What in Jange? Info needed.

[Gator97]

Hiya all,

I just picked up Jange today, should arrive soon.
The thing is I can't find any info on HI page, or here. I like the design a lot
So, if snyone could elaborate, elucidate and so on I'd really appreciate.

[Aardvark]

I got one a couple of months ago. Hasn't seen a lot of use, but I like the blade a lot. It feels a lot lighter than it looks. I don't remember any specifics (maker, length, etc), but I'll check tonight if that interests you.

I don't know anything about the history of the blade, except that Uncle Bill seems to spell it differently every time he offers one. I had never seen one before it came up as a UBBB.

[Svashtar]

Originally Posted by Gator97

Hiya all,

I just picked up Jange today, should arrive soon.
The thing is I can't find any info on HI page, or here. I like the design a lot
So, if snyone could elaborate, elucidate and so on I'd really appreciate.

First one I recall seeing was in the Deal of the Day thread on 7/3/2004 by Uncle Bill, that had this text:

"20" 29oz. by Bura. This is a replica of khukuri carried by an early Nepali prime minister -- Junga Bahadur, I think. They have the handle labeled Jungay which is as close as they can come. Minor rust at tip. $99 UBBB"

Also, from Uncle Bill on 8/23/04: "As usual, "Jange", is a corruption. This khukuri is modeled after one carried by Junga Bahadur, one of Nepal's early Prime Ministers and a very effective one. The original is on display at Nepal's National Museum. One of the kamis, most likely Bura, went to the Museum with Pala and sketchpad in hand and the "Jange" is the result."

I have been tracking it since then, and there have been approximately 5 subsequent offerings, all $95, including yours today. The latest two (one offered 10/5 that I managed to finally snag) and this one today, are from Sher. I have also seen ones from Bura of course (the first) and Amtrak. The blades have ranged from 20" and 22 ounces (Amtrak) to 20" and a full 36 ounces.

To me it seems evident that the blades are almost exactly like the Dui Chirra, or Berk's special, except that they average about 2" less and have no fullers, and also have a full length SOS or groove the entire top length of the blade. The handles and non-habaki bolsters are identical, and if these are "USA Wood", then so have been all the Dui Chirra's and Jange's sold to date. I clipped pics into my paint program and compared a half-dozen pics of Dui-chirra's sold over the past year with those of all the Junge's sold since 7/4, and the handles are all identical _except_ for this darker wood handle sold today with the small chip in it. As I said the bolsters are non-habaki or have only a very small bit of bolster on the blade.

They have been referred to as "jungay's", "jange's", and the last few times I think we have standardized on "Junge's" when referring to them.

Regards,

Norm

[Nasty]

Well done Norm...it seems all of the different models have a post or two that define them. You have earned your spot "in the writings".

Thanks!

[Svashtar]

Originally Posted by Nasty

Well done Norm...it seems all of the different models have a post or two that define them. You have earned your spot "in the writings".

Thanks!

Thank you Nasty! Had all the goods on that guy as I have been trying to snag one for a while. Looks like a great all-around chopper.

Regards,

Norm

[Khukuri Monster]

On the picture of the Jange in the deals for 10/5, it looks as if it doesn't have a buttcap... is this just due to the angle that the picture was taken at?

[Svashtar]

Originally Posted by Khukuri Monster

On the picture of the Jange in the deals for 10/5, it looks as if it doesn't have a buttcap... is this just due to the angle that the picture was taken at?

None of the Jange's have a buttcap. Plain wood finish just like the Dui Chirra's / Berk's Specials. I was thinking of actually inletting a piece of brass or a coin into the butt. I have done enough of this on my wood working projects to think I could do it without screwing it up too badly. (-:

Thanks,

Norm

[37up]

I actually have the first one made by Bura. Lord is it beautiful and handles like a weapon with enough heft to chop.

I really like how the handle has no buttcap. Bura did a really good job, I'm so surprised that people are not jumping on them!

here is a pic.. see if you can spot it out

Jange and others

[hollowdweller]

Here's a thread where Danny goes "in depth" on the origins of the Jange

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...ighlight=jange

[Aardvark]

Jange and Berk Special stats.

jange:

OAL: 20"
Weight: 28.5 oz
Belly: 2 15/16"
Balance: 5" from end of bolster
Handle: 4 1/2"
Oz/in: 1.4
Maker: RR

Berk Special:

OAL: 21 1/4"
Weight: 34 oz
Belly: 2 8/16"
Balance: 5" from end of bolster
Handle: 4 1/2"
Oz/in: 1.6
Maker: Bura

May not be obvious from the various pics that have appeared, but the whole jange blade, up to the edge bevel, is one, big fuller.

Both are beautiful blades. Jange is faster, obviously.

[Daniel Koster]

great info, Norm. reallyl done your homework...

[Bill Martino]

As Rusty has observed, somebody always seems to have the answer. Great forumites make a great forum.

[Svashtar]

Originally Posted by Daniel Koster

great info, Norm. reallyl done your homework...

Thanks Dan, but I will correct myself in one respect. While it is true that all of the Dui Chirra's and Berk's Specials share the same handle design and wood type with the Jange's, it is NOT true that the two Jange's marked USA wood are identical to those. I knew about the special wood on the 10/7 Jange, but was lumping my 10/5 Jange in with all the other previous woods even though it was marked "USA Wood".

The pics from a distance seem to bear that statement out, but as soon as I got a first hand look at it, it is clear that the wood is something special. I am guessing walnut, but I am not a wood expert. In any case it is some of the nicest stuff I have ever seen with some beautiful figure in it that was out of sight of the camera, so you can't tell from the DOTD pics. They all look good, but it's when you hold them that you really see all the detail and can appreciate them.

In any case the Jange's are a nice addition to the line and I hope they keep making them!

Tnx,

Norm