My New Dui Chirra Bags Its Own Tree

Big Bob

Big Bob

Joined
Oct 13, 1999
Messages
1,731
Finally got my Dui Chirra by Bura from the 4/7 specials when I checked at the Post Office this morning. Yangdu said in her email that she’d sent it out on the 7th, so I can only wonder how long its been sitting there at the PO. Anyway, got it home and unwrapped it. The DC is an impressive specimen which feels heavy for two pounds (must be the smallish handle). The mini tools and their antler handles look great. The only problem with them is that I can't get them to fit in nearly as tight as the k's and c's on my other khukuris, so they'll likely be left at home if I take the DC out camping. Despite Yangdu's careful packaging, a chip broke off from the front of the buttcap. I should have some epoxy/superglue somewhere in my house to fix it later.

The specs for my DC are as follows:

OAL: 21.5"
Blade: 16.5" x 2.5" x 5/16"
Weight: 32oz
Maker: Bura

I took the DC out back to the fenceline and picked out a tree to take down. The DC was more than adept at bringing it down. While chopping the tree up into sizeable logs, I discovered that the blade was prone to sticking into the wood. This might be due to the thin blade (despite me giving it a convex sharpening with sandpaper and mousepad). This slowed my progress but let me know that twisting, tugging, and pulling on the khuk didn't hurt it. The edge held up fine and was given a steeling afterwards as standard procedure for me. The handle gave me small blisters on the area of my palms below my pinky fingers. This is probably due to the main ring on the small handle. On the plus side, the handle held up fine from the workout I gave it. I’m sure Bura was mindful about making this partial tang khuk to be as tough as possible. ;)

I bought this khuk as a gap filler between my 18” AK/21” GS and my 22” GRS. The DC so far fits the bill.

Now for some picture links. The part of the tree where I cut it off at is just over 5” in diameter.



Apparently my digital camera decided to rebel. This was supposed to be a shot of where the handle chipped off at. At least you can see some of the logs that I made.


Bob
 
Bob,
As I'm sure Uncle Bill would have said, "Thanks for good report from the field". I'm really relieved to hear that the partial tang held up under heavy use - never had any doubt about the blade, which is twice as thick as the original. As far as carrying all the accessory tools in the field, they tend to make the rig pretty unwieldy even without worrying about losing one. Might make an interesting leatherwork project to make a separate tool pouch for belt or shoulder strap carry, or maybe to attach to your pack.
Glad you enjoy your DC and are putting it to good use. :)
Berk
 
Big Bob,
Both the Hanshee and the Hanuman I have are partial tangs, but they are pinned. The handles have remained tight.
I've been thinking about a way to carry the Hanuman, but haven't come up with a plan. If you do please share it. ( yes, I know there are ideas from the archives)

I like the notion that less shock is transmitted to your wrist with a partial tang than the full tang. It may even be true.



munk
 
Munk, I'm able to fit my belt through the two straps on the DC's scabbard. This lets me carry it with the handle pointed forward. The good thing about this is that the chape doesn't poke me in the leg while I'm walking.

I forgot to mention that the scabbard for this one is tighter than the ones on several of my khuks. If I turn it upside down the first 4-5" of blade will come out but the recurve catches in the scabbard. There is still a potential of injury from this I suppose but I prefer it to the entire blade just sliding right out. :eek:

As for the partial tang not producing as much vibration, I don't remember feeling much while I was chopping yesterday. I'll have to try it on some dead, hard wood sometime. I tried to avoid chopping with the last few inches as well, so that would probably have helped lessen any vibration as well.

Berk, the DC doesn't seem too unwieldly when I carry it in the manner described above, though I would still worry about the assessories.

Bob
 
I don't think the straps on my Hanuman would hold very long.

>>>>>>>

What with the Winter of Popping Trees, when it got so cold many of them in our forest simply blew apart, and the Spring storm knocking down more, it is Khukuri heaven here. There's a downed tree above my house, in the stream bed 100 yards from my property, across the bed, at the dump, at the picnic grounds, and from every fireroad or trail you can see trees tumbled down.


I rarely get to cut green wood. Sure makes a difference from the resiny old Pine I'm used to. I plan on stripping the tree above the stream by my house and hauling it back.

And I still have a enormous problem with a huge old growth pine now dead in my yard. You can't put your arms around it, it's big. But the direction of its growth is towards the neighbor's yard. Thus far, I haven't gotten the local characters together to take it down. Waiting for lighning to set it ablaze or crashing backwards into my home is not a nice thought.


munk
 
You know, in Summer the little Camp is open. A small fee, and it's almost never filled up. It has RV spaces and regular tent parcels. It's only a half mile from the general store and a mile from my house. And the town has two reasonable hotels and cabin operations. There's gold panning, fishing, woods, and lots of trees to whack.
Not a bad idea.

Yes, I will shoot for that in the farish future. Not sure when. We gots stuff to do on this house and plans already for the summer. I'll have to think about it. Would anyone actually come to Eastern Montana for a Khuk Konvention?


munk


.
 
Good report. According to forum lore, the partial tangs will hold up for a decade or two, at which point you need a trip to the sarki for a rehandle job. Lack of daily use and lack of sarkis should balance out, and you won't ever worry about the handle. :D

As far as a Montana Khonvention, I'd be game for a summer trip, but I'd probably want about 6 months lead time and a bit of luck to hit an uncongested week or two (for assorted ramblings in the area, not necessarily camping out in Munk's yard)
 
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