The feel of my Bura M43

Kampfjaeger

Kampfjaeger

Joined
May 21, 2001
Messages
1,668
I can't get over how light my Bura M43 is compared to my 16.5" AK. And I love the graceful curvature of its spine. Simply beautiful. Is everyone else's M43 fairly lightweight?

Also, do most folks take thatchape off the scabbard? I would hate to deface this work of art (which is a user, not just a wall-decoration). If so, what do you do the the tip of the scabbard in its place?
 
I use a dab of silicone. I'm sure others have some fancy stuff. But I figure the silicone will keep the stitching from unstiching.
 
I hear tell that some folk here file the end off rounded
& leave a hole to let any water drain.

Or maybe I just dreamed that.

Off or rounded, that point just doesn't do for carrying around.

I think some remove it & add a dab of shoe polish as needed
to make the underlying tip match the rest.

BTW, My M43 is 2-pound and does not feel light.
But then Kumar often tends to make his khuks heavier than average.
 
Mine feels light. Also it is thinner at the bolster than where the blade bends which does something really nice swinging it.

Despite being thinner the edge is much thicker. Actually one of the more convex ones I own.

Also surprised me by being a good chopper. Better than a lot of my thicker, heavier ones.:D
 
I just got a Bura-made 17" GRS that feels a little heavier than my 16.5" AK, but is actually a couple ounces lighter. It is strange how some of these khuks turn out.

Some of my chapes have been dipped in that goop used to coat the handles of pliers. It is sold under various trade names ("Plasti-Dip, etc.")and usually the black colored stuff matches buffalo hide exactly.

Also, I have recently stitched up some green canvas scabbard covers and just put some electrical tape over the end of the chape before sliding the cover on. This works too.
 
I filed the handle, steel tang or not, until it continued the blade's curve back to the bell of the butt, both top and bottom tang. Then I filed the normal rings into the handle, thru the steel.

That changed things. I don't know if it is heavy or light. All I know is it feels right. Let me rephrase that. IT IS RIGHT!
 
One day you have to post some pics of your khuk handles. I'm curious to see what they look like. The Reno convention tape showed you putting them on the floor for display but then the tape ended. :(
 
You know... My M43 doesn't have the traditional rings and carvings on the handle. Does this mean that it isn't a true Khukuri?
 
Was the m43 a British design for the Gurkhas?

If not, where -did- it originate?

Can't see a kami choosing to break tradition
by leaving out the grip rings on a new design,
unless someone else made that choice for them.
 
That is right. The m43 as it comes is historically correct.

Mine is reworked to have more of a hanshee effect, and the rings were added to make it feel right TO MY HAND rather than be historically correct.

One might say:

"It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!"

For me at least...
 
Pardon me for being obtuse... but what is the origin of the M43? Was it a British design? I did a search through the board, but as I have a nasty head cold, I opted for the easy rout and just ask you guys to restate what you know. Thanks.

Dave.

So... Am I part of the "M43 Club" now?:)
 
I'm 197 posts away from 7,000 posts. I don't remember it all. I don't need to - I'll be told about it immediately by forumites who do remember if I make a mistake.
 
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