A Bowkri ?

D

DanSmithy

Joined
Jul 19, 2010
Messages
345
Hi all,

New kid here, so... hello to everyone.:-)
I must say this is THE BEST forum for anything Khukuri. Plenty of info for newbies (like me) and some damn good reviews.

After searching wide & high for a good manufacturer I'm finally convinced this is the right place. If I'm wrong let me know :-)

I'm not an knife collector (as such) Although I have knifes...they are working pieces rather than display items.

I'm in a need of a functional all-around "bush-craft" knife and being quite small build at about 5'3" am quite frankly scared from waving anything longer than 12-14" blade. It's just not practical for me.

I've been eyeballing the PK since it's the "right" shape & size and the YCS model because of it's shape and particularly good set of Karda's. Exquisite design! I would love to know the price for it though as it's not on the web currently.
Another one I've spotted was the "Bura's new model", but there is no info for it at all. http://www.himalayan-imports.com/one-time-knives.html

The reason: I do a lot of trekking in Africa and need all-round camp tool (chopping, cleaning bush, etc.), Hunters knife capabilities and a good reliable sharp weapon - all in one. Toll order for an "of the shelf" knife as sold in the shops.
You can see I'm leaning to what's a broader blade design as to compensate for it's shortness and not too steep bend. or am I wrong here?

I've seen some designs on the net of bowie & kukri (hence the title - Bowkri) and like the idea, but can't find anything suitable (except perhaps for the HI designs)

What do you think? will it (does it) work as a good design?
Anyone using something similar?

All info and input highly appreciated & thanks again for this forum!

Dan
 
Last edited:
I hear you about length: even at 6'1", I sometimes have to fight the urge to "choke up" on the blade of my 18" M-43. Maybe my wrists are just weak?

One thing to consider is to blend a good khuk with one of HI's smaller knives, in place of the standard, small karda. For instance, I'm lucky enough to have a Rusty HD and an R-6, as well as my khuks; either one would do.
 
I don't know if you have looked at these yet, but here are 3 links to reviews about the AK bowie that HI makes.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=662186&highlight=review
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609396&highlight=review
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=433566&highlight=review

The AK bowies are great knives, heck, anything made by HI is great. It's more about personal preference. Do you want a curve in your knife or not? If not, looking at the straighter models such as the bowie or the tamang may be in your ballpark.

Probably the most touted all-around camp knife on these forums may be the 15" ang khola or 16.5" WWII model. Note that these are overall lengths. The British Army Service model may suit your needs, and it is well liked as well.
Yangdu's father, Kami Sherpa, a gorkha, prefers the gelbu special because it is, in his eyes, the best balance between weapon and tool.
If you want something lighter and slimmer than those, try the chitlangi or sirupati.
Hope that helps a bit.
 
Look in the links in my sig line, they link to threads which contain a lot of the items you won't find on the website.

If you find one you like, email Yangdu and she can hook you up.

Now, just based on what you said, the first thing that came to mind is pairing a Tamang, or a Chitlangi with an R-6 or R-10.
 
Thanks Nicholas,
Good point.
My problem is I don't have the funds to "buy to try" one.
Trying to get it as close to what i need as possible or I'll have to sell it or just keep it in the draw.
I'm trying to find a "life long friend"... if you wish.

I also wish they give detailed measurements in the web (or here) it's difficult to judge when you've never held one in your hands.

Dan
 
Broken Eye said:
I don't know if you have looked at these yet, but here are 3 links to reviews about the AK bowie that HI makes.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=662186&highlight=review
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609396&highlight=review
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=433566&highlight=review

The AK bowies are great knives, heck, anything made by HI is great. It's more about personal preference. Do you want a curve in your knife or not? If not, looking at the straighter models such as the bowie or the tamang may be in your ballpark.

Probably the most touted all-around camp knife on these forums may be the 15" ang khola or 16.5" WWII model. Note that these are overall lengths. The British Army Service model may suit your needs, and it is well liked as well.
Yangdu's father, Kami Sherpa, a gorkha, prefers the gelbu special because it is, in his eyes, the best balance between weapon and tool.
If you want something lighter and slimmer than those, try the chitlangi or sirupati.
Hope that helps a bit.
Click to expand...

