Kapur wood

C

cndrm

Joined
Sep 3, 2005
Messages
207
Hows everybody like the Kapur wood? I know everybody's crazy about Neem, but for those who have Kapur, how's it working out for you? I saw the BGRS with the Kapur handle, and I think it looks quite striking. (although maybe better with white metal fittings).

mike
 
Interesting. The BGRS that sold yesterday had a really nice, brownish gray color to it. Really caught my eye.

mike
 
cndrm said:
Interesting. The BGRS that sold yesterday had a really nice, brownish gray color to it. Really caught my eye.

mike
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I was impressed with the wood, but the wide bellied blade shape really got me going. Who got that one?
 
sogguy said:
I got lucky.

Dick
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Good snag. I love my 15.5" BGRS. Great size for that thick blade.
 
Satori really loves the 15" BGRS. I think it's firmly seated as his favorite. It is a great size. Small, light weight, compact, yet plenty big enough to perform "most" any task. I just really like the brownish gray color. But I think a villager with steel fittings, or white metal would look a little better though.

mike
 
That one did have a pretty big belly on it.

Sogguy, you'll have to let us know how you get along with your new BGRS.

mike
 
mmm, camphor would be fun. one of my favorite japanese type trees along with katsura (very soft, sadly)

i wonder if wax wood would be a good choice for kukri handles? it's supposed to be tough and flexible and non cracking splintery as all get out.

bladite
 
Badlite, That's an interesting point. Waxwood is plenty strong for fighting staffs, so I would imagine that it would (in theory) work fine for a kukri handle material. I don't think it's readily available to the kamis though.

mike
 
Really. I've handled it a bit. It's an imposing impliment, and sustained only minimal damage from Daves cinder block rampage. The handle was rather big. Plenty long, but if it was mine, I would have had to do some sanding to get it to fit my hands. Works great for Dave though, his paws are much bigger than mine).

mike
 
I was lucky enough to be in Reno for a fencing competition. Before I left, Yangdu was kind enough to show me some of her stock, including a blade with a Kapur wood handle. It was probably the same one that sogguy now has. The scent of the handle was wonderful. I might have bought it, except for the looks I'd get going around with a Khuk held to my nose. :)
 
smurray said:
I was lucky enough to be in Reno for a fencing competition. Before I left, Yangdu was kind enough to show me some of her stock, including a blade with a Kapur wood handle. It was probably the same one that sogguy now has. The scent of the handle was wonderful. I might have bought it, except for the looks I'd get going around with a Khuk held to my nose. :)
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Foil, epee or sabre?
 
sogguy said:
Foil, epee or sabre?
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All three, in the veterans category. I may be dumb enough to try all three weapons, but I do limit myself to getting beaten up by the older guys.
 
Bladite said:
mmm, camphor would be fun. one of my favorite japanese type trees along with katsura (very soft, sadly)

i wonder if wax wood would be a good choice for kukri handles? it's supposed to be tough and flexible and non cracking splintery as all get out.

bladite
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Chinese uses camphor wood for linings in their clothes chest....chest used a a dowry following the bride for life. It is fragrant and repels insects which chews up clothes.

Hardness I do not know....

Scenario....

Astro have head into wife's chest...

Wife goes " Whatcha doing honey ?"

Astro.."Testing the hardness of your camphor...I am trying to see whether I can make a scratch."

Wife...."Oh I see......c'mon over here please !"

Astro...."Ya honey why ?"

Wife...." I wanna test the hardness of your skull too, see if I can put a scratch on it."

:foot:
 
I think for a chopper tool handle the hardness is less important than the shock absorbing property.

For a user khuk it is also important how it feels in the hand of the user, what touch it has.

The weather-proofness is another criterium : waterproofness, temperature dependent brittleness (e.g. in very cold weather). Proper wood-treatment can definitely improve these qualities.

For both users and display pieces the humidity-dependent movement/tendency to crack is yet another factor.

Pretty grain or figure is another one.

As different steels excel in different tasks, so different woods have different properties making them optimal for different roles.

We are lucky enough to have such immense variety of wood handles made for khuks. :thumbup:
I guess, with time and sufficient data reported back here we can find out what are the advanteges or shortcomings of all these woods. :)
 
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