Bevels and Devils, Spines and Lines

[gurkha berserka]

I believe you mean Chiruwa rather than Chitlangi. Chitlangi is a model, Chiruwa is a full metal handle with slab grips on each side.

I think you are right Bawanna after I reread his question. Hi makes all three type of tangs.

1st Chiruwa or what we call "full tang" here in the west. The blade and handle are one piece with handle slabs on both sides. This is the strongest set up but the weight distribution does take a back seat to all out brute strength

2nd is their "rat tail" tang which extends all the way through the handle. It kind of misleading because most modern rat tail knives are cheap junk. HI's tangs are more of a "tree stump" tang in my opinion. There are plenty strong enough to chop and the term "rat tail" really doesn't explain the construction well. The handle covers the tang with no portion of it showing except for tiny nub on the pommel of the handle. This is also very strong and what you most often see. Strength and balance are great with this type of construction.

3rd is the "partial tang" I haven't seen any HI's with partial tangs available on this forum or on the webstore yet. There is however one listed in the catalog and there is a picture to confirm that its a partial tang. The model is the Hanshee but most of the Hanshee's I have seen other customer own have the rat tail tang. The only time Ive seen the partial tang is in the catalog picture. This type of tang produces the best balance and faster strikes. It changes direction faster than any other style at the expense of some strength. I am sure it is up to the task for chopping and other chores but I think chiruwa and rait tail tang are better "choppers". My partial tang is from another maker but I would LOVE a partial tang Hanshee from HI. I plan on ordering mine that way because I prefer a curved grip over the straight grip Hanshee. I hope this cleared up the tang issue.

 

[jdk1]

Were I in the market for a fighting khukuri (I'd probably chop my own hand off), or just a great all-around khuk, this darling on the left would be THE contender. It's a Thamar tin chirra at 17" and 21 oz. Those fullers can do nice things to balance and handling. Plus, look at those curves!:thumbup:

 

[gurkha berserka]

I totally agree JDK1... I have a 17.5 22oz Dui Chirra and it is my #1 fighter and favorite kukri of all time. I love the "tree stump' tang and curved handle. It is by far the best fighter I have due to the balance and large belly.

 

[cul4u01]

I love my Thamar Dui Chirra as a fighter too, but I still prefer my Rajkumar Bashpati as my goto fighter.

 

[Scara]

I think you are right Bawanna after I reread his question. Hi makes all three type of tangs.

1st Chiruwa or what we call "full tang" here in the west. The blade and handle are one piece with handle slabs on both sides. This is the strongest set up but the weight distribution does take a back seat to all out brute strength

2nd is their "rat tail" tang which extends all the way through the handle. It kind of misleading because most rat tail knives are cheap junk. HI's tangs are more of a "tree stump" tang in my opinion. There are plenty strong enough to chop and the term "rat tail" really doesn't explain the construction well. The handle covers the tang with no portion of it showing except for tiny nub on the pommel of the handle. This is also very strong and what you most often see. Strength and balance are great with this type of construction.

3rd is the "partial tang" I haven't seen any HI's with partial tangs available on this forum or on the webstore yet. There is however one listed in the catalog and there is a picture to confirm that its a partial tang. The model is the Hanshee but most of the Hanshee's I have seen other customer own have the rat tail tang. The only time Ive seen the partial tang is in the catalog picture. This type of tang produces the best balance and faster strikes. It changes direction faster than any other style at the expense of some strength. I am sure it is up to the task for chopping and other chores but I think chiruwa and rait tail tang are better "choppers". My partial tang is from another maker but I would LOVE a partial tang Hanshee from HI. I plan on ordering mine that way because I prefer a curved grip over the straight grip Hanshee. I hope this cleared up the tang issue.

Yeah, I meant Chiruwa. And speaking of rat tails, it is a pity that so many of them are cheap junk, because they don't need to be that way. The Fairbairn-Sykes as an example was rat-tail and from the good makers during WWII was very high quality. And those that broke broke at the tip, not the tang.

But I think I'll wait for a hanshee when I want a full-on dedicated fighter. Not only is it unique, it's good at what it does.

 

[Shavru]

I agree Scara, Rat tails have gotten a bad name because of so many that do them poorly, though the whole blade is probably just as bad in most cases. When done correctly there is absolutely no reason they shouldn't be just as robust as the rest of the knife. And Fairbairn-Sykes designs are just plain wonderful examples to use. Sure makes me drool thinking of his cobras

 

[Scara]

I agree Scara, Rat tails have gotten a bad name because of so many that do them poorly, though the whole blade is probably just as bad in most cases. When done correctly there is absolutely no reason they shouldn't be just as robust as the rest of the knife. And Fairbairn-Sykes designs are just plain wonderful examples to use. Sure makes me drool thinking of his cobras

Though I was thinking of the Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife, it's the only Fairbairn design I know of that uses a rat-tail. The Smatchet, Fairsword and Cobra are all full-tang. But the main point is still that rat-tails need not be low quality.

 

[gurkha berserka]

Though I was thinking of the Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife, it's the only Fairbairn design I know of that uses a rat-tail. The Smatchet, Fairsword and Cobra are all full-tang. But the main point is still that rat-tails need not be low quality.

Yes rat tail tangs need not be low quality but 80% of all rat tail out there are low quality.