Khukri Handles

[DMH1112]

I have heard that traditional Khukri handles start hurting after long periods of use. Can you give me your opinion about this?

 

[Nicholas]

I've heard at least on khuk review on oldjimbo.com state a preference for curved handles, over straight ones, in this regard. Also, a recent discussion of the M43 had one poster mentioning the re-profiling of a khuk's handle, for smaller size and greater comfort. I'm sure there's a lot more to be said about this, on all sides.

P.S. The Oldjimbo article was about Tora; sorry if that annoys anyone.

 

[Steely_Gunz]

It's going to be up to the individual user if the handle is bothersome or not. My hypothesis is that most westerners that use a khuk for the first time swing it like an axe or a bowie. I know I did Once you let the khuk teach you how to swing it, it becomes very fluid and natural. It no longer bothers me to chop with a khuk all day...well no more than it would swinging a 1.5-2lb piece of steel of any type would

The great thing about the handles are that you can customize them if you'd like:thumbup:

 

[Wolf_1989]

And if you have a lot of them you can notice each kami has a distinctive style. I really like the handles on Kami Sher's khukuris.

 

[Empire_ian]

I swing a Kuk the same way I swing an Iai sword, and the only thing I have to complain about is sometimes my palm slips over the butt of the thing which leads to pain and soreness. I would prefer if the handle was a bit longer on the smaller models.

 

[wildmanh]

I've customized some of my handles and others I've left just the way the Kami made it. It really depends on the Khukri and what your hand likes. Get the Khukri that looks good to you and try it out. If you like the blade but don't like the handle, you can customize it to fit you. It's part of the fun.

Heber

 

[DannyinJapan]

Well, no matter what you do, wear gloves when using a cutting tool. That will probably affect your opinions, especially with prolonged, heavy use.
Also, eye protection would be good and wear pants and shoes.

 

[Ugly Duck]

Well, no matter what you do, wear gloves when using a cutting tool. That will probably affect your opinions, especially with prolonged, heavy use.
Also, eye protection would be good and wear pants and shoes.

I finally figured out the glove thing is just as useful using khuks as it is when using any other tool. I wear 'em when I use a shovel. I wear 'em when I use pruners. Just natcheral to wear 'em when I swing a great big knife.

Oh yeah... pants, too. Wear pants.

 

[DMH1112]

I just got cut resistent gloves because two days after I got my Ka-Bar heavy bowie I had to get 4 stiches. Not fun.

 

[C.S. Graves]

I finally figured out the glove thing is just as useful using khuks as it is when using any other tool. I wear 'em when I use a shovel. I wear 'em when I use pruners. Just natcheral to wear 'em when I swing a great big knife.

Oh yeah... pants, too. Wear pants.

Well speak fer yerself, UD!

In my experience thus far, a khuk by Sgt. Khadka will require either golves or extensive smoothing of the handle's fittings and bits of exposed tang. Hidden tang khuks are typically free of comfort issues for me.

 

[Carolina River Rat]

Oh yeah... pants, too. Wear pants.

How bout a kilt?

 

[kronckew]

... and wear pants ...

How bout a kilt?

just to internationalize this, over here 'pants' are the things we refer to back home as 'underpants'. i believe danny was referring to what would be called 'trousers' over here, heavyweight fabric recommended. kilts are of course not normally worn with 'pants', as depicted in braveheart. one could i guess wear a kilt over their trousers but it would look silly.

they do make cut-resistant trousers. best worn over pants.

 

[Billy516]

I guess I'm a rebel when it comes to cuttin stuff - shorts, sandals and no gloves. Anyway, this pile was accumulated over a period of about 2 hours with my M-43 with (very comfy) horn handle. The only complaint I had was a little soreness at the bottom/outside of my palm from the top swell at the base of the handle rotating around and rubbing there. That's the longest continuous khuk chopping/cutting session I've ever undertaken and found the M-43 quite comfortable to use, especially in comparison to using, say, a shovel or full-sized axe for the same amount of time.

 

[b.c.molin]

Anyway, this pile was accumulated over a period of about 2 hours with my M-43 with (very comfy) horn handle. The only complaint I had was a little soreness at the bottom/outside of my palm from the top swell at the base of the handle rotating around and rubbing there.

Now that answers the original question with photographic evidence to prove it!

Way to go Billy!:thumbup: