Hidden Tang

N

Nai

Joined
Nov 7, 2003
Messages
5
Hello from a new forumite. I just placed the same question as the 17th reply to the gentleman asking help in choosing a khukri but I am so interested in the answer that I felt the need to post a thread.

Just to make sure I understand the hidden tang: the tang on my 15 inch AK runs the length of the handle?

Thanks
 
Re: Hidden Tang

quote:
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Originally posted by Nai
the tang on my 15 inch AK runs the full length of the handle?
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Yes; If it's an Himalayan Imports blade.

When you look at the pommel-cap end
you should be able to make out a steel-color dot in the middle.
That's the end of the tang which was peened (flattened)
to hold everything together.
After peening it's filed down a bit & polished.
Sometimes so well done it's hard to find.
Sometimes it sticks up a bit.
 
..runs thru the buttcap on the other end, thus the full length of the handle. It is a very sturdy construction, with the tang shoulders being thick and broad, then gradually stepping down to the piece that goes thru the buttcap.

I've been abusing an 18" AK for over a year and a half, and it will not fail. I tried to get it to fail, but it cuts everything, even metals.


Keith
 
The only exception to them being full tang is some of the carved wooden handles as in the Garuda, Snow Leopand, or Hanuman. On those, it is recommended to drill a hole about an inch behind the bolster through the hidden tang and insert a pin or rivet to anchor the tang to the handle anyway.

The shop foreman argued with Uncle about the size of a kothimoda/kothimora ( usually a presentation/collector piece about 12" overall length and scabbard heavily inlaid with siver ) that really is made for looking at: "...but what if it does have to be used? This is an HI khukuri, it should not fail! ". So HI kothimodas come out made with 15+" overall lengths and 3/8ths or thicker spines.

The kamis believe that overbuilding prevents failures. On the larger models, half inch spines aren't that uncommon, and some are even thicker than that ( I have one with a 3/4" spine )!
 
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