A Shuga and CAK Khukuri review

[OldeWolf]

Since I'm a big fan of public accountability and as Karda basically called me out on the conditions of the Shuga knife, it looks like I will have to go ahead and post up this candid review of the Shuga knife along side with the beautifully made CAK knife.

I saw the Shuga knife on the 2/15 deal of the day and thought it was a well crafted piece of work with pretty handle and blade that even my girlfriend ooh'ed and ahh'ed over, allowing me to buy it. And so it was paid for and shipped! (See the picture from the 2/15 DOTD below)

I of course anticipated the knife for a few days and when it arrived, boy I was excited as I held the well known triangular package that Auntie tend to ship knives in. I ripped open the package and gleefully unwrapped the newspaper covering the shuga knife. Lo and behold, such a pretty red sheath with the wooden handle sticking out of it. I pulled out the shuga knife the way Uncle Bill demonstrated in his stickied thread and right away, I saw that there was some damage done to the inside sheath, looking like it was sliced on the inside. I then looked slightly up and saw the outside was cracked, most likely from weather/humid/temperature changes. I decided to take pictures right away, within the 15 minutes after I opened the package. Just in case.

No big deal, I thought to myself as I can live without this particular sheath if I had to, I continued onto the Shuga knife itself.

It is indeed a pretty thing, held up and admired from a slight distance away from me. I enjoyed how the subtle curves and designs defined the blade along it's length. I quickly noticed that the beak of the bird's head constantly prodded into my pinkie but I was not bothered by it as I had the power tool to grind off the nose if I needed to. I took off the taped paper that was on it naming the wood type so I can admire the rest of the handle closer. That's when I noticed the quality of the blade itself.

The actual blade itself is very sharp and is in great shape. It was the coarseness of various areas of finishes on the blade that stood out starkly as seen below:

I gave this knife what attempts I could in removing those blemishes off the blade and handle but in the end, it was out of my realistic ability to improve upon it and have it be up to par with other pretty knives such as my CAK and Chitlangi. I felt I did not get what was advertised with full disclosure on the condition of this knife so I emailed Auntie right away and discussed with her the conditions of this knife as well as the sheath. She approached this issue with understanding and willingness to work with me on this, even recognizing the type of sheath and knife design having a tendency to create such damage ("You are right about the sheath. There are other knife like the Uncle Bill Special Knife has pointy sharp slight cure tip sometime damages the sheath. I will pass your suggestion to ship and kamis. Thank you for the suggestion I learn more from my customer then myself, yangdu") and helped me get it replaced and it was resolved to both our satisfaction (much thanks, Auntie!). It's a very pretty knife and I hope the new owner is happy with it. It just was not for me in that particular condition. The only changes I made with it was the removal of taped paper and attempted light cleaning of the blade and handle which produced no result before I returned it to Auntie, essentially in the same condition I received it as.

~~~

But finally, my bad luck run has finally ended with the arrival of the beautiful CAK knife which ironically was listed as a Blem when the only "flaw" was a natural grain characteristic of the handle which to me gave it a lot of personality and real subtle textures to my exploring fingers.

When I received this in Auntie's triangular box, the box was beaten to hell, gaping hole was shown on the side and of course I was naturally quite worried about the condition of the CAK inside the box. As luck would have it, I had nothing to worry about as the knife and sheath came out of the box quite well and intact.

The sheath quality of this CAK knife is exactly the same quality as the Tirtha Bowie sheath, making me wonder if it's the same maker. It is quite a high quality approach to it's making, absolutely no flaws to be found and very comfortably sturdy to boot. If I was to take the sheath and CAK with out out to the wilderness, I know it will do it's job.

The blade of the CAK itself, such a glossy happiness to look upon in all it's curvy beauty:

I have literally spend several hours holding it, feeling all it's shapes (minus it's edges of course), exploring it, and cradling it while watching tv and I've came to appreciate the design, the weight behind it, the handmade attention to every details of this knife by Bhakta Kami, all 16 inch 33 ounce of it. I very much felt like I got my money's worth in this knife and can appreciate the functional intentions this knife will be performing this coming summer. That will be another review when the time comes, can't wait!

