A word about the steel we use.

Bill Martino

Bill Martino

Joined
Mar 5, 1999
Messages
34,096
Since BirGorkha started the only steel used is springs from Mercedes Benz heavy trucks. I have some pix of these which I'll post when I get back -- BIG springs. Thankfully, we are able to get these locally rather than searching the junkyards of India.

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
And while we're on the topic of tasting the difference, how about introducing a new line of khukuris called BirGhorka lite.

Tastes great/less filings?

I think I need to go to bed now.

-Dave
 
Dave, you may need some of Rusty's meds.

We have three choices of springs available to us -- the MB which the kamis prefer and use, Japanese springs, and springs from the Tata trucks and buses bade in India. The kamis can tell the difference by a mere glance of the springs and they refuse to make anything from the Tata springs.

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
It's good to have it confirmed that nothing but the best steel is used in the making of HI khuks.
 
From personal experience, I can recommend old British army truck springs; the quality of the steel is outstanding. It's a bit rough on files, but you can forge it very dark red without cracking it, and it hardens/tempers beautifully.

The same goes for Land Rover springs (the only part of a Land Rover worth a cuss, IMHO...)

 
Would there be any point at which you'll need
more springs or steel that is available locally?
How many springs go into one khuk? Or is it the other way around?
Just wondering if there might be use for some kind of deal: say Mercedes sends a few used
springs now and then (to be reforged to perfection by the BirGorkha kamis), and in return they get to run an ad saying that their springs are so good, the best knives in the world are made from their USED springs!!
 
Spring supply is okay at present but I was surprised at the cost. I'm used to US prices where you can get springs for just a half decent song.

The truck springs are BIG so if we are talking about 12 inch Sirupatis you can get a bunch out of one spring. If we are talking Super Salyans maybe only two with some left over for little khukuris.

I like the idea about the ad but don't think MB would go for it.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
Hope Kamis could make a Khukuri from good old M60 suspensions and wheels one day. Or, perhaps WWII specials made from scrap steel from Sherman tanks. Weird fantasy, I must have forgotten to take medication this morning.
Well come back Uncle Bill and co.
 
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