User Khuk modifications?

eraaij

eraaij

Joined
Jan 17, 2002
Messages
191
Getting more and more experienced with my 15' AK user khuk, I did make some modifications to it. I did put Duck-tape on the cho area of the blade to enable a better forward grip for fine cutting and recently I did file the upper point from the back of the handle. They work for me.

I wonder what other members changed on their users. Furthermore, does anybody know if the Nepali people modify their user-khuks?

-Emile
 
I have shaved down some handles in spots for a more ergonomic grip. I have thinned down some blades in spots that where too beefy for my requirements. I am thinking of trying some filework on the spine for purely cosmetic reasons. I also don't like the magic stone mirror finish too much. I usually steel wool them to a matte finish. That is about it so far, but I am a tinkerer so who knows what I'll try.
 
User Khuk modifications

i also have modified the handle on my ww2 17 inch, i bought a dunlop
grip tape for tennis raquets, it is black with a pattern on it of horns, cow i think. any way got it from kmart $7 wound it on my khuk handle starting just in front of the brass at the blade whent round about 4 times so as to build up a hand gaurd effect not much just raised uo about half inch then wrapped the rest back up the handle ending with 3-4 wraps at the butt raising that a bit. the result is a great looking handle that is non slip,and very comftable to grip, and shock absorbant for those heavy jarring blows you might encounter in heavy work.the other advantage is it protects the bone or wood handle. make sure when you are wrapping that you put pressure while you wrap and overlap well, try it first before you take of the stuff to make it sticky,as you only get one go, then you have to get another and start again.took me two goes :grumpy: .but it was worth it. this makes a truly attractive and comfy handle,and hey its only $7.try it you will be surprised how much more control this gives you on your khuk.:) :)
 
I ground the sharp corner off the handle of my BAS, which were pointed into my hand. Now the thing fits and I don't have to throw it away.

munk
 
..folks, I like the mods you've come up with. I havent heard of any mods from the Nepali folks.

The only mods I've done is repolish on a YCS, blueing and etching and gilding to blades. I'm thinkingof some other cosmetic mods, like handle carving in my 18" AK horn handle, perhaps amber insets in the horn handles of the karda and chakmak. Considering brass pin designs in wood handled 21" GS...other than that, they all have handles I'm used to using, the flared pommel is common on both Baselards and Viking style (lobed) pommels...

Keith
En Ferro Veritas
 
Thanks for the responses, all.

Ghorka, I like the 'Dunlop solution' - will have to try that one. Hey, meybe they have an Anna kournikova-print :)

I received my 17' Kumar WW-II Villager recently, and it made me reconsider handle ergonomics. This is my biggest Khuk so far. It is also the first one with a handle that is so comfortable that I cannot think of any modification. Must still post a review of that one.

-Emile
 
I've got a 21" Gelbu Special as my biggest. Not the heaviest tho....
I don't think I'd be happy with anything less thatn 16-17". the 15" villager had a handle too small fer me paws. Luckily, it found its home...

Keith
En Ferro Veritas
 
Very common for folks to modify user khukuris to their own liking.

Interesting note, Emile. My last shipment to the Netherlands went thru customs without any problem. I think we just got a nasty clerk on that last one to you.
 
I had Art Swyhart put some thick solid brass butcapps on a couple of my khuks that had thin metal ones.

Sometimes I thin out the narrow part of the blade for drawknife and other fine work, while keeping a chopping geometry on the belly.

Sometimes I stick a short ceramic rod in the chakma slot.
 
how did the thick brass buttcaps effect the balance of the khuk,
and what was the reason for putting them on there ????
regards ghorka:) OK THANKS FOR THAT HOWARD:)
 
The buttcaps weren't heavy enough to affect the balance noticeably. The edges of the thin sheet metal butcaps that were on originally were irritating to my hand. The new butcaps are perhaps 1/4 inch, as opposed to thin sheet metal.

The gorkha style khukuri that Bill has mentioned at times has a big brass piece at the end, perhaps 1.5 inches from the pictures. I would like to try one of these to see the balance, but unfortunately no kamis seem to be making them now.
 
Interesting note, Emile. My last shipment to the Netherlands went thru customs without any problem. I think we just got a nasty clerk on that last one to you.
Click to expand...

Well, then we need to test that theory in the near future. He or she can't be on quard all of the time. :)

Good to hear that the other Dutch customer got it OK.


-Emile
 
oh yes the other thing i do to every khukuri if it is a user or a show
one,is remove the brass scabbard tip ,bloody useless thing all it does apparently is dig into you at the most inconvinent times.
after removal clean up any glue i find it easiest, and less likelihood of damageing the leather if you use your fingernails to do this job. then i apply a liberal amount of bootpolish,wipe with clean cloth ,then mix up a small amount of 5min aryldite pop in a speck of boot polish mix it in well,till the aryldite is nice an black, then fill little hole in end of scabbard with it wipe of any excess leave about 20 mins then apply more boot polish on a cloth, lightly wipe over with a clean cloth and presto a nice sleek black scabbard with no pointy brass on the bottom.looks cool and makes the scabbard look so much more classy,instead of shiny touristy brass job.:D :D ;)
 
I agree that the Kumar village model has the most comfortable handle I've used. It fits perfectly in my hand no slipping, pinching, poking - just sheer perfect grip. I find the villager to be the best weapon like khuk of mine as well. It flows so nicely and I think it would be a formidable blade in battle - for me anyway. It's like a cross between BAS and WWII especially with the brass inlay. Probably my favourite !!
 
Good stuff and thanks.

Emile, I marked the customs declaration as "Hindu religous temple knife." Don't know if that made the difference or not.
 
Ghorka wrote:
<b>oh yes the other thing i do to every khukuri if it is a user or a show one,is remove the brass scabbard tip</b>
Click to expand...

Yep, forgot to mention that. I removed the point also on my user khuks scabbard. The other khuks I leave original - since they are display pieces.

Thanks for 'pointing' that one out :)

-Emile
 
Brendan wrote:
<i>do u take that point off, Im scared I might mess up scabbard </i>
Click to expand...

I got this procedure from other forum members. Use a lighter to carefully heat the chape/tip. The laha/glue (?) will melt and you can use a screwdriver to work it off the scabbard without much pressure. Works perfect and won't harm the scabbard.

-Emile
 
i got all three off mine of by carefully pushing a thin bladed screwdriver under the side of the pointy bit an slowly, carefully lever up, till it lossens a little turn scabbard over to the front then same again till it popped of. but try the lighter trick first sounds less risky, allthough i did all three of mine with no damage.i will try the lighter trick on my next one. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top