~~~~~~~

The moral in all of this purchasing of HI Knives during the last few months is that you can never purchase wisely any knives as the condition and qualities are generally unknown within a Deal of the Day other than what is stated and shown in a single to a few photos. It is generally a buyer's beware kind of purchasing but for the most part, most of the products are stellar (and shiny) but if your luck runs the same as mine, some wont be as stellar and pretty or even functional.

Don't be afraid to face those facts and stand up for the quality of a buy should something go wrong with it. From my experience, Auntie has been extremely helpful in all our emailing correspondences.

Not all Khukuris are created equal and some requires public recognition to help the community be more aware of the various qualities those knives will be coming in and that it's not the fault of the new owners at all.

I will be doing more reviews on the CAK and another beauty, my Chitlangi!

 

[Ramil839]

Just wondering,did the cak come razor sharp,just sharp or not at all out of the box,and are you going to put a lanyard on it?

 

[OldeWolf]

The CAK of mine does not have the lanyard hole in the horn handle unfortunately, otherwise, I would have.

It's mostly razor sharp in the majority of the edge areas with some simply sharp in a place or two. Good questions tho.

 

[Ramil839]

In the morning ill post some pics of my kuk,i just drilled the lanyard hole myself,cut sandpaper into strips,inserted it in and smoothed away the rough edges,bought mine used so it didnt come sharp,but i made it shaving sharp anyway.

 

[arbiter]

All issues I see with the Shuga would have been very easy to correct with a scotchbrite pad or sandpaper from 320 to 400 grit to match the villager fit and finish of the knife.The Parrot's beak on the handle indicates that it is an art work and not a hard use tool,so that is a non issue entirely,and to grind it off would have been a travesty and an insult to Rajkumar Kami(the maker).The sheath crack/cut would be easily repaired with some JB weld epoxy.Knowing what certain terms mean(villager)and adjusting expectations accordingly will save prospective buyers of DOTD knives as well as Ms.Yangdu a lot of unnecessary headaches.My advice for folks who expect precision fautless grinds,finishes,sheaths,etc.is to look at purchasing knives made on factory machines,with the accompanying price tags.Congrats on the CAK.

 

[Steely_Gunz]

Sorry that you didn't like the Shuga khuk. On the plus side, I'm going to email Yangdu and see if she wouldn't mind selling it to me I've been looking for a chiruwa 12-13" EDC. Having a little flair isn't a bad thing either

 

[OldeWolf]

Sorry that you didn't like the Shuga khuk. On the plus side, I'm going to email Yangdu and see if she wouldn't mind selling it to me I've been looking for a chiruwa 12-13" EDC. Having a little flair isn't a bad thing either

Just to save you the trouble, the new owner already bought it and liked it.

And Arbiter, I already did what you suggested, spending a few hours doing that the day I got it. That's when I realize that that kind of (unspoken) rusty/rough blem is not what I would like to deal with should such blem come up again unless I have a certain expectation for that knife (i.e. becomes a workhorse where I will use the hell out of it which was not what I wanted for the Shuga knife but am perfectly fine with such in a tirtha bowie). That was a lesson learned on my part but my thread was not about that particular case but about something else primarily. But it indeed is a lesson learned that will influence my purchasing from now on.

 

[sweetcostarica]

The moral in all of this purchasing of HI Knives during the last few months is that you can never purchase wisely any knives as the condition and qualities are generally unknown within a Deal of the Day other than what is stated and shown in a single to a few photos. It is generally a buyer's beware kind of purchasing but for the most part, most of the products are stellar (and shiny) but if your luck runs the same as mine, some wont be as stellar and pretty or even functional.

My present four (4) Himalayan Imports knives have either been on special or a Deal of the Day. I just used one of them in a field test. They all have small stated and some non-stated cosmetic problems but they were on sale and/or DOTDs. My heart goes out for you OldeWolf but you at least received concern and help from HI management to fix your problems. I have bought Kukris from the various Khurkuri houses and Himalayan Imports DOTDs are usually better than their new, full price Khukuris

I'll definitely do a review of the M43 I special ordered with this thread in memory and let our Kukri community know the good, bad and ugly of a non-DOTD HI big knife. I am thinking it going to be all good though

 

[Yangdu]

The Shuga Knife arrived here. Next day I sold it to another HI customer and he was delighted with Shuga Knife!

