Are HI the only REAL Khukuri source?

[C.S. Graves]

The only companies I buy from are HI and Tora. If I want a solid heavy Khuk I go with HI. If I want a lighter and still solid one I go with Tora.

:thumbup: I like 'em both as well.

I think the Cpl. may have been thinking about... what's their name... Gurkha House? Khukuri House? Something with HOUSE in it anyway. Tora's focus has been on historical patterns and more recently "villager" type models.

I will also echo folks reservations about chancing an eBay purchase.... unless you've got some reliable opinions on the given seller.

 

[Yvsa]

Tora kukries do not have "western" handles

I have a few Tora Kukries and they are as good as HI's in my opinion. None of them have a mirror finish, but they all have very good balance. Also they all have traditional handles with a curve to them. To my eye the average Tora handle looks to be more "traditional" then the average HI.

Tora kukries also tend to be lighter (most are about 18 inches and about 26 Oz.) with less of a weight forward design.

The only companies I buy from are HI and Tora. If I want a solid heavy Khuk I go with HI. If I want a lighter and still solid one I go with Tora.

:thumbup: I like 'em both as well.

Tora's focus has been on historical patterns and more recently "villager" type models.

I will also echo folks reservations about chancing an eBay purchase.... unless you've got some reliable opinions on the given seller.

I have one Tora, a Tin Chiarra, and it most definitely has a curved handle just like the older and antique khukuris except it's longer in length and more acceptable to western sized hands, meaning it - is not - four inches long or less... :thumbup: And unless things have changed recently all of the handles are hidden full tangs, in other words - no chiruwa handles... Also assuming that all of Tora's handles are like the one on my Tin Chiarra they have the old style egg/apple seed shaped grip!!!:thumbup:

As has already been said the Tora Khukuri's are indeed lighter like, actually let me just put it like this - - I equate the Tora models with the older traditional and antique Nepali khukuris except their handles are longer and big enough to fit western sized hands. Another thing I've noticed about my Tin Chiarra is that the hardened area/sweet spot is considerably longer, whether the other fellows that have Tora Khukuri's have noticed the same thing - or not - they would have to chime in with their own experience with the particular models they have...

I also very much agree with my old and dear friend Kismet when he said...

Bill Martino would never compare H.I.'s product to any other manufacturer. He felt the H.I. products were sufficient unto themselves. He wished others success.

And with that there is indeed no comparison between H.I. Khukuri's and the ones Tora makes as each manufacturer has a different opinion as to what a khukuri should be. Another thing to consider is that both manufacturers might be very close to each other in what they make if Uncle Bill had not told the kamis, and I paraphrase Uncle Bill as I don't recall his exact words, "The H.I. Khukuri's should be very, very, strong as the crazy Americans don't realize their own strength and will do any and everything with and to our khukuri's! Also westerners have huge hands compared to yours so the handles need to be bigger and longer so they can hold onto our khukuri's without hurting themselves!" And consequently, not meaning too, saying what he did eventually led to more and more cho creep.

So there you have my opinion for whatever it's worth.

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[C.S. Graves]

And unless things have changed recently all of the handles are hidden full tangs, in other words - no chiruwa handles... Also assuming that all of Tora's handles are like the one on my Tin Chiarra they have the old style egg/apple seed shaped grip!!!:thumbup:

Yvsa, here's one I picked up from them late last year (probably October or November) that reflects a slight shift to a more modern villager style:

Still a bit lighter than my HI's of similar length, but also quite a bit different from the other specimens I have from them, and likely your Tin Chirra as well: