My two most recent hornies are evenly divided, one's a rat & the other's a Chiruwa.
Both have been repeatedly slathered in Balistol for over a week now & have not grown noticeably.
My first HI from the early 90s is a rat & has shrunk somewhat. Also has a crack.
I like the looks, but horn is not a viable option here.
Wood seems to maintain size better, no cracks, I can create file scars that are easy to oil up & make disappear.
Can't file around horn without marking it up, I'm too dis-coordinated.
I do not plan on using any khukuri every day, but I'm currently evaluating the practicality of including one as regular gear on ATV expeditions, either in the break-down bag or on body in some sort of baldric arrangement.
If I make it part of the emergency gear, it HAS to be one that'll hold up.
Also considering gifts for two nephews I explore with. They may or may not choose to carry theirs, but the same principle applies- HAS to hold up if they do. And that means for long after I'm gone, too.
I've slowly outfitted them with miscellaneous "survival" gear to use if we (or someday they) ever break down & need to wait for S&R, and it's all been quality stuff.
So, Cul has me pretty much talked into a rat-tail.
I just wanted to know typically how thick & sturdy they might be.
He mentioned the warranty, but warrantees don't mean anything to me in this context. I'd rather buy "best" up front that'll get me home again than have my widow handle a warrantee claim after the funeral.
Denis