18" Ganga Ram Special

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Fiddleback

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Oct 19, 2005
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Well I couldn't deal with the flaw in the blade of the Salyan Special.:( I e-mailed Yangdu and she immediately said to send it back. Now she is sending me an 18" Ganga Ram Special. I had been wanting a bigger Khuk anyway, and with it finally starting to get cold here in Atlanta I can use it to cut some wood. Does anyone here wanna give me a rundown of the 18" GRS?

Thanks,

Andy
 
The 17-18" BGRS is considered one of the most versatile HI khukuris by many of us. I recently got one but haven't gotten around to using it yet. It'll handle just about any wood you need chopped.

Bob
 
I have one - it developed a slight crack in the handle, so I villagerized it - satin finish and sanded handle. Bestial chopper. Nice balance, thick blade.... Wait a second....

OK, back. Just talking about it made me have to go outside and chop something. :o
 
Good! I'm glad its inspirational. I felt bad sending back the Salyan... I just couldn't look at it without seeing that dent in the blade. It was a Bura too, and I want to collect some Bura works. Yangdu is the best customer service rep ever, and stood by it all the way.

Andy
 
I have several GRSs ranging from 18" to 22.5". One of my favorite HI patterns.:):thumbup: I've used one 18"r for yard work regularly - to delimb branches.
 
I have a bunch of them ranging from 15" and 20 oz. to 22.5" and 42 oz., and the BGRS's are fearsome choppers; the Villagers are even more so. They are the best all around choppers IMO. Most BGRS's that have been made lately are about 17.25" and 27 oz., but 15's and 18"ers show up sometimes (two 15"ers today.) You won't be disappointed I'm sure.

Norm
 
Yup, the BGRS is one of the best all around choppers. It cuts like a much heavier khukuri and carries like the lighter one it is.
The BGRS has long been one of my favorites.:thumbup: :D
 
"I've used one 18"r for yard work regularly - to delimb branches." Hdwrlover

Thats what I've been using my Chiruwa AK for. For a small yard I've gots lots of hardwoods, so I'm lucky that way. It'll take a 1" hickory branch off the trunk in one swipe. How is the 18GRS going to compare?

Andy
 
aproy1101 said:
"I've used one 18"r for yard work regularly - to delimb branches." Hdwrlover

Thats what I've been using my Chiruwa AK for. For a small yard I've gots lots of hardwoods, so I'm lucky that way. It'll take a 1" hickory branch off the trunk in one swipe. How is the 18GRS going to compare?

Andy
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It's going to do it better and faster. Make sure you know where your blade is going and your arms and legs are out of the way. Make sure of what is behind the object you are cutting in other words. And read the safety thread! It's easy to get these going and not as easy to stop them.
 
SA,
That's a good way to go. I like a horn handle filed down to a good shape, sanded to about 220 - 320 grit sandpaper and then finished with 4/0 steel wool, and soaked in oil as discussed elsewhere on this forum recently.
I like olive oil, others like mineral oil...to each his own.
 
Ganga Ram's are my favorite HI pattern. Especially the 17" is the perfect blend of "light enough to swing, heavy enough to chop"

I don't think anybody (other khuk makers) make any models that are similar to Ganga Rams even. They are a great blade everyone should have:thumbup: :D

I have a 17" that I have beat the hell out of. Chopped chainsaws out of logs with, dropped off the roof of a house chopping a tree off of it you name it. I just sharpen the dings out and go on.

I have a beautiful villager 17" that Heber is sending me back soon. I can't wait to get it back.
 
Please post me some pics! Andy
 
I recently bought a BGRS from Norm, but haven't had a chance to hack anything up with it, yet. Been wanting one for 4 years, though, and this baby looks eager.

I like big blades (Hm. Sounds like the beginning of a song :D ), but the full-size GRS was just too much for me.

John
 
I should have grabbed that BGRS from Norm................. :(

Now I realize THAT would be my next khuk......... :(
 
Astrodada said:
I should have grabbed that BGRS from Norm................. :(

Now I realize THAT would be my next khuk......... :(
Click to expand...

I felt much the same way about that one. :( I didn't find out about it until it was over. I hadn't been watching the Exchange at all and still only go there infrequently.

I suppose it would be too much to expect an HI Outfitters to go along with the HI Cantina. ;)
 
In case I haven't said it enough times yet, the 15" BGRS is my favorite khuk in my favorite size - a bit of refinement, and it will be perfect. To me, it's the ideal compromise between portability and effectiveness. It will handle a tree (if I'm patient), it limbs fine, it clears brush in a pinch, and I can carry it for days on end without it ever getting in the way or yanking my trousers down. Good stuff.

The full sized version? 22" of khukuri can be interesting. When I'm not whacking myself on the hand with them they certainly throw some chips. My biggest complaint? After a bit of time swinging, I'm squeezing the handle so hard in an effort to maintain control that I actually squeeze the blood out of my lower arm; it goes numb, the muscles lock up, and I have to peel my fingers off the handle with my other hand. :)

If you're ever looking for one hell of an upper body workout...
 
How does the BGRS compare to the AK ?

Does the BGRS has more tip heavy balance ? edge shape different ?
 
Now you guys really got me going. Thanks for the pics too. I wanted a bigger knife than my Chiruwa AK that could chop! Looks like I got it coming. Now the waiting agaian!:barf: I appreciate all the lively discussion. Andy
 
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