Modded my M43 Pics and review

M

mobileninja

Joined
Mar 17, 2011
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Just thought I would share in case anyone has had or is having the same problem I came across.

I decided to mod my Tirtha M43 handle to remove the rings that were a beauty to look at but not so comfortable for practical use. As per a previous thread, the rings seemed to be made more for looks than comfort and felt as if they would cause blistering in the hand after extended use. I also trimmed down the handle enough to fit my grip more.

Tools used:
Dremel Pen attachment
Sanding wheel and Grinding wheel

100 grit sand paper
250 grit sand paper
400 grit sand paper

Tung Oil


Before the modifications

5946358443_49b57c44b6_b.jpg


After the modifications and 1st layer of Tung Oil. I plan to use another 2 then do some sanding with 400. Notice the reddish color of the wood after just the first layer of tung. Almost blood red ;)

5946359579_49f2811586_b.jpg


I'll post a pic of the final product and review in the next few days.
 
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Looks great! I was actually afraid of how it would turn out when you expressed some trouble you ran into in another thread, but it looks perfectly done. Cheers!
 
Pretty Rosewood (or at least what looks like rosewood) grips! You're doing a good job. Please keep the pictures coming. In my opinion, an M-43 should have a curved handle and no rings. Me Likey!!
 
Ah the wood is Satisal. It had a cinnamon smell to it while I was sanding some of the dust got in my nose. After smelling the scent and seeing the wood raw after I sanded it down and then adding the Tung Oil I think my mind has changed about wood handles. It just feels more personal now. Also, I've modded a blem horn handle and it just hasn't given me the kind of satisfaction let alone stimulated my senses like this current project.

As for troubles, I ran into a few while trying to get rid of the engraved rings in the grip. I moved from dremel to finer grit sandpaper down to a 100 and the 100 helped to smooth out any of the uneven bumps I created from the dremel. From there I just sanded each side of the handle evenly till I got it to the size and shape that best fit my hand. In all fun stuff. I just got done applying the second coat of tung with a sponge.
 
Me likely, you did a great job on the handle man. Cant wait to see the final finish.
 
I agree this Satisal aka Rosewood looks great.
I like the modifications a lot, too. The accentuated pommel flare looks good and should feel secure. The narrowing of the grip will help the pinkie and ring finger to "lock on" and not slide forward, which is basically what the previous ring would have accomplished.
 
:thumbup: Very nice job!

Did you take the handle down far enough to have to tighten up the pins?
 
Nice job Mobile! I had great luck re-shaping my M-43 handle. Mine does not shine like yours though. I used Watco's Danish Oil and I believe I'm going to refinish it again to try to get some of that shine back. It came from Tirtha with a nice sheen. Maybe some wax will get the look I want. Anyway, your shape looks very comfortable. Tweaking these M-43s is easy since the handles are usually sized for a yeti as they arrive from BirGorkha. I like the rings on my WWIIs and my CAK, though the CAK ring is a wee bit sharp. The most comfortable ring, to me, by far is the one on my B-43. It's huge and came from the kami with sharp square corners. A little work and it's perfect.

I wish I would have caught on to your groove problem earlier. I would have likely left the cut grooves. From what I've seen, the original Mk II khuks had two sets of grooves. Some even had raised rings, IIRC. It seems kamis haven't changed much in the last 200 or so years. They all add thier own touch. Bill can tell you much more, but the grooves would be correct for the original model, just not the raised ring. I think yours turned out great they way you did it. You should love that khuk. Please give us the full review when finished. Take care.
 
Thanks for the comments folks. I'll have a review in the next day or two after I put it up against a tree on my hill. Here's the finished product. Just got done buffing it by hand. I went a 4th coat of tung and used a run of the mill clean kitchen cloth for the buffing.

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5953531052_abc213050d_b.jpg
 
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jdk1 said:
Nice job Mobile! I had great luck re-shaping my M-43 handle. Mine does not shine like yours though. I used Watco's Danish Oil and I believe I'm going to refinish it again to try to get some of that shine back. It came from Tirtha with a nice sheen. Maybe some wax will get the look I want. Anyway, your shape looks very comfortable. Tweaking these M-43s is easy since the handles are usually sized for a yeti as they arrive from BirGorkha. I like the rings on my WWIIs and my CAK, though the CAK ring is a wee bit sharp. The most comfortable ring, to me, by far is the one on my B-43. It's huge and came from the kami with sharp square corners. A little work and it's perfect.

I wish I would have caught on to your groove problem earlier. I would have likely left the cut grooves. From what I've seen, the original Mk II khuks had two sets of grooves. Some even had raised rings, IIRC. It seems kamis haven't changed much in the last 200 or so years. They all add thier own touch. Bill can tell you much more, but the grooves would be correct for the original model, just not the raised ring. I think yours turned out great they way you did it. You should love that khuk. Please give us the full review when finished. Take care.
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Your right. It was fairly easy sanding the handle down to preference given how thick it already was prior to removing the rings. I really did think about keeping the grooves on the handle but my hand wasn't steady enough on the dremel for me to keep them straight and I tend to try to perfect something like that to the point where I make it worse than before I started. Now that I know the original M43 had them it makes me want to turn back time by a day or so!

The new grip is extremely comfortable. In my garage I actually test swung it forward a handful of times and noticed my hand no longer felt as if it would lose grip on impact like it did prior to the work. The buffed Tung on the wood adds a little grip onto the handle as well. I think I now know what the M43 is all about.
 
Well mobileninga,

I was hoping for the best, but the final product certainly turned out to be a disappointment. I'm sure you are not going to want to be seen in public with that redhead so if you want to send her to a place where she won't be made fun of you can mail it to:

MkII Rescue, LLC.
Where all your early MkII kukri can get the rest and respect they deserve. MkII Rescue is a 5000 acre wooded reserve where your ugly old MkII's can play in the woods and enjoy their time without the bullying and jeers from the newer kukri on the block. Be rest assured they will all be cared for as if they were valuable members of our own family!
 
shortwinger said:
That was a joke above :) The silence was deafening.

You did a great job on that M43!
Click to expand...

Joke well taken. Actually the first time! :) I thought I responded but apparently I still have the smell of Tung oil clouding my brain. Thanks for the compliment. I took the khuk out in the yard yesterday and gave it a little swing time on an old tree stump. I have to say the thing is a chopping beast! The grip was extremely comfortable and easy to maneuver with. I was so impressed I toyed with the idea of modding all my wood khuks to the same style. The forward balance of the blade felt perfect. Each swing fell true to the sweet spot without even trying. It's as if the blade had a chopping mind of it's own. Compared to the YCS which is much lighter I think the fact that the M43 cuts so deep nulls out the fatigue factor. I love my YCS but think I've found a new favorite.
 
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