Finally took some photos of my first khukri in action. I was looking for a khuk to take hiking/camping. I needed something primarily for chopping. I'm lazy and feed long branches into the fire, but I still needed some way of chopping the branches off a downed tree. Also, I was hoping to find one with a chiruwa style handle so I wouldn't feel bad pounding stakes with the flat side, or prying if need be. Since I will be hiking with it, weight is also an issue.
So anyway, at he beginning of the month a 17.5" chiruwa-style ganga ram special popped up on the DOTD. This is my first khukri so I really have no basis for comparison, but so far it has been great.
Here it is on the Everest stand that came with it:
It is a meaty 1/2" thick at the spine. The ring around the handle needed some fine tuning. The edge was too sharp and started blisters in no time. After filing and cleaning up it worked great.
Made by Tara Bhadur. It came very sharp. Beautiful job on the blade and finish.
Guess I had to start of light with some pruning... branches offered no resistance.
Next something a little more challenging: black walnut. Didn't really need to do any chopping.. but what else is there to do with a pile of branches? There was surprisingly little hand shock as long as I hit the right spot. At first I wasn't sure whether I liked that ridge around the handle or not. After all this chopping though, I realize my grip wouldn't have been as positive without it.
And a bigger one just for fun
Just to keep with the black walnut theme...
This photo was kinda interesting so I threw it in. I think this shows where the edge was hardened. The reflection is of a brick chimney... the cloudy reflection is all the scratches in the soft steel. The redder part is hardened.
I also tested some general camp stuff. It is very quick for making and pounding in stakes (I camp with a tarp). It slices food surprisingly well for a thick blade. I'm not sure how much it weighs, but it shouldn't add too much to the pack (which is generally only 15 lbs anyway). It feels like just the right length; I couldn't go longer/heavier without giving up some control. Shorter and I feel like I'd be giving up chopping power. Perfect
I look forward to bringing it on the trail.
-Chris
So anyway, at he beginning of the month a 17.5" chiruwa-style ganga ram special popped up on the DOTD. This is my first khukri so I really have no basis for comparison, but so far it has been great.
Here it is on the Everest stand that came with it:
It is a meaty 1/2" thick at the spine. The ring around the handle needed some fine tuning. The edge was too sharp and started blisters in no time. After filing and cleaning up it worked great.
Made by Tara Bhadur. It came very sharp. Beautiful job on the blade and finish.
Guess I had to start of light with some pruning... branches offered no resistance.
Next something a little more challenging: black walnut. Didn't really need to do any chopping.. but what else is there to do with a pile of branches? There was surprisingly little hand shock as long as I hit the right spot. At first I wasn't sure whether I liked that ridge around the handle or not. After all this chopping though, I realize my grip wouldn't have been as positive without it.
And a bigger one just for fun
Just to keep with the black walnut theme...
This photo was kinda interesting so I threw it in. I think this shows where the edge was hardened. The reflection is of a brick chimney... the cloudy reflection is all the scratches in the soft steel. The redder part is hardened.
I also tested some general camp stuff. It is very quick for making and pounding in stakes (I camp with a tarp). It slices food surprisingly well for a thick blade. I'm not sure how much it weighs, but it shouldn't add too much to the pack (which is generally only 15 lbs anyway). It feels like just the right length; I couldn't go longer/heavier without giving up some control. Shorter and I feel like I'd be giving up chopping power. Perfect
I look forward to bringing it on the trail.
-Chris
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