Quick M43 by Exclamation Mark Kami report, and wood handle customizing?

donutsrule · May 1, 2003

I got this one last week.
The good:
The price (thanks, Uncle Bill!). Very nice, big, sharp khukuri (now a little sharper due to my acquisition of 2000 grit paper and a mousepad). Thinnest, sharpest karda of any of my HI purchases -- also very nice.

The bad:
Nothing, really.
The ugly:
There is a ~4-inch "fold" line along the back spine of the blade, opposite the belly, that must be part of the forging process. Almost looks like a crack, but it's not. I think this is just cosmetic.

Other notes:
When I use a grip towards the back of the handle, the wood handle is a little (and I mean a very little) large in circumference for my hand right where the wood meets the "whiteish metal" bolster.
However, when using the "choked-up" grip, this slight bulge is right in the center of my grip and fits my hand nicely, so I haven't decided whether to try sanding it down a bit or leave it as is.
With the current flaring out towards the front it may also make my hand less likely to slip forward accidentally. Any thoughts among those with more wood-altering ability than me? I sure wouldn't want to mess up this knife trying to wrongheadedly improve it.

Overall, I'm quite happy with this beast.

My BAS is getting jealous.

Josh Feltman · May 1, 2003

donutsrule-- sounds like a great knife. I wouldn't worry too much about the fold line. It's an artifact of the forging process, and my understanding is that they are almost always cosmetic in nature. I've got a small one near the tip of my M43, and it hasn't caused any problems.

As for the handle, it's always easier to take wood off than it is to put it back on. I would use it for a little while and see how you like it, then sand it down slowly if you decide to remove any material. If you decide to thin down the handle, Rusty is the one to ask-- he's radically thinned down the handles on some of his khuks to improve the fit for his hands and to facilitate grip changes.
--Josh

donutsrule · May 1, 2003

Thanks, and Uncle Bill assured me that if the blade concerned me in any way, he'd swap it. But I've already bonded with this thing and am loathe to give it up.

I also have to say HI's customer service is fantastic. Every knife I've ordered has been on my doorstep in 48 hours.

Compare that to other places that take months...

donutsrule · May 2, 2003

A little more data:
OAL: 17.75"
Blade length: 13.5"
Handle length: 5.25" (including ~1" bolster)
Blade width at bolster: 7/16" (a little wider towards the middle)
Karda: 6" (handle and blade each 3"), 1/8" wide

My hands must be a little smaller than Bruiselee's (or the handle a little larger), as the handle's length works well from either grip. My hands aren't especially large, so people with really big hands may not have the same affinity for a handle this size. Like Bruiselee's, the wood handle on mine is a little bigger than the bolster -- this is part of where the bulge comes from which makes the forward grip so comfortable for me.

Semper Fi · May 2, 2003

An M43...(sigh)

Been looking for one for months...no luck yet. Clifton used to run off with them before anyone could type "Mine!". Maybe some day....(sigh)

BruiseLeee · May 2, 2003

Originally posted by donutsrule
My hands must be a little smaller than Bruiselee's (

I doubt it. The handle on mine sounds similar to yours. If I don't put my thumb on the bolster it feels a little big.

Maybe someday I'll become a captain of crush. But for now I'll remain a seargent squishy.

Ferrous Wheel · May 2, 2003

heehe eheh. Perhaps your next rank will be Lt. Limp, then up to Major of Mash...

Keith

Bill Martino · May 2, 2003

Thanks for another good report from the field.

Federico · May 2, 2003

Originally posted by BruiseLeee
I doubt it. The handle on mine sounds similar to yours. If I don't put my thumb on the bolster it feels a little big.

Maybe someday I'll become a captain of crush. But for now I'll remain a seargent squishy.

Dont for a minute believe him folks. Bruise's self-depreciating statements are all part of his ploy to lull people of thier guard, so that when he comes a sneaking for thier khuks they wont be prepared. Twood seem the Duck has some new competition.