A few more stupid questions

First, am I correct in assuming that given the way I believe, could be misinterpreting, the length of khukuris is measured it would be quite likely that the overall length is smaller than the length of the handle plus the length of the blade? Since two different types of measurement seem to be used.
Second, about how hard are the spines. I think I read that the spines are somewhere in the mid 50 HRCs in hardness. That would mean the spine's spring tempered right, unlike things like katanas, right.
Third, would you recommend that I get some cheapo piece of crap just to practice burnishing, or is it something that no idiot could screw up. Believe me, on things I haven't done before I fall into the category of "any idiot."
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Forth and final, what would be involved in trying to special order a 30" Kobra, if that is even possible anymore. This would be for a second or third khukuri, and therefore probably 6 or more months away. As I went deeper into the HI website I stumbled across a few pics of the 30" Sirupati and Kobras and I think I fell in love.
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I love swords.

Thanks for your time and patience,
Bob
 
Oh, one more question, anyone know how effective the khukuri charges during WWII were, and under what circumstances they took place, if they did take place.

Oh, and another, I heard that the Gorkhas were used by the british in the Falklan Islands conflict, that they were used as special forces. Anyone have any details on this. I haven't found any information on it.

Thanks again,
Bob
 
Dear Bob,

Actually the 30 inch Kobra can be had. I managed to get 3 within a month's time over at the Knife Exchange section of BladeFormums.com. However, two came without scabbards, though they have the chakma and karda. And there is one being advertised now.

I too am a dyed in the wood Swordsman!

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Watakushi Wa Shinajin Desu
DeathDancer
 
Deathdancer, what style of swords do you like most. I prefer the european Frankish, Anglo-Saxon and Viking weapons of the 7th - 11th centuries. I want to get into sport fencing over at school, they have free lessons in the gym on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Just think, 1000 years ago a pattern welded sword in Europe was worth 15 slaves! Now we can get stuff that's as good as that, made with more reliable steel for somewhere between 1% to 10% of the average american's annual income! The industrial revolution was definately a nice thing.
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Bob
 
About the gurkhas in Falklands.
The Argentinians were so afraid of them that they ran or gave up when the gurkhas came too close. The gurkhas were not very satisfied because they didn't get a chance to proove what splendid warriors they are.

The brits had managed to scare the argentinians with a very smooth psycological-warfare campaign wich included pictures of gurkhas sharpening their khukris and stories of the dreaded warriors that beheaded the enemy.

The participating gurkha battalion(1st bat.7th rifles) were choosen for the final assault on port Stanley.But the argentinians surrendered before the assault.The argentinians were dreadfully scared of meeting the gurkhas.That's the words of argentinian prisoners.

Best regards
Daniel
 
Oh, thanks Deathdancer, I think I found the kobra you were talking about. Thanks for the tip.
Hmmm, definately a good deal at $145. Hmmmm. Uhhh, uhhh, I'm going to stick with the GS for now, would make a better/more practical camping blade.
 
Bill Martino

Bill Martino

Joined
Mar 5, 1999
Messages
34,096
Right on measurement. Handle + blade will be more than overall length which is measured straight across.

Wrong on spine hardness. The spine will be more like 30 than 50.

You won't hurt chakma or blade practicing burnishing. No need for a cheapo.

The kamis are dead set against making more 30 inch kobras. Reason is this kobra is really a sword that looks like a khukuri. But since it looks like a khukuri people try to use it as such and it really is not made for chopping down oak trees and splitting logs. It will bend under heavy lateral stress and a couple did and were returned for replacement or trade. This is the reason it was discontinued.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
Himalayan Imports Archives (33,000 + posts)
 
Thanks for the info on the khuks, Uncle Bill.
Thanks for the info on the Falkland Islands campaign Sgt. D. That was very much what I was looking for.
One thing I heard was that the british were sending commandos into Argentinian camps, and cutting the throats of people in their tents while the people around them slept. Anyone know if this occurred, and if so were they Gorkhas, like I had been told?

Thanks again,

Bob

[This message has been edited by bobwill (edited 02-17-2001).]
 
Dear Bob,

I fence western style, though my temperment and build lean toward the foil. As such, my preferences in swords lends towards 16th and 17th century cut-and-thrust, rapiers, and sabres. Of those I own, my favorites are the three Paul Chen/Hanwei Forge Small/Court Swords sold by CAS Iberia. Good steel and furniture, accurate replicas, good balance, and they have nice points. Unfortunately, they also only come in 30 inch blades.

I do own a number of Japanese style blades, though I gave that up when the "beatings" at Kendo practice became too much for my body to recover (did I mention I just turned 50?). I also own what used to be sold as an Eastern Barbarian Sword a la Conan and Museum Replicas. Though it weighs 3+/- pounds, it balances well and feels like a slightly heavy Katana.

I agree with Bill, the 30 inch Kobra is not a general purpose Khukuri, though I think it would do most chopping jobs if people didn't treat it like an Ang Khola. Definitely the Sword of Khukuris. However, I've come to agree with Tom Holt that the 25 inch Kobra is just about the heaviest I would personally use as a one hander, as well as being very versatile.

Yes, definitely wait for that 30 inch Kobra. By judicious selection and dealing, I think you can find a pretty good price. Contact me off line for my experiences.

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Watakushi Wa Shinajin Desu
DeathDancer
 
Deathdancer,
I just happened to think. An HI 20 inch Kobra or Sirupati would probably make a pretty fierce Main Gauche. It should atleast put some fear into your oponent.
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What do you think?

Bob
 
Don't know if it would work out.

But I can tell you the prospect of either being stuck with a rapier on the one hand, or having various body parts lopped off on the other hand would make ME very queasy!
 
The first time I saw a khukuri I had the opposite thought -- that in my right (stronger) hand and a stiletto in my left.
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I mean an old-style stiletto, fixed-blade, not the modern switchblade.

By the way, my first thought was to hold the khukuri edge up.

It would work the other way, too ... a smallsword in the right hand and a khukuri held edge-up in the left....


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-Cougar :{)
Use of Weapons
 
Dear Bob and Cougar,

While in theory, this idea looks formidable and would definitely cause great concern, this would be more like fighting with two swords, which I am told was a common practice (at least in the 16th and 17 centuries).

With me, I am primarily a right hand swordsman. Because of the weight and configuration, I tend to use the Khukuri as a primary/attach weapon, so the balance and weight are all wrong in my left hand. It just wouldn't serve for parries, blocks, or reposte.

But, maybe as suggested by Cougar, a 25 or 22 inch Kobras (which I have), or even a 20 inch Sirupati (also have) as primary, and a neat little stilleto in the left.

Something I just found, after comparing my various Khukuris, is that the Sirupati seems to have a straighter configuration (less curve) than my others. Makes for an interesting "point" (pun intended) when considering a MA weapon.

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Watakushi Wa Shinajin Desu
DeathDancer
 
One thing I've noticed is that when you look at the older weapons oriented khuks, the 18th Century has a much greater degree of bend than the 20th century models. It's as if these weapon related models were meant to be hammered point first into one's enemy.
 
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