Sash carry of HI Khuks

javand

javand

Joined
Oct 17, 2010
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So I've taken to open carrying my various Khuks with me where ever I go, which is fun, and leads to some interesting conversations and lots of politeness, however, some of my outfits don't interface well with belts, and frankly, I hate wearing a belt regardless. Especially with my big 18+ inchers, it's really uncomfortable, even if I do have belt loops.


I'd love to get some more info on sash carry of Khukris. I looked around on the innerwebz for authentic Nepali Sashes, no dice. Anybody have any info on proper dimensions and materials to make one? How is it tied traditionally? How is the khuk carried properly in a sash?

Any chance we'll see some sashes on a DoTD? I'd buy one.

Thanks!
 
hmmm never carried one in a sash. I mean, i've plopped one in my belt before. Carried one of my 'bits that way for months. I'd like to hear what the experts have to say:):thumbup:

Maybe a baldric would work for you? It's basically a leather strap (or series there of) that holds larger objects higher than belt level between arm pit and waist. I believe Howard has posted photos of Red Flower packing around one of her khuks in such a manner:)

I'm planning on making one myself in the near future. My dad got me a big ol' honking black powder revolver for my birthday that won't fit on my gun belt. The plan is to make it modular enough that an 18" khuk sheath can be attached in place of the gun holster.
 
I tried this, ONCE, and managed to poke a hole in a scarf with the sheath tip. Be careful.

Darn if I know how Nepalis make sashes, but my first thought is to take a long length of tough silk (the type you make cowboy bandannas out of), about as long as you are tall, double it lengthwise, and sew it together. Don't know if it's authentic, but it ought to hold.

Either that, or you can check out other, non-Nepali crafts outlets: Arabic crafts/bellydance outlets, Mexican shawls.... there can't be that much difference in making sashes around the world.
 
IIRC, carry in a sash is common in eastern Nepal. I have one khukuri made with a scabbard in that style. Bare wood, with a brass ball at the end of the chape.

2new.jpg


Had I to guess, I'd say the eastern Nepal custom is something similar to "wear whatever sash is the most comfortable, and stick the scabbard through it in whatever position and orientation is most comfortable and accessible."
 
I'm no expert on the subject, but a sash is just a long scarf you wear around your waist. Find one that is long enough and compliments your outfit and you should be good to go. :thumbup: ;)
 
About 5 years ago Andy Roy made a frog rig to mount on an HI Bolo scabbard. This was one of Andy's first jobs for Dick Singer. Dick later gave me the Bolo and I wrote about it here:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=415109&highlight=bolo

Unfortunately I had to make room for sale pictures so evidently deleted most of the primary pics, but a few posts down you can see a couple of the frog, along with my rare Tibetan Pillow Hound. :) Basically for the other pictures I had a leather strap that was acting as the hangar, that was being modeled by my son while carrying a shotgun (you never know when an asteroid will pass close by the earth and people will start turning into zombies! ;))

The leatherwork at the time was great on the visible part on the front of the scabbard, and a bit rougher / unfinished in back, but Andy was just starting out. A couple of months later I bought a second sheath from him for a Fallkniven NL4 "Frej" and the work was perfect and amazingly professional.

I haven't spoken to Andy for a couple of years, but I understood he stopped his leatherwork for a while, and then might have started up again? Not sure, but I know he's hopping 24/7 now making some seriously cool machetes on the Fiddleback forum.

In any case, with the right strap for the frog this would be a very comfortable way to carry a big blade.

Frankly, I wish I had bought some of (Terry's?) custom sheaths when they were available, or maybe they are still being made? The HI scabbards do a super job of protecting the blade, and for long term storage the wood can't be beat as far as I'm concerned, but for carrying around they can be heavy and most folks can get by without the extra thickness from the karda and chakmak.

This is a long-winded way of saying that unless you have a few yards of good quality material and really know how to wrap it tightly about yourself, I don't think it will be easy to sash-carry a kukri.

