15" Sirupati

[scwareuroi]

Just purchased a 15" sirupati. On the website the description includes "Light but still strong enough to do a heavy day's work." And in the sticky at the top of the forums, the sirupati is not listed as one of the models suggested for field use, or warranted for field (heavy chopping, log splitting, de limbing). Where should i draw the line as far as usage goes? I expected to be able to de-limb / chop / baton a little bit within reason (nothing over a couple inches in diameter) but i do not want to damage it. Just trying to get a grasp on what the intended purpose for this is, and what are its limitations?

I apologize in advance if i overlooked a thread or any information on this in my searches. Thanks for the help.

 

[Derek the Destroyer]

Kudos to you if you are actually able to break it. My siru is light but very beastly. Like a Leopard. Very strong, quick, and agile. It has de-limbed many a tree. it has split many a log. To me, it seems almost unbreakable. I can even use the back of it as a hammer (although only for wood). Ya, I know its a little guy. But sometimes big things come in little packages. Once you get the technique down, it becomes an extension of your arm. Speaking of arm, it could probably lop off an arm if properly sharpened.

 

[Karda]

The intended purpose for the sirupate is as a weapon.
If it is not on the field use list then it is a general use blade:

General Use, As defined by Himalayan Imports :
Clearing light brush, light household chores, caping or skinning of game.

 

[md02geist]

Kudos to you if you are actually able to break it. My siru is light but very beastly. Like a Leopard. Very strong, quick, and agile. It has de-limbed many a tree. it has split many a log. To me, it seems almost unbreakable. I can even use the back of it as a hammer (although only for wood). Ya, I know its a little guy. But sometimes big things come in little packages. Once you get the technique down, it becomes an extension of your arm. Speaking of arm, it could probably lop off an arm if properly sharpened.

Seconded entirely. Wait until you get it in hand, it's a beastly little blade but still amazingly fast.

 

[Steve Tall]

Since acquiring a 15" sirupati that has a spine thickness of 3/8" at the shoulder, and is more than 3/8" thick at the bolster, I've wondered about the warranty limitations versus what this knife can actually endure. I think it can handle a lot more than what it's warranted for, especially when I hear about guys using their khukuri-like "machetes" for all kinds of chopping and limbing of trees, when their blades have a thickness of only around 1/8" and aren't differentially heat treated like the beefier HI sirupatis.

Sure, this sirupati won't chop as well as a bigger blade with more weight out front, but I'm not worried about it ever breaking, regardless of warranty coverages.

 

[scwareuroi]

I didn't plan on 'abusing' it (i have a tomahawk to chop with) but just wanted to be clear where to draw the line, which seems to be a little different depending on the person (some using it beyond its 'suggested use / covered under warranty use'). I think i will stick with general use (light brush (what is considered light brush?), smaller tasks, etc.) as suggested and martial arts training however i will keep in mind that while its classified as general use / weapon for a reason, that others have used it for a little bit more heavy duty tasks (within reason) and had no issues.

If i understand correctly, if you buy second hand the item needs to be sent in and inspected for the warranty to still be applicable?

Thanks for the input / help. Cant wait to play with it.

 

[Karda]

If i understand correctly, if you buy second hand the item needs to be sent in and inspected for the warranty to still be applicable?

From the warranty:

All Himalayan Imports Products carry a non-transferrable Limited Lifetime Warranty against defects in workmanship and manufacture to the original purchaser only.

 

[Steely_Gunz]

While I would never suggest using the knife beyond its classification, the warranty is in place to guard against crooks (who try to break used blades and return them for a new knife) and boneheads (to be blunt, people who could find a way to break a ball-baring ). Can my 15" Siru spend many a day hacking through saplings, trimming the fat off my dinner, and being batonned through small logs to make kindling? I have no doubt at all. It's still a very stout and reliable piece of steel.

Can it constantly be used to split 9" diameter logs, pry stumps out of ground, used to chop down a 12" tree? Yeah, probably, but I wouldn't be the least bit shocked if it gave up the ghost and bent/broke. The siru is a deadly fast little blade. Using it beyond its parameters isn't just hard on the knife, it's foolish.

Take care of your Siru, and it'll take care of you...and your children's children.

 

[scwareuroi]

From the warranty:

Thanks, not sure how I over looked that, or where I read that other bit. Appreciate all the input.

 

[sweetcostarica]

The Himalayan Imports (HI) 15" Sirupate is kind of small. I had this 15" Sirupate and it was a beautiful piece, highly finished. I sold the 15" Sirupate because the BAS/BSI, the KLVUK, and to some extent the Kamang knives did everything the Sirupates did and did it a little better. The only thing the Sirupate was better at was splitting wood. The HI 15" and also the 18" Sirupate's thicker 3/8 spines are really good wood splitters.

Also, 15 inches overall length is not my first choice in a last ditch knife fight (God forbid you get in one). So self-defense/protection is weak for any Kukri under 18 inches in my book.

I am of the opinion if you buy a knife and it breaks buy another one. If you use a HI Kukri properly it won't break and that really goes for any tool. Proper usage is using the traditional Asian two-finger grip, not actually using your knife as a pry bar, keeping the blade maintained and sharp, etc.

The above Nepali picture shows how cutting tools are stored by one villager.

The intended purpose of the Suripate is as was stated fighting, and its limitations are that other tools (like the hatchet, the full size Kukri, Parang, etc.) will be better at wood work than it is. Something to think about.

 

[Steely_Gunz]

I actually really like a light and fast 15" khuk for self defense. It is not going to hit like a ton of bricks like the longer brethren, but it's speed makes up for that.

