Newbie question - blisters and calluses

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rossab

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Jan 8, 2004
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Greetings.

I have chopped mountains of kindling using various machetes and mostly the "Woodsman's Pal", which is one heck of a chopper, if you haven't used one. I discovered the HI site, and became intrigued with Khukris, but I can't help but notice that the grips always show a flange or raised edge of some sort in the palm area. With extended use, that looks like an invitation to blisters and eventually callus formation in the palm of one's hand. Those of you who do use these implements often - is this a problem?

Ross
 
I used to use gloves, fearing that I'd get blisters. One day I went without the gloves and found that the khuk stayed put better in my bare hand. And no blisters. I figure that after a few hundred years the kamis pretty much know what works even if it looks odd compared to straight blades. Unless you have a small khukuri and huge hands the horn on the butt doesn't touch your palm but it does keep the thing from flying out of your hand when you get tired. Try it, you'll like it.

Frank
 
The first hour or two the first time you use the khukuri - the rings will give you hand pain...

However, if you are patient, after a few more "work sessions" you will adjust your grip, align yourself with the blade and its makers, and soon find the wisdom in the "keeper rings".

A khukuri is a dangerous weapon, but a flying khukuri is much worse! ;)
 
It's a manly tool...

"Debt is good, debt and callus is better"

:D
 
I got blisters once... maybe couple of times. Doesn't bother me any more so that must answer the question. The Kami's know what they are doing. IT is a classic design and earns the title 'foolproof' because of people like me. The rings serve a purpose. Your hand and skin make adjustment.




munk
 
This has come up several times and suggestions have included a "tighter" grip and sanding the edge of the raised ring. Since I don't have the problem, I have not tried the suggestions. (On the HI khukuris with their generous handles, the raised ring ends up between my little and third fingers.)
 
Welcome. You can always modify the grip some to suit your style. Most of the handles are big enough to allow you to adjust your grip to what works best for you. If you have large hands you can ask for a khuk with a larger handle. Some of the Kamis Sher and Kumar tend to make larger handles than the others. Enjoy.
Like said above you can and will be tempted to use these knives. Remember that when you get tired these things can turn on you. This is partly due to the curve in the blade. Be careful.:)
 
It doesn't matter what size your hand is; those rings will fit between one finger or another. Very rarely for my hand has a handle run out of grip. I always find the way that fits. Not the same for all my khuks.

Thinking about what Tom said, some people want the rings more pronouned, some people sand them down.
 
WHat hoghead said. Instead of an "axe" grip (with the hand perpendicular to the handle), you might try more of an open grip or swordsmans grip, where the khuk is laid across the palm in a more diagonal grip (the hand almost parallel with the handle, as with swords). This puts the heel of the hand a bit beside the pommel (butt) protrusions, and creates a stable swinging platform that seems to increase accruacy when you get used to it.

THis grip is also useful with certain swords with flat pommels that protrude, like a viking style pommel (which looks uncomfortable and impractical until you change yer grip). When held properly, they stabilize the tool in the hand, and act as a guide for the swing.

If you prefer the grip you already use, you can grind down the top flange of the butt a bit, as others have done in the past.

Keith
 
One last thing: wait,no...TWO last things:

First: Welcome.

Second: Unlike machete, axe, etc, the Khukuri works best (for me) if I allow the blade to snap into the cut; i.e., to hold it with my thumb and fore-finger and at the end of my swing, to whip it down...rather than using arm strength to make the entire cut. The other fingers retain grip, and keep it from slipping, but the pivot point is really the thumb and fore-finger.


Read safety tips first, please.

:)
 
it is that snap that delivers the strong and proper blow. Ye could be a swordsman with such a nimble grip!

Keith
 
Lots of good advice. One more paycheck to recover from Xmas - right now, I'm looking at the M43...:D
 
There is an old old chinese discipline called iron hands, which is a gradual way to toughen and strengthen hands over the course of many years. When yer done, yer hands are like leather, and you could grab a knife by the blade without cuttinng yer hand.

The technique invilves thrusting yer hands in a shuto-uke into a big bucket of grain like rice fer a while, then moving up to dried peas, then round stines, then marbles or stones, then increasing sizes of ball bearings. Quite a workout!

Caution - This will deaden all nerves in the hands and build up really thick callouses, which is good if yer a fighter but bad if you like to feel soft things, like women.

Keith
 
Soak those hands in salt water a couple of times and go to work. I haven't had any of my khuks bother me enough to need this type of assistance.:)
 
Ferrous- what are you telling him? He needs to stick his hands in a bucket of rocks before handling a khuk?? He doesn't know you're a fountain of data yet and might take you literally.

Anyone mentioned the 40 mile cross country run he'll have to endure in Montana in Fall, naked, before being deemed worthy for khuk ownership?

I'm still picking out rocks from my feet we could put into that bucket of yours, Ferrous.



munk
 
Originally posted by Ferrous Wheel
Caution - This will deaden all nerves in the hands and build up really thick callouses, which is good if yer a fighter but bad if you like to feel soft things, like women.

Keith
Click to expand...

Uhhh.....I'll go for lover rather than fighter, thanks.
 
LOL Ferrous Wheel and rossab, that's pretty funny. rossab, about blisters and callouses, I've had some problems before, but nothing too bad. The key is to keep the ring between two fingers and not to grip too tightly. Let the weight of the khuk do the work. If after a few sessions of use you find it's still uncomfortable sand the ring down a bit then try again. I advise against sanding it all off as you may regret it later (I do).
 
Hello and welcome!

Let the blade do the work: grip it securely but not death-grip. And take a rest every 10 minutes or so. Blisters usually form on your feet because of excess heat from friction. I suspect hands are the same. I've used them for half hour to one hour streches with no blisters. I wish I could say that about craton-handled stuff, but I can't. Horn or wood is simply better.

IMPORTANT: Always KNOW where that blade is going to go if you lose your grip or swing right through. These things cut so well they can surprise you. I find them much safer than hatchets, but I give them the same respect. As with any chopping tool, if you don't respect it you can get into serious trouble very quickly.
 
Now that I consider of it, I am used to blades parallel to the grip, where the khukuri is forward-angled relative to the grip axis. That will take some practice to get used to.

Continued thanks.

How does one carry one of these anyway? In pack, on belt, on pack strap? Hey, am I just asking questions that are in a FAQ somewhere?
:confused:

Ross
 
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