What is the story on this handle?

MacHete

MacHete

Hair Cropper & Chipmunk Wrangler
Joined
Apr 7, 2000
Messages
2,559
Got my DoTD from 11/12 and have mixed feelings.
(Sorry, no pics of my own yet.)
11-12-08%20006.jpg


First of all, in my "feeding frenzied" mindset, I didn't notice that I was getting a Foxy Folly-handled WWII. Not a problem. I like the WWII, and think it is a great chopper profile, while maintaining a little more nimbleness for more detailed work. In fact, I like it best for "draw-knife" kinda work.

Second, the new Khuk is about 1/4" longer than my Kumar WWII, but significantly beefier. It's always nice to have a little variety, even among the same model. ;) Fit and finish are excellent, and this may be the sharpest out-of-the-triangle-box khuk I've ever received. :eek:

Finally, and especially, I cannot figure out the handle. :confused: What is the purpose/tradition/history of this handle shape? When I choke up on it, so that my first finger is touching the bolster, it feels great. I believe it will offer superior control for close work. In the normal "mid-grip" position, though, it is very uncomfortable, and I cannot imagine using it for any length of time that way. I often grip the very back of the handle withonly three fingers when I chop, and that would be impossible with this handle shape.

So, what's the story? Anyone else have this style grip? How does it work for you and have you modified it in any way?

I may round a few of the selective corners on it, and the wood on it is really nice- so I'm sure it would look great with a little effort
 
Not too sure what to say RE: the handle and how to fix... some pics of Yours would be helpful..
If You EVER get tired of it... give me a yell!!!
I could give it a good home if you ever want to put it up for adoption!!!
Regards, Doc
 
Very kind of you Doc. :D;):D

I'm far from giving up this one. I like the blade way too much, so this might be my first major mod project. :):thumbup::cool:

I really would like to know about anyone else's thoughts on this shape, though.
 
It looks like it might be pretty comfy with some minor sanding/rasping to round off the corners a bit. If another one pops up when I have the cash I might shark it. The absolute worst that can come of it is a total handle replacement. I'm sure the blade is too awesome to give up on and well worth whatever you paid for it.
 
I've been around for a while, and the only thing I've seen similar were the handles on a Philippine inspired short sword. Forget what HI called it. I made the handle into this octagonal shape, and it felt a whole lot better. Don't believe that square handle would be very comfortable.
Steve
HI-pinuti-hilt.jpg

HI-Pinuti-2.jpg
 
Yeah the handle in that pic's what I was trying to describe in my post. Good one Steve. I bet that Khuk's handle would be awesome done like that. The sword is called a pinuti I believe. If that ever needs a home let me know.
 
The handle reminds me of the handle on a custom Foxy Folly that someone ordered a year or two ago. I'm not sure if this is that same handle, but it does remind me of it.

Heber
 
After vigorous and rigorous searching, I traced the "JW" nomenclature back to Jim Watson- ajwatson- and the original was indeed a more rounded, oval cross-section, like the one you posted, tjarlz. Jim explains it in this thread, post #37

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4847309#post4847309

Whew! Glad I finally found it, and I'm also glad to know that I am not a freak with weird-shaped hands. :D
 
:D
Your purpleheart version was the first one I found, Ted. (It is go-jus, btw.)

I knew you knew, but some things a man's just gotta do for himself. ;)

As the old proverb goes: "If you do a search for a man, he will have an answer. If you make the lazy bastid look it up himself, you can still laugh at how long it took him to figure it out." (Or something like that.) :p
 
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