Okay to mod an HI Kukri?

orca8589

orca8589

Joined
Jan 27, 2007
Messages
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I just offered to repair or re-handle an HI Kukri for a member here, and a question just occurred to me: is it appropriate for a member to repair and/or modify a kukri made by one of HI's Kamis?

I know there's a certain level of pride and spirituality integral to Nepali culture, and I don't want to offend or insult a maker who has put great effort into creating these knives.

~Chris
 
I personally don't see an issue, a lot of use "personalize" khukuris that we had bought.
 
The khukuri is a national icon for Nepal, but it is also a commonplace tool. Repair and rehandling are done all the time, in Nepal or anywhere else, especially for blades that see a lot of day to day use, or are exposed to bad weather.

People also do things like giving an extra fine polish to a wood handle, which sometimes greatly increases the beauty (especially for Neem wood). Our beloved and feared moderator, Bawanna, does checkering of some handles. Some HI blades come with the forging scales left on, and some owners prefer to remove them. Some owners pay leatherworkers to make more substantial or artistic sheaths for their khukuris.

There is no offense or insult in what you offered to do.
 
FEARED? Of what? I try to play nice most of the time really. I'm kind of sensitive you know.

Chris, I used to share your exact same thoughts (no doubt on a lower IQ level). Didn't want to mess with them.
I think the Kamis love to see their pieces used and loved, that's what they are for.
Generally we only refine areas that need refining. Handles shrink, crack etc. Better to fix them and keep them going than toss them aside.
I no longer have reservations about what I hope will be improvements. There are times they are so nice I hate to mess with them but the owner makes the call.
 
I mod mine all the time. I think a Kami would be more upset if you didn't make it useable for your needs.
 
orca8589 said:
I just offered to repair or re-handle an HI Kukri for a member here, and a question just occurred to me: is it appropriate for a member to repair and/or modify a kukri made by one of HI's Kamis?

I know there's a certain level of pride and spirituality integral to Nepali culture, and I don't want to offend or insult a maker who has put great effort into creating these knives.

~Chris
Click to expand...
Chris, it's only forbidden to modify your khukuri if.....

you don't post pics!
 
Thanks for the responses guys. Much appreciated.

stwm - W.I.P. pics are definitely in order.

Bawanna - I turned 50 a month ago. I swear what little I.Q. I seem to have left is falling out with my hair. :p

~Chris
 
Yeah - these are intended to be used. I think you honor the original maker by adding to his work and keeping the blade "alive".

Off topic-
You guys are hinting at senility - :confused:. Here ^ is this post I wrote last night and then went on to read some other threads. Never posted the reply. Came back here this AM to catch up and found my "draft" saved at the bottom of the page.:cool: Old dude gets saved by software.:)

Ray
 
Yangdu's father Pala put a new handle on a Gelbu Special and reportedly used the closed cho as the hole for the first rivet, as shown in this thread:

philllll said:
...

IMG_2429_zps937dc26a.jpg~original


This is a Gelbu by Dil kami, re-handled by Pala when he was visiting the U.S. several years ago. A very special knife, indeed!
Click to expand...
 
That was an amazing piece of work right there. Put some major effort, thinking and planning into that. Turned out superb.
 
Hey everyone. I’m the lucky guy that Chris is graciously helping out. Personally I’d love to see some wip pictures if Chris is so inclined.

The whole mess is on me. I never oiled the horn handle and the end cap worked loose and eventually fell off. I got it a Long time ago 05-ish.
 
All the more ok if it's a needed repair. I've heard it's quite common in Nepal where maintenance isn't really high on the activity list.

Handles need to be replaced due to age, abuse, etc.

We all love pictures. Progress shots would be nice.
 
Uh-oh... I guess wrapping it in duct tape & paracord isn't gonna cut it this time. Oh man, what did I get myself into...

Just kidding. :p I'll definitely post WIP pics. I have a 25+ year-old block of teak that's kinda sitting there lonely on the shelf, that may find its way onto that kukri tang.

I'm looking forward to this one. I also have a CAK that has a handle that needs attention, and I'm re-hanging several axes & hatchets as well. It's kind of a relaxing activity for me... when I'm not being lazy and staring at online forums all day... ;)

As far as how that kukri handle & tang looks inside, that one looks pretty good. I had a couple of old American-made hunters down to the tang, and the crud that can get under there (especially animal blood & innards) can destroy the integrity of a knife handle in short order.

~Chris

ps - I have nothing against paracord, I just don't like it on knife handles. In heavy use, it destroys my hands PDQ.
 
Bring on the W.I.P. pictures! :thumbsup: I've modified and repaired a few Khukri's and other H.I. knives over the years. If it didn't work for me as is, I changed things so that it would. Never even considered it an issue. :confused: Am looking forward to more pictures!!
 
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