Homemade handle failures

Mike L.

Mike L.

Joined
Aug 19, 1999
Messages
1,955
A couple months ago, I bought a handle-less World War blade from Craig. I thought I would make my own handle and go around calling myself "Bishwakarma Mike."
Well, the first one failed, probably due to my cock-eyed drilling and poor choice of materials (maple insted of a straight grained tough wood like hickory). The second one, which I made in 3 pieces, has also failed under heavy chopping. This chopping exercise (6x6 knotty pine) was no problem for both my GH panawal model or my stick-tang HI village model.
I don't have a drill bit long enough to drill out the handle material correctly, nor, apparently, do I have the right materials. I guess I am also somewhat lacking in skill.
My respect for the real kamis has increased a great deal as the result of this.
I have also decided to abandon any further attempts at re-handling any khukuris.

As a result, I have 2 good khuk blades for sale or trade..one a GH WW model, and the other an HI 15" Sirupati. Anyone who is interested in these, please e-mail me privately.

I am somewhat discouraged...but hopefully someone who reads this forum will benefit.

So, whatever you do, don't call me Bishwakarmi Mike.:-)


--Mike L.


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Real men ride Moto Guzzis!
 
Mike L.,

Cool, handless khukuri
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Sorry about hearing about the cracked handles and such. I haven't cracked either of my handles, but then again I haven't been doing wicked serious chopping. I have about 12 hrs of cutting with my GH WW, and about an 3 hrs on the SN1.

Did you fill the inside of where you had drilled out for the handle to accept the tapered tang? I didn't have a drill long enough either, but I drill from each end and the hole more, or less meet. I used an moldable epoxy stick to try to fill the voids in the handle to help take up the shock. In standard handles, they use a black (wicked stickey and smelly when heated in boiling water....lol) tree sap that does a great job.
Since I have done two handles, and I KNOW it does take a LOT longer most would think it would take to put on a handle, I think you shouldn't give up yet. If you like working with your hands and have a reasonable amount of skill, I think you can produce a handle that will last.

If you want, e-mail me your mailing address, and I will send you my WW to test out - if the handle break under hard use (no big deal - I will learn from it), send it back to me for evaluation (I will dissect the rest and go on from there). If the handle stays together (take your time and abuse it...lol, then you can send me your handless one as an even exchange. How does that sound? I am open to anything, I like to play with the khukuri's. If you aren't interested in a trade what would you want $ wise for each one?

It would make me happy to see some one USE my GH WW HARD. The knife is a great tool. I other khukuri's to use - this time of year is great for messing around with things in the basement.
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I have Blackdogs Panawal which will become a leather handled khukuri by the Spring (I hope...lol). It is relaxing, and fun for me to experiment. If some one here has a funky design they want to try out, send me a sketch and I can try to fabricate a handle for you. I have access to other non-standard materials polymers, too. I will not accept money for my services, I can't guarantee instant turn around, but I will send you your khukuri back with a new handle, BUT my only request is that you USE IT as HARD as you can!
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That makes the spirit of the knife/tool happy!

Ray 'md2020'

 
You have mail, Mike.
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Cheers,

--+Brian+--

I may be goin' to hell in a bucket, Babe, but at least I'm enjoyin' the ride.


 
I received Maddog's (Al, not Kevin McClung)
cherry handled WW in a swap. Yesterday I was able to pit it against the evil 6x6 knotty pine in my back yard. Al's work held up fine. The cherry he uses is straight-grained and apparently very tough. Pictures of the knife can be seen in the GH picture gallery maintained by Blackdog.
Now, to make it "mine" I am unfortunately going to have to remove Al's nice Tung oil finish and recontour the handle a bit to fit my hand. I think I will then finish the blade with good old boiled linseed oil, which is often used on other outdoor tools with wood handles. Tung oil is great, but IMO is better suited for furniture and showpiece stuff. Linseed oil finish is low gloss, and easy to re-apply and renew.
I really hate to mess with Al's good work, but I have just got to get a little of the "meat" out of that handle! I am hoping that Santa will bring me a scanner for Christmas (along with a couple of khukuris) so maybe I will be able to send a picture in a month or so.

--Mike L.


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Real men ride Moto Guzzis!
 
Mike L.

As much as I'd like to take credit for that cherry handled beauty you now possess, I'm afraid there's a mix-up in the dogs.

You see, I (Blackdog aka Al) am the one who screws up the handles on his Khuk's. I also destroy lawn sprinkler systems, but we won't go into that now. Maddog aka Ray, Is the guy who takes the screw-ups such as mine and turns them into beauties like your WWII. We also have Lucky Dog, Running Dog, Proud Dog, Dogman, Outlaw Dogboy and Coyote running around loose on the various forums.

It's easy to see how you got a bit confused. You can't go into any of the forums without coming across a canine of some description
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.

Blackdog

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Visit the GH Forum Photo gallery at: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=104694&a=890558
See a quick view of the Gurkha House Line-up http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=104694&a=896858

 
Blackdog,

LMAO.....you left out Rabid Maddog, too....LOL (could be others..lol)! <VBG>
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Thanks for the clarification. Mike L is gonna be embarassed when he reads this....LOL (pssss - you can edit it to repair the minor mistake). It doesn't matter who made it, we are glad that it has held together and that the GH WW khukuri now had a good new home!
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If Santa doesn't bring a scanner: worse case, put the new shaped handle on a b&w copier, and send me some pics - rough, but it works pretty good
smile.gif


Ray 'md2020'
 
Hmm...too many dogs...I guess I had a "senior moment."
I don't plan on re-shaping the handle so much as just removing some material and refinishing the result.
Meantime...I am in need of a good motorcycle mechanic for the old Moto Guzzi 850-T I bought for my S.O.
Off topic, yes...but you never know who reads this forum!

--Mike L.
 
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