Horn or wood handle?

What Josh said. From a durability standpoint they're both usually about equal. Which looks better to you?

IMO untreated horn will outlast untreated wood in a very wet or humid climate but the difference will not be great; if treated, there probably is no difference at all. I have no preference myself. Both work just fine and need no special care.

Again...which looks better to you?
 
Do any of you think the 18" is too long for swinging around an apartment for practice or in the unfortunate instance of a home invasion? I live in your "typical" size apartment in the US..
 
For practice I would go outside and put it to work on some light brush or whatever you may need to clear (maybe a family member has an overgrown lot and you could do him a favor). Work and play combined and a good way to learn the reach of your blade and how it handles. The more you use it the more it will come naturally to you in an emergency. For inside practice be aware of your limits or you will have found a new way to score sheetrock.
Lloyd
 
18" is not overly large for inside. I don't know if you know already but the kukris are measured in overall length, so the blade on a 18" is around 12 - 13".

As it has already been noted, both horn and wood are going to be great. I tend to rough up horn a little if I am going to be using the kukri quite a bit, since I find that when my hands get sweaty or wet that smooth horn can get quite slippery. Using some 00 steel pads can get the horn roughed up enough to prevent slipping. Some people will do the same on the wood as well for a little more grip.


Welcome to the forum Johnny, I am sure that the kobra won't be your last kukri.
 
Westfork...

A disclaimer...I am NOT a martial artist...So take what I say with a grain of salt...

A large Khuk ISNT the best choice for a hallway...You just dont have the room

Now for using it in a bedroom or kitchen to punish the naughty works...you COULD use the khuk to back them into a larger room before the smighting begins...hmm, gonna have to noodle that one


BTW...My "goblin" knife tends to be a 15" AK that Steve F. put a razor edge on for me


What I have been thinking of, is an ax similar to a Swedish broad ax (Gransfors etc.) to use INSTEAD of my Khuk...I figure poke'em with the head and then wail on them once they hit the ground (edge would have to be resonably sharp, so it would only be used for this purpose but not to thin as to ruin the blade when ya hit a bone)


of course I studied at the Darth Vador/Mark Maquire school of sword fighting so take what I say with a grain of salt
 
if the wood is untreated the sweat from your hand will discolor it-but other than that either one sounds great.
 
Leatherface - I never recommended he use it in the hallway;) . I suggested he practice outside.
 
Taking some fine steel wool to a horn handle is often a good idea. If you do get a horn handled khuk, however, try it out first to see if you think it'll get too slick. You might consider ordering a villager kobra, as the villagers' handles aren't as polished as the standard HIs. Plus they tend to come with a sharper edge.

Bob
 
So if I go ahead and order the Regular 18" Korba from Himalayan Imports on their website it will not be sharpened to a razor sharp edge? Can I request that it be sharpened before they ship it to me?
 
JohnnyRockets said:
So if I go ahead and order the Regular 18" Korba from Himalayan Imports on their website it will not be sharpened to a razor sharp edge? Can I request that it be sharpened before they ship it to me?
Click to expand...

It will be sharp. Though not likely razor sharp, however you can very easily fix this with a few mins stropping.

I doubt Yangdu will sharpen it, but there are many people are here that can put a killer edge if you want.
 
from browsing the forum all i can say is finished wood looks WAY better than polished horn will ever look :D

the choice is yours.... i say pick up both types and decide for yourself
you could always send me the one you dont want later :p
 
I prefer wood grips for grippiness. Horn us beautiful, though. A horn handle with a ring is pretty grippy, too. That's one reason I don't understand why folks like to sand the rings off. It's there for a reason, and works real well. Calluses are a badge of honor :) Different strokes for different folks, and all.

You can fight in a hallway with a khukuri, you don't need to swing wide. If the ceiling is low too, you'll have to snap the blade forward at your target. Practice on a tree or a 4x4". Sink that tip in with a snap of the wrist. It's quite effective (on wood anyway) for a weapon that most people think can't thrust. You just don't thrust with it like a normal knife, you have to use its leverage advantage properly.
 
To add grippiness to horn just use scotchbrite pads to give it a matte finish. Still beautiful, but grippier.
 
I usually choose horn because it's at least as durable as wood and it matches the black leather that most of the sheaths typically come with. If my Ang Khola or Kobra came with brown leather though, I probably would have opted for the wood in a heartbeat.
 
I don't throw in my two cents because I'm some kind of home defense expert. I'm not. But, because this thread has taken on a bit of a home defense flavor, I'll add some input. When I was a young street guy, amatuers who would consider a breakin carried knives, clubs, chains, etc. Today, these same folks are carrying guns. To defend my home and family, I would depend on nothing less than a big dog and a twelve gauge. I think it would be a mistake to feel secure in one's home because they have a kuk at their bedside.
 
Willieboy: "To defend my home and family, I would depend on nothing less than a big dog and a twelve gauge. I think it would be a mistake to feel secure in one's home because they have a kuk at their bedside."


MY RESPONSE: I agree. I'm not sure I'd want a shotgun though - we're in an apartment - neighbors and thin walls - children. I don't have a gun yet - the one I want is a revolver that cost $450 and I still have to persuade the wife. Luckily I live in a place where I can own a handgun. I was thinking of the khukri as a back up. Also, at work I drive a tractor trailer and the Dept. of Transportation frowns on carrying firearms in a big truck - it's also against my company's policy. A knife, 18" lead weighted club, hammer and some big rocks are the best I've been able to come up with for the truck.
 
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