Proper grip?

G

Guy Thomas

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Feb 1, 2000
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Well I've used a khukuri for the first time and am I impressed! The khukuri is just a simply amazing tool!

I can see, though, that the handle is a little different than most anything Ive used before. Got any tips for proper grip? (Firm, loose, in between, holding near the ferrule or near the butt?)Or is this something that is a little different for everybody and every khuk?

Guy Thomas
 
I have found that it is different for everybody and every kuk, but I am pretty new to this also.
Let's sit around and see what the experts have to say.:)
 
:
Originally posted by Silent
(snip)
I can see, though, that the handle is a little different than most anything I've used before. Got any tips for proper grip? (Firm, loose, in between, holding near the ferrule or near the butt?)Or is this something that is a little different for everybody and every khuk?

Guy Thomas
Click to expand...

Guy some of mine are the same or pretty close while others prefer to be held closer to the bolster or further back on the handle.
Just use what works best for you on the khukuri you happen to be working with.
After a while it will become second nature to just pick one up and use it without thinking about the grip or hand placement.
A good way to familiarize yourself with the way a khukuri likes to be held is to try several different grips with it, reverse, saber, hammer and the like.
 
( but watch out if the NDN starts taking his clothes off while he dances around )
 
If you look at a typical khukuri, you will see that the handle is carved such that it is slightly waisted - meaning the bottom part of the handle is thinner than the upper part. I like to put my last two fingers (pinky and the one next to it) just below the waist line, while my other fingers and thumb are above the waist line. This prevents the butt cap from digging into my palm, and keeps my hand well away from the blade.

Of course, this could differ from user to user as everyone has different sized hands and fingers, and not all khukuris have the same handle...
 
I'm also fan of "last two fingers below waist" grip except with my 12" Ghopte's too short handle. Well, how to grip is various by each people and each situation (target). When the edge contacts target, your wrist may be angled or straight, blade may be close to body or not, and the blade direction may be straight down or circular, or with a pull motion.

One of the most effective knowledge I've got was from Uncle Bill's widdom. He told, "You can hold the handle more shorter." There's not how griping handle should be, but how is can be. Then you can learn by yourself. How very nice a user support!
 
Rusty - it's fun reading your posting ... and I am still smiling while editing this posting :D

Pakcik Bill - Is it possible that khukuri grip during fighting and khukuri grip during working is differ ... maybe slightly!

Yvsa - since you have a Malay Keris - you might noticed that a Malay Keris is having a very short handle - normally the handle is not epoxied to the tang - it is fixed using a piece of clothing material. The point is that during the fight the Keris is not grip tightly - the fighter normally hold the Keris blade near to the handle - the handle will only be grip at the crucial moment when the fighter executing the final killing stab! Actually the same principal applied in handling most of Malay blade weapons.

My point here is since Nepalese are also from our side of this globe, is it possible that they have various handle grip techniques in various different situation.
 
...around the handle is my "point of reference" for which grip I use. The larger handles on the Malla and GS allow two fingers between the ridge and butt cap. This crowds the point of the butt cap into the heel of my hand, just at the crease between the thumb base and the heel of my palm. I've rounded the point (not the whole butt cap) on both the large and small handles. On the small handles, there is room for only the pinky finger betwen the ridge and the butt cap, with the thumb alongside the flat on the bolster.

"Learning" the handles of a Khuk is mostly tactile memory - the more you handle it, the more it will fall into place. It is an old, old shape, and very soon all the little "oddities" western hands are not accustomed to on a knife handle will become familiar. When all this falls into place, you can make small modifications to make it more comfortable (rounding points, etc.,) but you should wait until you are sure they are necessary to fit it to your own hand. The longer you use it, and the more your hand "hardens" to the shape, these modifications will be very slight - mostly light sanding of the butt cap point, and polishing the "flare" up to the butt cap to make it easier for the handle to move against the heel of your hand. Remeber - these are made for "farmers hands", not "office hands", like the difference between balsa and oak :D
 
The khukuri will teach you the proper grip for you. Experiment, use and practice will tell you which grip is best for you.
 
Thanks for the tips all! It's pretty much what I thought, use and experience. My hand alerady wants to divide the grip at the ridge with two fingers above and two below. I like the shape and the more I use it western handles may start feeling "funny".

Guy
 
As stated, experience will eventually answer all our questions. This is an old, old handle and has much to teach. The VIRUS is a great help, also, as it is symbiotic, and smooothes the way to greater and greater dexterity :D
 
I sometimes grip with my thumb and forefinger on opposite sides of the narrow part of the bolster almost down on the blade. I can get better control and use more of a snapping action. I think that may be why the bolster is shaped the way it is and why there is no guard. The chou is a tactile reminder to be careful with my forefinger.

Also try gripping with the forefinger on one side of the bolster and the middle finger on the other. You can use the khukuri in this position, and the back of the handle fits pretty nicely into the area between the pads of the hand at the wrist.

From this grip, I think it is easier to switch between a blade-up and blade-down grip.

Mostly, though, I use whatever hammer-style grip feels most comfortable.
 
In the end it depends on you.

For me, I like the ring around the khukuri be between my second finger. If I go too far back, there is too much vibration. If I go too far forward my chopping efficiency decreases since I am closer to the moment of inertia. I do get better control by going further forward and it is comfortable.

Will
 
It's simple: decide what you want to do and to what, and with practice your hand will automatically take the proper grip without conscious thought.
 
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