- Joined
- Dec 24, 2003
- Messages
- 1,390
The 18" Gelbu Special that I purchased around Christmas time just arrived! 
Was I excited when my secretary told me? Very much so, especially since the Italian Customs apparently allows for large knives to enter the country without their confiscation... This is great news indeed, as I was a bit concerned that it would be illegal.
The khukuri was set in its scabbard rolled in newspaper, and had newspaper securing the rig in the famous triangular box. I cut open the newspaper, and found a nice leather scabbard with a pointed brass chape, and the horn karda and chakma handles shining brightly. A light pull on the khukuri handle eased it from the scabbard, and I immediately noticed that the entire blade's surface was generously swathed in a thick oil, which I removed with paper towels. The K & C were similiarly covered in oil...
Once wiped off, the blade could truly be said to have a mirrored finish. I was amazed of the knife's quality, considering its price, and that fact that it was hand forged and finished using materials indigenous to Nepal and MB's.
The blade was razor sharp in some areas, and less so in others. A few minutes' work with a diamond card would probably get it scary sharp. I saw some very minor blade faults, which most of you forumites could correct in no time. The blade has a nice deep fuller, and is expertly forged. My secretary thought it was beautiful, and was a bit hesitant to hold it in her hand seeing that "unfamiliar glint" in my eyes as I approached her with the khukuri... I'm impressed with it "as is", and I am 100% satisfied with the knife. This will be my user, and I will learn to get it sharp, and probably tweak its aesthetics as much as I can. It will be an enjoyable hobby for sure. In the future, I'll send my khukuris to Pendentive for "the works", before its safe journey to Italy, or to my nephew in California.
I very much liked Kumar's "Star of David" type symbol and initials engraved on the blade, as well as the Nepali script which means???
The Nepali script is beautiful, and gives the knife even more character.
I must say that I paid $20.00 for the standard airmail delivery to Italy, since I had no idea what would happen to the khukuri once it arrived. My secretary had to pay the postman 39.00 EUROS for Customs duty which is $49.51. This is absurd being that the value of the knife was clearly listed in the invoice as $100.00. The postage stamping on the box was $19.50, and being that it had to be wrapped, addressed, and placed in the triangular box, Himalayan Imports did not make one cent on the shipping; indeed, they lost a bit... As for the thread asking if Uncle Bill is honest, I can now say with experience a resounding YES. Yesterday evening I sent him an e-mail, asking for a special order accessory for a future khukuri. I was fired back a reply, and Uncle Bill related that he would not accept the order since he didn't think it could be done to my complete satisfaction. An unscrupulous businessman would take my money and do the best he could with the order. Uncle Bill proved his integrity once again, and bluntly hit me with the truth, which I appreciate and respect. Would I purchase another khukuri from HI? Absolutely! Would I recommend HI khukuris to others? Heck yes! Am I happy I made the purchase? You bet I am!
The khukuri's construction is VERY solid; it just says quality to me. I did not get to smack the blade against a tree as of yet, and will probably do that tomorrow morning. I still haven't found the hairline crack in the handle, so I'll have to ask Yangdu to borrow her magnifying glass to find it! I'm sure it exists, but it is probably so insignificant, that it should not have been sold as a blem. In any event, I will repair it with Super Glue when and if I find it.
The balance is excellent, and the applications for martial arts are quite apparent once some very rapid and powerful strokes are made. For one month, I've been wielding a virtual khukuri, slicing virtual air. Now I can do the real thing...
This is a very quick knife, and it feels substantial and solid, yet remaining very alive in the hand. I have full control of this khukuri, and will practice on branches and vines to experience the blade's glancing chacteristics and follow through tendencies. I can readily change direction in mid stroke with the knife too, which is important if used as a defense weapon. The horn handle is very comfortable for my medium sized hands, and the grip is very secure, despite the horn's high degree of polish. The buttcap area of the handle prevents the handle from slipping through my hand, and is a safety feature worked out during many many years long past. The brass furniture and the horn handle were very nicely finished right out of the box...
One criticism I have for the whole rig is that really sharp chape on the scabbard. It's obviously a traditional embellishment, but I feel it should be given a nice rounding off to make it more user friendly and safe. It probably protects the owner of the khukuri also... The scabbard itself is functional, nicely made, and will serve me well by offering me a safe way to bring the khukuri into the woods, and conceal it under a coat or bomber. If this were a carry, I'd have Terry Sisco make me a quick draw. I can easily say that this khukuri will not be concealed under an Italian tailored suit jacket, unless "Zoot Suits" come back into fashion. On the blade itself, I have an aesthetic criticism... Near the spine, and running along part of the blade's length is a line engraved into the blade. It is not super straight or uniformly cut, and a bit of extra care could make it so with a minimum of effort.
I've come to know that the kamis think of the khukuri as being a functional tool foremost. There is absolutely no doubt that HI's Gelbu Special has an excellently made blade and handle, is well balanced, and is made to perform exceptionally well. The "dust bunnies" make a beautiful knife as it is, although they have little regard for ultra high finishing standards that tend to attract collectors. Any hobbyist could easily raise the "aesthetic bar" of the HI khukuri by tweaking it though, and this might just add considerably to the pleasure of purchasing one of these fine knives.
I'm very impressed--it's even better than I thought it would be, and I was already expecting a khukuri that was VERY good. Thanks, Uncle Bill!