Best,

Norm
 
This is how I carry all big knives either thru a belt or thru an overbelt


IMG-20101113-00028.jpg



I have some rigs set up for Baldric and that works well

100_1872.jpg
 
JParanee said:
This is how I carry all big knives either thru a belt or thru an overbelt


IMG-20101113-00028.jpg



I have some rigs set up for Baldric and that works well

100_1872.jpg
Click to expand...

Gorgeous rig Joe! Is that your leatherwork? I really like the leather strap and stud holding everything in place. Cooler than snaps.

Best,

Norm
 
Svashtar thanks but the great Paul Long of Texas made that Baldric rig he has done a few for me

Heres one for a Foxy Follie

100_1871.jpg



Another showing attachment points

100_1915.jpg
 
i too prefer the baldric 'over-the-shoulder' carry, more amenable to western clothes. the ends of the baldric can be slipped under the waist belt before attaching to the scabbard to keep it from flopping around.

baldrics can be made from leather with dog leash clips and a small buckle as shown above, or can be made from nylon webbing, camera straps, luggage straps, guitar straps, macrame', an old length of rope, etc. to suit you.

i stick a climbing carabiner thru the belt frog, along with some heavy duty split rings & clip the luggage strap ends to the rings.

KobraBaldric.jpg


here's a few photos of traditional patuka (sash) carry:

debate_393.jpg


even older:

nepalesehunters_176.jpg
 
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Awesome guys, thanks for all the info. I've considered baldric, but I'm not too keen on having something strapped around my shoulders personally.


My warm weather clothing tends to be much more minimal, so I still think sash is going to be the way for that. I'll post some pics when I get around to making one.
 
javand said:
so I still think sash is going to be the way for that. I'll post some pics when I get around to making one.
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Not sure how wearing a sash is going to fly in the mountains of NoCa-lina! :eek:

You may also want to look into a drop thigh rig or a dangler setup. For summer the dangler would be ideal because you can take it on and off in seconds and it would still work with shorts.

Bill
Virginia
 
This c. 1901 photo from the British Library shows two slightly different approaches to sash carry.
jrtgl2.jpg
 
Make a new frog for your HI sheath that allows you to connect a lanyard to either side of the top of the sheath. The lanyard should be long enough to wear the sheath like a hikot...see also," TAI GOO,hikot".

http://www.taigooknives.com/Gallery - Bush Knives - 2/slides/Tai Goo Bush Hybrid 01-1.html

Sash carry is for ceremony. IMO.

If you are really stuck on the idea then get one of these. That is the way sash wearing folks kept their pistols, knives, and what not from drooping to the floor.

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=7268

Also, good idea to use the Japanese way of "wedging in" if possible.

SOrry to butt in.

SHane
 
shortwinger said:
Not sure how wearing a sash is going to fly in the mountains of NoCa-lina! :eek:

You may also want to look into a drop thigh rig or a dangler setup. For summer the dangler would be ideal because you can take it on and off in seconds and it would still work with shorts.

Bill
Virginia
Click to expand...



Bill, you've obviously never been to Asheville. ;)


The only part that makes me stand out here is the khukri (or my 1911), and only because people perceive it as a weapon, which offends many liberal sensibilities. Honestly I could probably walk around here with a giant penis hat on and not have an issue.



Thanks for those pics Berk. I'm going to head to the fabric store in a few and see what I can find that's appropriate. Anybody know how long the traditional sashes are approx?
 
Kronckew, what a clever idea with the carabiner and rings! I have plenty of straps that would work perfectly.

Frankly my only concern would be that the metal rings and carabiner would come in contact with the wood handle of the knife and tear it up on the inside there...?

Best,

Norm
 
Svashtar said:
...
Frankly my only concern would be that the metal rings and carabiner would come in contact with the wood handle of the knife and tear it up on the inside there...?
Click to expand...

so far no problem, the karda & chakmak & their pouches are between the frog and the handle & tend to keep the carabiner & handle apart. the one piece frog covers most of the carabiner in leather, guess i could also cover the top exposed bit in a leather tube. also i'm not that energetic carrying it to where it bounces around a lot.

p.s. - i must confess the rings i used on the kobra were solid, not split rings, but they should work. i've used split keychain rings before on similar w/o any problems. solid or welded steel rings would be better i guess.
 
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