Is there a reason for the ring on the handle?

[Charles Lacour]

I was somewhat against the cho, until I found out what it was for.

Is there something similar about the raised ring in the middle of the handle?

It's rather uncomfortable for me (which might have to do with handle size - I have big hands and both of the ones I got (a GRS and a KLVUK) are both too narrow and too short to be ideal for me.

If that's just what's traditionally been done and there's no reason (spiritual or mechanical) for it, I'll probably trim them down. (Obviously, it's partly to help you keep your grip in a forward/backward direction, but it doesn't help enough to be worth the pain, to me.)

 

[Dobe_1]

The grip is a matter of preference, and is specific to certain models. The middle ring does help secure the grip, and is meant to fit in the palm portion of the hand. For light to moderate chopping, slicing, and cutting, the ring works well. For heavy chopping, I find the ring causes blisters, and prefer the palm swell of an m-43 style handle. The grip of an m-43 allows for a secure grip, and adds a beefy pommel. Between the palm swell and the pommel, there is very little chance of loosing the Khukri during a swing. There isn't a ring on any axe I've ever used for that very reason. Yet, the feel of the ring is very secure for lighter usage.

 

[Bawanna]

I used to be totally against modifying any Khukri I got, didn't want to mess with the kami's plan but several here implanted the idea in my head to take one and make it my own.

If the rings don't work for you, break out the file and make it your own.

This was emphasized to me on a Kumar Karda I recently got from Wildman, he modified considerable but I absolutely love everything he did to it, just take a mighty fine knife and makes it even better to fit a persons personal preference or needs.

I think the kami's like to think their knives are put to work.

 

[davidf99]

Charles:

Ultimately it's a matter of preference. However, if this is your first experience with a traditional khukuri handle I suggest that you work with it for a while before deciding to trim down the ring. One reason that westerners often find the ring uncomfortable is that they hold the handle in a way not suited to that type of knife. A loose grip is best, which will minimize the handle digging into the palm of your hand. Of course the ring rides between two fingers, so there should be no problem on the finger side of the grip.

Here's an example of an extreme ring. When I first got this large, heavy khukuri I couldn't believe that anyone could hold it with that big metal ring. After a few days my hand "learned" to form itself around the ring and I barely felt it. This is more of a ceremonial type khukuri, perhaps intended originally for beheading an animal, so it wouldn't be used repetitively for a long time, but it makes my point.

The khukuri is 25" overall length and weighs 42 oz.

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[Uplander]

What David said. Now that I've gotten the technique down, I'd miss the ring.

Uplander

 

[Steve Tall]

The handle rings are typically sloped up toward the rear, and then drop straight down. This tends to impede the hand from moving forward toward the blade,

 

[Dirtbiker]

Once you get used to holding it the right way and using the right technique you will not even notice the ring. You might even come to like it as I have.

 

[ndoghouse]

Once you get used to holding it the right way and using the right technique you will not even notice the ring. You might even come to like it as I have.

I have to agree. Without the ring id have to put a screw in there or a bunch of rubber bands or something to rotate on. I dont think I own a traditional Khukri without a ring. Thats probably the only reason I dont own an M43 as much as all like them. I just cant see how a palm swell could replace the ring. One day Ill try it I suppose. The ring is your fulcrum where everything rotates around. It is a much needed feature if you plan to use the knife in the traditional manner. The drop and the bell shape pommel also play an integral part. Its one fine package that's hung around for hundreds of years so must be something good about it.

 

[J W Bensinger]

+1 to the correct technique, try it out crew. If you use the loose grip/snap your hand shut at the moment of impace technique it acts as a "trigger" for the hand to anchor on. I don't know what to do with an unringed khuk these days.