KLO Design Idea:

D

Duzzy

Joined
Sep 1, 2009
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468
I'm putting this in the Cantina because, while it will probably get less traffic, it really isn't a Khuk in any sense of the word.

Prototype_Khukuri.JPG


This is a quick "sketch" I did the other night before bed. The OAL is 19" and the useable handle area is about 5". That being said, I'm curious to hear your thoughts and opinions.

Thanks.
 
If this is something you think you'd like to see if HI might make, I'll be more than happy to pop it over to the main forum for Yangdu to look at :):thumbup:

Looks great
 
The guard is that way because I couldn't see a reason not to really. I'm curious what problems people think it could cause?

Steely, I'd love to do more work on the design and have HI make it, but I'm too poor right now. ;)
 
Duzzy said:
The guard is that way because I couldn't see a reason not to really. I'm curious what problems people think it could cause?
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In my opinion, form should follow function...which means if it doesn't have a reason to be that way, then it shouldn't be that way. Just my .02 cents. The thing about the guard that way (beside fact that it doesn't have a reason) is that it limits the usefulness of the handle. You can't grip the handle up near the blade without the guard running into your wrist. See what I mean?

Other than the guard, neat design! I like the curved pommel for retention!
 
Taken in another direction, this could turn into a neat-looking khuk/bowie hybrid.

But just to be fair, why DOES the guard extend backward?
 
kronckew said:
somebody put the guard on upside down, otherwise nice little klo.
Click to expand...

As you're not the only one to address this, I'll explain it all at one time, just further on in the post. ;)

Cpl Punishment said:
K, I'll aks:

What's up with the guard?
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Ditto for you. ;)

Frostyfingers said:
In my opinion, form should follow function...which means if it doesn't have a reason to be that way, then it shouldn't be that way. Just my .02 cents. The thing about the guard that way (beside fact that it doesn't have a reason) is that it limits the usefulness of the handle. You can't grip the handle up near the blade without the guard running into your wrist. See what I mean?

Other than the guard, neat design! I like the curved pommel for retention!
Click to expand...

I absolutely agree that form should follow function.

[explanation]
My first goal in designing this was the specific blade shape. I wanted the chopping power of the dog-leg blade design, but something that I could comfortably and accurately stab with. It would be more of a camp knife than a fighter, but occassionally you need to dig, or stab into wood, or fish, etc. and I know that I could not safely and comfortably do that my my CAK (Yes, I know that I have the Karda.). The handle ergonomics just don't work for me.

That brings us to the handle. First of all; I really like the way it looks. I admit that unabashedly, but--by the same token I also asked for opinions because it needs to be functional.

The pommel curve serves/would serve two purposes. One, I don't like the bell shape handle on my CAKs. If I choke back on the handle, but not to the very end, the top section of the bell digs into my wrist. So my thought with the pommel was to allow the user to choke all the way back for maximum chopping power without that same issue (Please note that the issue isn't a big one, and is only really pronounced when slicing air instead of actually chopping something.).

My second thought was that if the pommel were solid metal, it could also be used as an impact device for pounding stakes, killing fish, driving a wooden wedge, or to keep your bunkmate from snoring.

The guard... Originally the guard was symmetrical, meaning that it had the curve on the top and bottom of the blade. But then it occured to me that I probably didn't need both of them and, not wanting to simply recreate the Falcata, I dropped the bottom one. Mostly for looks, but I justified it to myself by saying that it would allow for deeper battoning.
[/explanation]

I guess my question to you would then be:

Are you advocating no guard? Or just a different type of guard?

This knife would be over a foot and a half long; so I'm wondering what I would be doing that would require choking up on the blade?

I'm genuinely curious what you have to say on the matter, so if you have time I'd love a more in depth discourse.

HARPERSGRACE said:
I would turn the guard the other way or its going to dig into your hand if it slide foreward
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See below.

But just to be fair, why DOES the guard extend backward?
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Why is it curved back? In the guard would be round all the way around so my thought was that it would catch the webbing between your thumb and index finger.
 
Duzzy said:
Prototype_Khukuri.JPG


This is a quick "sketch" I did the other night before bed. The OAL is 19" and the useable handle area is about 5". That being said, I'm curious to hear your thoughts and opinions.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Duzzy you have the beginning of a very interesting knife, with the exception of the guard. Over millennial years of experience most folks have came to the conclusion that unless it's on a fighter a guard on the upper side of a knife becomes a hindrance instead of a benefit.
Actually the guard would be better served if it were simply straight or gently tapered the other way as in the way Ed Fowler makes his high powered users. Another thing is it shouldn't hang below the edge of the blade which would aid in battoning anything all the way through.

.
 
Nicholas said:
Hmmm.....maybe a straight half-guard in front, with a sub-hilt might look nice......
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A straight half guard in front would be ideal or close to it. :) Stay away from the sub-hilt, they do look cool but in reality a PITA, even on a fighter as your limited in the amount of grips you can hold it with.:(

.
 
My first thought was the same as kronckew's.

Reverse the guard, and should be a good piece. :)

John
 
khukuri do come on occasion with guards
11-02-09%20005.jpg

from a recent dotd

while i personally think that one is a bit over-done (guard too long for the thickness) and don't care for the grip itself, looks too cylindrical - one more traditional like the one to the left (or the chiruwa to the right) would have been better (a ring pommel chiruwa grip like the kerambit but a bit bigger would have been really cool). (they also come in d-guard and tulwar style, the tulwar ones also look awkward, tho they are historically viable.)

the 'S' shape with the upper guard curving away from the hand and the lower one curving to protect the fingers is a design developed over the centuries when peoples lives depended on their blades far more than now.

the one sketched here, with the guard more correctly placed would look better and be a better all-around user KLO.
 
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Yeah, if the guard was the right way, and the shape was kept- but thinner- it'd be a really neat piece.

J
 
i'm thinking along these lines, a dinky 6-8" blade, kopis-like EDC utility knife.
klo.jpg


like this 16" bladed damascus kopis (22" overall), but more utilitarian. and smaller
kopis2.jpg


HI of course make a non-damascus version of this with a brass lionhead pommel

they also make a larger 'falcata' that i am not terribly fond of, it's a bit big.
 
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Oh, yes: the KLO looks much nicer with the guard switched around. That way, it fits perfectly with the curved pommel.

If we could just smooth out the transition into the recurve portion of the blade (that little "corner") then that would be the next step. That way, it might look a little better, AND be easier to sharpen at that point.
 
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