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best martial arts khuk
- Thread starter rjacobs
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- May 9, 2002
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- 12,872
I'm not a MA guy any means at all. However, I really like Kobras. They are a tad on the light side if you are wanting something that hits like a ton of bricks. However, my 20.5" 20.5oz Kobra will cleave through 1.5" saplings like they aren't even there.
To contrast that, I have a 25" Kobra that is 32oz. The thing is a tank. While I'm sure I could bend it if I set out to destroy it, under most normal martial arts use, I don't think you could bust it.
To contrast that, I have a 25" Kobra that is 32oz. The thing is a tank. While I'm sure I could bend it if I set out to destroy it, under most normal martial arts use, I don't think you could bust it.
Daniel L
Gold Member
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- Nov 2, 1998
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- 2,008
I had a 20" Kobra but I found it a bit light - I now have a 17" Sirupati which weighs the same and its much better (more alive to me) I feel for MA use. It doesn't compare to the heft of my 17" WWII from the original HI shop 1 - that one just feels like it hits like a ton of bricks, albeit a little slower than the sirupati.
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I was going to say... people talking about the lightness of the Kobras seem to have mostly 20" and under. 2lbs may not seem like much, but extend it out 25" from your grip and it becomes a little more cumbersome.
That said, wouldn't a martial artist want a lighter blade for the speed? After all, a foe isn't stationary like a tree!
But strictly for training purposes, the heavier ones could still be useful as an additional weight-training device, in keeping with the "oversized training weapons" oft used in some Chinese martial arts of ages past. In a fight, out came the lighter weapons.
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thsnks for all the posts and suggestions! I want to cut tatsmi mats around bamboo. If the cut is not right the blade would take some stress. I want a total length about 20" or 21". Kobra might be the way to go if it can really take some good shots like you guys say -- good news for me! I'd sacrifice a bit of strength if I could get a bit more speed.
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A Kobra should be plenty robust fo such use... no need for something overbuilt for the task. I mean heck, how many lumberjacks do you see felling trees with a katana?
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- Feb 13, 2000
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I think one of the best Martial arts blades HI has ever made is the 18" Gelbu Special. I have an old one by Kesar and it is incredibly Light, due to the deep single fuller, yet it strikes like a similar sized Sirupate.
I wish more Gelbu Specials would get produced, but it is a model that has been almost forgotten.
I wish more Gelbu Specials would get produced, but it is a model that has been almost forgotten.
I would agree as much as for the Chitlangi's hitting power vs. a Sirupati of similar size while not being as bulky as a 20" AK.... but I've compared Chitlangi vs Sirupati and the Sirupati wins as far as speed, agility, and quickness of recovery go. The Chitlangi is my favorite khukuri because of its versatility; it's a good "fighter" AND a good "worker".
On the other hand, the guys in Nepal made a special Chitlangi to my specs with a chiruwha handle. The extra steel in the handle did add a lot of weight to it, but all the extra weight changed the balance considerably - just as I theorized - and the result was a big (23.75") and heavy Chitlangi, that handles very well for its size & weight, making it a nearly indestructible tool and a ferocious weapon at the same time.
I'd say a 21" Chitlangi with a chiruwha handle would give one the benefit of a khukuri which hits harder and bites deeper than a Sirupati of similar size while having handling ability more like the Sirupati.
As for my comparisons, I only have two Sirupati's - one by Vim and one by Bura - and the 20.25" Bura made is an extremely quick and well-balanced blade. I have a small collection of Chitlangis to compare them to and the Bura Sirupati is faster than them all... but the Chitlangis win as far as cleaving power goes.
Which again is why I like Chitlangis - they have some of the AngKhola's power combined with some of the Sirupati's agility and speed.
There's always a trade-off. What's perfect? That a matter of personal taste.
In my collection, the 20.25" Sirupati is the one I'd consider a true fighting khukuri, but if civilization collapsed my pick would be Sher's magnificent 21.5" Chitlangi. There's just something special about that one.
Sirupatis typically feel wrong to me. I've given 5 or so away, ranging from 12-21", IIRC. None of them really felt right.
My Chitlangis have felt just fine.
Oh I agree. Some folks don't like the uniquely shaped handle of the Chitlangi, but I prefer it.
My Sirupatis are a 25" by Vim and a 20.25" by Bura.
The 25" has the typical large handle like an AK of the same size but the smaller Sirupati by Bura has a handle which is noticeably slimmer; not quite as slim as my wife's 15.5" Chitlangi but slimmer than my prized 21.5" Chitlangi by Sher.
I like it. The package as a whole on the 20.25" Sirupati works for me as a pure fighter. What it lacks in power, it makes up with excellent agility and velocity.
But I do agree... I've been using khukuris since 1987 and I found perfection when I discovered the Chitlangi.
Beautiful horn-handled 21.5" Chitlangi by kami Sher, still the favorite blade over any others in my collection of literally hundreds:
