This weekend, I got the opportunity to give my Shop 1 18" Forward Curve a good workout. This one has the cross-hatching on the blade that some have reported gets full of 'stuff' when chopping. First, a report on the blade itself. This is, as mentioned, a Shop 1 blade, complete with the 'Made in Nepal' label. The forging of the blade is decent, though not up to BirGorkha standards - there are several spots where there are 'waves' in the belly. The blade is very well hardened, and holds a very keen edge. I've noticed that a few of my knives, a villager, this one, and a few others that have come and gone, seem to take a different type of sharp edge, perhaps they have had a different grind or something. Anyway, the knife comes in at about 18" OAL, and weighs just about two pounds. It is very 'head-heavy', which is what I'd expect from a forward curving model, but still very easy to wield and control. The handle is a little short, but the circumference is just about right for an average hand. The scabbard is decent, as are the 2 kardas that came with it (no chakma). I've used the kardas for general purpose slicing and cutting, and they are very well hardened, and perform well.
The work that I was doing involved limbing a hardwood tree in preparation for cutting it to length, and splitting it for firewood. This Khuk did a fine job at the task. I have heard (read) others talk about the small sweet-spot on this profile of blade, and I experienced that to some degree. The key to this knife, however is to use it where the more severe curve can be a boon to the task at hand. I found this to be the case when chopping the limbs, as the tree had already been felled, the ground was fairly close. With a Sirupati, one of my more favorite profiles, the tip would have been contacting the ground as I chopped. Due to the geometry of this blade, however, I was able to 'wrap' it around the limb being chopped, without any fear of striking the ground beneath. I did experience some bad feedback from the blade when I got too far out toward the tip, however, when the belly was used, it was very comfortable, and performed outstandingly. The wood was seasoned Birch, and quite hard, and it presented no problem for this blade.
Once done for the day, I cleaned up the blade, and didn't notice much junk stuck in the cross-hatching. I can see where this might be an issue when dealing with 'green' wood however or vines and the like. The edge would still pop hairs off my arm, and had no deflections in it whatsoever. It needed no touch-up at all! I had not had the chance to really work with this knife until now, and I must say that I was very pleased with it. There are some profiles that work better for different tasks, I guess the plan would be to get one of each, and have the right Khuk for every job!
Once again, this is another example of a very well made tool, designed for decades of abuse, and performed above and beyond what I expect from a tool. Thank you Uncle Bill and our brothers in Nepal!!!
Regards,
Rob
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I'd rather sleep next to a Bush than be Gored!
The work that I was doing involved limbing a hardwood tree in preparation for cutting it to length, and splitting it for firewood. This Khuk did a fine job at the task. I have heard (read) others talk about the small sweet-spot on this profile of blade, and I experienced that to some degree. The key to this knife, however is to use it where the more severe curve can be a boon to the task at hand. I found this to be the case when chopping the limbs, as the tree had already been felled, the ground was fairly close. With a Sirupati, one of my more favorite profiles, the tip would have been contacting the ground as I chopped. Due to the geometry of this blade, however, I was able to 'wrap' it around the limb being chopped, without any fear of striking the ground beneath. I did experience some bad feedback from the blade when I got too far out toward the tip, however, when the belly was used, it was very comfortable, and performed outstandingly. The wood was seasoned Birch, and quite hard, and it presented no problem for this blade.
Once done for the day, I cleaned up the blade, and didn't notice much junk stuck in the cross-hatching. I can see where this might be an issue when dealing with 'green' wood however or vines and the like. The edge would still pop hairs off my arm, and had no deflections in it whatsoever. It needed no touch-up at all! I had not had the chance to really work with this knife until now, and I must say that I was very pleased with it. There are some profiles that work better for different tasks, I guess the plan would be to get one of each, and have the right Khuk for every job!
Once again, this is another example of a very well made tool, designed for decades of abuse, and performed above and beyond what I expect from a tool. Thank you Uncle Bill and our brothers in Nepal!!!
Regards,
Rob
------------------
I'd rather sleep next to a Bush than be Gored!
