jdk1
Gold Member
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2010
- Messages
- 2,040
I didn’t think I’d ever want one of the “baby” khuks since khukuri are supposed to be big choppers, but as usual, the more I looked at them, the more I wanted one. They looked so handy for field use. My 8 year old son has also started to show a real interest in my khukuri and wanted to chop with my CAK. I’ve obliged. But knowing that CAK would remove a finger quickly, I’ve never felt OK with this even though I hover over him. I realized a Bilton might be a good way to start. So, here I am minding my own business one afternoon, when I see a small AK on the DOTD. I held off. I don’t know why. Another baby AK showed up, but the black blade didn’t speak to me. Then, the 12” villager GRS/BC appeared along with a Bilton and I couldn’t hit send fast enough! Alas, the baby Bonecutter was gone, but the Bilton was mine. Auntie said, “I might have another Bonecutter in stock (she is always accommodating to the extreme), I’ll check and send both in one box if I have one”. She had one. Now I have one and I’m thrilled. According to Auntie, it is the very last new style GRS/BC. The Kamis will now make the original style only.
When they arrived, the Bilton was just as advertised. Cute as a bug in a rug and perfect for a boy’s first handmade, authentic Nepalese khukuri! It is 9 ½” long and about ½ pound in weight. The spine is about 5/16” and is nothing to laugh at, for sure. It will do damage, but seems unlikely to lop off an appendage before I can intervene. I can pretty much guarantee it will be his favorite Christmas present this year.
The real surprise though, was the 12 ½” Ganga Ram Special Bonecutter. What a great feeling khuk! It weighs in at exactly one pound on my scale. The spine thickness is about .290” at the bolster and opens up to .330” at about the shoulder. The spine maintains around 1/3” thickness from the bolster until the last 1 ½” of blade. The belly is about 1.913” wide. The balance is just wonderful. I can’t imagine a better feeling camping or hiking blade. Sure, it won’t chop an oak down, but it won’t give you back pain either. I could certainly cut meat, chop smallish limbs for a shelter, and split regular sized logs for a fire with it. It would also serve as a fine self defense weapon. All of that performance without sending nearby campers running for the ranger station! What a package! The handle is small, but feels very good to my regular/large hands and seems to fit the knife perfectly. It’s like a traditional Nepalese version of a bowie knife. The combination of blade thickness and chiruwa handle instills confidence and gives it a great feel.
The only issues with the baby Bonecutter are several cracks near the Cho. The cracks extend approximately ¼” into the blade, and two go through from one side to the other. I sent Auntie some blurry photos, we discussed this and she felt they wouldn’t go anywhere or affect the blade. In accordance with her policy of customer satisfaction, Auntie requested I keep her informed on any change in the cracks and a refund would be happily granted if problems develop. I really want to keep this knife, my concern is safety. After reading in the archives about Ferguson’s (I believe) near thumb decapitation with a Museum Model, I was/am a little apprehensive. I have better photos now and would appreciate comments from fellow forumites that might have seen similar issues, mainly for piece of mind. I absolutely love this little khuk and the thought of sending it back sends shivers up my spine, but safety first.
If you’ve never liked the little or “baby” khuks, give them another look. If you’ve been thinking about one, pick one up ASAP and you’ll be very happy you did. I can’t keep my hands off the little GRS/BC. I haven’t done any testing, and likely won’t for awhile since I was told I need rotator cuff surgery. But, I believe this 12 ½” Bonecutter is capable of much more than the dimensions would lead one to believe. It seems the small AKs are more prevalent, but I think the Bonecutter’s deep belly might lend itself better to small khuk efficiency. I’m going to make a little utility sheath so I can strap it to a back pack. Y’all really have to give one of the babies a try. I don’t know when the “new” original Bonecutters will hit the market, but I hope Auntie gets some little ones. With the new Kami’s skill and Himalayan Import’s (Auntie Yangdu’s) customer service, you’ve got nothing to loose. Satisfaction is literally guaranteed!
Spine shot of CAK and baby Bonecutter
Baby in hand
Crack near Cho
Other side of crack
I added a photo of a CAK, the baby Bonecutter, and the Bilton.
When they arrived, the Bilton was just as advertised. Cute as a bug in a rug and perfect for a boy’s first handmade, authentic Nepalese khukuri! It is 9 ½” long and about ½ pound in weight. The spine is about 5/16” and is nothing to laugh at, for sure. It will do damage, but seems unlikely to lop off an appendage before I can intervene. I can pretty much guarantee it will be his favorite Christmas present this year.
The real surprise though, was the 12 ½” Ganga Ram Special Bonecutter. What a great feeling khuk! It weighs in at exactly one pound on my scale. The spine thickness is about .290” at the bolster and opens up to .330” at about the shoulder. The spine maintains around 1/3” thickness from the bolster until the last 1 ½” of blade. The belly is about 1.913” wide. The balance is just wonderful. I can’t imagine a better feeling camping or hiking blade. Sure, it won’t chop an oak down, but it won’t give you back pain either. I could certainly cut meat, chop smallish limbs for a shelter, and split regular sized logs for a fire with it. It would also serve as a fine self defense weapon. All of that performance without sending nearby campers running for the ranger station! What a package! The handle is small, but feels very good to my regular/large hands and seems to fit the knife perfectly. It’s like a traditional Nepalese version of a bowie knife. The combination of blade thickness and chiruwa handle instills confidence and gives it a great feel.
The only issues with the baby Bonecutter are several cracks near the Cho. The cracks extend approximately ¼” into the blade, and two go through from one side to the other. I sent Auntie some blurry photos, we discussed this and she felt they wouldn’t go anywhere or affect the blade. In accordance with her policy of customer satisfaction, Auntie requested I keep her informed on any change in the cracks and a refund would be happily granted if problems develop. I really want to keep this knife, my concern is safety. After reading in the archives about Ferguson’s (I believe) near thumb decapitation with a Museum Model, I was/am a little apprehensive. I have better photos now and would appreciate comments from fellow forumites that might have seen similar issues, mainly for piece of mind. I absolutely love this little khuk and the thought of sending it back sends shivers up my spine, but safety first.
If you’ve never liked the little or “baby” khuks, give them another look. If you’ve been thinking about one, pick one up ASAP and you’ll be very happy you did. I can’t keep my hands off the little GRS/BC. I haven’t done any testing, and likely won’t for awhile since I was told I need rotator cuff surgery. But, I believe this 12 ½” Bonecutter is capable of much more than the dimensions would lead one to believe. It seems the small AKs are more prevalent, but I think the Bonecutter’s deep belly might lend itself better to small khuk efficiency. I’m going to make a little utility sheath so I can strap it to a back pack. Y’all really have to give one of the babies a try. I don’t know when the “new” original Bonecutters will hit the market, but I hope Auntie gets some little ones. With the new Kami’s skill and Himalayan Import’s (Auntie Yangdu’s) customer service, you’ve got nothing to loose. Satisfaction is literally guaranteed!
Spine shot of CAK and baby Bonecutter
Baby in hand
Crack near Cho
Other side of crack
I added a photo of a CAK, the baby Bonecutter, and the Bilton.
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Take care.