Which material best for khukuri handle?

[golok]

There are basically four types of materials for khukuri handles: wood, horn, ivory and metal. Of course, if one wants to include one more, there's always the micarta.

Which is best for gripping purposes?

Some materials do look pretty but personally I prefer a durable material which also provides good grip especially on the downswing.

 

[ddean]

Unpolished wood or unpolished horn.

Either will work well.

If I had to choose one, it would be the wood.

Polishing takes away -part- of the grippyness,
but still very usable.
But you asked for -best-.

Ivory & bone potentially too fragile.

Metal; integrity of handle depends on internal details of
construction, but could be problematic if the core sorrounding
the tang is not substantial in its own right.
Not for cold weather.
Grippyness; same problem as polished wood or horn,
but probably less grip.

 

[Sundsvall]

G10

 

[Hibuke]

Originally posted by Sundsvall
G10

At least polished G10 does and unpolished G10 looks just plain crap. Checkered/textured G10 tends to rip and shred your hands, especially with all that heavy work Khuks do...

The best would be Canvas Micarta. That rocks!

 

[Roadrunner]

My new favorite is a horn handled 18" Ang Khola with finger grooves made by Kumar. The finger grooves give an excellent grip for chopping and also prevented the transmission of vibration to my hand. I'm definitely in the market for more finger groove khuks.

 

[redvenom]

If i find a 18" Sirupati of about 18-20 oz weight with a desert ironwood handle, I will be buried holding it...

Andrew Lim

 

[Don Rac]

An OD green or black canvas micarta khuk handle would be sweet...