18" Kobra...15 oz of pure snake

K

Kmark

Joined
Mar 21, 2000
Messages
320
Every now and then, something comes along which really catches my attention. I mean, REALLY catches my attention. Enter the 18" Bura Kobra...all 15 oz of it.

When Yangdu told me it was made by Bura and weighed only 15 oz, I simply had to own it. Today, it has finally arrived.

Here it is, beside my 18" Gelbu Special. Pix are poor because it's at night. Morning will bring better pics, if I can manage it.

GS_kobra.jpg


Let me tell you something about this blade. When I pulled it out of the box and unsheathed it, I thought I was holding a wooden khukuri, such was its weight and balance. A toy khukuri, if you will. Nothing could be further from the truth!

You see, I'm used to my 18" Gelbu Special (also by Bura) and I had always thought that it was a light blade. It still is a light, well-balanced blade, like most 18" Gelbu Specials.

But the 18" Bura GS feels like a sea anchor compared to this 18" Bura Kobra.

Basic stats:

5/16" thick at the bolster
5/16" thick at the spine
5/32" thick near the tip

1.1" wide at the bolster
1.2" wide at the spine

5" wood handle (not including bolster)

15 oz weight

This thing nearly floats in my hand. It is only slightly heavier than one of my escrima sticks (made of rattan), but quite a bit deadlier. Just as I can generate good velocity with an escrima stick, I can generate the same kinds of speed with this khukuri. This thing is very fast, and I'm not exaggerating in the least.

Its relatively puny appearance (compared to my other khuks) might lead you to believe it has little reach. Well, I have 13.25" of reach even if I choke my grip right up to the bolster. That's within the lower threshold of a short sword.

Looking at it as a weapon - indeed, there is no other way to look at it - it doesn't look particularly deadly. Like I said, it looks like a toy compared to my other khuks. But you have to remember...that's a 13.25" reach of sharpened, heat-treated, forward-angled high carbon steel that can be moved at very high speeds. Add a snap cut in there and the rest can be left to the imagination.

Of course, the specialization that went into this khuk means it is not well suited for chopping any branches more than 1" in diameter, and certainly shouldn't be used as a prybar. That's okay. I don't use my swords for chopping down trees - that's what my Gelbu Special is for. I don't use my swords for prying things open - that's what crowbars (and Ang Kholas) are for. All things have their place.

There is only one little problem with the khuk, but it is not a defect. The wood handle is a bit small unless I choke up on my grip to the bolster. The size of the handle is perfectly in proportion with the smaller blade, so Bura didn't make any mistake. As long as I grip the top portion of the handle while leaving my little finger around the bottom portion, it seems to work okay. However, if it really bothers me, Terry Sisco is only an email away.

If anybody knows of a satisfactory way to wrap the handle in order to improve the grip without losing any looks, please let me know.

In summary, no blade should be judged solely on one set of criteria. This khukuri scores poorly on heavy duty and general purpose work, but it more than makes up for it in the martial arts aspect. It is extremely light, extremely fast, has good reach and is made by Bura. Other than a fatter handle, there is nothing more I could possibly ask for.
 
I so have to get one of those... maybe for Christmas. I have a feeling that a 21" Kobra would be just the thing for clearing out thornbushes and grapevines, as well as uninvited guests :D .
 
Yep, i love the Kobra. My handle seems a good size, but i agree with you on the work vs. weapon aspects. I would like to get a longer (maybe 25") Kobra or similar model in the future.

Roadrunner, for vines and light clearing work, it should be excellent! Definitely get one, you won't be disappointed!
 
Last week I got a 21" Kobra by Amtrak that came in at 22.5 oz. Great balance and felt fast in the hand given the size of it. It is funny to me, after swinging a AK around the Kobra seems so small and so light that it wouldn't hurt a fly. I would hate to see the fly that it wouldn't hurt. That is still a crap load (forgive the phrase) of steel moving real fast. Like Kmark said;"Add a snap cut in there and the rest can be left to the imagination."
 
