New BAS Owner Inquiry

B

bramankp

Joined
Mar 23, 2014
Messages
3
After doing a couple days' worth of research I ended up ordering a new HI BAS and it is a sight to behold (as all of you are already aware, I'm sure). :)

However, maybe I'm not interfacing with this thing correctly as (on occasion) the end of the handle sometimes digs into the palm of my hand near the wrist. It's a little sharp-ish where the wooden handle meets the brass(?) end cap and can get uncomfortable when swinging when I am holding ever-so-far-enough down the handle or do not have the blade rotated slightly to avoid it.

Is this a common condition and am I just not "getting" the handle?
 
Try holding it higher up.

If it still pokes you, you can use a file to carefully take the point off the top of the pommel.
 
Yes a little wood shrinkage is common (horn aslo). Ive filed down several of mine. Rub some mineral oil, Boiled linseed oil, or Tru-oil on the handle to prevent further shrinkage.
And welcome to the community bramankp!
 
You might have to file off only a very small amount to eliminate the discomfort. Work slowly and test between each turn with the file.

However, I suggest that you use the blade for a few days before doing any filing. Sometimes the hand adjusts to the handle. I have a huge, heavy khukuri with a large ring in the middle of the handle. First few times I picked it up I thought there was no way anyone could hold this without thick gloves. After a few days my hand found a way to cradle the ring so the handle feels pretty good.

In general the way one holds and swings a khukuri is different from most knives, so it's a good idea to get used to it before deciding to make modifications. That also applies to the weight, since HI blades tend to run a lot thicker and heavier than most knives of similar length.
 
All very interesting! I've been researching the Kukris myself for the last few days and have always admired them. I'm trying to choose one myself, how is the BAS so far otherwise? I'm in between the BAS and the AK so far.
 
Send the BAS back to HI and I will send the replacement one when shipment from Nepal arrives here.
 
TheManiot,
If you have been reading some of the threads here you are probably already aware that there are a few issues in Nepal right now. I just wanted to mention that so you would be aware that Auntie might not have a lot of stock on hand and that special orders are kind of backed up right now.
 
Shavru said:
TheManiot,
If you have been reading some of the threads here you are probably already aware that there are a few issues in Nepal right now. I just wanted to mention that so you would be aware that Auntie might not have a lot of stock on hand and that special orders are kind of backed up right now.
Click to expand...
Thank you Shavru, I think I'll get it with the Cho, it seems that it might improve the strength of the blade.
 
I really do think this is a case of a hand-built hilt and my personal hand just not interfacing correctly. Just this specific combination didn't work well.

philllll said:
Try holding it higher up.
Click to expand...

There's not a lot of room to move up the hilt. I'll be holding blade at that point and it just seems awfully dangerous and hard to swing with force like that.

davidf99 said:
You might have to file off only a very small amount to eliminate the discomfort.
Click to expand...

I'm not talking about that ridge in the middle of the hilt. I do agree that kind of threw me off a little but I don't find it as bothersome as the end where it digs into my palm near the wrist on the side away from my thumb.

TheManiot said:
I'm trying to choose one myself, how is the BAS so far otherwise?
Click to expand...

I really do like it despite the hilt bothering me.

Yangdu said:
Send the BAS back to HI and I will send the replacement one when shipment from Nepal arrives here.
Click to expand...

I'll get with you off-thread about it and we can work through it, thank you!

Mine looks a lot like this one with a really pronounced and sharp edge at the end of the spine of the hilt. My natural grip just has that edge digging into my palm while working with the blade for any non-trivial length of time. Someone with slightly smaller hands probably wouldn't notice it and a hilt with a more gradual curve at the spine probably wouldn't bother me.

Like I said, probably just a case of my particular hand and this particular hilt not agreeing with edge other. :)
 
Here is a CAK that I modified because it was poking me in the wrist. I took a file to the top half of the flare end, as you can see it is much shorter on top as compared to the bottom now. No problems any more. It's a little scary the first time you take a file to a beautiful knife like these, but as long as you are careful and take your time it will turn out just fine.

IMG_1797_zps1cf5368b.jpg~original



I don't have the BAS model but here is my grip on a similar 15" model. I try to choke up as high as I can and my thumb usually ends up on the brass bolster.

IMG_1802_zpse9625e69.jpg~original
 
Also if you have really big mitts, a larger model might suit you better. The handles tend to get longer and fatter as the blades get longer.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top