It does... thanks.
Good point about the overall length. I constantly mistake this for the blade length (just to add to the confusion):confused:

My hand grip is quite small, so handle should be not more than 10cm (3" something...not good with the imperial's):D
Dan
 
Dansmithy. The 15" BAS would probably be a good match for you.

So would the Tamang knife.

The BDC would also be a good choice.

And if light is what you want then the 15" Sirupate wil easily meet your needs.

Otherwise have a custom M-43 made in the 15" length.
 
Cpl Punishment said:
....
Now, just based on what you said, the first thing that came to mind is pairing a Tamang, or a Chitlangi with an R-6 or R-10.
Click to expand...

Getting close... to the Tamang that is.

I've read somewhere here that the YCS doesn't come with the originally designed kardas. Is it true?
 
wildmike said:
Dansmithy. The 15" BAS would probably be a good match for you.

So would the Tamang knife.

The BDC would also be a good choice.

And if light is what you want then the 15" Sirupate wil easily meet your needs.

Otherwise have a custom M-43 made in the 15" length.
Click to expand...

What is the BDC? sorry still a newbie with the names...there's a lot to chew through:D
 
Thanks warty!

Sorry about the "bora" typo.

There are models in the file I can't find info on.
Where do I find the R series?

I think (no offense... just truing to be helpful) the web site needs some serious update.
Picture speaks a 1000 words in this fast moving world of ours.
 
I'm about to head for work, so I can't give a lot of details.

Here's an R-10:
R102.jpg

R101.jpg

Approx 5.5" of blade.

R-6:
100_0077.jpg

100_0076.jpg

Approx 3.5" of blade.
 
Welcome, DanSmithy!

The BDC they are telling you about is another name for Bura'a New Model. It can also be known as Baby Dui Chirra, Bura Dui Chirra among a few others probably. For African trekking, i would highly recommend you look into the 15" Chiruwa Ang Khola or an Amar Singh Thapa Khukuri. Both should serve you well. My best piece of advice would be to float around here for a bit and investigate what catches your eye and buy the one that calls to you the loudest, here often times, we dont choose our khukuri...they choose us.
 
DanSmithy said:
Thanks warty!

Sorry about the "bora" typo.

There are models in the file I can't find info on.
Where do I find the R series?

I think (no offense... just truing to be helpful) the web site needs some serious update.
Picture speaks a 1000 words in this fast moving world of ours.
Click to expand...

The thing is the web site gives you some basic models that can almost always be had...but all HI products are hand made by a number of different Kamis (I don't know the exact number not my thing to keep track) so most are unique in some way or another, one offs and new models are constantly coming and going...real hard to keep a all inclusive web site that way...you have been given great advice above, if I were you I would write Miss Yangdu a email tell her what you are looking for and ask her advice, no one here knows the product like she does...and that's the truth.
 
The R series is largely in the "Lost Pages" picture thread. I also made a PDF of it too if you wish to DL it.

It is also up in the link library at the top of the forum and I think if you spent some time up there reading that sticky and going through all the links in it, you would find your questions answered as far as the basics go. Ten we can get specific with things for you, OK? As for a picture of the various "knives" of HI, I have a few here in this group shot of my collection (though I have a few new ones since this picture):

main.php
 
Have you looked at the Ultimate Fighter? It looks like a scaled down UBE. Mine is right around 13" oal and 21 oz. It's beastly thick at the bolster and tapers to a scary point with a sharpened swedge. I got it to fill the gap between my 12" siru and the 15" AK my wife claimed. It's closer in feel to the AK. Don't think I have a pick but they were on the DOTD a few months back. Oh, and welcome.

Frank
 
Welcome aboard, DanSmithy.

If you're quick, you might be able to snag the BDC on today's Deal Of The Day (DOTD).

edit: OOPS-its gone. But the Bonecutter that's left would work just fine.
 
Thanks everyone for the great advice.
Keep it coming.

I will "float" around for a while until I make up my mind.
Also there is apparently much more to see here than the "obvious" stuff :-)

Thanks again!
Dan
 
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