grip blanks

[John Powell]

When we see wooden grips on old kukris they usually have a nice acquired glow and rich silky patina, but when new it was quite the opposite. From the raw, unfinshed blanks I have gotten from AC and the long stored 19thc kukris, it is easy to see the intended surface: seasoned close grained wood that although sanded smooth has no sheen. Makes for a very secure grasp even wet.

The varieties makes you wonder what guidelines exisited to match blade type with grip style. All have four distinct grooves and one more on the 'ring'. The longest is 4 5/8"

 

[ddean]

Thanks.

Informative as always.

Looking foreward to the book.

 

[spiraltwista]

Thats interesting John, realy it makes perfect sense, after all the average Gurkhas kukri wasnt for show! They were definatly users! A good grip was something there life would depend upon.

Also Shows how much some of the unstored old ones we come across have been handled, & used, I wonder what a DNA lab could find on them?

Also does that men that those blanks are of a timber other than naturaly oily Indian Rosewood? Is it possible to say What timber they are?

Regards,
Spiral