kookery:
Karda, Steely and others have given pretty complete answers to your points about HI strategy, which involves constraints and goals that are quite different from most businesses. You have a right to disagree but you've been making the same arguments in several threads. At some point you might want to consider letting it go and just enjoy the knives, which after all are the product of the HI philosophy and business decisions.
I'd like to respond to one point in your original post. You say:
"I love my WWII, even with its goofy traditional palm-poker handle. I figured out that a looser grip let's the kukri do the work, and also allows the palm-poker to slip past my palm without leaving its "mark". Choking up on the handle is a lot more comfortable too. That, and leather work gloves seem to help a lot. Eventually I'm probably going to get a big belt sander and grind the palm poker off."
Other forumites have commented at various times about the handle ring digging into the palms of their hands. You've already learned that a looser grip helps. It's been noted in past threads that Nepalese tend to cut wood with many small chops rather than giant swings that many westerners use, in emulation of Conan the Barbarian. That's consistent with the loose grip.
Beyond that, you don't necessarily have to remove the whole ring. I've found that filing off the sharp edge of the ring is enough to eliminate all or most discomfort. In fact you only need to blunt the edge of the ring on the palm side. If you work carefully the change won't even be visible except on the closest inspection.
If you prefer to remove the entire ring, hey, it's your knife, do whatever you want with it. Rehandle it entirely if you like. Or better yet, buy an M-43 that has no handle ring and is just as versatile as a WWII model.
I hope that's helpful. Now for something you might not like:
When you refer to "its goofy traditional palm-poker handle," I find that gratuitously disrespectful of the tradition that HI and the kamis are dedicated to preserving. Frankly, that "goofy" comment smacks of cultural chauvinism, like your conviction that modern western handles are necessarily superior, and the subtext that tradition should always give way to convenience. Furthermore, when you speak of getting "a big belt sander" to grind the palm poker off, I wonder if you have any experience at all with woodworking. I wouldn't even take a
small belt sander to the handle of a khukuri, let along a
big belt sander. I would tape the handle around the ring and file off the ring, starting with a medium file and finishing with a fine file. I would take my time, as befits modifications to a work of fine craftsmanship. A big belt sander would probably destroy the handle altogether. You might as well use a chain saw or an axe. But don't take my word for it. The worst that can happen is you ruin the handle and then you can replace it with micarta as you prefer anyway.
I'm not deliberately trying to be sarcastic; it just came out that way. I think your "goofy" comment pushed a couple of my buttons.
-- Dave
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