British Service #2 for comparison

[sweetcostarica]

What these people seem to want is a thinner lighter khukuri to use for Bushcrafting, wood splitting etc...
We have 10 models warranted for such usage. Many of the patterned after notable examples of "original" khukuri that you speak of, but built a bit heavier to conform to our need to have such in order to feel comfortable guaranteeing them for life. Much care is taken to assure that these items are made as tough as they can be made. They are also much more finely finished than most.

Karda, I just thought of something. Why don't we do a official poll? Here on this forum. You could pick lets say four (4) traditional HI Kukri and four (4) non-traditional HI Kukri. Have voters pick their favorite two (2) or (3) Kukris among those (8) Kukri and add the total numbers (two set of totals). Will the four traditional blades win the popular vote or will the four non-traditional blades take it :thumbup: :thumbdn:.

I think this would be a fun way of seeing what is in the hearts and minds of Kukri lovers and HI forum members. What do yo think?

 

[Karda]

Karda, I just thought of something. Why don't we do a official poll? Here on this forum. You could pick lets say four (4) traditional HI Kukri and four (4) non-traditional HI Kukri. Have voters pick their favorite two (2) or (3) Kukris among those (8) Kukri and add the total numbers (two set of totals). Will the four traditional blades win the popular vote or will the four non-traditional blades take it :thumbup: :thumbdn:.

I think this would be a fun way of seeing what is in the hearts and minds of Kukri lovers and HI forum members. What do yo think?

I honestly don't see much point in a poll like that.
I think it would only serve more to divide a group of khukuri aficionados, rather than bring them together.
As you can see by recent offerings, we are trying to give a few more models that are lighter and slimmer, more in line with the few people whom seem to want khukuri like that. There have even been a few lighter and slimmer M-43's made. It doesnt mean we will stop making the models we have in the manner we have always made them. Nor does it mean that we will be warranting these models for chopping.

We'd like to offer something for everybody, but we must consider that there may not always be time or resources to do so.

In the new year, Auntie is planning to add a couple models to the warranty list and the store and doing some things with the website.
Bear in mind though that these things must be thouroughly considered first and change must be made as time permits while normal business continues.

 

[sweetcostarica]

As you can see by recent offerings, we are trying to give a few more models that are lighter and slimmer, more in line with the few people whom seem to want khukuri like that. There have even been a few lighter and slimmer M-43's made. It doesnt mean we will stop making the models we have in the manner we have always made them. Nor does it mean that we will be warranting these models for chopping.

You are probably right about dividing people. I don't want to see the Hatfields and McCoys part two at Himalayan Imports (HI).

And I did notice a great effort at HI to offer more traditional blade shapes and weights. Also, bring in "specialist" Kamis for this. This is much appreciated and I'm sure not just by me. Folks at HI headquarters and you Karda are good, passionate people. Your wisdom as I have always said is seen in your diplomatic words to us if we cross a line somewhere. Now my slate is clean.

Note: I'm not saying this because tomorrows December 21st .

 

[Hans Asmussen]

I would like to address some open points, but I have a question first. Is it consensus that a British Standard is not a long khukuri and that it is somewhere between a sirupate and a bhojpure in its form?

By the way, as proof of concept, I prepared lunch with the BAS. Cutting the bread rolls, dill, and onions worked nicely. I could do with some more practice, however. The herring then left traces on the blade, and there was some light and quick corrosion. In the old days, people would not eat certain food with silver spoons, but on 5160 steel? Is it a known effect?

 

[davidf99]

.... I prepared lunch with the BAS. Cutting the bread rolls, dill, and onions worked nicely. I could do with some more practice, however. The herring then left traces on the blade, and there was some light and quick corrosion. In the old days, people would not eat certain food with silver spoons, but on 5160 steel? Is it a known effect?

Hans:

The herring was probably saturated in salt water, or packed in some kind of salty sauce, either of which would corrode 5160 steel rather quickly -- at least surface corrosion. There've been threads on this forum about people using a variety of food items to force patinas on their 5160 steel blades. You probably hit on one of those methods.

You can cut just about any kind of food with a khukuri, but sometimes the food takes its revenge.

