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Handles: wood vs. horn?

P

Pragitam

Joined
May 22, 2002
Messages
198
Hi everyone,
Would like some input about wood vs horn handles for a "working" khuk? Opinions? Impressions?
I just received my first 18" AK, pure power and beauty.
It has a horn handle, slightly small for my grip and perfectly finished...almost afraid to put it to work.

Thanks

pragitam
:)
 
Hey Neighbor!
A simple question of horn vs. wood. Not so simple to find a definite ans. However, you'll find many pros for either. Its a matter of taste. I have used both, so I think that its the blade itself and how it speaks to you that is more important.
I'm sure you'll find many answers to give you food for thought tho'.
 
Thanks for the post.
Glade Park is near Grand Junction, Hmmm? Not exactly next door neighbors but closer than most.
I am still enjoying my first HIK, will ask Uncle Bill about a wooden handle for my next purchase (likely sooner than later) and offer my own impressions soon after.


:D
 
HEY PRAG, I HAVE THE 18" AK IN A HORN HANDLE ALSO.YES, IT HAS THE POWER.ONE THING THOUGH,THE HORN HANDLE DOES GET A LITTLE SWEATY AND SLIPS FROM MY GRIP.I HAVE TO SLIP ON A LEATHER GLOVE TO HELP ME OUT.OTHER THAN THAT,I LOVE IT.:D DON'T BE AFRAID USE IT.JUST KEEP UP WITH THE TREATMENTS WITH FIEBINGS AND LANOLIN,IT'LL LAST FOREVER. FRANK.;)
 
It's personal preference. 10 years ago 80% wanted horn, today 80% want wood -- and it could change back.
 
Prag personally I like the wood better for a using khuk.
Wood is much more "grippy" than horn even when the horn is sanded to less than the high polish it comes with, even when the wood is more highly finished than the horn.
The only way I've ever lost control of a wood handled khuk was when the handle was just plain too damned big for me to hold onto and yet if it had of been horn I would have lost my grip on it even sooner!
As to which one is actually better, well now that's where I consider the personal choice to come in.
A good hard well seasoned piece of wood is hard to beat on any kind of knife and as far as longevity, check out all the old WW I & WW II khuks that have wood handles that are still around, still in good shape and in some places still in service.
Another good reason for wood is that it is much easier to work down if the handle is too large for you personally.
I also believe wood to be easier to care for in the long run. Barring anything except being run over by an Abrhams Tank the wood hndle will last as long as the horn, however being ran over by any thing of that magnitude would no doubt destroy any handle material unless the treads caught the khuk just right.
Personally I find the wood to be "warmer" than the horn as well which is a real plus for cold weather use.
 
Thanks for the $0.02 Yvsa, it is worth a lot!
and Thanks Uncle Bill
You have confirmed my feeling with about the wood and reassured me on my quest for a wooden handled khuk!
I received my first khuk, an 18" AK. Absolutely beautiful but I found the horn handle hard to get a good grip on in part because it is a little small for me and in part the highly polished horn handle...I too enjoy the warm feel and the grip of wood....seems I am not alone, Hmmm Uncle Bill!
:D

pragitam
 
I have dilemma when choosing handle material too. Horn seem to be much more beautiful and durable. I think it's a lot harder to scratch that thing. But for Practical purposes, I wood like Yvsa said has a much better grip. Would be great if there's a optional carved/checkered handle for horn. I also heard horn tend to crack. And when chopping something, wood seem to soften the blow, the horn handle seem to transmit vibration much better.
 
The wood handle on my villager roughs up my hand more than the horn does.

my 0.02
 
The only advantage I can see is horn is waterproof and this might be a consideration for folks in the wetlands.
 
My simple answer is: BOTH :D

Being the son of a woodchuck, I tend to lean towards wood, but when I pick up my 16" AK with its horn handle, my eyes glaze over....

So really, the only way to make sure you have the right handle is to get both. ... that way you'll be prepared for anything :) ;) :D

Uncle. ... does the HI warranty cover being run over by an Abrams tank?? :D

Alan
 
I own khuks with both, and like both respectively. I use the Horn handled AK I have the most, and have had no slippage problems (I use the rings as a pivot point for my grip, and that, combined with the oversized 'pommel' keeps that pup in my hand.).

Like the look and feel of both. Think the wood looks better on pieces with brass accents, and like the look of horn with the steel or silver fittings.

.02

Keith
 
I've been playing around a bit and have found that the horn holds a checkering pattern better. The wood checkering I started was prone to splintering because it's not as hard as the horn.

Ferrous ought to be able to comment on this.
 
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