Handles on a kukri help

[SubDisease]

So the wood on my handle is moving back and forth, I know this doesn't affect its performance but it's still pretty annoying, any recommendations on how to fix that? It's held together by 2 rivets hammered in to the side and a butt cap.

 

[Karda]

If thats an H.I. khukuri, the loose handle would probably fall under warranty.
However, it can be fixed without alot of fuss.

1) As yours is wood handle, i would suggest using one of those boil-in the-bag things so that you do not raise the grain of your handle when using this method. Get the water to a rolling boil and submerge for somewhere between 5-10 minutes. This will heat and soften the himalayan epoxy called Laha. Squeeze handle tightly until handle cools a bit. The Laha will resolidify very quickly and solve the problem. You may want to re-peen the handle pins a little at this time.

2) Use the more viscous type superglue, not gel type for this method.
Find where the handle is most loose and force superglue between handle slabs and tang. Superglue will adhere, but also slightly melt the laha and also help it to re-adhere. This is probably the simplest fix and may not always hold. Again, you may want to re-peen the handle pins at this point.

3) Slightly pry the handle slabs away from the tang. Mix 2 part Devcon Epoxy and apply between handle slabs and tang. Clamp overnight. Re-peen pins. Be careful prying the slabs away from the tang as it is easy to mar or ruin the slabs using this method.

4)Drill out handle pins and remove slabs by heating then with hairdryer, heat gun or boiling as above. Reglue and repin.

Methods 2-4 will require some cleanup/sanding afterwards.

Good luck!

 

[SubDisease]

Thank you! On method 2, do I actually submerge the whole handle?

If thats an H.I. khukuri, the loose handle would probably fall under warranty.
However, it can be fixed without alot of fuss.

1) As yours is wood handle, i would suggest using one of those boil-in the-bag things so that you do not raise the grain of your handle when using this method. Get the water to a rolling boil and submerge for somewhere between 5-10 minutes. This will heat and soften the himalayan epoxy called Laha. Squeeze handle tightly until handle cools a bit. The Laha will resolidify very quickly and solve the problem. You may want to re-peen the handle pins a little at this time.

2) Use the more viscous type superglue, not gel type for this method.
Find where the handle is most loose and force superglue between handle slabs and tang. Superglue will adhere, but also slightly melt the laha and also help it to re-adhere. This is probably the simplest fix and may not always hold. Again, you may want to re-peen the handle pins at this point.

3) Slightly pry the handle slabs away from the tang. Mix 2 part Devcon Epoxy and apply between handle slabs and tang. Clamp overnight. Re-peen pins. Be careful prying the slabs away from the tang as it is easy to mar or ruin the slabs using this method.

4)Drill out handle pins and remove slabs by heating then with hairdryer, heat gun or boiling as above. Reglue and repin.

Methods 2-4 will require some cleanup/sanding afterwards.

Good luck!

 

[Karda]

Thank you! On method 2, do I actually submerge the whole handle?

Do you mean method 1?
Yes, you would submerge the entire handle in the boiling water.
This method may not work if there is insufficient laha under the handle slabs.

I take it this isnt an H.I. khukuri? Are there any markings on the blade?

 

[SubDisease]

It's a kukri from kukrimart, but the boiling method worked very well.

Do you mean method 1?
Yes, you would submerge the entire handle in the boiling water.
This method may not work if there is insufficient laha under the handle slabs.

I take it this isnt an H.I. khukuri? Are there any markings on the blade?

 

[Karda]

It's a kukri from kukrimart, but the boiling method worked very well.

Good to hear it worked for you, sub !
As i said, sometimes that fix is hit or miss.
Feel free to stop by the Himalayan Imports forum in the manufacturers section.
Lot's of good info in there that applies to all khukuri, not just the ones we make.