Most comfortable handle...

Apothecary

Apothecary

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Oct 28, 2000
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Handling a number of khukuris got me thinking...what is the most comfortable handle configuration? Oval versus round? Egg shaped diameter? Are there other factors to consider?

What do you think?
 
I don' t know if there is any one most comfortable handle. I find that it depends on the blade size, center of balance and weight, as well as what I am using it for. For carving, it is hard to beat a Mora knife with its oval, tapered on both ends handle. I have not decided what I like best for chopping. I think the handle is intergral to the knife itself. What is comfortable on one blade may not be on a different one.
 
Koz,
Prob. wood, round with ring not too prominet!The wood
engraved handle works fantastic when it's long enough!
jim
 
I love the Chainpuri style handle. Like Uncle said, they are very easy to hold onto. I also like handles with an egg-shaped cross-section. They have a less of a tendency to turn in your hand than the handles with a round cross-section.
 
:
I have to go along with the Chainpur handle and an egg shape as ideal.

However the oval beats out the round IMO.
It's really hard for me to hang onto the round handles.
 
The M43/Budhume hybrid Uncle just sent me actually flares a little from the butt-plate toward the bolster (i.e. lengthwise), otherwise it's round. This flaring out acts to keep the hand from sliding forward and seems to follow the natural opening-closure of the hand quite well. Very comfortable. There is no uncomfortable traditional 'ring' on this handle.

{As soon as I find someone with a digital camera I'll post some photos of this Khukuri :) }
 
Bill,

I've never hear of the Budhume before? Is that the name or did you mean to type Budhini?
 
The 4" horn handle on my latest, a 14" Sirupati, allows just my little finger between the ring and the butt cap. The section between the ring and the bolster is oval, and about 1 1/8" by 1". With the horn well polished, I can move very quickly from forward to reverse grip and still retain a safe hold. Even though I have to choke up, with my thumb on the flat of the bolster, this is a very comfortable small grip, but my hand had to "learn" it. The Malla handle, at 5" by 1 1/4" by 1 1/8" is much more solid in my hand, but not quite as mobile.
 
While most of my khukuris are quite comfortable in my hand, the one that truly stands out is the handle by Prakash on my 16.5" WWII.

Uncle Bill has even remarked to me that Prakash was a master at handles; and this from a man who has had more khukuris in his hands than Carter has had liver pills.

Blues
 
The rate at which the handle narrows is also important. If the handle is a constant thickness my hands will slide. The result is a blister.

Will
 
Mention has been made of the ring in the middle of the handle. I find that I am more comfortable if it is more pronounced than if it barely dimples the handle. It also ensures a solid grip and does not slide in my hand.

Does anyone else feel the same way?
 
I like the ring too, Harry. A little something extra to hand onto.

Thanks, all, for valued input.
 
I have one 20" HI chainpuri, and it drives me nuts. It came with a carved wood scabbard, and they carved the handle too, in two places about 5/8" wide and absolutely ruined it's usefulness. I can't swing it without the carving at the back abrading the heel of my palm, and the carving in front of the raised rings prevents smooth shifting in the hand of an otherwise marvelously light ( it makes a 20" Sirupati feel fat and clumsy ) and nimble fighter that begs to be used. But it's too pretty to remove and matches the scabbard. DRAT!!!

My two 17" chainpuri villagers are another matter, being uncarved and therefore smooth. The top horn at the back on the 14 oz. is small enough to not be obtrusive and on the 20 oz. needed only the least dehorning.

As the result of dropping ( and chipping the top rear point ) of a 19" chainpuri handled village Sirupati it's been reshaped to an egg shaped pommel area. I think this is my favorite handle for a working khuk. The extra-sized pommel area means that much more to grab when things get sweaty and start to slip.

( You are talking to a guy who grabbed the barrel of a 14" contender in 35 Remington that jumped out of my hand just before the front sight went past my ear. With the same sweaty hand it jumped out of. DON'T DISCOUNT LAST CHANCE SAVES. Don't count on them either, but... )

The early standard handles ( with scrolled buttcap ) either work for you, work for you with minimal dehorning, or you're out of luck. The later ones with flat sheet brass can be reshaped to a far larger degree. Because these tend to have either horn or wood handles where the chainpuri's only use wood as a rule, the difference in size between a WWII or AK of horn versus wood will be insignificant. Therefore their pommel areas are smaller, which I prefer on a fighter type blade.

On the ring, it depends. On a working blade, and properly placed and shaped I think it enhances control and safety.

What I'm gonna do with that accursed carved Cainpuri, ( yes, I spotted the typo, but it's too good a freudian slip to edit out ) I don't know. Maybe replace it with an ivory handle and havily scrimshaw the same pattern in brown ink, then inset a few pieces of ivory into the scabbard.

Enough pontification. I keep this up, I'll start thinking I know something about khukuries.
 
Egg-shaped, narrow-end front. Follows the contour of your grip and indexes the blade very nicely. And I like roughened horn for durability.

I like an intermdiate ring that fits naturally between my last two fingers. Indexes the grip and gives you a little extra anti-slipping insurance.

And I'm finally back!! What a bee-yotch of a week I've had. :( But good to "see" y'all again. :)
 
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