Slight handle shrinkage

VoxHog

VoxHog

Joined
Oct 6, 2007
Messages
3,174
Picked up a BEAUTIFUL Tin chirra by Sgt. Khadka, 16”, Chirwus style, Satisal wood handle a few weeks ago and the wooden handles have shrunk up a just a bit.

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The shrinkage is not much at all, a fraction of a fraction of an inch, but now the tang and the metal pins ever so slightly stick out from the Satisal wood handle. I have considered (1) sanding the metal parts flush with my belt sander or dremel, (2) trying to re-hydrate the handles with oil, or (3) taking it to the Blade show in Atlanta (I live there) this next week and see if I can get it rehandled in Micarta, (4) other options?

Any thoughts or suggestions on how to proceed?
 
Sounds serious. In fact you may have to send it to me so I can put it out to pasture. My Home for Orphaned Khukuris would welcome this little brother with open choils.

:):):)
 
Sarge has got a way with those CAKs. Very nice looking knife!

I'd be really interested to see a couple micarta slabs on a chiurwa-style knife. I don't know how effective oil would be in increasing the wood's volume. I've used steam to raise small dents in gunstocks, so it sounds somewhat feasible. Sanding or draw-filing the rivet down might be your best bet.
 
I don't know how effective oil would be in increasing the wood's volume.
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Don't know if other oils are different - but what I've found with old handles is that linseed, tru-oil or ballistol do not swell the wood out to any appreciable extent.

Personally, I'd just carefully file/sand the metal down to match the level at which the wood has settled and then give the handle a good dose of oil.
 
Sand it down and put it to work. :thumbup:

If you put micarta scales on a Sarge please don't post pictures here. I think that would make me vomit.


First thing I did with my bonecutter was tape over the bolster and sand down the handle a bit with some worn out 180 grit plumbers mesh. All my khuks get a little handle love when they arrive. If you have the patience do a tru-oil finish and Walosify it.

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Most chiruwa handled khuks will experience this. I sand the metal down on the slack side of my belt sander. Carefull not to get the metal too hot. I split a belt down to about 3/4", and that helps to get into the curve of the handle. Put several layers of tape on the bolster to protect it. Start coarse, maybe 120 grit, then go finer. Sand the wood when you're finished and give it your finish of choice. If you don't have the equipment, you can get a half-round fine and do the same thing. After metal removal, wrap sandpaper around different shaped pieces of wood to get the filing marks out.

Steve
 
Follow the already given advice, unless your going to ever use it in the wet or as a pure weapon, then leave it that way for added grip. ;)

Spiral
 
spiraltwista said:
Follow the already given advice, unless your going to ever use it in the wet or as a pure weapon, then leave it that way for added grip. ;)

Spiral
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Having recently used my Khadka Samsher to cut down a medium sized tree in the pouring rain a few weeks back, in light of your advice, I might be best off leaving mine a little rough and maybe just oiling the handle to slow further shrinkage.
 
This is why I prefer rat tailed tangs, btw.
 
I've noticed some horn shrinkage on a khuk, do I just need to treat it with some mineral oil or something else? Is it going to effect the strength of it? Seems the horn is swelling up off the tang and there seems to be a slight space like there was no expoxy or anything. I haven't used it so I have no idea why the handle would do this. Is it common with HI?
 
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knife_nut73 said:
I've noticed some horn shrinkage on a khuk, do I just need to treat it with some mineral oil or something else? Is it going to effect the strength of it? Seems the horn is swelling up off the tang and there seems to be a slight space like there was no expoxy or anything. I haven't used it so I have no idea why the handle would do this. Is it common with HI?
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Horn is a natural material (wood does this too) and moves with humidity. The Kami's use Laha, which is their version of epoxy, but the handles are not stabalized, and will move.

This is why its much easier to own and maintain a Non-Chiruwa handle.
 
Don't feel bad. I went for Chiruwa's first too.
 
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