Khukri House 3 Chirra vs 5 Chirra, Fullers make a difference functionality wise?

[stabnshoot]

Hello all,

I recently became interested in picking up a khukri and have been researching various retailers and models available. Everyone and their brother seems to recommend Himalayan Imports for the ultimate in traditional, authentic khukris, however I'm not interested in traditional khukris at all; Simply because the handle design of the traditional khukri puts me off from a safety perspective. The lack of a handstop/bolster puts an image in my head of my hand slipping forward onto the blade should I have to thrust/stab the blade into anything.

Since Himalayan Imports doesn't have modern handle designs and doesn't offer custom work, Khukri House has caught my attention, and I've seen quite a few recommendations for them on Youtube and elsewhere.

Onto the main point, Khukri House sells two models, the 3 and 5 Chirra blades which have 3 and 5 fullers which they claim: "Fullers give good support to the blade and to the bevel/edge easing out the tension generated in the edge while striking against hard surface." "It is also very hard to forge and to make in the wavy format that needs to be done by very skilled craftsman only. The shape of the blade is forged broad for weight within so that it does not shudder while striking."

Now from what I understand about fullers, they're simply there to reduce the weight of the blade, and have nothing to do with absorbing shock or removing "shudder" of the blade when you are chopping with it.

So aside from weight reduction, do the fullers actually serve this claimed purpose? Or is it more ornamental? The extra cost makes me hesitant to purchase something that may be fairly unnecessary.

 

[Karda]

While traditionally made khukuri do not have a forward guard, they do have the handle ring, that if used properly will serve to help lock the blade in your grip.
Despite what many people think, the handle ring usually isn't uncomfortable at all. If it does become uncomfortable, usually a little judicious light sanding will take care of the problem.

Himalayan Imports does offer handles without the ring on some models such as the M-43. Some models also do come with a front guard.
Himalayan Imports has been known for pioneering both western sized and western style handles.
Almost any model can be "special ordered" without the handle ring. Almost any model can be ordered with a front guard by special order.
The one thing that cannot be offered is G-10 or Micarta and such as these are costly to ship to Nepal and HI prefers to work in traditional style with traditional materials to keep the dying art of khukuri making alive.
They also do offer custom work to your specification and almost any model may be ordered to specific weights and measurements by special order.
Most of the time special ordering is available, but at the present time they have been suspended to allow previous special orders and store/shop orders to be caught up on.

Fullers do somewhat absorb shock but they are primarily there to shift or reduce weight and have a decorative aesthetic to them.
Their best function though is to eliminate binding or sticking in the target when chopping.