I just finished chopping up a tree limb that fell in our backyard from a storm with my 18" Ang Khola. Afterwards, I noticed I have a nice blister between my middle and ring fingers from the wooden ring on the handle. This has happened to me before. I'm thinking about just sanding the ring off entirely. Before I do it, are there any drawbacks? Will it make it more difficult to retain the blade from slipping out of hand?
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Pros/Cons of removing ring from khuk handle
- Thread starter Rich_S
- Start date
i think a lot of khuk owners sand down the ring... its all personal preference
and i think the only drawback is the finish on your handle could be ruined (easily fixed though)
I'm not worried about asthetics. I've already put a satin finish on the blade with 600 grit sandpaper and a green scotchbrite, and it has a good number of scratches and edge dings in it.
CallsThunder
Basic Member
- Joined
- May 10, 2004
- Messages
- 621
I tend to sand the ring down just a bit to take the edge off. I like having the ring between the ring and pinky fingers...seems to keep it more secure. When I try to chop with the ring covered with something results in said blister...so I just make sure to keep the ring between the fingers. I make the assumption (may not be true) that the ring position is designed for smaller (Nepalese) hands where the ring sits between the middle and ring fingers (for stronger grip maybe). Who knows? I'm just as happy with my Sher attitudes that lack a ring entirely...fwiw.
DanR
DanR
I guess I am the only one who would like to see more pronounced rings. I have never had a problem, but then again I work with my hands quite a bit and never had a blister from one.
One thing to keep in mind is that if you do remove the ring, it will be very very hard to restore it if you deside you want it back. But it's also your kukri, so if you don't like the ring then go ahead and sand away.
Kuks are meant to be used after all.
One thing to keep in mind is that if you do remove the ring, it will be very very hard to restore it if you deside you want it back. But it's also your kukri, so if you don't like the ring then go ahead and sand away.
Kuks are meant to be used after all.
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2003
- Messages
- 19,854
try gently rounding it out. just a little. use some more.
i usually end up wearing gloves when i work anyway, so, no blisters... and i switch tools a lot, some of which vary, and move the pressures around, so might get blisters if i didn't wear gloves. then there's sharp stuff in the brush, so, gloves
bladite
i usually end up wearing gloves when i work anyway, so, no blisters... and i switch tools a lot, some of which vary, and move the pressures around, so might get blisters if i didn't wear gloves. then there's sharp stuff in the brush, so, gloves
bladite
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2003
- Messages
- 19,854
send it to me
i wonder if there's a techno way of adding a ring back... mmm. dan? route a channel in their, and have a two piece fitted aluminum ring, that's rounded and what not? good for wood and horn.
course, you could do the same routing, make up a wood disc of the right thickness, cut in half, make crescent moon cuts on the flat sides, glue up, and then shape. lotta work though.
oh god... yes... light-bulb!!! put a small groove where you WANT the ring to be. home despot and others will sell you a smooth round rubber grommet, and they come THICK - pull that onto the handle. voila. rubber, grippy, replaceable, removable... what more could you want? i know, silicone rubber rings
woot woot.(send it to me ;>)
bladite
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2005
- Messages
- 19,805
The ring, IMO, indexes the blade in the palm of your hand like the bumps on the <F> and <J> keys on the keyboard. You know the position of the khuk in your palm without having to look. So for that reason it is very functional.
That said, some of my khuks have had rings that just don't work with my hands. Bye bye ring.
Some of my khuks the handle has been just too big (most of them), so I reprofiled them. Where possible I keep the ring.
Modding these knives is really fun and rewarding, and really requires very little in tool expense. I've refinished (at the least) every one of my khuk handles. The 'polish it with rouge' method of finishing wood hides the figure something fierce. If you refinish your handle it'll look better than ever.
Tape off the bolster real good. Sand the handle down (use files if you're changing the profile). If you intend to keep the ring, protect it with superglue once the original finish has been removed. If not then just go nuts on it. Sand to 220. Switch to scotchbrite (maroon, green, grey, white). Apply Danish oil. Gorgeous handle every time, and really I can do one in an hour easily.
My point is, if the ring is impeding function, remove that bad boy. The M43 doesn't even come with one, and is a very nice khuk.
That said, some of my khuks have had rings that just don't work with my hands. Bye bye ring.
Some of my khuks the handle has been just too big (most of them), so I reprofiled them. Where possible I keep the ring.
Modding these knives is really fun and rewarding, and really requires very little in tool expense. I've refinished (at the least) every one of my khuk handles. The 'polish it with rouge' method of finishing wood hides the figure something fierce. If you refinish your handle it'll look better than ever.
Tape off the bolster real good. Sand the handle down (use files if you're changing the profile). If you intend to keep the ring, protect it with superglue once the original finish has been removed. If not then just go nuts on it. Sand to 220. Switch to scotchbrite (maroon, green, grey, white). Apply Danish oil. Gorgeous handle every time, and really I can do one in an hour easily.
My point is, if the ring is impeding function, remove that bad boy. The M43 doesn't even come with one, and is a very nice khuk.