 

[Karda]

Since I'm a big fan of public accountability and as Karda basically called me out on the conditions of the Shuga knife, it looks like I will have to go ahead and post up this candid review of the Shuga knife along side with the beautifully made CAK knife.


The moral in all of this purchasing of HI Knives during the last few months is that you can never purchase wisely any knives as the condition and qualities are generally unknown within a Deal of the Day other than what is stated and shown in a single to a few photos. It is generally a buyer's beware kind of purchasing but for the most part, most of the products are stellar (and shiny) but if your luck runs the same as mine, some wont be as stellar and pretty or even functional.

Don't be afraid to face those facts and stand up for the quality of a buy should something go wrong with it. From my experience, Auntie has been extremely helpful in all our emailing correspondences.

Not all Khukuris are created equal and some requires public recognition to help the community be more aware of the various qualities those knives will be coming in and that it's not the fault of the new owners at all.

I felt I did not get what was advertised with full disclosure on the condition of this knife

Public Accountability......

The Shuga Knife in the 2/15 sale was described as "Villager Fit and Finish" and sold at steel cost price. The in thread pictures are pretty clear to those whom take the time look closely. One is always afforded the opportunity to ask questions prior to sale. Most people here understand that such an item will be of rougher finish and fit than the full price quality polished khukuri, The finish will vary by Kami and may be a slightly blem item with laha stains or other minor defects, but will be a perfectly servicable khukuri. I fail to understand how this khukuri is "not functional" as stated above.
One must understand that as a buyer you also bear some responsibility for studying the picture for items and asking question before the sale to help insure your satisfaction. Surely you understand this.

Most here understand that Auntie sells her items based on quality. Blem items are drastically discounted and quality costs more. Some items sold at discount may need a little work. She gets what she gets from Nepal and prices accordingly. She does her best to provide enough description and pictures for anyone to base a purchase decision on the item, is more than willing to answer questions and accomodate us to the best of her ability, unfortunately sometimes also to her detriment. Most people here understand that if you want the best quality items, you must order from the website at full price. Our only other alternative is to not afford our customers the opportunity to purchase discounted items and either pay for the items to be fixed here or sent back to nepal for rework, which unfortunately would cause Auntie to have to raise prices to cover the costs of the shipping, supplies and rework.

I feel You had a good deal on that item. A bit of friendliness and asking a few questions about how to fix that item would have probably resulted in a "Stellar" item at little cost to you other than a bit of sandpaper, knowledge elbow grease and maybe a leather patch kit of you wanted to use that sheath. Doing so would have afforded you some insight and appreciation for these items and some satisfaction of the ability to make that khukuri as you would like it.

I honestly feel that you've have been a bit overly critical in not only your analysis of some of The products but of The Himalayan Imports business in general in some of your postings. I myself feel that you had a good deal in the first place and Auntie bent over quite backwards to accomodate you despite your overly critical and sometimes disrespectful posts in this forum. I ask that you take the time to educate yourself on the finer points of khukuris as to finishes and style and whatnot and try to understand how this forum and Auntie does things so that you will be less apt to be disappointed in the future. And try to act in a more friendly manner while posting here. I'm sure you'll come to appeciate better the forum dynamics, friendship and product that is sold here.

 

[OldeWolf]

Public Accountability......

The Shuga Knife in the 2/15 sale was described as "Villager Fit and Finish" and sold at steel cost price. The in thread pictures are pretty clear to those whom take the time look closely. One is always afforded the opportunity to ask questions prior to sale. Most people here understand that such an item will be of rougher finish and fit than the full price quality polished khukuri, The finish will vary by Kami and may be a slightly blem item with laha stains or other minor defects, but will be a perfectly servicable khukuri. I fail to understand how this khukuri is "not functional" as stated above.
One must understand that as a buyer you also bear some responsibility for studying the picture for items and asking question before the sale to help insure your satisfaction. Surely you understand this.

So are you telling me that the one to two pictures (sometimes more) are the tell all of the quality of a knife? My Shuga review proved that the 2/15 sale pictures did not reveal much if at all the qualities I encountered when I received this knife. As for the function of the knife not being what I wanted, it was supposed to be a gift to a family member. It was not up to quality I expected it to be based on the original description and I did not want to gift it to the person.

