M43 style grip vs traditional grip-origins?

J W Bensinger

J W Bensinger

Joined
Mar 26, 2009
Messages
2,228
The title pretty much says it. I always assumed the M43 style grip was designed by westerners who didn't grok the purpose of the ring on the traditional hilt- but I'm sure one of you guys has put some thought into it. Not trying to harsh on the ringless grip-I don't particularly like them, but to each his or her own. Love to hear everybody's experiences with both styles as to usability and comfort as well.
 
well from my own knives even those from the late 18th century had the raised ring, usually with some designs on them, I think smooth grip would be just local ease, as the ring thing takes more time especially before they had wood lathes , mostly guessing :D
 
I'm pretty sure the M43 tubules style dates back to at least word war II as I've seen quite a few ringless m43 from that era. I personally love it, the mk2 with ring and m43 without are my two favorite models. Some people find the ring uncomfortable and I can see why, as westerners we aren't used to it so quite a few prefer smooth scales.
 
My understanding was that the loss of the ring on MKII's during WWII was more due to the need for speed and ease of manufacture (plus it saves on wood) than anything else. The ring makes a return in the MKIII and MKIV

Here are my MKII's.
IMG_0828_zps794991f0.jpg


Top is a 1916 Boota Singh & Sons
Middle is an unmarked pioneer style MKII
Bottom is a stamped M43 MKII

Personally I much prefer the handle on the 1916 version
IMG_0841_zpsebb2b2c7.jpg
 
You know I don't think a lathe is involved even today. None of the handles are round, they are all oval on both chiruwa and the hidden tang type. I think there's a lot of hand work putting that ring in there.

That's a beautiful set you got there Silverjohn.
 
Bawanna said:
You know I don't think a lathe is involved even today. None of the handles are round, they are all oval on both chiruwa and the hidden tang type. I think there's a lot of hand work putting that ring in there.

That's a beautiful set you got there Silverjohn.
Click to expand...

There is no lathe. it is all hand work.
Generally a block of wood is affixed (or slabs) and they are then roughed out with another small khukuri. Then shaped by file and finished with emery cloth.
 
I thought so. I actually do a lot of roughing with a retired hoof rasp (the smoother side). That's how I set the rough dimensions of the ring.
 
fair point, I am glad they don't lathe it , I am not a craftsman so I fail to recognize the facts that outline this , like the curve in the grip, that would not make it possible-- my love for HI never dies!
 
Even in WWII they made Mk. IIs with and without ring. Spiral even has a pic of an M43 with a ring! It's been discussed a few times and no one seems to have the reason as to why the ring was dropped on some Mk. IIs. Maybe manufacturing ease? The only other reason I could think of to remove the ring is that different hands need a different ring location. It was back on the Mk. III which came in 1944. I've removed two rings from user khuks for being in the wrong place. Sometimes they lay right under my ring finger and force a grip too far ahead or to the rear. Khukuri are a real mystery. Almost everything about why they did one thing or another with them is rumor, speculation, or just a SWAG (Semi-Wild A** Guess):D That mystery is part of the draw. Take care.
 
Gehazi said:
fair point, I am glad they don't lathe it , I am not a craftsman so I fail to recognize the facts that outline this , like the curve in the grip, that would not make it possible-- my love for HI never dies!
Click to expand...

Didn't aim to make you fall on your khukuri there Gehazi but I was falling on it and I knew it was gonna hurt really bad. I deflected it and it missed me and got you instead. Probably not manly of me, I should have taken one for the team ya know. A bawanna for the cause, an arm for a head.....I need to study up on my Gurkha philosophy. I think I want to be one.
 
lol yeah I am not falling on anything dont worry, I have said many times I collect these because I love the art of them, not because I know all about knife making or knife using :D
 
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