18" Kumar Kobra

[frostdog]

Collected my first HI blade from the post office this morning - an 18" Kumar Kobra that weighs in at just over 19 oz. Uncle and fellow nephews, it's beautiful. Nicely worked scabbard, thanks to HI's now-fugitive leather master; wherever he is, I wish him well. Great wood handle, nicely made and matched karda and chakma about 6" overall, the karda sharp as a razor. The Kobra itself is awesome - sharp and slender and clean, 5/16ths through the spine and 1 and1/4 " at its widest, about 12 inches of sharpened blade. It usheaths with just the right amount of pressure and is terrifically controllable. I''m working with a broken rib and I can move it as easily and comfortably as a pracice stick. A very honourable sword. Enlighten me, Uncle - the maker's mark is a bowl with a feathery flame rising out of it. Who's my kami?
Regards,
Frostdog

 

[Bill Martino]

Thanks for report from the field, Frosty. Your Kobra was made by the kami with no name.

 

[frostdog]

Thanks, Uncle. The kamis with no names are masters.

 

[Walosi]

Frost -

The KNNs are indeed master smiths. I have several blades marked with the butterlamp. There are just enough differences in style and technique to indicate different makers, but all are superb blades. I've even talked myself into thinking there may be a fourth KNN. A recent WWII has a much wider cho, a large butterlamp signature, and slightly fullered flats that I hadn't seen on prior KNN blades. Nepal ho

 

[Bill Martino]

And you could well be right, Wal. Birds of a feather flock together and it would not suprise me a bit if KNN did not bring a cousin, nephew, brother-in-law. etc. in need of cash into BirGorkha on a temporary basis to help them.

KNN is a team. They are really subcontractors. They know the rules. You can use any helper, apprentice, worker that you want but any product offered for payment has to meet or exceed specs and pass inspection -- or back it goes.