Balance Khukuri?

Triquetra

Triquetra

Joined
Mar 7, 2002
Messages
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Been seeing this Balance Khukuri offered lately. I assumed that this is what is called the Ghopte. It's kind of neat looking but what is is good for or where does it shine. Is it similiar to the 12" AK and Sirupati? Is it more of a small chopper or fighter?
 
It is a smallish knife fer my tastes, could do light or medium chopping, camp knife tasks, good fer backpacking when you want a lighter but sturdy knife. Much more concealable than say the 18"ak.

Yes, the balance is a small khuk, but it would still be classed as a big knife among the khuk non-initiated.

Keith
 
They seem to be going fast on all the deals offered lately. I thought there would be more opinions good or bad. Maybe just because their a little new and different from the regular line or maybe no one has had a chance to use them yet. I think that it was Sarge who stated that he really liked them.
 
I got the most recent one posted...be happy to tell you when it arrives if it will suit the purpose I bought it for as a concealed carry fighter. If not, it'll make a fine light camp knife at the least!

Nasty
 
Originally posted by cucharadedragon
I assumed that this is what is called the Ghopte.

It's kind of neat looking but what is is good for or where does it shine.

Is it similiar to the 12" AK and Sirupati?

Is it more of a small chopper or fighter?
Click to expand...

Seems like I've seen Bill refer to the balance model as a Ghopte a time or two, but not positive.

It's unique in that it will "balance" on its edge and that's where it shines. Not many khuks will do that.

Yes, it's similar to both, but only similar.

Sarge thinks it's more of a fighter as do I.:D The balance is a unique little model usually about 13" oal.
It will make a neat little camp knife. When I was walking out at one of our local, more populated, nature preserves I carried my balance model in my jean's pocket, but then I wear big jeans.:D
It hides easily in the front pocket, easily accessed, unobtrusive, and easily carried.
They're nice little khuks and IMO everyone should have one for nothing else than the novelty let alone it being a very useful little knife.:D
 
Hi guys. Happy holidays to all!:)

Just received my 13.5" Balance model by Kumar today. Took a pic with my 12" Sirupati and my 12.5" Villager. Balance on bottom, then Siru, then Villager on top. It has the brass inlays like a Sirupati, a heart shaped cho, and checkered rings on the handle like a Chitlangi. Balance point is about an inch in front of the cho. Buttcap is held on with the cone shaped keeper like a Kobra, rather than a diamond shapped keeper. Spine thickness is just under 5/16" at .300". Weight is 12-13 ounces. Secondary bevel is slightly convex. Edge is roughly sharpened. I think this is best, as a razor edge would be more likely to cut through the scabbard during the long trip from Nepal. Two minutes on the belt grinder with a 9 micron belt leaves it hair poppin sharp. Pretty thin leather on the scabbard. It will probably only last 100 years.;) Superb heavy leather on the frog. This is my first new khuk in a while, and I just realized how much I missed those triangular red white and blue boxes. Thanks to Kumar, Yangdu and Uncle Bill!

Steve
 
Beautiful! Can't wait to get mine...

Thanks for the pics
Nasty
 
Looks like I have another addition to my HI wish list. Guess it'll be like all of the others though, just have to fondle, hold, and cut a little air to seem if it's meant for me.
 
Sometimes in 1999 when the first time I asked Bill about balance khuk he said that it's called as Baraba.

Most Baraba models are balance khuks. Some other models also can be balanced as well. I have balance 25" Kumar Kobra, 25" Siru and 18" UBE. I think I also have a balance 18" Mala.

Anyhow I agree with opinion that Baraba is a unique model by itself. It's standard length is about 14" or less. It can be differetiate outstandingly with other models by it's extra narrow blade part about 1" in front of it's cho. Ferguson may check and confirm about it. Most curent version of Barabas normally has blade shoulder and 'priwa ki aka' type of cho but some of older version are curvy, without blade shoulder and has 'kowdi' type of cho.
 
Uncle,

Do you have any history on this model? Was it developed for a purpose by a particular kami or did it just show up as a variation and become a standard? Any information would be appreciated...
 
How long are the blade and hangle on the balance? I wonder how you measure the blade length - with the habaki?
 
How long are the blade and hangle on the balance?
Click to expand...

LOL...with these bent beauties, maybe "hangle" is a fitting term! Arty...you'll get full credit for this addition to the vocabulary here. :D
 
Sorry for the typo. I am a little "hund over" this morning. The
photo makes it appear that the balance is much larger than the 12" Sirupati - probably because of the angle at which the photo was taken.

Do you include the length of the habaki in handle length? One does not do this for Japanese blades.
 
Handle length is ~3 5/8" not including the bolster.
Bolster length is 1 1/16".
Blade is ~8 1/16" in a straight line from tip to the middle of the edge of bolster.
Maximum width of blade is 1 9/16", minimum is .910".

Steve
 
Thanks for the info. It appears that the major dimensional difference (aside from style, blade configuration, etc.) is in the handle/bolster. The 12" Sirupati has a much smaller handle.
 
Yes ... I found it! Pls refer to this thread whereby Bill wrote in posting # 5 fr top of page 2:
... For Mohd -- we always make our khukuris somewhat heavier than village models. And, you are correct about the "balance" of knife on thumbnail. Pala demonstrated this. This khukuri is called a "baraba" in Nepal which literally means "equal". It should balance at halfway point or close at least ...
Click to expand...
 
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