My duty bag is now a pound and a half heavier. I have added a H.I BAS after extensive testing.
My Bas was forged by Sher and bears his Full Sun mark, although one need only see the blade's thickness (over a half inch) to know who forged the blade. The brass inlayed sword of shiva is nicely done and the finish was magic stone mirror. The handle is black bone (I believe water buffalo shin) and is very well done.
The Chakma and Karda were not as well done, the heat treatment was not nearly of the same quality as the main blade, both were very soft. The sheath showed the disparity between the skills of the Kami's and sheath makers.
I received my knife swiftly and Uncle Bill was a pleasure to deal with. All the kind words which I have read have been true.
After removing the heavy packing grease, (shipped during monsoon season) I inspected the blade and found that the edge was very dull with a large flat spot for the first two inches from the point. I used DMT diamond whetstones to add a secondary bevel and a round diamond hone on the recurved portion of the blade. I finished off with my homemade strops going through white rouge, jewelers' rouge and smooth leather. This not only polished the edge but also removed the many large scratched left by the whetstones.
The majority of my testing was spent chopping down small trees, 2-6 inches thick. This test is useful for judging the overall choppping capabilities of a blade, and for simulating construction of survival shelter. It aslo cleared the patch of secondary growth that my wife wanted cleared.
The chopping ability of the blade was awsome. As I chopped a shower of wood chips was in a constant stream in the air, the blade was very fast and bit deep, going through larger pieces of wood in less then twenty strokes and severing smaller trees (1-2 inches) in a single stroke with a "fluid shockwave" type strike, placing emphasis on the use of full body motion (through a step and hip rotation. I have had no bando training so I used the baton blows that I have been trained in.
I then simulated emergency building/ auto entry.
I began by cutting the tops of three large deck sealant cans. The edge was dulled but undamaged, the finish was heavily marred with several deep scratches and lots of smaller scratches.
I then tested the blade and handles ability to handle heavy impact stress. I began by using the edge to chop large pieces of ice (one gallon milk jugs filled with water and frozen.) I went through six and didn't faze the blade.
I then used the spine of the knife to break cinder blocks. I placed three layers of thick cardboard on a dozen cinderblocks, and covered the edge of the blade in cardboard and duct tape (tape, cardbord, more tape). While wearing eye protection and welders guantlets I used the spine to destroy the cinder blocks. I stopped after nine blocks, because my arm was tired.
I unwrapped the blade expecting at least moderate damage, there was none. The blade remained true and the handle firmly affixed, even the buttcap stayed tight. I was truly impressed, this test would have destroyed a lesser knife. I am amazed at the results of the zone hardening of the spring steel, it is ductile and resiliant, yet the edge is hard enough (I would estimate 58 rc based on the time and effort consumed removing the metal to create the secondary edge bevels) to hold an edge.
The aspect which seperates this knife from any other that I have owned is its spirit. The blade seems to possess an energy, or life force, all its own, there is a character, an aura to the knife like no other I have encountered. There is something truly mystical about this knife. I know that it was forged for me.
In sum, I am very pleased with HI's products and just as pleased in my dealing with Mr. Martino.
I also purchased a Kumar King Kobra (30") that I thought would be excellent for use during marijuana interdiction instead of a machette. (I am NOT involved in these operations, I wanted to test the knife, perhaps for publication) The size perception of HI forumites is truly warped, the blade is 1/2" thick, it is almost three feet long and the khukuri is so heavy that I could never swing it with any sort of speed. The quality of the knife is typical HI, excellent, but it is far too much blade for me. I have posted it for trade at the new buy sharp forum (at knifecorner.com). It is new in box, and very pretty, but it is neither quick nor agile, at least not for me. If you want a VERY big knife make an offer. chad234@email.com
May you all be blessed with peace.
Stay Safe,
Chad
[This message has been edited by chad234 (edited 06-24-2000).]
