An 18'' Chitlangi from H.I.

Joined
Oct 5, 2014
Messages
6
Hello everyone! This is my first post, so I hope I get this right. :)
I am interested in an 18'' Chitlangi, but the price is a bit too high for me and I can't tell if I would like it from the pictures alone. The shape is nice but I don't know about the dimensions and all that. I was wondering if anyone has an actual one and they could provide me with some basic information and dimensions of that model. I would like to know:
1. the angle at which it is ''bent''.
2. the length of the handle.
3. the length from the tip of the blade to the point where it ''bends'' and from that point to the handle.
4. the width of the belly and overall blade.

Thank you very much, any info is welcome! I might wait until Christmas and maybe see what deals will be then, but I would like to know these measures and have your personal opinion on the blade. :) I hope I didn't do anything wrong with this first post.
 
Welcome to the forum! Unfortunately it's impossible to answer all of your questions because each piece is handmade. There are going to be variances between any two pieces even if they're the same model made by the same khukuri. This is something that you'll just to roll the dice on. I would bet that you're going to love whatever you get if you are indeed already interested in the chitlangi, though.
 
moogoogaidan pretty much nailed it. They would be similar but everyone is different.

It would help us help some if we knew your intended purpose. The chitlangi leans more to light duty, not heavy chopping, more fighter I guess. Lean and mean.

I don't have an 18" I only have a 25 so I can't help with the measurements. If somebody has one the numbers wouldn't hurt, just won't be exact as moogoogaidan so eloquently stated.
 
I would like to get a Chitlangi for cutting vegetation or such, for chopping, I heard the Ang Khola is a beast. That one is on my list as well, but for now I feel the Chitlangi has a bit more priority :).
I don't need the measurements to be exact or anything, if anyone has a chitlangi and wishes to share the dimensions and what not with me, that's all I need. All I want is to be able to draw (even with my anti-talent reputation) a small sketch and see how big it would be. Also, do you guys recommend me to wait until a specific time of the year when maybe there will be discounts, or the price stays as it is for the whole year? Thanks!
 
i got one! ill have to get back to ya shortly with the details pics etc. im one hand in the dinner plate and one hand on the keyboard at the moment:D
 
Here's a scale drawing of an 18" Chitlangi (on a square-inch grid) that can be easily drawn life-size on graph paper (if you draw one square inch at a time).

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The drawings below show how the Chitlangi's angles compares to other models. In addition to the blade angles, the angles of the handles have an effect on the "effective striking angle".

Each Khukuri in the analysis is accompanied by 2 numbers: Name, Final Bend, Effective Striking Angle
* Final Bend = the last bend of the knife
* Effective striking angle = a line drawn from the end of the knife to the end of the handle.
...
Imagine holding a khukuri with the handle exactly perpendicular to your body. Now imagine if you could hold 5 at the same time and judge each one to see how much they individually "bend". That's the intent of this analysis.

Let this be a guide for those who wonder what it would feel like to have an AK instead of a Sirupati, or a Gelbu Special instead of a Kobra.

While careful consideration was made for each khukuri individually, this analysis does not account completely for weight distribution along the blade, nor does it include variations by the individual kamis. Rather, it is a starting point for you to do your own analysis...


quoted from http://www.himalayan-imports.com/Khukuri_Dynamics.html

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The Chitlangi is an excellent choice for an all-around khukuri. Not a heavy chopper, but a robust blade good for almost everything from lopping tree branches to self-defense, and quite beautiful. There are two versions of the Chitlangi. Most are dui chirra, that is, two fullers on each side. Some have a single deep fuller. See pictures below for examples of both.

They come in all lengths, from 15" to 22" (that's overall length), and occasionally even smaller or larger. Don't be misled by the choices shown at the HI online store. Yangdu posts a much greater variety of models and sizes here on the forum as DOTDs (Deals of the Day). The weights also vary because of differences in blade thickness and kami styles.

Here are pictures of three examples, with overall lengths and weights. You can measure the spine bend angle from the photos, and you can estimate all the other dimensions as proportions of the overall lengths. No need to be exact. The most important things are that the handle fits your hand and the weight is manageable.

