Question on blade finishes etc...

Grego

Grego

Joined
Apr 22, 2007
Messages
402
Is there anyway to order a Kukri with a dull satin finish instead of the mirrored type finish I see on most of the Kukris?

Will the wood handles be more durable over time and use vs. the horn?

And is the leaf spring steel comparable to 1080, 1085, or 1095...I have seen all three stated in various threads???

Thanks.
 
One more thing...I am looking at an 18inch Sirupati, and on top of the questions above, are they full tang blades? or do I have an option? I would really like it if they were full tang Kukris:thumbup:
 
If you don't want to wait, just get a khukri and work the blade over with fine steel wool. Work the steel wool in one direction only and you will get your satin finish.

Wood should last your lifetime if you take basic care of it. Wood used in knives, swords, firearms and other tools have easily lasted decades if not centuries. Remember that HI khukris are real hard-use tools, they are not made for show. What you do with yours in a lifetime probably will not compare to what a Nepalese or Indian will do with theirs in a decade.
 
Nice to see you over here, Grego:) Welocme!

Really, if you want to wait and pre-order, there isn't much that the kamis can't do. However, my suggestion to you is to watch for the deals of the day posted from time to time (usually a few times a week) for a "villager" model. Basically, a villager is a khuk that has not been put through the final polish. They are great do-it-yourself mod blades for people that like to finish their wood handles and experiment with bluing and etching of the blades.

Orrrrr, just find yourself a nice regular blem and take 600 grit sand paper to it. It'll satin it up quite nicely.

I assume by full tang you mean slab style or chiruwa. Typically speaking, most sirus don't come that way. However, i believe that there are exceptions to the rule. You never know what the kamis are going to send in their next box.

My suggestion to you would be to send Mrs. Yangdu Martino an email stating what you would like. She's a first class lady to do business with. Just email her at himimp@aol.com. She'll let you know if she has it, can get it, and how much it will cost.

Once again, welcome! Let us know if there are any other questions that you need answered.
 
Grego said:
One more thing...I am looking at an 18inch Sirupati, and on top of the questions above, are they full tang blades? or do I have an option? I would really like it if they were full tang Kukris:thumbup:
Click to expand...

I think they are all full tangs. Meaning the tang is the full length of the handle. If you mean a full-width tang like the Chiruwas, then most are not that way.

I second the notion to email Yangdu and ask her to have what you want made. I wanted a 20" Ang Khola with a Chiruwa handle and she had the order in to the factory that day. Took less than a month to get it in. You can't beat that, a custom blade in less than a month, and I friggin love the thing.

I'd just ask if she can get the sirupate you want in a villager finish with a Chiruwa style handle.

She's one of the easiest people I've ever had the pleasure of working with, and the Kamis make some of the finest blades, IMO, best yet, they're all custom and have little quirks here and there that let you know it's not some mass-produced gimmick knife.

ETA: Be warned, however, these are addictive. I bid on three and won one of the DOTD before the one I ordered even arrived, and I've already ordered more. . .not just kukris either.
 
Sorry to hi-jack this thread for my own question, but......

Has anyone had custom handle work done because of large hands? I am 6'5" and 225lbs and have quite a large grip...

PS: I am so glad I found this site and HI...
 
GLWeeks said:
Sorry to hi-jack this thread for my own question, but......

Has anyone had custom handle work done because of large hands? I am 6'5" and 225lbs and have quite a large grip...

PS: I am so glad I found this site and HI...
Click to expand...

Welcome:)! There have been many handle mods to extend the grip of the khuk. It can be done by ordering it to spec, or having on of the various and talented "woodchucks" do it for you. Or, you could pick a model known for longer and/or beefier handles. The 18" WWII models come with quite a bit of grip length, although they aren't too fat. The monster choppers like the 22" Ganga Ram Special and 25" AK have very thick grips with plenty of handle length. The best thing to do is e-mail Yangdu and see if she can fit you with something. We have several big guys around the forum, and they all seem to find khuks that'll work for them:thumbup:
 
GLWeeks said:
Sorry to hi-jack this thread for my own question, but......

Has anyone had custom handle work done because of large hands? I am 6'5" and 225lbs and have quite a large grip...

PS: I am so glad I found this site and HI...
Click to expand...

Is it possible to have a synthetic handle material put on...does anyone know of someone who could do that?

Kraton, Resiprene C, etc...
 
I'm sure it COULD be done, but it doesn't happen very often. I don't know if Dan Koster is still doing mods or is totally focusing on making his very exquisite blades. I would assume that doing such a mod would be easiest on a chiruwa style handle instead of the peened through style. Most of the khuk tangs are uber thick and many have a slight curve to them.

You might shoot Dan a PM or e-mail. Even if he doesn't think that it would be a job that he could take on, he might have an idea of who could do it for you.
 
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