One must understand that as a seller, you also bear some responsibility for full disclosure by providing more pictures to study upon and informing the whole nature of things to insure your customer's satisfaction. Surely you understand this.

Most here understand that Auntie sells her items based on quality. Blem items are drastically discounted and quality costs more. Some items sold at discount may need a little work. She gets what she gets from Nepal and prices accordingly. She does her best to provide enough description and pictures for anyone to base a purchase decision on the item, is more than willing to answer questions and accomodate us to the best of her ability, unfortunately sometimes also to her detriment. Most people here understand that if you want the best quality items, you must order from the website at full price. Our only other alternative is to not afford our customers the opportunity to purchase discounted items and either pay for the items to be fixed here or sent back to nepal for rework, which unfortunately would cause Auntie to have to raise prices to cover the costs of the shipping, supplies and rework.

I never had a problem with blems or the announcements of a blem item. That is not in question here. What the real issue here is the fact that I'm apparently being scold at by you for not detecting the fullness of the condition the Shuga knife was in just because I had access to only 2 pictures that did not show a thing more but that one side. I did not appreciate that. And it's harder to ask questions about something when it's a deal of the day and everyone is jumping on that particular knife, not exactly giving room to ask questions about it. In fact, that particular business model, more information and disclosures are needed due to the speed of how buyers goes after something based on what is seen and read, ask questions later if at all.

I feel You had a good deal on that item. A bit of friendliness and asking a few questions about how to fix that item would have probably resulted in a "Stellar" item at little cost to you other than a bit of sandpaper, knowledge elbow grease and maybe a leather patch kit of you wanted to use that sheath. Doing so would have afforded you some insight and appreciation for these items and some satisfaction of the ability to make that khukuri as you would like it.

Due to the nature of my purchasing that Shuga knife and it's intended purpose I had in mind for it, I did not take that avenue for my own reasons, thus I returned it. Please appreciate and respect that.

I honestly feel that you've have been a bit overly critical in not only your analysis of some of The products but of The Himalayan Imports business in general in some of your postings. I myself feel that you had a good deal in the first place and Auntie bent over quite backwards to accomodate you despite your overly critical and sometimes disrespectful posts in this forum. I ask that you take the time to educate yourself on the finer points of khukuris as to finishes and style and whatnot and try to understand how this forum and Auntie does things so that you will be less apt to be disappointed in the future. And try to act in a more friendly manner while posting here. I'm sure you'll come to appeciate better the forum dynamics, friendship and product that is sold here.

It's ironic and funny you consider me "overly critical" in my analysis of the products I have received while I watched everyone else obtain better quality knives for roughly the same price. Even when I posted the Tirtha Bowie knife, people were shocked because they never realized such quality can drop so low and I just happened to be the butt end of it. So, no I do not feel like I have been overly critical of the observations of the knives I have received. I was in reality letting the pictures speak for themselves. And here's another irony. I have indeed learn more things about those knives and how this forum works enough that I have learned that I have to be even more critical in my observations and analysis. Even you, Karda, suggest that I ask more questions and examine the pictures even more closer despite the fact that you told me to not be "overly critical in (my) analysis". That's a double standard.

I currently have (had) 4 HI knives:
Tirtha Bowie
Shuga Knife
CAK
Chitlangi

The CAK and Chitlangi is my most favorite ones so far due to the excellent handmade characteristics that I have seen everyone else have been getting. The first two, tirtha bowie and Shuga, were the ones that started all this. If the qualities in those two knives were the same as the CAK and Chitlangi in it's own fashion and ways, none of this would have been started and everyone would have been happy. So yes, it's been a learning experience on how to spot things using so little resources given in here. I guess it's encouraged to be more a cynic in order to avoid disappointments in the future. Thanks Karda.

If I am to be scapegoated in this for the want of better quality disclosures and interaction of the conditions of the knives, then so be it because I sure as hell love what I have gotten from Himalayan Imports despite setbacks.
Be well,
Wolf

 

[Karda]

I think we understand now what a poor business model we have and how woefully adequately this business and forum have been run for 25 years. Show Over.