Chitlangi vs GS

Triquetra

Triquetra

Joined
Mar 7, 2002
Messages
759
I'm interested to see if anyone has a comparison between the Chitlangi and the Gelbu Special. I have the Chitlangi and it's everything that it's rumored to be-whistles like no other. I've started to order the GS but it was hard to tell from the pictures how "pointy" it was. After seeing the deals of the day they look like just what I want. I love the Chitlangi, but to be honest it's too pretty. I really prefer a more utilitarian looking blade without all the engraving and brass. Any opinions or comparisons between the two?
 
I have the smaller GS, and the 21" Chitlangi, so the comparison there is like "big knife vs. small sword", but in comparable size, they should be very close. The Chitlangi, with the double fullers, will seem lighter, I think, but the GS would be the more formidable of the two, in the smaller sizes. In the larger, it would be hard to imagine anything faster or more wicked than a 21" Chit.
 
Some of my own impressions of 21 oz 18" Chitlangi vs 22 oz 18" Gelbu Special are in this thread:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=193914

I reference another thread in that post that a think has more.

In brief, I'd rather do work with the Chitlangi, and though I know nothing about knife fighting, I feel the Gelbu Special would be better for that. The lighter 18 oz 18" Gelbu Specials would I think, emphasize the strong points of this design. The Chitlangi chops wood better, and I find the handle more comfortable. I would buy a 21" Chitlangi before a 21" Gelbu Special. And, I shouldn't buy another khuk, but I probably will. BTW: I'm about 5'10" and no muscle-man. :)
 
I was trying to make that very same decision the other day. I have an 18" GS that I'd guess weighs in at around 24-28 oz and a 21" GS that's only 18 oz.

I ended up ordering a 21" Chitlangi that Uncle said weighs in at 28 oz. I will post more info once it arrives (any day now).:D

I will say this: the 18 oz/21" GS has one heckuva "swoosh factor." I spend 20-30 minutes a day slicing and dicing the atmosphere with it. I bought it specifically for working out and improving my dexterity, where as the heavier 18" GS will be a backpacking and trail knife.

I bought the Chitlangi because, well, you know why.
 
All I have to add, is that properly fabricated fullers seem to be magic!! Two seem to be better than one, and I suspect that three is the max for a blade the size that normal humans can handle...But I'd be VERY interested in any reports of a blade with more. A tin churra is tops on my list for special orders when funds become available.
 
I am gonna have to get one of the GS's and Chit's before too long...I have a M43 and a Kat and those are the only 2 that scream 'weapon'. (The others mumble about how the 2 in the corner are crazy, while Jewel soaks in the Corona along with subtle compliments.)
 
OK, my new 21" Chitlangi has arrived. As usual, my expectations were exceeded. As promised, here is my comparison with my 21" GS:

First, let's get the hard data out of the way before the touchy-feely stuff. Keep in mind that this particular GS is unusual in weight and blade thickness. I imagine that a more typical GS will be considerably heavier.

21" Gelbu Special, wood handle (KNN): Overall length 21.25", blade 15" long, 1.75" deep, 0.28" thick at widest part of spine. Weight 18 oz, point of balance 3.25 inches from forward edge of bolster. Karda & chakma (horn handles) 5.75".

21" Chitlangi, horn handle (Kesar): Overall length 21.5", blade 15.25" long, 1.88" deep, 0.41" thick at widest part of spine. Weight 28 oz, balance point is also 3.25 inches from forward edge of bolster. Karda & chakma (horn handles with engraving) 6.5" and both have a cho. This Karda would make a perfect caping knife.

Spine edges on both blades are nicely rounded. Blade bend angle on Chitlangi is just slightly more acute than on the GS.

The spine of the GS has a graceful curve from bolster to tip. In contrast, the Chitlangi spine is almost perfectly straight on both sides of the bend.

To me, the GS has the look of a graceful tool that would appear right at home cutting sugar cane. The Chitlangi has a fierce, businesslike appearance, more like a short sword.

The Chitlangi scabbard has a very thick, sharply beveled slab of wood on the outer side, which adds to its warlike demeanor (there I go, personifying a blade).

While the Chitlangi is considerably heavier, it has precisely the same balance point at the GS, and is feels very comfortable to wield.

If I ever get an opportunity to taka a comparison photo of the two, I'll do that and perhaps email it to someone for posting.

Other details on this Chitlangi: the twin fullers are perfect, scrollwork is excellent, and the horn handle is gorgeous.

A question on handles here: if wooden handle afficionados are called Woodchucks, can we call us horn handle fans Horndogs? ;)
 
And, looks like "Horndogs" might have to do...Idaho is a little far west for "Horn Toads" :rolleyes:
 
I need to add here that Firkin's description (referenced above) of the comparison in handling between his 18" GS and 18" Chitlangi mirrors my first impression with the two 21" blades. The GS is pure lightning.
 
Originally posted by raghorn
A question on handles here: if wooden handle afficionados are called Woodchucks, can we call us horn handle fans Horndogs? ;)
Click to expand...

Hmmmm. I don't know if the vernacular is the same, but about a year ago here in Oklahoma the term "Horndog" spoken by my grand daughter signified a young man that was continuously horny, but never seen a young man that wasn't.

Maybe the term would depend on just how old you are Raghorn.:p :rolleyes: ;)
 
I could get into the variance between "Horn Toad", and "Horny Toad" here, but it's a Texas thang, and, besides. etymology is Ben's tha...er...thing. Area. Field. :confused:
 
Originally posted by raghorn
You're only as old as you feel, right?
Click to expand...

Maybe. But I don't think that old saying is always true. I still feel 20 in my mind sometimes, but the old body feels 70 years at least.:confused: :rolleyes:

However I am older than Dirt.;)

Dirt is one of my son-in-laws, that is if my daughter hasn't kicked his arse out yet again. I swear she and her men as well as kids are prime candidates for raising the rateings on the
"Jerry Springer Show.":(

I think maybe it's been about 3 years this time since she has needed something. Maybe the last time was the cure all, at least I can hope so.:rolleyes: :)

Oh wait!!!! What was it we was talking about again?:o :rolleyes: ;)
 
My mind sometimes thinks I'm 2 or 3 -- the body always knows it's pushing 70 and reminds me of this fact everyday --especially when I try to lift a hundred pound box of khukuris. As I told Bro last time I saw him in Catoosa, 30 minutes in the hayfields of Kansas (or OK)would kill me today, and I used to do it all summer long 10 or 12 hours a day and then go out drinking beer and chasing girls all night. Gone but not forgotten.
 
I just received the fraternal twin to the Chitlangi I mentioned above. :D

This is a 21"/28 oz horn-handled Kesar GS that Uncle put up as a PGA a couple days ago. Aside from the obvious cosmetic differences (fuller, handle, bolster & buttcap), this GS bears much more in common with the Chitlangi than it does with the 21" GS mentioned in my previous comparison. I think this is a case of different kamis interpretations of the GS (as well as consistent performance on the part of "Old Reliable).

I would apply the same observations to this GS that I did to the Chitlangi in my earlier post. This one says "weapon" every bit as much as the Chitlangi does.

Only significant difference is the point of balance. On the new GS it is about five inches forward of the bolster, giving the knife a slightly different feel in the hands.

Thanks Uncle Bill!
 
Me gusta el Gelbu Especial tambien!

(Translation: I like the Gelbu Special too!)

Gotta get me won-na dem Chits too, tho.

Keith
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top