Kmark

Thank you for that nice report. Thank you for sharing your picture. I must say I like the Kobra a lot and would like to try a 20 incher one time.

I have one question for you now. How do you suppose a light Kobra like that would be usable in self defence?

I used to have a 25 Kobra and I bent it after a 3 day working session on some young trees.

http://groups.msn.com/Justmypictures/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=7

It was probably the cold that did it. The trees were frozen hard and too much for the Kobra.

So because of this I imagene that a lighter Kobra like your's would bend even more easily (or perhaps break) if you took a swing at something hard, like someone's skull during a wild fight. And I have heard that giving someone a deep cut in against the skull does absolutely not slow them down (they just bleed a lot). I think I heard or read one story about a guy who defended himself with a machete and the attacker suffered 8 deep slashes in his head but it never slowed him down a bit.

So here is my question. How do you use this in self defense? I suppose you just have to go for the soft parts like the throat and belly? Giving someone a slash in the head will not do the trick. Maybe cutting a major muscle group in one limb will stop the attacker. But what if you break or bend that thin thing when it hits the bone, and then what about the two other attackers who are also charging you?

So, what do you think? Go for soft parts only?
 
Eikerværing


"Giving someone a slash in the head will not do the trick. Maybe cutting a major muscle group in one limb will stop the attacker"


I wouldn't be so sure of that. There would be a big difference between a slash from a machete and a chop from a Kobra. Trying not to be to graffic here. A slash from a machete would be much more likely to glance once it hit bone, more so something rounded like the top of the skull. The curved blade of a Kobra...well I think that it would have a bit more bit. With most blade type wounds you are counting on the shock of the event to stop the person.The "oh crap I just got cut with a monster blade" shock. Very hard to instantly drop someone if they know that they aren't supposed to fall down and be dead. If they are on serious drugs then that is a whole other level of problems. As long as you didn't have to fight twenty people at once I wouldn't be to worried about the Kobra breaking it is still very very tough. I think that I have a super big dog chew done that has been asking for it. I think that I will see what effect my Kobra has on it. Report to come.
 
Eikerværing, one of the differences between a 25" Kobra and an 18" Kobra is the pliability of the blade. The reason why your Kobra bent is because it is a long, thin blade (width wise) and you were striking a relatively solid, rooted target. Those trees may be young but I don't imagine they have too much give to them at their base, going on the pic I saw, much less so if they're frozen solid. A 25" Kobra is a sword, meant for thinner or softer targets. Now, an 18" Gelbu Special would have done the trick without bending, I'm sure, because that's what it was made for.

Like Mark said, there is a big difference between the cutting power of a machete vs a khukuri. That forward curved blade would give my Kobra much more bite. And I wouldn't worry about my blade bending if I were ever in a self-defense situation. If fighting bowie knives are regularly 5/16" thick and sport a 12" blade, surely my own 5/16" thick, 13.25" differentially hardened kobra blade would be more than a match for those knives.
 
never slowed him down a bit.

So here is my question. How do you use this in self defense? I suppose you just have to go for the soft parts like the throat and belly? Giving someone a slash in the head will not do the trick. Maybe cutting a major muscle group in one limb will stop the attacker. But what if you break or bend that thin thing when it hits the bone, and then what about the two other attackers who are also charging you?

So, what do you think? Go for soft parts only? [/B]
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Just chop his head off. Works every time. :p
 
Originally posted by Kmark
Now, an 18" Gelbu Special would have done the trick without bending, I'm sure, because that's what it was made for.
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I have an 18 Gelbu now that is great for work.

Originally posted by Kmark
The reason why your Kobra bent is because it is a long, thin blade (width wise) and you were striking a relatively solid, rooted target.
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Ok, so the shorter Kobra will not bend. But it might break don't you think? After all it is thin. I have this certainty I could manage to break an 18 inch Kobra.

