Is Heavy Saatisal Burl Available For Handles On Special Order Khukuris?

Drdan

Drdan

Joined
Dec 24, 2003
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I'm referrring to a completely different beast than the standard wood purchased by the kamis, and fashioned into the handles seen on 99% of the HI's khukuris. The Newaris are surely aware of the super select woods available... HI uses a Newari carver, and I would venture to say that he is savy as to presentation grade woods available in Nepal. Can any of the woodchucks or those who have obtained the special extra dense saatisal give me some input? Thanks!

Dan :)
 
I've had a couple of saatisal handles with some pretty nice burl so it is available.
But Dan I think the kamis put the handles on the khuks and not the guy who does the carving so it might be best to ask Bill.
I imagine that most of the wood is fairly straight grain for ease of making the handles since that's what is mostly seen.
Now you might get a Newari to purchase a nice piece of wood for the handle and then get the kami to install it.
But why would you want to ruin a beautiful piece of burl with carving anyway?
The burl wouldn't be that apparent under the carving as the background, if any, is pretty rough anyway.
Now if you're getting a Garud handle then at least part of the burl will be seen as it should be and might be worth the extra trouble and expense.
But also be aware that carving burl is apt to give the carver fits and you may not get as good a job as would be possible with a nice straight grained wood.
If you were talking furniture or something that would take a large expanse design that would let the burl show it would be possibly a different story.:)
 
Yvsa's talking some real sense on this, Dan. I know where you're headed with this, and I don't disagree with it.

Why not consider reaching your goal in steps?

Send off for a plain carved handle, asking for the nicest figured wood they have access to.

When it gets here, you'll have a good idea of what's "out there" and you can make a better judgment of what to do next.

Worse thing that happens is you end up with a few extra khuks on your path to the elusive "perfect one"...and that's not a problem in my book....;)

Dan
 
I'm interested in a saatisal burl handle selected by a Newari, installed by a kami, and carved only with the traditional cross- hatching seen on a standard Chitlangi. If the kami would spend his time getting the crosshatches really nicely carved, that would be fine... If not, the Newari carver can do the crosshatches, even though it might be a bit boring for him! Thanks. Dan :)
 
Okay, I see. Still talking about the Chitlangi.:) Dan with the option of a Newari getting the wood I would opt for a rosewood or other exotic burl if possible. The rosewood handles we used to get were oh so lovely they would almost make your heart stop.:D
 
I'm still waiting for word from one desert ironwood company... They are searching for a 5" X 2 1/2" X 2 1/2" presentation grade A burl block for me. A certain Don from another company recently e-mailed me saying he could not get what I requested. If HI's Newari would select the piece of Rosewood (instead of leaving that job to the kamis, and be allowed to do the crosshatches, the handles would be taken to a much higher level. What could a 5" X 2 1/2" X 2 1/2" presentation block of wood go for in Nepal vs in the U.S., Japan, or Europe?

Dan :)
 
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