Kukri spines & other construction variations: preferences

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Moonw

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Nov 19, 2014
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Well-defined shoulders, or less-pronounced (rounded) shoulders? More or less angle between the two blade segments? Any performance considerations related to aforementioned variations? When two blades have the same weight, do you prefer the longer or the more compact version? Rings, or no handle rings? Straight or curved handles?

My preferences, from the little experience I have: I like a less abrupt shoulder, aesthetics senses rather tickled by the rounded shoulders (they look more old school, although historical examples with pronounced shoulders do exist). Angles, I 'd rather have more than less...subjective much, but it looks "more of a kukri" and handles differently this way. Too much of a noob to make any comments on performance yet. Re: the weight to length ratio, my future tests should allow me to get an educated opinion later, I'm thinking about a lever being "better" when longer, should apply to sharp objects as well; a more or less forward-balanced blade introduces another variable, though. Got the M43 thinking it will be more comfortable, missing the ring and all, but initial assessment of a handle with ring shows it can be just as comfortable - some more serious tests should answer this question for good. (I'm the "IT city boy" with just as many calluses on my hands as country people, working with animals and all, I don't know why I even thought a ring could be that bad :o.) For some reason, a curved handle looks better - but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
 
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It is a valid response!

I'm just curious what makes other drool; I'm sure there's a wide array of tastes around here ("out there?"), you guys that are into anything are the most dangerous sharks and make the khuks sell like hot cakes :p.
 
I think for most khuks I prefer the straight/well-defined shoulders, but on something slim the full curve looks really nice, like a hanshee.

As far as handles I prefer the standard hidden tang and yes on the handle ring. If you use the right grip the ring isn't uncomfortable at all, and gives a really good solid feeling with no slippage.
 
All khukuri of various shapes and sizes look good to me! I like both stypes of handles equally for different reasons. I prefer a more curved spine and a handle ring as well, albeit I love my m43 to death. I also love a slightly curved handle, looks good and feels even better!
 
Contributing my two pence: I really enjoy the curved spines, particularly when coupled with the traditional handle length and of course it should have rings on the handle. The Hanshee is NOT that pleasing to me to look at, but a nice Havildar is. I like the shoulders to be very neatly formed and a blade length of 15 inches for utility work and 18 for aesthetics and my personal taste. Relatively thick spines are de rigor. Prime examples are my curved spine and M43. Devanagari writing engraved on the spines of custom khukuri have become important to me because I think it looks attractive, my ego gets fed from having different verbiage added to suit my current mood, and it gives Kamidog something to try and decipher...and it makes my khuks stand out from the crowd. Ego again.
 
I tend to like wood handles in the traditional style (slightly curved handles,, hidden tang, handle ring). I like the angled shoulders (but, I do love some of my curved spines as well though), and generally prefer the lighter models; however, models meant to be heavy choppers, I like them to be beefy.
 
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I tend to like the curved spines more, and the downcurving grip like older khuks. I also like them light more often than not-well executed they can have a thick spine and not be too heavy. The weight doesn't bother me using them, but it does pull my pants down :)
An interesting side note: when I train with a khuk with a heavily downcurved grip, stopping it at the end of a cut puts noticably more strain on the wrist than a straighter grip even if the straight grip khuk is heavier. That makes me think it transfers momentum further out the arc of the cut. Never really noticed it cutting stuff, beyond the angle, but I can sure feel it in my wrist.
 
While I don't own many HI knives and kukris, I do prefer the V-spines over the flat. I haven't yet gotten a chance to own a curved spine or a curved handle kukri as of yet. One day I plan on having at least a hanshee and an M43.
 
I'm into the old school traditional look myself. Short curved down handle w/ring.

My curved spine by Thamar (which incidentally is even cooler than Bookies) is one of my favorites both to look at and to hold. I haven't chopped anything with it yet, almost did last weekend but didn't do it.

Partial tang or full tang really doesn't matter as much to me anymore, both are fine if properly put together the way HI does it.

Same with wood or horn. I used to be avid wood, now I'm fine either way. Variety is....well I can't remember but something to do with life, spice or sugar or candy or something.
 
Hoping another one of those non chiruwa lighter dui chirra shows up again. What did those weigh? Something like 23 oz right?
 
Thamar's work is indeed something special, it all screams old school and on top of that his blades are usually lighter.
 
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