Originally posted by Kmark
Like Mark said, there is a big difference between the cutting power of a machete vs a khukuri. That forward curved blade would give my Kobra much more bite.
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Still I can't imagene some deep slashes in the skull would stop anyone. Stopping someone means inflicting incapabiliting damage to me.

Doing what Ichor said makes sense.
 
"After all it is thin"

Compared to a AK yes. Compared to every other big chopper or camp knife that I have no or that one can easily buy no. Not even close. Take a Busse or Strider, or in my case a Bercker Knife and Tool 9, and you are looking at 1/4 inch max. And those are considered to be big thick heavy choppers. There are some thicker but most of those are going to be crazy customs. Could it break? Yes. Would I be concerned that it would break in a short self defense encounter? I wouldn't be.

"Still I can't imagene some deep slashes in the skull would stop anyone. Stopping someone means inflicting incapabiliting damage to me."

You have to consider that there is more involved then just getting cut. A cut alone may not hurt very much, a very sharp blade can cut you without much pain. You also have to consider that you are smacking them in the head with a pound and a half of steel. Blunt impact alone would come into play. I have done a bit of submission and no rules fighting (no I am not some crazed freak) and I can tell you that getting hit in the head with a elbow while not life ending does tend to take the fight out of you. I say elbow because a persons elbow will cut you open like a knife when it is smacked into your head. No the cut alone isn't enough to stop someone but when you combine it with the simple trama of impact then it has a completely different effect. Isay this because it happened to me. If I was fighting for my life could I have kept going, yes. At about 50% speed. Since we are talking about self defense here assume the person doesn't think your watch is worth getting his head cut open for. I would rather someone hit me 10 or 15 times with a good elbow before a whack from a Kobra. Yes cutting their head off would most certainly end any fight but it would be a rare creature indeed that would want to keep going after a good shot from a Kobra, anywhere on the body, much less the head. At the very least a shot to the head would gimp them up enough where you could then follow it up with something else. Just my thoughts on the matter mind you, not saying that they are worth anything and with the hope that no one here ever needs to use any kind of khurk to defend themselves.:)

editted to add aim for the body, it is a much bigger target anyway.;)
 
No the cut alone isn't enough to stop someone but when you combine it with the simple trama of impact then it has a completely different effect. ............. Yes cutting their head off would most certainly end any fight but it would be a rare creature indeed that would want to keep going after a good shot from a Kobra, anywhere on the body, much less the head. .......[/B]
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I agree. Cutting their head off is certainly the most decisive ;-) (like, he's unlike to get back up, right?), but I believe most assailants could be effectively stopped with a good solid shot to the head with the *BACK* of the Khuk, even a lighter one, let alone the same impact with the sharpened edge.
 
My Kobra is thin in comparison to other khuks. It is structurally weaker than my Gelbu Special or Ang Khola. That is a fact. It is, however, on par with or stronger than your average wakizashi or long bowie knife. It's all a matter of perspective.

And I do not believe that my khuk will break before it will bend, under normal use for a pure martial arts blade. This is because I trust in Bura's experience as a smith. The blade is 5/16" - 1/4" thick (at the spine) for most of its length, and all of that is differentially hardened high carbon steel - harder edge, softer spine. Steel that is 'soft' will be tough, less brittle and thus less likely to break.

Like ichor and Mark said, you have to consider the sheer impact trauma that 15oz of steel, swung at high velocity, can produce. I'm hitting the palm of my hand with the back of my khuk, using light, controlled swings. It's already painful as it is. Imagine a medium or full powered stroke, combined with a snap-cut. Ouch. Now imagine that same strike with the edge of the blade...double ouch.
 
Eikerværing, I don't want to be rude but you definitely shouldn't have used a Kobra on a tree like that, especially a frozen one.

That tree is thicker than any human bone. The skull is tough because of its shape and the thigh bone is thick and surrounded by meat but neither is so thick.
 
Hi Eikerværing,
Just a few thoughts of mine, If that kuk wont do it, SCREAM & RUN!


