Khuk Handle Help

M

Madmanamus

Joined
Dec 21, 2003
Messages
177
Hey guys, I could use a little advice.

My beloved 16.5" WWII's handle is a little loose. When I shake the khuk I can sometimes hear a "click" inside the handle. It's a 'loose' sort of click, if that makes sense.

I've done what research I can, at the Khukuri FAQs and here, and the solution would seem to be softening the laha so it slides back into place around the blade's tang and bolster, and letting it set. The buttcap isn't loose at all, by the way.

Boiling the handle for awhile is about my only choice, since I don't have access to a heat gun. I'm concerned that the boiling would mess up the wooden handle though. Is this a valid concern? And also, are there any other options that I'm overlooking?

I appreciate any help or suggestions, and thanks for reading.

Take care.
 
Osiyo Madman.;) :D
Before I stuck it in a pan of boiling water and since you don't have access to a heat gun try your wife/girlfriend's hair dry set as high as it'll go.
It'll take longer and may not even work but is worth a try.
If that doesn't work see if there is any place you can get any super glue down inside. Super glue melts laha, or at least it did on one of mine once, and if you can get enough in the handle it should fix it.

Let us know what you did and if you get it fixed.:thumbup: :D
 
The khuk I did this to would continually loosen up and I'd re melt. Final solution was to remove the handle, scrape out the laha and fill it with Acraglass. Epoxy would work too.:thumbup:
 
you could put the knife into a one gallon stout plastic bag, put a couple rubber bands around the handle to form fit it some, put in boiling water, keep the top of the bag above the water. that'll keep the handle dry, but let it get hot hot hot. wear gloves, mush the handle around and hopefully spread the laha some, make sure to align handle well after, the laha sets fast fast fast.

if that doesn't do it... try to get some epoxy into the thing instead. set and forget.

bladite
 
Thanks for the ideas, fellas. :thumbup: :) Tomorrow I'll play around some and see what happens. I'll report back on the 'morrow, Cap'n, or the 'morrow after that...

Thanks again.

Take care.
 
i understand that laha melts in boiling water (212 F)..so rather then putting the kuk in water ..why not put the kuk in the oven at 225 for a little while till the laha softens..if you miss it the first time just reheat till its right. just my humble suggestion..blackie
 
Blackie said:
i understand that laha melts in boiling water (212 F)..so rather then putting the kuk in water ..why not put the kuk in the oven at 225 for a little while till the laha softens..if you miss it the first time just reheat till its right. just my humble suggestion..blackie
Click to expand...
Have you ever smelled Hot laha? :barf: I suggest you use someone else's oven. :D
 
FWIW Horror Fright (Harbor Freight) has heat guns on sale for $10.00

Got one Sunday before the game
 
I once bought a heat gun for a specific project, thinking I would never use it again after I was done. Wrong. I use it a lot - very handy tool.
 
Hey y'all, sorry for the delay in reply, computer problems...

Anyway, the first thing I tried was Bladite's 'Boil-in-a-Bag' idea. A sturdy, large Zip-Loc bag, and sturdy lobster-claw rubber bands. On my first attempt I didn't boil it long enough to get any effect. Then I tried again, this time making sure enough heat got into the handle. It worked. After the boiling, I set the khuk upside down on the backporch in a chilly north wind. After that, SUCCESS! Some laha even came up onto the sides of the blade, above the bolster. Those were shaken off after a good chopping session. And after beating the poor thing up some more, it was still nice and solid.

So, everything looks (and sounds, and feels) good now. Thanks again, everybody, I really appreciate the help. :)

Take care.
 
Madmanamus said:
Hey y'all, sorry for the delay in reply, computer problems...

Anyway, the first thing I tried was Bladite's 'Boil-in-a-Bag' idea. A sturdy, large Zip-Loc bag, and sturdy lobster-claw rubber bands. On my first attempt I didn't boil it long enough to get any effect. Then I tried again, this time making sure enough heat got into the handle. It worked. After the boiling, I set the khuk upside down on the backporch in a chilly north wind. After that, SUCCESS! Some laha even came up onto the sides of the blade, above the bolster. Those were shaken off after a good chopping session. And after beating the poor thing up some more, it was still nice and solid.

So, everything looks (and sounds, and feels) good now. Thanks again, everybody, I really appreciate the help. :)

Take care.
Click to expand...

well, yay :) glad it worked. putting it outside was good. that laha is ptuiii :)

bladite
 
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