Horn handle better or just plain wood?

[golok]

There are usually only two options for khukuri handle material. It's either the horn or the wood.

In terms of durability, which is longer lasting?
Are there any other material besides these two that may be more beautiful and durable.

I was thinking there may be brass but it doesn't feel as nice as wood or the horn.

Any more exotic materials?

 

[LongRifle]

This will probably be the opposite of what other people tell you but... I have had the best luck with horn. I cracked a wood handle nearly in half on the first chop once, and on the other handle a big chunk fell off. The horn has taken a LOT of abuse and it has done very well, just a crack. But that is after being used in 0 degree temps, dropping on concrete, chopping very seasoned logs, and even chopping a brick. I took the handle off another of my horn handled knives and I am in the process of converting it to a wood handle, I don't think I am going to chop anything with it though . Take it easy.

Matthew

 

[Bill Martino]

Ten years ago the preference was horn over wood -- probably 75%. Today it's just the opposite. I'm not sure why.

 

[redvenom]

Uncle Bill, its probably runs in cycles like most trends. Both have been used on knives for ages and work well for most purposes with a little care.

Its just my personal preference, but for a working knife, nothing beats the look and feel of a well-finshed wood handle. Probably my inner woodchuck showing. Both my new khuks have wood handles I dont suppose anybody considered sending a couple of blocks of hardwood to the BirGorkha shop to be shaped into handles? A khukuri with a cocobolo or desert ironwood handle will precipitate some downright unhealthy drooling on my part...

Hey Golok, does your AK have a wood or horn handle?

Andrew L

 

[MauiRob]

I dont suppose anybody considered sending a couple of blocks of hardwood to the BirGorkha shop to be shaped into handles? A khukuri with a cocobolo or desert ironwood handle will precipitate some downright unhealthy drooling on my part...

Now THAT is a darn good idea!!

Uncle, is this possible? How thick does the wood need to be for them to make a handle out of it? I'd think 3" by 3" would be about right, but I know about as much about woodchuck stuff as nuclear physics

 

[Razorzedge000]

I asked the same question..I would even be willing to send the woof for my own knife as quick as i could find a supplier for the black iron wood or cocobolo---I would be worried for our kamis though--isnt cocobolo dust poisionous???

we love our kamis

 

[Walosi]

Many of the exotic woods harbor microbes of some sort that that are dead and dried out, until they hit your nasal passages or get under your skin, and "re-ignite. Cocobolo can have stuff in the sawdust (infectuous but not toxic) and a freind nearly lost a thumb to an infection from a splinter of Pink Ivory.
I had some Cocobolo blocks I wanted to send to BirGorkha at one time, but Uncle discouraged . Customs charges would have made the proposition expensive, and Customs "practices" might very well have made the whole thing just an elaborate donation to persons unknown. Everything is valuable in Nepal, and something with declared value is certified as such. Nothing is wasted in Nepal, and this has it's up side as well as a "down".

 

[Rusty]

Better to pull the old handle off after it makes it over here because of: 1) that stuff like cocobolo dust being poisonous, and 2) YOU really need to do the work so it will be right for you.

I finally took a couple pair of oversized older S&W "J" frame stocks that felt really good ( one was a "banana" and the other was a "smooth target" style ), and sanded til my hand screamed it was finally the "rightest" it would ever be.

There is no comparison with ANY factory grip I've ever touched. Feels like the stocks jump into the hand like an overwhelmingly imperative french kiss.

 

[Bill Martino]

Sending stuff for production purposes (a long life item like a tool of some sort is another matter) is something I hate to deal with. The only semi-sure way to get it there is to use express mail or express ups. I think it's $26 for the first pound. Then there's Nepal customs to deal with and they can be very arbitrary, indeed, if the smell a few dollars. And there's alway the chance that it will disappear somehow at BirGorha and is always subject to misfires that happen from time to time. It just ain't worth it.

Pala has been to the exotic wood shop here in Reno and admired some of the available wood, considered some of it, and then decided against trying to send any back due to problems mentioned above.

 

[Razorzedge000]

we can follow in the footsteps of our great kamis and if we want the exotic shiznit we can alwats do it ourselves. I took advise on using semichrome and steel wool for the buffermarx on my 18 in ak blade--looks better now.

one question forgot--hooflex--do we put it on in fingertip ammounts and keep rubbin till it goes dry--gobb it on and let it set or what?? sorry guyz--just think I wont have to ask these ?'s twice!!

 

[Walosi]

Raz, with the Hooflex, just smear a thin coat on with your fingertips, let it soak in overnight and wipe off next AM with a paper towel. It will absorb as much as it is going to hold in that amont of time. If you find the Fiebing's Hoof dressing, coat the horn with the corner of a rag dipped in the stuff and let it sit overnight. The handle will probably be almost dry the next AM. Then, rub it down and see what polished horn REALLY looks like.

 

[Bill Martino]

Thanks for good help.