Avoid it if you can,{If your ego allows you runnings good!} if you cant, Fight for your life, use anything & everything.

regards,
Spiral
 
Originally posted by Eikerværing ......How do you use this in self defense? I suppose you just have to go for the soft parts like the throat and belly? Giving someone a slash in the head will not do the trick. Maybe cutting a major muscle group in one limb will stop the attacker.
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Dean, I lust for a Bureti. I've read about it on the forums, and 16" 11oz of viper sounds like a great complement to my 18" 15oz kobra. When do you think Bura will get around to making more?
 
I guess it can be done but not if it is used right. Sarge gave a young man some advise no long ago about learning to use his first khuk that all should practice.

I have cut three inch limbs with the 20' Kesar made Kobra that I have. It had a wobble in the blade when new and has not gotten worse. Without some very controlled practice with the khuk of choice. I would suggest that you not get in a fight with a khuk. You may hurt yourself more than the enemy. You have to have control of that blade and know at what angle that blade is going to the target or, your swing may do very little damage at all.

There is no doubt in my mind that using the type of swing that Rusty and Pen., told us about that the 20" Kobra I have will split a human skull like a mellon. Fight over. :)
 
Thanks for the discussion everybody. Sorry I am a bit late to get back to this thread. It has been long days.



Originally posted by Mark Nelson
A cut alone may not hurt very much, a very sharp blade can cut you without much pain. You also have to consider that you are smacking them in the head with a pound and a half of steel. Blunt impact alone would come into play. I have done a bit of submission and no rules fighting (no I am not some crazed freak) and I can tell you that getting hit in the head with a elbow while not life ending does tend to take the fight out of you. I say elbow because a persons elbow will cut you open like a knife when it is smacked into your head. No the cut alone isn't enough to stop someone but when you combine it with the simple trama of impact then it has a completely different effect. Isay this because it happened to me.
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Hmmm... Eikerværing is going to be the devil's advocate here.

Some basic physics. An elbow has tremendous power. It is close to strong muscle groups in your torso. The khukuri is far out and cannot draw so much power from your body. It draws power more from it's own momentum. It hurts a lot, but will it stop you? Your elbow can put the weight of your body behind it. Lots of pounds in comparison don't you think?




How about bringing a huge 30 inch Ang Khola instead and just throw it in the face of the guy? :)



Originally posted by Red

Eikerværing, I don't want to be rude but you definitely shouldn't have used a Kobra on a tree like that, especially a frozen one.
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Yes, I was new to khukuris back then. I was adviced by knife authour Tom Holt on this forum to pick the 25 Kobra for the spesific task of working on young trees. He had been doing the same with success.

It still says best all round khukuri on it on the shopping site. That made me feel safe on using it like that.


Originally posted by spiraltwista

Also if by chance a weapon "Does" break use the broken stub in the handle as a punching or stabbing type tool in the eye & cheekbone area,
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A very good idea. I have broken two khukuris and the handle piece with the broken stub is really great for that purpose.

This is also the reason I am afraid of breaking an 18" Kobra. I am wrongly environmentally shaped by a few unfortunately bad khukuris I guess.

Originally posted by spiraltwista

Secondly I know that realy heads blows arnt great on methamphetamin freaks, boxers or pychos for "dropping" them,
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This has also been a concern of mine. Cut the neck I say and disembovel the stomache.


Originally posted by Pappy

I would suggest that you not get in a fight with a khuk. You may hurt yourself more than the enemy. You have to have control of that blade and know at what angle that blade is going to the target or, your swing may do very little damage at all.
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I noticed that it can be difficult for a beginner to have a feeling for the position of the edge.

Originally posted by Pappy

There is no doubt in my mind that using the type of swing that Rusty and Pen., told us about that the 20" Kobra I have will split a human skull like a mellon.
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There are still things untested with these Kobras. A fresh animal butchering should be available somewhere to someone.




Ddean, I would like a hanshee made out of an old file like that. Wow what a weapon. My dream.
 
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