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I've run across an issue with the butt caps coming loose, is this an old problem that's been resolved?
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- Thread starter 245Trioxin
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I'd imagine the cap getting loose would be due the wood or horn drying out? Perhaps soaking it in BLO would bring the wood back and settle the cap?
Is this an older HI blade? Is the buttcap very loose or just a little loose (like you can move it by pushing it sideways)?
Most HI khukuris have the buttcap fastened in two ways. There is laha (a Himalayan natural epoxy) under the buttcap. Also, the tang goes all the way through the handle and is peened over a small "keeper" (a diagonal-shaped washer) that holds the cap in place.
One way to tighten the buttcap is to tap the peened-over steel with a small hammer. Sometimes that works.
Another way is to cover the end of the handle in waterproof plastic and immerse it in hot water. That melts the laha, which might have come loose, and when the laha dries it might grab the buttcap properly.
If the buttcap is only a little loose, you can run some superglue along the edge. The superglue will wick its way into the the gap between the butt and the cap, evenif it's a hairline gap. That has worked for me a couple of times, and it's quick and easy. If the gap is too wide to fill with superglue you can use epoxy.
If you can post closeup pictures, people can give more specific advice.
Most HI khukuris have the buttcap fastened in two ways. There is laha (a Himalayan natural epoxy) under the buttcap. Also, the tang goes all the way through the handle and is peened over a small "keeper" (a diagonal-shaped washer) that holds the cap in place.
One way to tighten the buttcap is to tap the peened-over steel with a small hammer. Sometimes that works.
Another way is to cover the end of the handle in waterproof plastic and immerse it in hot water. That melts the laha, which might have come loose, and when the laha dries it might grab the buttcap properly.
If the buttcap is only a little loose, you can run some superglue along the edge. The superglue will wick its way into the the gap between the butt and the cap, evenif it's a hairline gap. That has worked for me a couple of times, and it's quick and easy. If the gap is too wide to fill with superglue you can use epoxy.
If you can post closeup pictures, people can give more specific advice.
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My first khukri will be the Sirupati, I was just unaware of the butt cap loosening. As far as using a wood handle, I have experience with
tropical hardwoods like ebony, kamagong, and African blackwood and I always use lacquer to protect the wood. it also has an amazing ability to
keep wood from cracking and looks great.
tropical hardwoods like ebony, kamagong, and African blackwood and I always use lacquer to protect the wood. it also has an amazing ability to
keep wood from cracking and looks great.
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- May 9, 2002
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Loose buttcaps are pretty rare, but I have had one or two over the last decade and a half. The the first thing to try is giving the handle a drink of oil to plump it up. They tend to shrink in the arid Reno climate. Every one of them that this didn't work on was corrected with a couple of taps on the peened tang with a hammer. Never had an issue with one after that.
Welcome to the forum
Welcome to the forum
timcsaw
Gold Member
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Loose buttcaps are pretty rare, but I have had one or two over the last decade and a half. The the first thing to try is giving the handle a drink of oil to plump it up. They tend to shrink in the arid Reno climate. Every one of them that this didn't work on was corrected with a couple of taps on the peened tang with a hammer. Never had an issue with one after that.
Welcome to the forum
Steely.... Do you actually soak the handle (wood) in BLO (Boiled Linseed Oil)? If so, for how long?? Hours? Overnight? Days?
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What David and Steely said sums up my knowledge on the subject as well, though ive never experienced the issue or seen it personally.
However, I'm a little confused. You say in the OP that you've had problems with "butt caps" coming loose, but then in the next post that a Sirupate "will be" your first khukuri. And you have another thread asking wait time on a Siru, so I'm assuming you don't yet have said Siru. So is it other khukuri manufacturers you've had issues with, or second-hand HI knives not considered "first," or do you mean "run across" as "heard about?" Just curious!
Welcome to the forum and beware the wallet-killing HIKV!!
However, I'm a little confused. You say in the OP that you've had problems with "butt caps" coming loose, but then in the next post that a Sirupate "will be" your first khukuri. And you have another thread asking wait time on a Siru, so I'm assuming you don't yet have said Siru. So is it other khukuri manufacturers you've had issues with, or second-hand HI knives not considered "first," or do you mean "run across" as "heard about?" Just curious!
Welcome to the forum and beware the wallet-killing HIKV!!
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Great info
What David and Steely said sums up my knowledge on the subject as well, though ive never experienced the issue or seen it personally.
However, I'm a little confused. You say in the OP that you've had problems with "butt caps" coming loose, but then in the next post that a Sirupate "will be" your first khukuri. And you have another thread asking wait time on a Siru, so I'm assuming you don't yet have said Siru. So is it other khukuri manufacturers you've had issues with, or second-hand HI knives not considered "first," or do you mean "run across" as "heard about?" Just curious!
Welcome to the forum and beware the wallet-killing HIKV!!
Just a guess, but when he said "run across" he probably meant run across old posts about it.
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This guys has come lose, granted he has owned it for 12 years. [video=youtube;9lPiHG3y12Q]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lPiHG3y12Q[/video]
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Good to know it's not a huge deal.
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Sorry about the delay. CRAZY week at work
It just depends. I usually just do a soak if I can. BLO is a good go-to, but I've had luck with basic deck sealant. I usually let the handle sit in the oil for an hour or better, then take it out, wipe it down, dry it off a bit, and maybe hit it with some steel wool. You'd e surprised how much oil a handle will drink
Oh, to the OP, FANTASTIC nod to what my very well be the best zombie movie of all time