1st test with H.I. Everest Katana.

B

Broken Arrow

Joined
Dec 1, 1999
Messages
651
Well, I have been doing some testing with the H.I. Everest Katana, and so far I'm impressed. I received prototype #2 from Uncle Bill, and it came with the wood handle. The handle is round, but even in the dark, the sword tells me where the cutting edge is. The handle isn't traditional, but it is functional and strong! The handle feels very similar to a Burmese/Thai Dha. This sword feels really alive in the hand and handles very well. This is the second one so far, and the more the Kamis make, the better the Everest katanas will be.
So far, I have cut tree branches up to 2 - 2.5" in diameter with no problems. I had to see how the Everest Katana would do on my tatami man. The limbs were 3.5" thick with a core of dried yellow bamboo. No problems were encountered, and with the standard edge (out of the box) this katana cut through the limbs easily. The edge didn't roll under these tests. I had my friend simulate an attack with my boken, and I used the Everest katana to deflect and block the variety of attacks. One thing for sure, this sword held up! The blade didn't bend, and the entire sword didn't loosen. Not bad for sword #2. I will post the results of my next phase of tests later on. Stay tuned.
 
Sounds good so far BA. Do you know where the point of balance is roughly? Do you think the everest katana is less prone to bending than the KC 29?

Thanks

Rob
 
Rob,
The Everest Katana has a P.O.B. of 4" from the Mini-Tsuba. My KC 26" Katana has one of 5" fromt he tsuba. So, far this katana hasn't bent while cutting. Alot has to do with your technique. The best sword will bend if your cutting technique is bad. I have bent an earlier KC katana with a bad cut, but I was able to straighten it out. Stay tuned, and I'll try to do a ferric chloride etch to see how the hardened edge looks.
 
BA
What is a ferric chlorid etch,and have you tested the point yet?Because of the way the khukuri blades are hardened(belly only) I was more concerned with the point test than the edge.You don't have to reply now I'll just wait till you finish.
You can email me with info on the etch I might want to try that myself.
Thanks

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Ray
 
I too am interested in the katana.Will you cut hard enough to check for edge chipping?
 
RayC,
The ferric chloride etch is a mild acid. You can buy it at radio shak. I like to use it so I can see if the blade is hardened properly. The harder edge will color differently than the softer, unhardened spine. On the traditional Japanese katanas, they used a clay mixture to zone off areas on the blade that needed to be hard(the edge).
Since I have done the etch on this sword, Iknow for sure that the first 3" of the sword is slightly softer than the rest of the blade. I first encountered this when I started to sharpen the sword. I can tell by sound if the blade is hardened properly. Even though the first 3" isn't as hard as the rest of the cutting edge, it still held up to the test cuts I subjected this sword to. Thrusts with this puppy didn't deform the tip at all. Whoever ends up buying this sword will be lucky!
smile.gif
 
Harry,
I did one last test on your sword. Don't worry it didn't fail.
smile.gif
I cut a fresh cow spine for the last test. This sword cut through with no problems! No chipped edge, or bent blade. The sword is still solid, just like new. You are lucky to be the new owner of this sword. I'll send it to Uncle this Monday.

Ray T.
 
Good job on the testing, BA. Uncle Bill mentioned that you would be writing all this up for publication in one of the Sword magazines. Can you let me know which one or ones?

Tia,



------------------
Harry

Toujours l'audacite!
 
I'm happy to see you did the bone chopping test, BA. This sword has now passed all the major requirements for a tough, battle ready sword. Even I am a little impressed with how well Kumar and Bura did on only their second effort. By the time we get to number 30 or 40 on our production run this sword should be truly a winner.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
BA
Darn!!I wanted to kill the cow.Now I have to hit something bigger.....any body have a moose in there backyard thats eaten your flowers.HAVE SWORD;WILL TRAVEL.(don't tell Rusty he may get there first.)

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Ray
 
Nah, dragging along that 30" Sirupati'll slow my truck down climbing up the steeper grades, Ray.
 
Uncle Bill and Harry,

I sent the sword off today. I hope it will get to Reno in several days. Thanks again Uncle Bill for letting me test prototype #2 Everest Katana! I had fun. I think the sword also had fun!

Ray T
 
Ray, we really appreciate the help with testing. We can do some tests but I don't like to because some people think we are telling lies and cheating like most others. If independents like you, Ray, and Jim March do the testing it is much more believeable and therefore more valuable.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
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