How Hard Do You Swing Your Khuks?

M

munk

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Mar 22, 2002
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Simple question. What is 'too' hard? For the very strong; what happens when you swing 'too' hard?

...I guess I should have specified, 'Into wood or other mediums."







munk
 
I broke a huge chunk out of an 18" AK while chopping oak logs into kindling. It had a pretty thin edge that had been pushed to the side a bit right in the sweet spot. I fixed the edge, and then sanded it down to a more obtuse convex bevel. I figured I should test it with some oak chopping. It didn't pass :(. It seems like swinging the khukuri too hard could lead to a higher accident rate as well.

--Josh
 
Seems like the ones that I have had that are less sharp, or get dull quick, or have a steep edge I have to swing harder. This causes the wood handle to get loose or the horn to get some cracks.

Seems like my favorite ones, the ones that have a thinner edge(but not too thin) and a harder edge and are sharper take out just as much wood but you don't have to swing them as hard.

My favorite one is pretty heavy and really sharp and hard and you don't really have to swing it with much force at all.
 
I've found too hard a swing accomplishes little. There seems to be a point of most benefit, and it usually feels 'easy' as opposed to hard. But sometimes I have to make an effort to relax; the tendancy is to think more force equals more work. So I was curious about other people's cutting experience.


I'm a little antsy if the blade edge is too thin; as many were during the Maoist uprising. The Kamis seem to have found a balance now.


Bura makes a slender edge that is quite tough. So, there is no general rule, I guess. If the blade weighs a lot, and/or is long, then I think the additional force can harm a thin edge where on a smaller khuk it would not. I broke a couple during the Maoist uprising period, Josh.

I'm no knife expert, as you know, but it seems to me a thin, sharp edge on a khuk under 18" might be an advantage for many tasks. The khuk lacks the momentum to harm the edge or stick too much in wood, but cuts well. Just my thoughts.




munk
 
Munk
K, Im not the strongest of men, but since I do regularly swing 10# club hammers, I do sometimes get carried away.
I swong (sp) my 16.5 WWII too hard into some dry maple. End result was a huge (in my opinion) fracture in the handle, and most of the edge on my "sweet spot" busted off.
Now in all honesty I knew better than to swing a Khuk like a hammer, but I wanted to see "if" it could handle it. A few mins on a coarse stone and than some crazy glue...she was back to good.
I think you are right in using medium power with a sharp edge to preform your cutting tasks. I think that would be the way to go. Just like you would an axe.
 
For the outdoor work I do I only use my arm in the swing. I don't rear back and use the muscles in my back or torso at all. I keep a firm enough grip to control the angle of the cut and mostly let the khuk do the real work. By mostly I mean I place some force behind the swing but not so much that it feels like any effort.
 
Big, heavy, khuk, like an axe, smooth, controlled, swing, just enough oomph to impart good momentum, but more focus on an accurate strike. Smaller, lighter, khuk, machete like swing, not noticeably harder, but noticeably faster, with more of a wrist snap at end of swing. Busted an axe handle or two back when I was a strapping young lad, but between my father and uncle, soon learned the error of my ways. Haven't busted a chopping or cutting tool since, but have worn some out.

Sarge
 
I like convex edges-they seem more forgiving. If I own a khuk with a thin edge, I try and find the right way to swing it. Every instrument is a little different.

The chiruwa AK I own has a thin, wonderful edge by Bura. I like the modified almost convex edge of Sher and now Kumar.

Silver falcon sounds like he knows what he's doing.

JJW; you mean just the 'sharp' of the edge broke off? You don't mean you lost a half inch or anything?







munk
 
My chitlangi I swing fast, and snap at the end. (It has initials GRB on it. Which kami is that?)

My large GRS, I swing HARD. Sometimes, with both hands! It's nigh as big as I! :D Ax handle broke at the cabin, and haven't replaced it yet...this GRS's been used on some pretty large logs.
 
...I guess I should have specified, 'Into wood or other mediums." [/B][/QUOTE]

I swing them very fast and hard into "virtual air"; I haven't received one as of yet, but I'm practicing. :D
 
Drdan, the "virtual" swing with the "virtual" khuk? Yeah...... You'll fit right in around this nut hatch. :p

I've found the harder swings are harder to land precisly where you want them. Usually a medium swing with a flick of the wrist at the end will maximize the chop. (on an AK at least)

That's harder to get down with a Bilton. ;)

Brian
 
I try to use only the weight of the khuk with a squeeze of the hand / wrist snap just before contact. Pros: can do a lot of strokes without getting tired; more accurate hits and fewer boucing cuts; if the blade cuts right through the target or bounces in weird directions less chance of cutting a knee or thigh; few if any edge dings/folds; edge stays sharp.

Cons: more blisters (unless wearing gloves); lousy for sideways and overhead cuts.

Sometimes like to think that the kamis design the weight and balance of khuks just for these light, "weight only" strokes.

:D
 
cause I got's a trick answer: I swinngs 'em hard enough, but not too hard.

If you ever feel like you are pushing the khuk instead of pulling it, yer goin too hard. Also opens up fer danger when ye push it.

If you cut throuugh an target and the khuk continues at top speed until coming into contact with something that is no longer the target, then that is too hard.

If you cut a target and the khuk leaves the target at an uncontrollable/uncontrolled speed or angle, then that is too hard.

Keith
 
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