I got my 15" Ang Khola today

[rossab]

Ok, friends, enough about purring!

First impression - after handling it for a minute or so, I tried a choke grip, w/ thumb and forefinger ahead of the bolster. Seemed like it offered better control for knife use as opposed to chopping. About a minute after that, I slid the frog off, and reversed it, because I'm a lefty. About a minute after THAT, I was wishing I hadn't already cut up the last storm-downed branch, because I've nothing tangible to practice on, now.

The more I handle it, the more I think I'd like to smooth off the handle ring, which brings up the question of how to restain the wood afterward.

And that matter of safe draw from the scabbard...if the scabbard is "unsafe", can it be improved? After all, while it was the idiots having accidents with old style single-action revolvers, the newer versions are better....

 

[ddean]

Originally posted by rossab
The more I handle it, the more I think I'd like to smooth off the handle ring,
which brings up the question of how to restain the wood afterward.

It's not stained when you get it.
Except remnants of rouge from the final blade polish.

Do a search on this forum for keyword:
woodchuck

It's a secret password to allow you entry to the
inner sanctum of Tru.

About half the threads that come up will apply.

Read through this post to get some woodchuck threads:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=2423414#post2423414

 

[etp777]

Lol, love how ddean puts it.

But yep, sand down handle to shape youw ant, then start with Truoil(or other finish if you prefer).

I'm a fan of truoil though, 20 coats will makeit look like glass. Grab one of the 16 packs of Ultra fine steel wool from walmart, and some 1000 grit wet dry sandpaper from local auto supply store. First 15 coats, hit it with the steel wool to knock off the tops after each coat dries. Last 5, use the sandpaper wet for same purpose. POlish it up with a bit of JOhnson paste wax at the end. Finish will look like glass, but still not be too slippery(leats that's been my experience with a 12" villager), and the handdle will have been reshaped to fit you.

DOn't forget tto refinish handle on Karda and chakma too to get them to match.

 

[ferguson]

Use it a bit before you sand the rings off. 1000 years of doing it the same way means that there is a reason for the rings. You may get used to them and find that they give a better grip. If not, sand away!

Steve