HI has my stamp of approval.
Dan
"Betcha can't just buy one!"
Was I excited when my secretary told me? Very much so, especially since the Italian Customs apparently allows for large knives to enter the country without their confiscation... This is great news indeed, as I was a bit concerned that it would be illegal. The khukuri was set in its scabbard rolled in newspaper, and had newspaper securing the rig in the famous triangular box. I cut open the newspaper, and found a nice leather scabbard with a pointed brass chape, and the horn karda and chakma handles shining brightly. A light pull on the khukuri handle eased it from the scabbard, and I immediately noticed that the entire blade's surface was generously swathed in a thick oil, which I removed with paper towels. The K & C were similiarly covered in oil...
Once wiped off, the blade could truly be said to have a mirrored finish. I was amazed of the knife's quality, considering its price, and that fact that it was hand forged and finished using materials indigenous to Nepal and MB's.
The blade was razor sharp in some areas, and less so in others. A few minutes' work with a diamond card would probably get it scary sharp. I saw some very minor blade faults, which most of you forumites could correct in no time. The blade has a nice deep fuller, and is expertly forged. My secretary thought it was beautiful, and was a bit hesitant to hold it in her hand seeing that "unfamiliar glint" in my eyes as I approached her with the khukuri... I'm impressed with it "as is", and I am 100% satisfied with the knife. This will be my user, and I will learn to get it sharp, and probably tweak its aesthetics as much as I can. It will be an enjoyable hobby for sure. In the future, I'll send my khukuris to Pendentive for "the works", before its safe journey to Italy, or to my nephew in California. I very much liked Kumar's "Star of David" type symbol and initials engraved on the blade, as well as the Nepali script which means???
The Nepali script is beautiful, and gives the knife even more character.
I must say that I paid $20.00 for the standard airmail delivery to Italy, since I had no idea what would happen to the khukuri once it arrived. My secretary had to pay the postman 39.00 EUROS for Customs duty which is $49.51. This is absurd being that the value of the knife was clearly listed in the invoice as $100.00. The postage stamping on the box was $19.50, and being that it had to be wrapped, addressed, and placed in the triangular box, Himalayan Imports did not make one cent on the shipping; indeed, they lost a bit... As for the thread asking if Uncle Bill is honest, I can now say with experience a resounding YES. Yesterday evening I sent him an e-mail, asking for a special order accessory for a future khukuri. I was fired back a reply, and Uncle Bill related that he would not accept the order since he didn't think it could be done to my complete satisfaction. An unscrupulous businessman would take my money and do the best he could with the order. Uncle Bill proved his integrity once again, and bluntly hit me with the truth, which I appreciate and respect. Would I purchase another khukuri from HI? Absolutely! Would I recommend HI khukuris to others? Heck yes! Am I happy I made the purchase? You bet I am!
The khukuri's construction is VERY solid; it just says quality to me. I did not get to smack the blade against a tree as of yet, and will probably do that tomorrow morning. I still haven't found the hairline crack in the handle, so I'll have to ask Yangdu to borrow her magnifying glass to find it! I'm sure it exists, but it is probably so insignificant, that it should not have been sold as a blem. In any event, I will repair it with Super Glue when and if I find it.
The balance is excellent, and the applications for martial arts are quite apparent once some very rapid and powerful strokes are made. For one month, I've been wielding a virtual khukuri, slicing virtual air. Now I can do the real thing... This is a very quick knife, and it feels substantial and solid, yet remaining very alive in the hand. I have full control of this khukuri, and will practice on branches and vines to experience the blade's glancing chacteristics and follow through tendencies. I can readily change direction in mid stroke with the knife too, which is important if used as a defense weapon. The horn handle is very comfortable for my medium sized hands, and the grip is very secure, despite the horn's high degree of polish. The buttcap area of the handle prevents the handle from slipping through my hand, and is a safety feature worked out during many many years long past. The brass furniture and the horn handle were very nicely finished right out of the box...
One criticism I have for the whole rig is that really sharp chape on the scabbard. It's obviously a traditional embellishment, but I feel it should be given a nice rounding off to make it more user friendly and safe. It probably protects the owner of the khukuri also... The scabbard itself is functional, nicely made, and will serve me well by offering me a safe way to bring the khukuri into the woods, and conceal it under a coat or bomber. If this were a carry, I'd have Terry Sisco make me a quick draw. I can easily say that this khukuri will not be concealed under an Italian tailored suit jacket, unless "Zoot Suits" come back into fashion.
On the blade itself, I have an aesthetic criticism... Near the spine, and running along part of the blade's length is a line engraved into the blade. It is not super straight or uniformly cut, and a bit of extra care could make it so with a minimum of effort.I've come to know that the kamis think of the khukuri as being a functional tool foremost. There is absolutely no doubt that HI's Gelbu Special has an excellently made blade and handle, is well balanced, and is made to perform exceptionally well. The "dust bunnies" make a beautiful knife as it is, although they have little regard for ultra high finishing standards that tend to attract collectors. Any hobbyist could easily raise the "aesthetic bar" of the HI khukuri by tweaking it though, and this might just add considerably to the pleasure of purchasing one of these fine knives.
I'm very impressed--it's even better than I thought it would be, and I was already expecting a khukuri that was VERY good. Thanks, Uncle Bill!
HI has my stamp of approval.
Dan
"Betcha can't just buy one!"
