2 new khuks, 2 old khuks...

[Mr.BadExample]

Well, I promised that once I could post photos I would show my two old khukuris.
Here are two shots of them, to show the different decorations on the newer one's handle, and both sides of the sheath.
I was told that the wooden handled one is 19th century and it looks right. The other one is more decorative and more modern, with a thicker blade and a handle of both wood and horn. The sheath goes with the newer model.

Oh, I tested out my new Chiruwa AK on a helpless fallen tree in the yard this weekend. Amazing. At first I thought the AK was too small. How wrong I was. It chops like a champ. I nearly sliced my shin when the AK went right through a 1.5" branch in a single chop.
It's almost a shame that a great tool like this is so beautiful. It makes me not want to use it, and beat on my ugly powder-coated LTC Kukri instead. The Cold Steel hardly chops worth a damn compared to the Ang Khola.

 

[Pappy]

Those are some beautiful knives. Don't you wish they could talk? I wonder about the stories they could tell. I look at old guns and wonder the same thing. What stories could you tell me? You almost make me envious of you but that would do me no good what ever. I know you must love them. They show TLC and a man has to love them to do that.

 

[orono]

I think the older Kukris are about the most impressive fighting knives around, you get heft and history together, but I need to get a modern one for using.
I just can't see taking a hundred year old Kukri out to clear a patch of Prickly Pear.

Warren
(orono)

 

[Mr.BadExample]

You're both right... while I have cleaned them a little and sharpened them (they're not truly shave sharp, but they can pop a few hairs) I wouldn't risk using them. They do make me wonder of their history. The older one was definitely used, and has a great quick feel. The decorated one has a few scars and isn't as tight, but has a great heft to it.

Thankfully HI supplies works of art that I can confidently use for their intended purpose.

Sadly I missed out on buying the khukri below- but the photos are so great I had to share them. It sold for nearly $700, too rich for my blood, but it's definitely nice.