Panawal handle loose

O

OMRie

Joined
Nov 2, 1999
Messages
267
Hey Craig, happy holidays! I can't wait for things to come after your trip to Nepal.

Anyway, I was out chopping wood with my Panawal today, and noticed a little movement in one of the rosewood scales. The pins look alright and I don't notice any vibration but is this cause for concern?

For heavy chopping, has anyone compared, say, a panawal to a 15 inch AK? Which one feels better or is sturdier? If the full tang a better design than the spike? Later.
 
Thanks for writing about the Panawal - Due to the design, the loose scale is not a functional (cutting) problem, but is something that you should take care of for safety and aesthetic reasons. I'd suggest using a strong epoxy (ask Mad Dog about his favorite mixture). Ultimately, you can send it to me for repair, but I think the repair is so simple that it won't warrant spending money on postage.

As for the AK/Panawal comparison, the Panawal actually has an AK blade. Steven has an actual spike tang AK from GH that he'll be happy to talk about. He doesn't have a Panawal, but maybe somebody who has both can chime in here.

Incidentally, due to Steven and my love for his thus-far only GH AK, I've ordered a bunch more for Christmas delivery. I am getting the traditional AKs with spike tangs, but am also getting some 15 and 18 inchers with panawal styled handles - some in rosewood and others in waterbuffalo horn. I did this because several people wanted a balance between the Panawal and the 20 inch AK, and I'm also finding that some of the panawals are arriving on the small size.

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
OM, I have an AK, and I also have a Panawal. They're both terrific khuks. However, my 15" Panawal isn't quite up to par with my 16" AK in terms of chopping ability. Not only is the AK longer, its blade is thicker, and its handle is a bit larger, which adds to its advantage when used for chopping. In terms of sheer ruggedness and durability, I don't think that anyone is going to break or wear out either khuk. Khukuri design and construction has been refined over a period of hundreds of years.



 
OMRie,

E-mail me your mailing address and I can send you a stick of PIG PUTTY - moldable epoxy stick (be SURE to wear rubber gloves when kneading it!). It may, or may not be TOO thick to squish into the loose handle of the Panawal (the gap I am sure is pretty small, wood swells and shrinks with temperature changes and humidty of course). A thinner epoxy may work better (but straight epoxy over the thickess of 1.6mm/ 1/16" is brittle) because it can seep into the cracks better. If you try to use a thinner epoxy (yes, ALWAYS were gloves - mix/fold w/ a stick) back up the area with some masking tape to catch the extra. Do one side at a time for best coverage of glue - a slower set epoxy is desired over the 5 minute/FAST kind.
I like the Devcon brand - lots of hardware type stores carry it.

If some one else wants to try some PP - e-mail me, we have some older stock that we need to use up before it gets outdated (otherwise it gets trash bound).

Just my thoughts.
smile.gif



Ray 'md2020'
 
Hey guys, thanks for the advice. Maddog, thanks for the offer but I'll try the thin epoxy. The crack isn't even visible.

Craig, how much will the 18 inch AK's be and how heavy are they? A 20'inch AK at 3 pounds sounds a little intimidating. Later.
 
I don't know how much the 18 inch AKs will be (as I haven't even received a "bill" from Lalit yet), but rest assured, it will be commensurate with my normal reasonable pricing structure.

One of the reasons I'm going "AK" is because I don't believe there is enough differentiation weight wise between the Bhojpure and the Service Number One. Yes, I do get Bhojpures on the big side, but the AK blade has no equal.

I'm going to post another topic asking advice for an inventory change - so make sure to look for it and give your input.

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
Concerning epoxies for repairing handles and such, you can get them with the ability to flex. These are much better if the materials are going to come under and kind of impact on a regular basis (as opposed to a brute full pull) as the glue will distort to absorb the strain. Epoxies that bend are a little weaker than those that do not but the strength difference does not make them critically weak.

As a reference point I glued the blade of a machete to a plank and after it dried tried to pull it off. I could not break the bond to the blade or to the wood, eventually the blade snapped after tearing patches of wood from the surface of the board. The board was old though, it would be interesting to know what would give assuming it was a new piece with no surface flaws. A nice piece of maple for example.

-Cliff
 
I need some advice. The scales on the panawal dont have a gap, they're sliding back and forth. What would be the best way to apply the epoxy and get it down between the wood and the tang?

Also do you guys know anyone who could put a new handle on for me in case this epoxy thing does'nt work? While the current handle is long enough, my fingers are kinda long and after a lot of chopping they get a little cramped. I'd like a fatter handle. Ive thought about wrapping medical tape around it to fatten it up. Any input is appreciated.


 
Recently I had to fix a machete with a similar problem. The handle slabs had cracked in two and it was not usuable. To fix it I simply applied epoxy along the top and bottom of the slabs and across the crack. I then cord wrapped the handle. This both gave me something to hold onto and increased the strength of the bond.

Will Kwan has also described how he uses a syringe for injecting epoxy with good results.

For making a new handle, there are epoxies that can do this just this. You would simply apply it to the tang and after it cured sand to shape. Most hardware stores will carry them. Of course do some experimentation before trying it out on a khukuri.

Craig, the ones I haven't used yet pretty much look like new.

-Cliff
 
OMRie,

If the epoxy doesn't work out for you, I can help you out in the handle department. I have a lot on the plate (Panawal, and others...LOL), BUT if you aren't in a rush for it I can make up a fatter/thicker handle for your Panawal (I can experiment with my crazy ideas, too). Don't dissect it - send it as it: the loose ones serve as a great learning tool, IMHO.

As I have stated on the HI forum, I will not accept any kind of payment for the work I do. It is out of courtesy for my BF brothers - keeps me out of trouble, and it is fun.
smile.gif


Ray 'md2020'

 
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