Another way to tell if your kami knows what he's doing.

[Bill Martino]

The best way to tell if the kami who made your khukuri knew what he was doing and had some decent steel at his disposal is to put the khukuri through a rigorous workout ala Cliff Stamp. But there's another indicator that is pretty good that can save you some time and sweat.

Take a look a the karda and chakma. If they are well made and fully functional this is a good sign. Another very important indicator is their size. If karda and chakma are roughly (say within 10 or 20%) the same length as the handle on your khukuri there's a very goood chance your kami was a good one and that you have a good knife -- "if" he had the steel on hand to make a good knife -- like a Mercedes-Benz spring.

Now everybody grab your khukuris and start comparing karda and chakma size to handle.

Uncle Bill

[This message has been edited by Bill Martino (edited 26 March 1999).]

 

[Cobalt]

Bill, my blades came from a Rolls Royce spring, you remember. hehe

 

[Bill Martino]

Sorry, Cobalt, I forgot.

Uncle Bill

 

[David Rock]

Not only is my car worth less than a Mercedes, it's worth less than a Himalayan Imports khukuri. Anybody want to trade?

David Rock

------------------
Never carry a knife shorter than your schnoz.

 

[John Powell]

So size does matter?

------------------
JP

 

[Cobalt]

Size does matter. To little and it's ineffective. Too much and it cannot be used succesfully. So there is a happy median in there somewere.

If it don't fit you must aquit.

 

[Bill Martino]

Perhaps of small interest to some might be the fact that the karda and chakma on our 38 inch Janawar Katne are each about 10 or 12 inches length. Can't recall exactly. It has been awhile since we've had a run of those made.

Uncle Bill

 

[Phil Squire]

Bill,

Is the karda and chakma made out of the same spring steel as the khukuri? There might be enough steel stock left over from the tang reduction process if the Kamis stock remove somehow in lieu of forging the tapered tang.

Cobalt,

I'm trying to picture the size of the karda and chakma for your limited edition Hong Kong Wonton kukri.

David,
If your car is a Saab or of Japanese lineage, don't forget to save the leaf springs.

Stay safe and all the best, Phil <-----<

 

[Ivy Mike]

I used the karda/chakma test on my 20" Sirupati. They are both well-made, and they are within 5% of the length of the handle. If everyone would just buy a Sirupati, then no one would have to worry about size: it is superbly balanced. Of course, I don't see much chopping action. As far as the steel goes, it could be from an old Mercedes, but hey, what ever happened to the Exxon Valdez?

 

[Bill Martino]

Phil, I'm not positive but am almost sure that karda and chakma on HI khukuris are made of spring steel. One thing for sure, they are tough little buggars and do the job they are supposed to do.

And, right! Save the leaf spings.

Uncle Bill