Comparing Light, Fast Kukuris

Spectre

Spectre

Joined
Nov 3, 1998
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Chitlangi, Chainpuri, Sirupati, Gelbu Special, Kobra. All light, thin-bladed kuks. Someone asked me to describe the differences between these, and I know there's a thread in here somewhere that shows the blade angles of the various kuks. Can anyone find a link to it?

From my perspective, the Chitlangi and Chainpuri are very similar. Can we create a definitive thread describing how each kukuri is unique from the others here (understanding there will always be individual variances between knives and kamis)?

Gelbu Special: closed cho
Chitlangi: bell shaped handle, double fullers, closed cho (pariwa ki aka)
Chainpuri: similar to Chitlangi
Sirupati: light for length, straighter than most kuks
Kobra: very light for length, straighter than other kuks, distinctive closed cho

Other differences?

John
 
I find that my chainpuri has a slimmer blade then a chitlangi. The chainpuri also has the handle decoration at the butt while the chitlangi does not. The chainpuri also does not come with a butt plate, only a keeper. The handle on my chainpuri is also very slender and narrow, but this could be that the kami felt like making it such.


The gelbu has a wider blade then the kobra and chainpuri, but not quite as wide as the chitlangi. The gelbu has one fuller rather then the two that the chitlangi has. The gelbu has a thicker blade then both the chainpuri and chitlangi in my experience. Never handled a sirupati so I don't know how it compares.

The kobra also has a unique butt cap with the main pinned tang surrounded by two pinned nails that looks similar to the tang. It makes it look like it's pinned in three spots.

The sirupati, chitlangi, chainpuri all have the sword of shiva on the back, while the kobra and gelbu just have a line where the sword of shiva would be.


I am sure there are more differences, these are just he ones I noticed.
 
cha, update the chart to include fullers especially...

and general width of the sweet spot / teardrop / leaf shape...

some are WAY sweet :>

i like the GS - feel very VERY stout. as in you can chop a 6 inch tree. or a zombie equally well. not as fast as a kobra, but zombies are slow. trees are slower. light prying :) like for ice cream :>

bladite
 
John, there is also something else to it that goes beyond the specs....

I got a 18" Kobra last month that I am *very* enthusiastic about, while a 18" Sirupati I got from Bill in 2004 is one of my least-used or liked... and I'm not sure why. Outwardly, they are similar.


Mike
 
Something about most sirupatis just makes them feel...wrong to me. Must be the blade angle.

John
 
John, After reading several of your comments on the 21" chitlangi I picked one up on a recent DOTD. It does feel very - - capable;). It is amazing how light and fast it feels for a 30 ounce khuk. Thanks for the suggestion.
Lloyd
 
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