Re-handling a Village Khukuri

I have a village khukuri request in for a nice, no-frills work blade. Since Uncle Bill admits that the handles might be iffy, I thought I might start thinking about what would be needed to replace the handle *if* I manage to damage it.

Anyone have any ideas? Jaeger's "tactical sirupati" idea is one that springs immediately to mind. Of course, there is a lot to be said for replacing it with something traditional, as well.

Thoughts?

Mike

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Hey! Uncle Sam!

(_!_) Nyah nyah nyah!

Refund! You lose! :)


 
I would be interested in experimenting with a MD style G11 grip. Does anyone know of anyone who would do that?

-Cliff
 
Bill Martino

Bill Martino

Joined
Mar 5, 1999
Messages
34,096
Years ago when I had access to a shop that had everything I needed to rehandle a khukuri I rehandled a few myself. With a lot of equipment at my disposal it was not a very difficult job. However, I would not want to tackle the job like Kami Sherpa does it using only a hand drill and a few hand tools.

But the possibilities are endless. On one khukuri I recall I welded an extension on the tang and put on an oversized handle made of purple heart wood. It turned out (in my own biased opinion) to be a beauty.

Uncle Bill
 
When I got the 18" Chainpuri that weighed 14 ozs., I finally found THE one that was right for my hand. The sharp points on the butt help me index the knife against my wrist/base of the thumb, and the part of the grip behind the raised center ring lets me lock my pinky and ring fingers around the back of the grip and leave my index and forefingers free to loosen up and clamp down as needed. It feels natural to bring the blade back with the two little fingers anchoring the khuk to my hand, then tightening the index and forefinger to help snap the blade down faster and harder as I break my wrist during the chop.
 
Rusty, that handle is not going to fail. The tang goes the entire length and is mushroomed with keeper. I am a bit surprised but pleased that this fits your hand so well.

Uncle Bill
 
I didn't mean it would fail. I meant that is THE ONE that fits me perfectly. I'll use it's dimensions as a pattern when I get to making the other khuks handles fit me.

I was talking about the ergonomics of the grip, especially one that fits your particular hand. Rather than go to a different style than the traditional, try conforming the traditional handle to fit you, and go use it. Then see if the traditional handle doesn't surprise you. Til I got one right for me I couldn't imagine how alive it makes a khuk feel.

(( Now if I could just remember where I packed that 5" X 5" X 5/16" square slab of ivory when we moved into the house. ))

[This message has been edited by Rusty (edited 06 May 1999).]
 
Rusty, I was comparing that handle to the two village Chainpuris that you have. I'm not so sure about the village handles but your favorite is an HI manufactured Chainpuri and I know from experience those handles hold up well. The worst case will be chipping off a leading or trailing edge if you accidentally smack the handle against something.

Uncle Bill
 
OK, I have a 20" HI chainpuri blem. I don't know the weight, but it's significantly lighter than the 20" Sirupati though similarly shaped. It is my second favorite. I love it. This is the beautiful blonde you want for a mistress.

The other two are 18" chainpuris, HI made, marked, and polished, but of only village quality. They are not up to a real HI, and Bill made that clear up front when he sold them to me.

The heavy ( 20 ounce/ 1 1/4 lb. ) 18" is in essence a stretched BAS - same blade shape, weight, but 3" longer blade. I think it's a perfect all around khuk for me. A joy to use. And my third favorite. This is the attractive brunette you can marry and happily spend the rest of your life with.

The light ( 14 ounce/ 7/8ths lb. ) is shaped like the 8" blade of a 12" Sirupati, only take that 8" blade, cut it in half, and add 5" more length in the middle. This is my favorite. This is the green eyed redhead that stuns you into involuntarily turning off your brain and transfering all your thought processes that are left to between your legs.

Just wanted to make sure you knew which of the khuks was which in my book. All three have full length tangs mushroomed over the diamond shaped brass plate on the butt.
 
Rusty, your post reminded me to post this little bit of humor.

When we were talking to Kami last weekend about the village khukuris he asked if we should mark them with the HI logo. I said no. He said, "But you're selling them." I replied, "Yes, but you're not making them!" The village khukuris will NOT be marked with the HI logo.

Those two village khukuris you got, Rusty, were marked but they should not have been. They are not a HI product and that's what I explained to you.

I am losing track of how many HI khukuris you have.

Uncle Bill
 
RUSTY, for once I cannot agree with you. The blonde mistress I want will not be hard as steel, have a sharp edge, nor be so cutting. She will however have a great shape, feel wonderful to hold and be bright as a polished blade.

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JP
 
OK Bill, I misunderstood. If you remember, I did offer to grind or obliterate the HI mark that was erroneously placed on them.

In any case the 20" HI is the prettiest, the 18" 20 ounce village the most useful, and the 18" 14 ounce village the most sensuously functional fastest fighter I've ever handled. Their cosmetic flaws don't make no nevermind to me. Each of these three forms it's own symbiosis with me when I pick one of them up.
 
Rusty, you have confirmed via personal experience what I mentioned about the village khukuris. They can be excellent and might be exactly the khukuri to fit your particular hand.

"...the 18" 14 ounce village the most sensuously functional fastest fighter I've ever handled."

Considering this statement don't bother to grind off the HI logo although this was a very considerate offer on your part and is much appreciated.

Uncle Bill
 
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