A few questions on the Tamang

7

7rip13a

Joined
Jul 2, 2009
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Morning fellas,

So, once again the virus has struck. I've been eyeing the Tamang knife (which I previously dismissed rather quickly), and my general impression of it is that it's more of a knife than a khukuri. In fact, I would guess that it's almost like a machete. Am I correct in thinking this? How thick is the spine? Is it easier to use for general duties?

Also, any feedback on it's performance in comparison to other khukuris is welcome.:)
 
I don't have one but my impression is that it's like a knife because of the lighter weight and less curved blade. My guess is that it's at least 1/4" thick so it's no machete.
 
It is a lot more knife-like but it does retain many properties of the Khukuri as well. The spine isn't as beefy, and it isn't as heavy in general either. It isn't really long enough to be considered a machete though, unless you want to think to it as a short one. They also have a different type of frog to attach the blade's scabbard to your belt than the average khuk does... all of this, IMO, makes it a much more convenient package for wood craft and camping as well as self defense. I think by now it is clear these as some of my favorite blades of the Himalayan Imports line so perhaps you are not getting a bias free account from me.

They don't chop throw the big, thick wood as easily as say your CAK/AK or ASTK will. In fact, they are one of the few I might actually attempt to baton with if I had something that heavy to get through since the blade is thin enough to lend itself to this sort of activity. They are not as curved, but they ARE curved more than a regular knife, so they do retain the mystique of a Khuk when drawn.

When Yangdu posted the story about getting the first pattern of these, it was about a couple of travelers who had them mainly as self defense blades but also carried them for their day to day knife tasks. Perhaps someone who can, will search that up for you and post a link to it as I rather enjoyed reading it myself.

I gave mine away to a buddy who was off to the Sandbox and now have to wait for the two I just bought before I can take more pix of one for you...
 
I think my Tamang has a spine thickness of about 1/4". That makes it about 1/16" thicker than the Indian Khuks from Atlanta Cutlery. It's also just plain nicer and better feeling in the hand.
 
7rip13a, my rough measurements of my Tamang made by Vim Kami are:

* width of spine at bolster: 6mm;

* width of spine at elbow: 7mm;

* point of balance approx 65mm to 70mm in front of bolster;

* blade length: 265mm;

* width of belly at widest point: 53mm approx.;

* length of handle (not including bolster): 125mm;

Sorry do not have access to scales for exact weight but 12 to 14 ounces would be a guess compared to my DOTD 12ounce Bonecutter.

It feels more of a slasher than a chopper, with its thinner spine it would be much easier to use for food processing applications including butchering and vegetable peeling and dicing without breaking apart harder vegies like the thicker Bonecutter does.

The Tamang is a very much a true utility Khuk, it is far stronger than any matchete; it is one of my favourities due to its shape and lightness while having more chopping ability than a similar sized knife.
 
My Tamang was listed as being about 15.5 ounces. It seems to be as good at chopping as my old Indo Khuk, if not better, only much nicer. I don't use it for anything larger than 1/2"-3/4" diameter because I have a Bonecutter on the way. I use the Tamang to debark and chop small sticks of maple, oak, and hickory for use in my smoker. It will not see heavy use since the BC is better suited for that.
I dismissed the Tamang initially too, until talking with Auntie on the phone about it. Then I had her send it to me and I'm glad I did. It's more versatile than most Khuks, by virtue of lighter weight and lesser blade curve, while retaining enough thickness to do the job.
I'm not saying it's better at everything than a regular Khuk. BC/AK is a much better chopper, but is clumsy for smaller tasks. That's why I'll soon have both.
The BC will be my big bruiser, and the Tamang will be an all around knife. one for each hand.
You truly have to hold a Tamang and work with it to appreciate how great a design it is. If you buy one and don't like it, I'll take it off your hands. I love mine. It feels "right" in the hand. Very lively, moves very fluidly. Not clumsy at all. Too light for heavy chopping(not designed for it), but that's ok. HIKV is like Lay's chips. You can't stop with only one.
Tamang reminds me of a smaller version of a Kopis.
The Tamang handle looks too small, but it feels perfect in the hand. Everyone I've shown it to has coveted it, and they all commented on how great it feels and handles. Converting the world to HI, one hand at a time.
 
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