-- Dave

 

[bemo]

I'd like to comment on the responsiveness of H.I. in regards to some customers wanting thinner and lighter khukuri. It has not gone unnoticed and unappreciated. A few months ago, I emailed Auntie about a lighter M43. She had one that weighted 28 oz and made me a deal on it. It's phenomenal. The 6 oz difference between my M43 and my ASTK is huge in regards to how they handle! And my m43 handles much more like my cache khukuri. I know not everyone wants thinner and lighter, but H.I. is now offering khukuri for just about every taste now, and that's a good thing. I thank you and Auntie!

 

[sweetcostarica]

I'd like to comment on the responsiveness of H.I. in regards to some customers wanting thinner and lighter khukuri.

I think Himalayan Imports (HI) is trying hard on this one too bemo. But I want to correct this statement for what I and I believe others have been asking for:
sweetcostarica wants Himalayan Imports, Khukuri Houses, and even foreign companies that have Kukri made in Nepal to make traditional Kukris again. I am not asking for thinner or lighter. I'm asking for normal and regular.

Before the "Kukri Boom" in the West the average Kukri was more of a work of art in it's function and design. It was made to be used all day, it was made to fight wars, it was made with as little foreign influence as possible. The tradition Kukri is totally different and harder to make than what we see imported today that the common man in Nepal would not use even if he could pay $100 USD for it.


What we want is tradition!

But I/we are not trying to force this desire on any maker of Kukris. I would like first to convince people like you reading this post that less is more. This saying is so true regarding today's export Kukri. Again it is refreshing HI is trying to get back to it's roots with more tradition Kukri.


The National Museum of Nepal in Kathmandu has all the original Kukri from the past to the present to study so it's not hard to make a traditional Khukuri design. So spread to word and maybe once people get normal Kukri with HI high quality manufacturing techniques we will see some incredible Kukris coming out of Nepal.

 

[Hans Asmussen]

The National Museum of Nepal in Kathmandu has all the original Kukri from the past to the present to study so it's not hard to make a traditional Khukuri design.

I can follow you, in the sense that I would buy some. But I guess I would not mind the occasional 50 or 100 grams extra, and a larger handle is still a must...

Sweetcostarica, you are knowledgeable. Do you agree that the (current) BAS is somewhere in the middle between a Sirupate and a Bhojpure?

 

[sweetcostarica]

I can follow you, in the sense that I would buy some. But I guess I would not mind the occasional 50 or 100 grams extra, and a larger handle is still a must...

I understand and if we were in Nepal that's what a Kami would ask you. That is he would custom make the handle to your hand, the blade length to suit your use of the Kukri, and ask how heavy or light you want it. If fact many MK1 British Mark Kukris and Goorkha Army Kukri (GAK) were heavy (800 to 1000 grams). But as the role of the Kukri in combat changed we see from history it got smaller and smaller, lighter and lighter. Which brings us to the BSI/BAS.

Sweetcostarica, you are knowledgeable. Do you agree that the (current) BAS/BSI is somewhere in the middle between a Sirupate and a Bhojpure?

I have all three and the answer depends on the meaning of "in the middle".

So if you mean the Sirupate is a pure fighter + the Bhojpure (GAK) is a wood eater = BAS/BSI as in the middle; I disagree today's Service Issue No.1 is best for camp duties only. It can fight but no better than a knife that the enemy has.

If you mean the Sirupate is long and thin + the Bhojpure (GAK) is shorter and has a big belly = BAS/BSI as in the middle; no I think it's too short and small to compare.

So we need a more precise meaning of "in the middle" to answer in the best way possible.

2012 Miss Himalaya Rinchen Dolma in the middle with runner ups

Oh, and I'm not that smart what I know comes from wise men and books but thanks for the compliment. I take them when I can get them .

 

[Howard Wallace]

The tradition ---IS--- variation. The tradition is hereditary kamis with great skill toiling over their forges. The tradition is mountain villages where the communication is from the foot traffic that comes through. The tradition is the kami talking to the customer and using all his skill to create a tool that will serve ---THAT--- individual well. The tradition is special "signature" knives that a kami may become well known for, like Kanchi kami's knives with heavy brass end caps or Ganga Ram's big choppers. Knives that may never be made again after their gifted authors die.

My thanks to Yangdu and all of HI, for keeping the traditions alive in the truest sense of the word. Your perception and hard work add much value to our world, and are greatly appreciated.