Question for Bill about HI Kuks??

Normark

Normark

Joined
Nov 7, 1999
Messages
6,651
Hey Guys...

Don't post over here to often,, but I've got a couple of questions...

Recently I've made a couple of sheaths for a CS Kuk and a BJ Maurauder,, and it got me thinking and brought out the two Kuks I own...

Both of these blades originated in Napal I believe...

One has a Water bufflao horn handle,, and the other is wood.. The two things that keep me from carrying these blades are the goofy sheaths they came with and the fact that the handles seem to be only fastened at the butt end where the stick tang is peened over a brass plate..

The water Bufflao horn seems to be better than the wooden one...
The handles are also a little Klingon-ish for me as well..

The question I have is this...

How are the HI handles fastened to the tang, and do any of the blades have handles shaped more like the CS kuks rather than the more traditional Klingon looking handles?

I wouldn't mind getting one,, but I want to be sure the handle isn't going to come loose on me...

Any answers would be Great..

ttyle

Eric...
 
Originally posted by Normark ......the handles seem to be only fastened at the butt end where the stick tang is peened over a brass plate
Click to expand...
Some khukuries out there have partial tangs
just glued on with a nail holding on the buttcap.
Not necessarily bad, just not the -best option.
Even those can be pinned to secure them further.

In addition to being peened-over/soldered/welded
the HI blade tangs are 'epoxied' with "laha",
a traditional tree-resin hot-melt adhesive
similar to traditional western-world Cutler's Resin.
You can probably find a bit along the seam where the blade
enters the handle. Might look like an accumulation of
grime, but its hard.
IF.......IF.......IF it should ever come loose,
you can heat the --handle-- -carefully-
to remelt the laha.

Some people regrind or redesign the handles to suit their
grip and their taste.

I don't recall seeing any flatish grips coming from the
HI forges. But you can always take a rasp to the grip.
I have seen a couple of pictures of finger-grooved grips.

Check out the HI homepage for loads of info on manufacture.
And links to even more info and galleries of khuks.

HI also gives a lifetime guarantee on their blades/handles.
 
Normark,

I, too, am new to these wonderful knives of Nepal.
The one I own has a peened on butt cap as you describe. If mine is indicative of the toughness of this arrangement, it is the equal of any stick tang design I have used (ie..Randall, Kabar, Case, etc.),maybe more so, as I have used mine much more as a chopper than a slicer. (You might want to see some of Cliff Stamp's tests also.)

Sheaths: without seeing yours,I'm not sure the sheaths are all that goofy. Mine is well made, protects the knife and the user. It also provides for the carry of a utility blade and a hone; not to mention, I can remove the frog and stick it inside my belt or waistband. It may not be made with the latest high tech materials, but it is still pretty useful.

In regards to Klingon-ish handles, DDean said it all: "Some people regrind or redesign the handles to suit their
grip and their taste." Thats hard to do with the kraton handles on the western versions.

Any ways, I hope your Khukuri experience will be as good (or better) as mine has been so far.

Regards, Greg
 
If mine is indicative of the toughness of this arrangement, it is the equal of any stick tang design I have used
Click to expand...

The tang is actually "V" shaped, and very heavy at the blade and handle junction. Think of it as a partial tang rather than a stick tang. It is a long proven design that provides plenty of strength.

n2s
 
Normark,

I am relatively new to Khukuris myself, but, I can say that after close inspection of my two (15"AK and 18" WWII) that it would take serious abuse to loosen one of these handles. The handles may appear to be odd looking to western eyes, but I find that to be part of the appeal.
Now the sheaths are a bit bulky for me and I have been wondering about a semi-fitted Kydex or Concealex sheath. What are your thoughts on the possiblities?

-SB
 
Hey SB...

Yaaa the hnadles are just a bit too wild for me....

As far as the prospects for a concealex sheath are concerned...Its pretty good.I've come up wih a design that works...
No such thing as a semi-fitted Concealex sheath though..:)

Its eather fitted or its not....:)
Drop me a note

ttyle

Eric..
 
Eric,

Welcome to this forum.

On handles - The traditional handle design may grow on you if you use it for a while. With a traditional handle, well constructed and properly sized for a western hand, the end flair provides grip security at the back, and the central rings provide grip security towards the front. This is done without creating a high friction surface like on some of the modern knives. The result is a secure grip that is comfortable to use. The design has been around for a long time, for a reason.

Traditional handles rarely loosen from the tang. They crack sometimes, or sometimes a butcapp will come loose, but those do not impair function and are easily fixed with a little epoxy if the user desires.


On sheaths - The traditional sheath also has advantages that many users come to appreciate. But modern materials can definately make a contribution here. You may wish to look at the carry page on the FAQ. There you will see a blade guard I sometimes use for packing a khukuri in a pack. It's made of a commercial skate guard, but I'm willing to bet you could come up with a superior solution in Kydex or concealex. We often get people in here asking about kydex sheaths also, so there is business out there for a good sheathmaker. A potential problem with the HI blades is that they are each unique, even within a specific "model." That might make it tough to build a lot of sheaths around a standard model and then market them, as is often done with production knives that exhibit little variance between each unit.

PS - I'm not sure where we are on that pocket sheath for the one-handed SAK we were talking about. Had a question about whether you wanted to work that in the trade deal. Let me know.
 
about the skate guard edge-guard.

I wanted to try some of the flexible moulding used for the edges of motorcycle fairings, and as edge trim in other places. It is wire reinforced, will follow contours, of hard rubber/fiber or something, and AND.... (taa daaa!!!)... I have some!

I'd forgotten your idea until you re-posted it. Thank you.



Kis
:rolleyes:
 
The tang is actually "V" shaped, and very heavy at the blade and handle junction. Think of it as a partial tang rather than a stick tang.
Click to expand...

n2s,
Thanks for the correction and explanation.
Regards,
Greg
 
Pix of Pala making a khukuri handle. Tang is in white circle.
 

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