khuk handle shapes

T

TomFetter

Joined
Dec 6, 2004
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Was looking at, er, another site the other day, and thinking how lovely some of the khuks looked wihich had curved handles. Or rather, handles where the last third or so took a steep bend, so the bell end curved down.

As both the straighter and more curved handle styles are present in older historical examples, I've been a bit surprised that even if HI's decided not to make these styles part of the regular lineup, that none of the Kamis have worked them into a few of their one-off offerings. I'm sure both the tang and esp. the handle would be more time consuming to make, but the pricing of a specialty item could reflect that.

Has anyone much experience using a khuk with such a handle? What are the differences in how it feels, both to hold - and more importantly, to use? Would it be more suited to martial style blades rather than tool style?

For a raft of what I consider very sound personal reasons, I've no interest in buying a modern khuk from any other manufacturer ... but I wonder if this style might be one that HI could consider including, for folks who don't feel as I do.

t.
 
If curved they sit into & lock into the hand much more than straight ones.

Historicaly pre.ww2 the vast majority were well curved & egg shaped in cross section.

I prefer them for all uses. Takes larger sections of timber to make the handle though.

Spiral
 
spiraltwista said:
If curved they sit into & lock into the hand much more than straight ones...
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That's what I was thinking - lock it especially for chopping, or presumably for martial arts use.

I wondered, though, if a curved grip also limited the variety of handholds in any meaningful way. I'll often choke up for more detailed work, and slide back further onto the butt flare for heavier chopping.

I know that, for instance, I much prefer handles on small knives (i.e. not khuks) as plain as possible ... without finger grooves, or various ergonomic bumps and wobbles designed to "improve grip" ... because I find they usually improve one grip, but work against alternate grips for different uses.
 
My Bura Boomerang has some curve in the handle. I really like the way the handle feels in the hand, with the curve it just seems more natural. Don't get me wrong though, the straight handles work fine as well, it's just that I wouldn't mind seeing a few more with the curved handles.
 
my khukuris all have a bit of curve to their grips, the oldest one (bottom has a very pronounced curve and while shorter than the more modern ones, still fits me like it was made for me. the other ones grips are a tad bigger and rounder, but the kobra (top under the kopis) still has a noticeable final curve and oval x-section that seems to be less pronounced on the newer models. the kopis has a round grip, but the large carved lion pommel keeps it in your hand.
kukhris.jpg
 
Yeah, I'm thinking of the handle shape of that bottom knife ... I'd love to see some HI products come through with that. Looks very sexy, but then I've always been a sucker for old-looking things.

I'd imagine that they're more difficult to make in a one-size-fits-all mode. IIRC, one of Bill's aims for HI products was to have handles big enough to suit North American hands, rather than Nepali ones. It might be that introducing curved handles would mean extra work in sorting out which would best fit small, medium, or larger hands.

t.
 
I have loads with curved handles many of them do for both small or large hands.{As long as long enough.}

It takes double the amount of timber & a little bit more time to make them, but I simply never yet had a straight handle on a user, I might try them but I find the curve works a lot better for me.

If the curve of the handle matches the curve of the blade they have a lovely rolling feel when you use them I find.

Guess thats all part of the reason I both collect & use antiques. I like there feel. As well as there history.

Spiral
 
Thanks Spiral - really helpful posts. I use many antique hand tools for woodworking, for exactly the same reasons ... but antique khuks aren't thick on the ground over here!

t.
 
Yep I use a lot of Antique wooworking tools as well.

Antique kukris are evrywhere , you just have to hunt a little for them, or ask around.

Spiral
 
Hmmm. I'll keep my eyes open, but I suspect that "over the sea" there's more remnants of the Gurkha soldiers than here in my part of Canada. There's always e-Bay ... with all the obvious problems entailed. I know some good stuff gets sold there ... I've sold some of it!

I wonder, though, if installing a curved handle might be a good after-market modification of an HI blade with an otherwise wrecked or unsaleable handle.

Spiral, what's the usual construction you see for curved handle knives that don't have slab sides pinned on? Do you mostly see a through-tang? With probably holes drilled in the handle from either end (meeting in the centre) and the tang bent to follow the handle curve and peened over a keeper? Or is it more often a partial-tang knife, with all that fitting avoided?
 
Depends on age, over 90 years ther usualy partial tangs, { still solid enough to use .} Early & mid 20th century more through tangs , held with a keeper.

Originaly the holes seem to be chiseled for a perfect fit not drilled, guess thats why they last so long. carefull fit, less filler.

Even as recently as 1947 The highest quality kukris made to Royal order , didnt have buttcaps.

And despite all thier gold & silver there better users than anything Ive come across so far. {Ive only used those that idiots have stripped the gold off for cashing in by weight.}

My favorite user is a pre.1920 kukri made for the Nepalese Royalty.

2 of those above pictured kukri did come from ebay. I even bought a nice rare WW2 tank commanders kukri from Canada last month. Think thats only the second Ive had from Canada though.

But sure ebay is all of heavon & all of hell rolled up in one thing. :D

Spiral
 
I think maybe you can get too curved but overall most of the curved handled ones I have used were fantastic to chop with.
 
I've noticed that the Bura made Khuks that I have have handles that curve down a bit. Don't know if that it coincidence or more his style or maybe a more advanced skill level of making them.
 
IMHO, curved handles make better user khuks, be it as a tool or esp a weapon. Come to think of it, would it be nice to look at if a khuk has a handle made like a golok handle?
 
cucharadedragon said:
I've noticed that the Bura made Khuks that I have have handles that curve down a bit. Don't know if that it coincidence or more his style or maybe a more advanced skill level of making them.
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I've noticed that too. I can identify the Bura blades in the DOTD post's from the curve in the handle.

Just like the one in front of me !
 
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