Khuk questions

wintermute · Feb 3, 2011

I've been looking around for a chopper and figured I'd look into khuks as one of the options. It would be mostly used for clearing underbrush around my property, including some pesky rhododendrums. I'd like to bring it camping for use around camp but I can't see bringing it on the trails since that'll likely get you locked up in New York. I'm 6'0" lanky bastard weighing in at 165 lbs in pretty good shape. From what I've read so far, something in the 18" range might fit the bill. Anyway, I had a few questions on khuks in general:

1. Villager F&F - how does this vary from non-villager? Is it just an aesthetic thing?
2. Horn vs wood handles - does the horn experience shrinkage and cracking over time?
3. Where exactly is the sweet spot on a khuk, right at the front of the leading edge? Is it awkward to get used to?
4. How are the supplied sheaths? I've only seen pictures so I can't tell how practical they are. Thanks.

dirtypaulie · Feb 3, 2011

Villager fit & finish I prefer to the mirror polish. It holds oil better when you store the Khukuri. People have also said to sharpen the Khukuri a few times to get to the good hard steel under the polished stuff. I'm pretty new to khuks myself but have purchased a few. I have 2 with horn handles & 2 with wood. I feel I don't have enuff knowledge on the handle materials to elaborate on but am sure someone in the community will fill us in. As for the sheaths they are nice & do the job well but i've been in contact with a gentleman & plan on having custom kydex sheaths made.

Thats where the sweet spot is on all Khuks.

Karda · Feb 3, 2011

wintermute said:
1. Villager F&F - how does this vary from non-villager? Is it just an aesthetic thing?

Villager finish is a satin finish instead of fully polished. Kinda like a scotch-brite finish.

wintermute said:
2. Horn vs wood handles - does the horn experience shrinkage and cracking over time?

Yes it will, but so will wood if you do not take care of it. There isnt much difference between the two as they pertain to khuk handles, aside from the wood being a little more forgiving/resilient to impacts once cured. If you keep your handles properly hydrated, it will not be a problem.

wintermute said:
3. Where exactly is the sweet spot on a khuk, right at the front of the leading edge? Is it awkward to get used to?

The pic above shows where the sweet spot lies. It may vary slightly between kamis and models, but the location will always be the chopping edge if the khukuri. The beauty of a khukuri is its design is innately connected to our anatomy. It only take a little practice to be able to hit the sweet spot everytime. The khukuri should feel like a sharp extension to your arm.

wintermute said:
4. How are the supplied sheaths? I've only seen pictures so I can't tell how practical they are. Thanks.

They are practical and usually fare well in normal usage, however they are not survival scabbard and will not hold up to heavy abuse. Sometimes the chape has a tendency to come off. Some like the scabbards , some dont. Auntie has a supply of quick release sheaths for sale for those that don't: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=794440

wintermute · Feb 4, 2011

Coo-ul. I'm liking everything I read about these things. One more question - full tang or stick tang (ambiguous on purpose to instigate discussion)?

dirtypaulie · Feb 4, 2011

Chiruwa style full tang will be much heavier than a hidden tang the hiddenn tang is wrongfully related to as a rat tail tang but its not & is a slim down version & a true full tang

Karda · Feb 4, 2011

wintermute said:
Coo-ul. I'm liking everything I read about these things. One more question - full tang or stick tang (ambiguous on purpose to instigate discussion)?

Either-Or, which do you prefer?
They are both plenty strong enough. The full tang(Chiruwa) will make the blade less forward balanced and it is also somewhat heavier. There are plenty of advocates of both styles. I myself like and use both.

Andrew Colglazier · Feb 4, 2011

wintermute said:
I've been looking around for a chopper and figured I'd look into khuks as one of the options. It would be mostly used for clearing underbrush around my property, including some pesky rhododendrums. I'd like to bring it camping for use around camp but I can't see bringing it on the trails since that'll likely get you locked up in New York. I'm 6'0" lanky bastard weighing in at 165 lbs in pretty good shape. From what I've read so far, something in the 18" range might fit the bill. Anyway, I had a few questions on khuks in general:

1. Villager F&F - how does this vary from non-villager? Is it just an aesthetic thing?
2. Horn vs wood handles - does the horn experience shrinkage and cracking over time?
3. Where exactly is the sweet spot on a khuk, right at the front of the leading edge? Is it awkward to get used to?
4. How are the supplied sheaths? I've only seen pictures so I can't tell how practical they are. Thanks.

Personally, in a utility khuk, I prefer a knife in the 16" range as that is heavy enough to chop yet light enough to carry around.

Villager models are less polished, and normally less expensive. I prefer them.

Villager horn or wood is my preference because they are less polished and provide a better grip. I haven't had any problem with either shrinking or cracking.

IMO the sweet spot is the belly of the blade. Chopping too far forward on the curve can transfer a fair amount of shock to the hand, while chopping slightly more towards the handle on the curve allows the weight of the blade out towards the tip to balance the blow and dampen shock.

The scabbards are generally good enough for standard use. They are sometimes a bit loose or a bit tight. Too loose is fairly easy to fix. Too tight is not so easy, but can be done depending on the cause. Lots of folks make sheaths for these knives. Here is how I carry mine most of the time -

Andy

wintermute · Feb 4, 2011

Good info from everyone! I don't like the look of polished blades myself, so it sounds like a villager is the way to go. Now I just have to figure out one very important thing - how to hide a triangular package from my wife!

HARPERSGRACE · Feb 4, 2011

wintermute said:
Good info from everyone! I don't like the look of polished blades myself, so it sounds like a villager is the way to go. Now I just have to figure out one very important thing - how to hide a triangular package from my wife!

I like the polished beter but I don't use mine as heavily as most here, The scabbards I have received have all been top notch but can be effected by climate changes, when I lived in Fl they all seemed a bit tight in NY they are all just right, go figure.
If you have to hide it from your wife it's time to get a new wife or find a really good hiding place cause once you buy one you'll need more.

wintermute · Feb 4, 2011

HARPERSGRACE said:
If you have to hide it from your wife it's time to get a new wife or find a really good hiding place cause once you buy one you'll need more.

Once things disappear in my workshop, I'm safe. It's when the package arrives that's the trouble.

kronckew · Feb 5, 2011

i used to use the same excuse my wife used when she bought a new dress that i noticed.

'this old thing? i've had it for years.'

have box delivered to work & dispose before sneaking khuk into house. try NOT to let boss play with khuk and chase employees around office building with it shouting 'ayo gorkhali'.

uncouth · Feb 5, 2011

kronckew said:
try NOT to let boss play with khuk and chase employees around office building with it shouting 'ayo gorkhali'.

lol That's great, I'm still laughing.

kronckew · Feb 5, 2011

uncouth,

sadly he left that company before i did, was never the same without him. he also issued nerf guns and darts to the help desk

.