- Joined
- Apr 21, 2001
- Messages
- 1,385
In the past I've done trail clearing with shorter Khukuris, but I couldn't resist spending a couple hours bushwhacking with a 25" Sirupati by Sanu. On the positive side, it sailed through 2-3" branches like a light saber. Impressive performance.
On the negative side, I had a lot of trouble with lighter and more flexible vegetation. I kept wishing for something I could swing a lot faster, like my 18" Kobra or a really sharp machete. Alternatively, perhaps some long-bladed hedge shears.
Another problem was my lack of prior field experience with a blade of this length. I had a couple accidental rock strikes at the tip (didn't see them in the vegetation). I've never had that happen with a shorter blade. Although the edge holding on foliage was good, the steel doesn't seem to survive rock impacts as well as Infi (OwenM shared some pictures of a Basic 9 that found a brick and some rocks). However, it shouldn't be very hard to repair.
I usually take 2-3 stick or sword classes per week, but my forearms were still quite sore after a couple hours with the 25 incher. It's a lot to swing. However, the look on the faces of some granolas who saw it made the effort worthwhile. I noted that they weren't doing a darn thing to keep the trail open.
Another observation about such a long blade is that you have to carefully position the scabbard on your belt or the metal tip will poke you in the calf while walking.
I really like this big Sirupati but probably won't carry it on future trail clearing projects unless the majority of the foliage is heavy stuff or the extra reach is needed for some reason. I think I can do the work with a 16.5" AK or 18" WWII and experience less strain.
On the negative side, I had a lot of trouble with lighter and more flexible vegetation. I kept wishing for something I could swing a lot faster, like my 18" Kobra or a really sharp machete. Alternatively, perhaps some long-bladed hedge shears.
Another problem was my lack of prior field experience with a blade of this length. I had a couple accidental rock strikes at the tip (didn't see them in the vegetation). I've never had that happen with a shorter blade. Although the edge holding on foliage was good, the steel doesn't seem to survive rock impacts as well as Infi (OwenM shared some pictures of a Basic 9 that found a brick and some rocks). However, it shouldn't be very hard to repair.
I usually take 2-3 stick or sword classes per week, but my forearms were still quite sore after a couple hours with the 25 incher. It's a lot to swing. However, the look on the faces of some granolas who saw it made the effort worthwhile. I noted that they weren't doing a darn thing to keep the trail open.
Another observation about such a long blade is that you have to carefully position the scabbard on your belt or the metal tip will poke you in the calf while walking.
I really like this big Sirupati but probably won't carry it on future trail clearing projects unless the majority of the foliage is heavy stuff or the extra reach is needed for some reason. I think I can do the work with a 16.5" AK or 18" WWII and experience less strain.
