AK bowie and some rumbling

WrongFriend

WrongFriend

Joined
Jul 6, 1999
Messages
1,151
I've got the AK bowie from Uncle Bill. The first blade in this century! To me 18" GS was and still is the best balanced blade for all purpose, but sometimes it's too much for chores. Smaller and uglier (sorry HI T&B fans!) knife will suit for such chores in daily carry. HI T&B was it.
It was shiniest HI knife out of box among my for HI blades. The scabbard was also the best in cosmetic. The edge was decent, albeit not hair shaving sharp. I've only tried soft targets now, but it served quite well. There was a flaw on the blade. Two small hairline cracks of 2mm were found next to the center of the cho. They could be seen from the both sides. The bowie might be weaker with that cracks, but it'll be out of human capability to confirm how they weaken the blade...
I love the sturdy knife structure with full tang, but after some hours of use, there were some rusty spots on the tang and pommel. I polished them out in a minute it's okay. But IMHO if the knife is rigged with brass, like brass bolster or brass pommel, it will hardly get rusty. Maybe habaki bolster is the best solution.
I forgot, AK bowie did not impress my pals very much, who have already been used to HI "regular" and "heavy" khukuris.

Recently I met a guy on a Japanese BBS. He must be a nice guy as he knew HI and wanted WWII! Hope he can have one soon.

Banzai (live long) for Uncle Bill!

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(T_T) ...crying
\(^o^)/ ...cheerful
(ToT) ...crying
Mizutani Satoshi
 
Many thanks for report, oi-chan. I viewed those tiny cracks as more cosmetic than stuctural. As you said, a human will not be able to lenghten them. And, sorry about the rust. The chiruwa handle is prone to rust as it does not get the attention the blade does.

If you have any problems with the knife email me and we will make it right as you know.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
Himalayan Imports Archives (33,000 + posts)
 
All good luck and bad luck is like a rope. I see a string in the rope as good luck, but it is the very string I called bad luck somewhere else along the rope.
I wanted a user knife. If the AK bowie was a 10 out of 10 knife in cosmetic as always, I'd have tuck it into drawer only to find another user khukuri. Now the bowie is a perfect user blade thanx to the cosmetic flaw and tendency to rust! I can use it out till it'll be worn out like a needle. Will it take generations? Well, if it gets smaller, I can give it to my daughter.
But... Am I keeping her waiting too much? Should I find a neat 12 incher for my daughter? Like 12" Sirupati?

HIKV wins at last.

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(T_T) ...crying
\(^o^)/ ...cheerful
(ToT) ...crying
Mizutani Satoshi
 
Hi,
I think I know you WrongFriend. Or, should I call you "Mr.Butterfly"?
wink.gif

You've got an Ak bowie? It's already been inside of my imaginary shopping cart since I saw it first time!

Currently, I'm wating the arrival of my WW‡U and that'll be my first khukuri (yeah, probably I'm the nice guy you mentioned above.
biggrin.gif
). Then I'll go for Ak family, then sirupati's, then .... The list just goes on and on.
biggrin.gif


Hi uncle Bill. How's it going?
You've been looking really busy. Please take care. And thank you for the great service.

 
Big Bob,Uncle Bill thank you for your welcome.Though I'm new here, everyone in this forum seems to be nice guys.
smile.gif



 
Konichiwa, Jelly Fish. Welcome to Uncle Bill's Khukuri Cantina where anything can happen and the folks are friendly.
smile.gif


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Harry
 
Very nice to see you here, Jelly Fish! Yes, I'm the "butterfly" guy. And you are the nice guy "Kurage (Jelly Fish)", as you are in Japan.

I know you are already in love with WWII even before you put your hand on it. You came all the way to Uncle Bill's Cantina.
The Pacific Ocean cannnot stop HIKV (Himalayan Import Khukuri Virus).

In my case it was 20" AK, king of HIKV career. While struggling with Japanese customs, it became my obsession till I got one after half year. I hope you'll have your WWII in shorter time. Have fun!


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(T_T) ...crying
\(^o^)/ ...cheerful
(ToT) ...crying
Mizutani Satoshi
 
And, konbanwa WrongFriend.
It seems I failed to protect myself from HIKV. Serum needed before it's too late.
biggrin.gif
 
A warm welcome to you JellyFish from Washington State. Our state has very close ties with Japan. Glad you're here!!
 
Jelly Fish,
Welcome,Sorry ,no serum available,YOU ARE "doomed" LIKE THE REST OF THEM ARE!Get ready to become "MUCH" poorer!
The good part is when you get to "HIT & CUT" SOMETHING(MAKE THAT ANYTHING) WITH THE K.
Confusing part is deciding which one to use & which one is your favorite!Of course this is an observation from one standing on the outside,looking in on all the HIKV patients!
The hikv patients even have medical aid, of
course he's got it too, great guy,I think his name is Koz!!
jim
 
Uncle, I've come to think of 12 incher more and more seriously now! I have four questions, which is the last resort for my wallet. How much is a 12" Sirupati? How short is the handle, to average US hand size? If it is too short, can I place a custom order for one with 15"er handle? Is there any kind of "Terry Sisco special sheath with flat tip" for 12" Sirupati?

Krankheit report: HIKV is prone to mutate in a short time, changing the victim's taste of lengthwise. For me it worked from long to light, from long to short. To some other victims, the other way. Unpredictable!

jim, yes, we have no medicine. We can do nothing but patching bandaid to our fingers.

Jelly Fish, even if you have bad luck with customs, there are solutions of "time" and "space." Time solution, bon & shogatsu (mid August and late December) will give you much better chances than any other months. Space solution: find a friend who can stand big blades and will not get faint, living far from Tokyo. Hokkaido or Kyushu is best.
Good luck,

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\(^o^)/ Mizutani Satoshi \(^o^)/
 
Thanks for your welcome rdnzl,jim.

HIKV, the deasease which is fatal but guarantees much more fun than pain.

I'd gladly accept it.

WrongFriend, thanks for the advice.
 
Front of non-habaki bolster to back edge of buttplate ( keeper and tang not included ). Essentially total graspable grip length.

Shop 1 Sirupati 12": 4 3/16" long.
Birgorkha Sirupati 12": 4 1/2" long.
Birgorkha AngKhola 12": 4 1/2" long.
Shop 1 Sirupati 15": 4 3/4" long.
Birgorkha Kumar Karda: 4 1/8" long.


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Rusty, you're the evangelist of twelve (incher)! How else could you add so many to my humble wish list, just by showing handle length?

I see, in shorter class I have to grip the handle. More length is desirable, but it's come to look enough. Now I'm losing one of the last four guards to keep my wallet...

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\(^o^)/ Mizutani Satoshi \(^o^)/
 
Just keep in mind that though 12" handles are fine for me, I'm 5'4", won't tell you my weight though I will admit to suffering from Dunlaps disease ( my belly has done lapped over my belt ) and wear size 8 shoes, gloves, & rings.

In other words I have smaller hands, but a bigger brain ( if I could just remember where I left it ).

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H I Forum posts to date: Active Forum Archive I Archive II = 36,000+
H I Office # (775) 825-2279

Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
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