[This message has been edited by chad234 (edited 06-24-2000).]
My Bas was forged by Sher and bears his Full Sun mark, although one need only see the blade's thickness (over a half inch) to know who forged the blade. The brass inlayed sword of shiva is nicely done and the finish was magic stone mirror. The handle is black bone (I believe water buffalo shin) and is very well done.
The Chakma and Karda were not as well done, the heat treatment was not nearly of the same quality as the main blade, both were very soft. The sheath showed the disparity between the skills of the Kami's and sheath makers.
I received my knife swiftly and Uncle Bill was a pleasure to deal with. All the kind words which I have read have been true.
After removing the heavy packing grease, (shipped during monsoon season) I inspected the blade and found that the edge was very dull with a large flat spot for the first two inches from the point. I used DMT diamond whetstones to add a secondary bevel and a round diamond hone on the recurved portion of the blade. I finished off with my homemade strops going through white rouge, jewelers' rouge and smooth leather. This not only polished the edge but also removed the many large scratched left by the whetstones.
The majority of my testing was spent chopping down small trees, 2-6 inches thick. This test is useful for judging the overall choppping capabilities of a blade, and for simulating construction of survival shelter. It aslo cleared the patch of secondary growth that my wife wanted cleared.
The chopping ability of the blade was awsome. As I chopped a shower of wood chips was in a constant stream in the air, the blade was very fast and bit deep, going through larger pieces of wood in less then twenty strokes and severing smaller trees (1-2 inches) in a single stroke with a "fluid shockwave" type strike, placing emphasis on the use of full body motion (through a step and hip rotation. I have had no bando training so I used the baton blows that I have been trained in.
I then simulated emergency building/ auto entry.
I began by cutting the tops of three large deck sealant cans. The edge was dulled but undamaged, the finish was heavily marred with several deep scratches and lots of smaller scratches.
I then tested the blade and handles ability to handle heavy impact stress. I began by using the edge to chop large pieces of ice (one gallon milk jugs filled with water and frozen.) I went through six and didn't faze the blade.
I then used the spine of the knife to break cinder blocks. I placed three layers of thick cardboard on a dozen cinderblocks, and covered the edge of the blade in cardboard and duct tape (tape, cardbord, more tape). While wearing eye protection and welders guantlets I used the spine to destroy the cinder blocks. I stopped after nine blocks, because my arm was tired.
I unwrapped the blade expecting at least moderate damage, there was none. The blade remained true and the handle firmly affixed, even the buttcap stayed tight. I was truly impressed, this test would have destroyed a lesser knife. I am amazed at the results of the zone hardening of the spring steel, it is ductile and resiliant, yet the edge is hard enough (I would estimate 58 rc based on the time and effort consumed removing the metal to create the secondary edge bevels) to hold an edge.
The aspect which seperates this knife from any other that I have owned is its spirit. The blade seems to possess an energy, or life force, all its own, there is a character, an aura to the knife like no other I have encountered. There is something truly mystical about this knife. I know that it was forged for me.
In sum, I am very pleased with HI's products and just as pleased in my dealing with Mr. Martino.
I also purchased a Kumar King Kobra (30") that I thought would be excellent for use during marijuana interdiction instead of a machette. (I am NOT involved in these operations, I wanted to test the knife, perhaps for publication) The size perception of HI forumites is truly warped, the blade is 1/2" thick, it is almost three feet long and the khukuri is so heavy that I could never swing it with any sort of speed. The quality of the knife is typical HI, excellent, but it is far too much blade for me. I have posted it for trade at the new buy sharp forum (at knifecorner.com). It is new in box, and very pretty, but it is neither quick nor agile, at least not for me. If you want a VERY big knife make an offer. chad234@email.com
May you all be blessed with peace.
Stay Safe,
Chad
[This message has been edited by chad234 (edited 06-24-2000).]
[This message has been edited by chad234 (edited 06-24-2000).]
