Handle Options

A

Abear

Joined
Feb 25, 2002
Messages
114
Hi guys
I got some questions regarding the handle materials/design available on the Kukris.
1) what's glow in the dark Satissal
2) Does the brass or silver fittings serve any structural purpose or is it there just to look good. If I'm correct, the kamis drill a hole in the handle then melt some tree sap in the hole and stick the blade in there. Is there a major strength difference?
3) besides Satissal and walnut, what else grow in that part of Nepal? Wood is good:)
4) What does the Chitlani handle look like up close? That thing is making me drool:D

Thanks Guys
 
Here's a try at some answers (sorta).
1) "glowin the dark" is Uncles descriptive phrase for a nicely grained piece of Saatisal.
2) The traditional trim metal is brass. Silver is used on the fancier styles (Garudas, etc.) as more expensive decoration. Steel is stronger, and preferred by some, but is special order on most styles. The Chiruwa (full tang) handle is stronger, and the rat-tail cushions the vibes from heavy work better - both are strong. The steel tang on rat-tails fails (on the few that are improperly heated) before the handle joining. The hole is drilled (tightly) and the tang is inserted at a close to "force fit". The space around the tang is filled with a resin based adhesive called "laha" (Nepali epoxy,according to Uncle). A good many of the worlds first adhesives, varnishes and laquers originated in that part of the world (it ain't just tree sap :)) The bolster, butt cap and washer hold the handle/tang/blade together as a unit.
3) Saatisal (an oak variety) and Hill Walnut are woods brought into BirGorkha by the woodcutters because they know what the kamis will and will not buy. I spent some 100 hours on the net trying to seperate two different woods called "Saatisal", and I'm not sure where I wound up yet. The Saatisal used at BirGorkha is obviously an oak, but with properties and a grain I've never seen in any other oak genus. The rest of their woods are called by local names, and equating them to something we are familar with won't happen for another five or six generations (if then).
4) There is a good pic of the Chitlangi handle on Howard's FAQ.
 
Didn't mean to horn in, Uncle. Abear just looked lonesome hangin' out there, and I needed to blow off some steam.
 
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