Karate Ang Khola, My Impressions

uncouth

uncouth

Joined
Nov 26, 2009
Messages
387
So I received my Karate AK (21" 33Oz.) the other day, (I snagged it off a DOTD) I was a little hesitant about the nontraditional handle, but the size, weight, and price were right so I took a chance.
I love the blade, the geometry of the blade, the size of the blade, everything about the blade is perfect, and I love it.
Unfortunately the handle just doesn't work for me, I like the idea of the closed guard handle, but the grip section is just too thin, I need a beefy handle and unfortunately the Karate AK doesn't have one. I may try cord wrapping the grip section of the handle to see if that will add enough circumference to make it comfortable, but until then...
BTW Sorry that my first post about an HI khuk is so negative, like I said I love the blade, I just have issues with the handle. This is not meant to be critical of HI in any way, I am just giving my impressions of the newest addition to my collection.
 
I'm not sure how you could make that handle any better. How large is the hole? I would guess that you'd have to build the handle out towards the back otherwise risk reducing the hole size to the point where you hand doesn't fit. Maybe a custom micarta grip that increases the grip diameter without reducing the hole size would work.
 
Yeah that's why I was going to try a cord wrap, increase the overall circumference with out increasing the diameter too much in any one direction. If that blade wasn't begging to chop stuff I wouldn't even worry about it but that blade is crying out to be used.
 
For those who didn't see the sale posting of this knife, there's a picture here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ola-clearance-sale?highlight=karate+ang+khola

When I saw the original picture I had the same reaction: Beautiful blade, but handle too thin.

Based on the picture, there seems to be plenty of room between the handle and the "guard." Wrapping the handle to make it thicker should work, but if you want to make a real project out of this, here's a thought.

I'm assuming that the steel tang is all one piece and goes completely around the handle and guard. This is implied by the picture but not absolutely certain. Assuming that this is the case:

1. Remove the wood handle completely, leaving only the metal.

2. Use a file or power tool to fine-tune the shape of the "guard" section.

3. Make a completely new handle (two slabs) to fit the handle section. Any material you like, and any size you prefer.

4. Leave the "guard" section as bare steel. It might need some sanding and polishing.

This would look really good and you would have one of the coveted D-handle khukuris.

The only hard part, I think, would be fabricating the new handle. That depends on your skills and what tools you have available.

It would be a lot of work, but with no time limits and possibly a really satisfying result. That blade looks like it's worth the effort.

-- Dave
 
Dave thanks for including the link, I should've thought of that.
Yes, the steel does wrap all the way through the guard. If the cord wrap doesn't work, then I'll have to try another option, such as removing the scales and rebuilding the handle, but I like the way it looks so hopefully the cord wrap works.
 
Uncouth,

Could you post some pics of different agles of the handle/guard? Maybe next to a tape measure.
I'm currious as to exactly how it looks. It's such a striking design.
 
Ok, so I don't have a tape measure handy, but I do have a Ka-Bar USMC
2012-07-21_20-42-36_755.jpg2012-07-21_20-45-31_380.jpg2012-07-21_20-46-39_929.jpg2012-07-21_20-47-00_444.jpg
 
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As you can see I did do the handle wrap, which I'm pretty happy with, now I just have to epoxy the wrap and then on to the chopping. Here's the rest of the pics.
2012-07-21_20-48-33_974.jpg2012-07-21_20-49-13_602.jpg2012-07-21_20-48-06_116.jpg2012-07-21_20-47-43_706.jpg
 
Very nice. I'm glad it worked for you.

Personally I think it looks better with the wrap than without it. Something about the handle proportions .... the handle should be a lot thicker than the guard, and now it is. And the lines of the wrap kind of matches the lines engraved in the guard.

Enjoy.
 
if you need a bit more depth, and to keep the 'hole' from being reduced, you could epoxy a thin strip of wood or two (popsicle sticks?) to the spine where you palm rests, rounding the ends & edges to suit the curvature, before wrapping - hiding the strips - and final epoxying. as it's being wrapped, the shim strips can be left pretty rough, ie. trim it with your trusty swiss army knife.
 
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