Wood Handle Shrinkage?

yerscattergun · Jun 25, 2009

Hello, I recently bought this Chiruwa here on BF form Ferguson(great transaction) and it has a little shrinkage of the wood handle. I was wondering is their a limit to the amount of shrinkage that occurs on these handles and
is their a way to prevent it from happening? I am not very familiar with
the properties of woods and would appreciate any advice. By the way, this
is my first H.I. and I love it!

ps: What is this Kuhkri called, I know it's not an Ang Khola, but it's similar.

Wolf_1989 · Jun 25, 2009

I bought my first HI back in 2005, a 20 Ang Khola, and I've used it hard. I havent done anything special to protect the wood handle. I haven't noticed anything shrinking on it except for maybe the bolster is now a little bit loose, and by little I mean it wiggles barely half a millimeter. It's barely noticeable.

Berkley · Jun 25, 2009

Mineral oil will help prevent any further shrinkage of the wood, as well as deterring rust on steel. Very cheap, look in the laxative section

of any drugstore or supermarket.

Karda · Jun 25, 2009

Well this is what it was listed as :
Chiruwa khukuri, 1 lb. 6 oz., 15 1/2" overall, by Sgt. Khadka, and i'd have to say it's about the best description i can think of. it has the Ang Khola shape, but without any back hollow.
Mineral oil. linseed oil and tru oil are all options for your handle. here is an old thread on the subject:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=370677&highlight=wood+handle+shrinkage

iBlade · Jun 25, 2009

Whatever it is it looks great!
Wood generally if handled a lot retains its same dimensions, it will swell in humid conditions and shrink in dry ones.
I assume you store it somewhere dry?

Handle it and or oil it and it should slowly reabsorb the oil and go back to its original shape, unless it has been left too long.

C.S. Graves · Jun 26, 2009

That's a Samsher if I'm not mistaken, and Berk's suggestion of mineral oil is what I would've suggested. I keep a pickle jar full of the stuff around, and usually submerge handles in it for about 12 or so hours, then let it drip in an empty jar after it soaks up all the oil it can. I don't think I was able to fit my Samsher handle in, and it still experienced shrinkage of the slabs after some time, and required quite a but of filing down the steel to make the grip comfortable.

topgun0728 · Jun 26, 2009

As a follow-on question: would genuine Japanese choji oil (e.g. used to maintain a katana) also work well? I know it's basically a mineral oil.

Karda · Jun 26, 2009

topgun0728 said:
As a follow-on question: would genuine Japanese choji oil (e.g. used to maintain a katana) also work well? I know it's basically a mineral oil.

yes, it will

HARPERSGRACE · Jun 26, 2009

oiling the handle should help unless as stated above it has been left too long, if you live in a very dry location you may have to do it now and again.
Choji oil will work but just plain mineral oil is a fraction of the price so unless you really like the smell I'ld go with the mineral oil.

yerscattergun · Jun 26, 2009

Generally, I live in a dry climate(El Paso Tx). Except during the summer monsoon. I will try the mineral oil since it seems to be recommended here.
I also handle the Kuhkri on a regular basis so that will help slow handle
shrinkage, correct? To tell you the truth, I just can't put it down.

c.s., you say that it might be a Shamsher? Do you happen to have any
more pics or links to this particular model?

One more question, do any of you guys use the small sharpening knife
to actually sharpen the convex edge? I tried to use it but it does not
seem very effective.

Thanks eveyone for the replies.

Nicholas · Jun 26, 2009

Yerscattergun:

If that is, indeed, a Shamsher, would you mind if I used the picture? I'm writing another thread, you see, where we're listing a number of HI items that aren't on the site right now. I've just added the Shamsher, and this is the first picture I've had of the khuk by itself, instead of being pictured with others.

Yours Sincerely,

Nicholas

seth · Jun 26, 2009

whatever model it ends up being, i think its one of the most simple, beautiful blades ive seen in ages.. its calling to me

what about tung oil for the handle? ive got a few gallons of the stuff and i'll be getting my first khuk soon, i live in a pretty humid climate but i usually use tung oil on all of my handles.

yerscattergun · Jun 26, 2009

Nicholas said:
Yerscattergun:

If that is, indeed, a Shamsher, would you mind if I used the picture? I'm writing another thread, you see, where we're listing a number of HI items that aren't on the site right now. I've just added the Shamsher, and this is the first picture I've had of the khuk by itself, instead of being pictured with others.

Yours Sincerely,

Nicholas

Nicholas, I don't mind but the pic is really Ferguson's from the sale
thread. I'm not to sure about the protocol for using pics on these
boards(I know, I should have checked)

Here's a few of my own.
They aren't that great though. :grumpy:

seth, thanks for the compliment on the blade.

sta94 · Jun 26, 2009

Really nice khukuri! I was eyeing this one as well, but you got to it before I made my decision. Great buy!

C.S. Graves · Jun 26, 2009

yerscattergun said:
c.s., you say that it might be a Shamsher? Do you happen to have any
more pics or links to this particular model?

One more question, do any of you guys use the small sharpening knife
to actually sharpen the convex edge? I tried to use it but it does not
seem very effective.

I'm 99% certain it's a Samsher.... with the markings on the photo you posted being just a little fancier than on mine. The shape is pretty much identical, appears to be a Khadka as well - his handle rivets are a pretty blatant clue.

I got mine as a fellow forumite (Fiddleback) claimed his Samsher was second only to his Prajwal Boencutter for chopping. Since Khadka wasn't making Bonecutters at the time (and Praj disappeared!

) I got one of the next best things.

As per using the chakma, I find it works best on blades with thin edges and a relatively soft temper. Many of my khuks are too thick and hard for the chakma to do much, but I've got some more slender blades from Indonesia that can be brought pretty close to shaving sharpness again with regular burnishing of their edges.

Nicholas · Jun 26, 2009

yerscattergun said:
Nicholas, I don't mind but the pic is really Ferguson's from the sale
thread. I'm not to sure about the protocol for using pics on these
boards(I know, I should have checked) Here's a few of my own.
They aren't that great though. :grumpy:

Actually, these are pretty good. I think that I'll use the one on top.......

........if you don't mind.

sta94 · Jun 26, 2009

sta94 said:
Really nice khukuri! I was eyeing this one as well, but you got to it before I made my decision. Great buy!

Just took a look at Ferguson's post again - I was mistaken, I was talking about another khukuri. Either way, you have one really neat blade!

VoxHog · Jun 26, 2009

I had the same issue with my CAK and after the initial shrinkage/curing of the wood I ground down the tang to match the wood. I have not had any further issues after a year and the wood and steel still match up nicely.

tjarlz · Jun 28, 2009

Wanted to throw my 2 cents in and suggest the Khukri in question is a Chiruwa BAS. The sword of Shiva leads me to this conclusion, plus the fact that it has a shoulder in the blade. The Samsher has more of a M43 spine.

Here's a link to one I snagged last year;

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=555345

b.c.molin · Jun 28, 2009

The good Sgt. Khadka draws his inspiration from many sources so it can be hard to track down exactly what designation to give his creations.

I call this a Chiruwa Dui Chira:

It is 18.25inches and 31ounces and its curved and tapered grip fits like it was custom made for my hand. To me, it is "the one" that so many write about finding. It will never be sold!!!