If you dig around in the archives, there is a story of a soldier using a khuk for up close social work over in the sand box. For me, a khul the weight of a fighting bowie handles beat

 

[Steve Tall]

A relevant "testimonial" from another thread:

I split wood with my 15 inch siru when I'm camping. It doesn't have a exposed tang and probably isnt warranted for that kind of use... But after hours of abuse it is still rock solid.

 

[falar]

The Himalayan Imports (HI) 15" Sirupate is kind of small. I had this 15" Sirupate and it was a beautiful piece, highly finished. I sold the 15" Sirupate because the BAS/BSI, the KLVUK, and to some extent the Kamang knives did everything the Sirupates did and did it a little better. The only thing the Sirupate was better at was splitting wood. The HI 15" and also the 18" Sirupate's thicker 3/8 spines are really good wood splitters.

Also, 15 inches overall length is not my first choice in a last ditch knife fight (God forbid you get in one). So self-defense/protection is weak for any Kukri under 18 inches in my book.

I am of the opinion if you buy a knife and it breaks buy another one. If you use a HI Kukri properly it won't break and that really goes for any tool. Proper usage is using the traditional Asian two-finger grip, not actually using your knife as a pry bar, keeping the blade maintained and sharp, etc.
View attachment 320043
The above Nepali picture shows how cutting tools are stored by one villager.

The intended purpose of the Suripate is as was stated fighting, and its limitations are that other tools (like the hatchet, the full size Kukri, Parang, etc.) will be better at wood work than it is. Something to think about.

I will have to agree with you on the 15" not being "enough". I just got my first in that size just to round out my Sirupate collection and am suprised at how small it is.

It IS really fast and feels weightless, but after having so many 18-20" (and a few 25s) Khukuris it just feels like it is lacking in reach.

 

[Derek the Destroyer]

Although I have never been in a knife fight, I have taken knife self-defense classes. From what I was taught, I should get in close and narrow the gap. what I like about my 15" is that if held in reverse grip, It covers my entire forearm but is light enough to make slashes and stabs while in reverse grip. Another plus is that I can switch grips with ease from reverse to standard grip. But, In a knife fight, I would throw my SOG Tigershark at my adversary first. OOOO Baby that thing can throw.
That being said, I still want an m-43 so Badly! Come on Santa, Bring it to me! I've been good

 

[sweetcostarica]

I believe Derek's testament as Steve quoted:
"I split wood with my 15 inch siru when I'm camping. It doesn't have a exposed tang and probably isnt warranted for that kind of use... But after hours of abuse it is still rock solid.".
I'm pretty sure Derek is using a HI Sirupate with a "stick tang" or "Rat Tail" tang. From my experience in cold, and I mean cold, conditions I believe with average use (not abuse though) the HI Surupate will last many generations.
I have in my home antique "Partial tang" Kukris used in WW1 and before that have solid blade to handle attachment. The old Kukris are still totally useable! The Kamis of Nepal are very good at what they do.

Below defintions of tangs from another post.
There are three types of tang (paro) in Nepal;

1. Puraparo = Rat tail tang This is now the most common type of tang in Nepal (also called a stick tang).

2. Aadha paro = Partial tang, The traditional tang of Nepal (also called a hidden tang).

3. Chirawal paro = Full tang (divide tang), the least favored and used in Nepal, as in the MKII and MKIII (miltary) models.

1.
2.
3.

 

[davidf99]

Just to add to the confusion, "full tang" is often used to mean any tang that goes all the way through the handle and is peened over at the end. In this usage, "chiruwa" means the tang that is completely visible, with two pinned handle slabs at the sides. This could perhaps be called "fullest tang."

I see two advantages to the chiruwa style: Easier to rehandle if you need to or want to. Looks, if that appeals to you (as it does to me).

The advantage of full stick tang is less vibration when used for heavy or prolonged chopping. Also, if you get one of the fancier khukuris with a nicely carved handle, there's more real estate for the carving.

You can't go wrong if you get one of each.

-- Dave

 

[sweetcostarica]

I actually really like a light and fast 15" khuk for self defense. It is not going to hit like a ton of bricks like the longer brethren, but it's speed makes up for that.

As stated this is a personal choice you have made that works for yourself. No doubt others including Gurkhas may have made the same decision for their style and body type.

Since I have no combat or street knife fighting experience I go with what the experts use. In the pictures below it seems the Gurkhs are using mostly Sirupates (and similar long knives) with and average overall length of 18 inches and I'm guessing an average weight of 500 grams (17.6 oz).


So if you were to pick the best Kukri for combat based on this it would be, at least 50% of the time, an approximately 18 inch long, 17 to 18 oz Sirupate. The other 50% would be a personal choice like Steely_Gunz or another Gurkha favorite the regular 18 inch long, 20 oz to 21 oz broad bladed Kukri from my research (picture below).

 

[Derek the Destroyer]

Man those Gurkha warriors are awesome! The "below picture" has got to be a dream khuk for me.

 

[sweetcostarica]

Man those Gurkha warriors are awesome! The "below picture" has got to be a dream khuk for me.

I'm with you, it is one of the best Kukris of it's type that I have seen. The handle is metal and the craftsmanship of the Kukri is on par with what a master Kami would make. This is the reason I get so passionate about traditional Khukuris :thumbup:.

 

[scwareuroi]

Lots of great points and info in this thread. I now have a better understanding of khuks in general. Also think iv caught the bug as i am looking for my next purchase and havent even received the sirupati yet haha.