Chitlangi 15" OAL, 16 oz by Lokendra Kami. My favorite. Light, fast and solid. All steel fittings.

View attachment 478512

Chitlangi 20.5" OAL, 26 oz by Lokendra Kami. Nice example of a single chirra chitlangi.

View attachment 478515

Chitlangi 21" OAL, 37 oz by Tirtha Kami. This was too heavy for me, and the handle was too thick for my average-sized hands.

View attachment 478521

Note on weights: A short, heavy blade may be easier to handle than a long blade of the same weight, because the center of gravity of the long blade is farther away from the hand. Thus, my Munk Chunk Bowie, at 15" OAL and 35 oz feels much better to me than the 21" Chitlangi at 37 oz. It helps that the handle is narrower and that a lot of the weight is concentrated in the thick tang of the handle.

Munk Chunk Bowie 15" OAL, 35 oz, by Rajendra Kami.

View attachment 478524
 
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Welcome to the forum 8th. Now that you have an idea about the comparisons for the various blades, being patient and watching the DotDs is definately a good choice. One warning. Be very quick to email Auntie when you see the one you want pop up, The DotDs go quite quickly. Then stopping back to let us know you sent her an email for a particular blade is considered polite so we don't swamp her with emails for something already gone. Good hunting, I hope you find your perfect blade.
 
Welcome 8th! As promised, It was such a nice day i decided to take out a few giant ragweed plants that were offending my driveway! My 18" Chitlangi was the likely weapon of choice. Heres one about 1 1/2 -2 inches.
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A little delimbing first.

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I know...That aint the way to delimb but its more fun that way:D

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Tirtha 18" Chitlangi 21oz.
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Spine thickness at the knee. Thickness at the bolster is a bit over 3/8". Forgot to upload that pic I guess?

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Drop is about 2". This blade was polished up but has been used a bit. They are gorgeous blades with the two deep fullers, closed cho. and ornate carvings.

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This is my 21" Single Fuller Chitlangi. Very similar but thin edge and very very fast. One of my favorites!
 
Wow, thanks a lot for those pics! That khukuri looks gorgeous! I'll take it for some cutting as well once I'll have it in my hands. That was a lot of information, more than what I asked for. I guess some of you are thorough when talking about khukuris.:D I like the community here, very kind and helping. :)
 
That is a beauty ndog and the sheath is gorgeous. You have a longer chitlangi too? Like a 25? Seems like that was your go to blade for driveway offenders but maybe I'm remembering wrong.
 
ndog - I love that wood handle on the Chit, it's freakin gorgeous.
 
Wow, thanks a lot for those pics! That khukuri looks gorgeous! I'll take it for some cutting as well once I'll have it in my hands. That was a lot of information, more than what I asked for. I guess some of you are thorough when talking about khukuris.:D I like the community here, very kind and helping. :)
No problem 8th! That was my second HI Khuk just a few days behind my first. You cant go wrong with that blade. I still use it quite often.

That is a beauty ndog and the sheath is gorgeous. You have a longer chitlangi too? Like a 25? Seems like that was your go to blade for driveway offenders but maybe I'm remembering wrong.
Nah! Youre right i do have a 25" but its a Siru just like yours. That sheath was pretty unique. This Chit was a blem DOTD which had a crack in the handle. I epoxied it up and cant even find it now.

ndog - I love that wood handle on the Chit, it's freakin gorgeous.
Thanks cul. I do like that red colored Satisal. My 25" siru is the same. Doesnt seem to be as common nowadays. Maybe the Kamis will make some more Chitlangis soon. I havent seen any lately as blems.
 
I was skeptical as all get out but i will tell you that if you tell Mrs Yangdu "Auntie" what you want as far as Model, aprox Length and aprox weight you will be dumbfounded in the best way possible when you open that box! You must be a Bit patient and nice about things! I got an m43 and it is simply breath taking ! I am going to order a "gelbu special" soon enough and i will request a Light model and will wait until i get it !
 
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