt.

Without doubt this is an accident that will happen. Do yourself a huge favor and fix to or send it to someone that can. Any local welding shop should be able to fit and secure a butt plate for you or you could find a knife maker here on the forum that could do it.