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- Feb 4, 1999
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Since I bought my first khukuri about a month ago, I now find myself with three in total, so I thought I'd compare them. This is mainly for people wanting to know the differences between them, and is not really a performance/durability review.
The first khukuri I got is a Himalayan Imports villager model from Dhankuta. The HI villager models are ones not made by HI workers in either shop 1 or 2. The guys who work for HI in Nepal frequently buy the best examples of khukuris made by local village kamis and sell them at reduced prices to the American market. The khukuris, despite not being made by HI, are covered by the same lifetime warranty. The Dhankuta is a 15" OAL (overall length) model with 7/16" thickness. It has a horn handle and the usual two utility blades. The village model has the typical rough finish devoid of decoration, scrollwork, or any polishing. I would say it's finish os much like a 60-80 grit belt finish. It is very well balanced and the horn handle is rock solid. I noticed some change in the pattern as the handle took stress, but I think that's probably normal as the stress lines settle into position, so to speak.
The buttcap loosened immediately, which again is something almost every khukuri will go through. It is not a structural problem, and it's fixed with simple epoxy. The Dhankuta is a joy to use and it does an excellent job at chopping tasks. Sheath is well made and tight, although the accessory tools like to fall out, so that needs some work. An excellent, excellent value for $60 shipped! A great first-starter.
The second khukuri I came across was the famous HI BAS (British Army Service) model. I think it may retial for around $150, but I got a fairly worn-out one from Bill Martino at no cost to do some testing and see if it could be reconditioned. Anyway, it is similar is all dimensions to the Dhankuta, and also has a horn handle. No comment on the scabbard and utility tools as the knives were not part of the package (they are if you buy one) and the scabbard was a discard from another knife. The khuk fits it pretty well all the same, though, and craftmanship is a bit better than on the village model. The BAS has a scrollworked buttcap which is quite nice, and the blade has some engraved decoration as well as a little brass inlay. The blade is well polished and fit and presentation are top notch. The BAS is slightly heavier, too, than the Dhankuta, so once I get the edge hardened again, it'll be a hardcore chopper! This knife looks just as good hanging on a wall as it does in use, and the craftmanship is
amazing when you consider what the kamis have to work with.
Finally, we come to the Gurkha House Bhojpure. This khukuri is again the same in dimensions as my other two, and the handles are horn. The knife may ve slightly smaller by about an inch, but I don't have anything to measure it with right now. It is used, so I can't comment on out of the box presentation. The blade is finished about the same as the BAS, with a nice polish and some engraving on the flats. It also has nearly identical brass inlay. Very similar in looks to a BAS. The bolster is probably the best fitted of the three, but the handle lacks the scrollwork on the buttcap, and it is the most roughly finished of the three. The utility tools are small but well made and the sheath is nice, but a little loose for my taste. Also, the sheath has some ox hair still on it, which grosses me out a bit!
Anyway, the knife is also balanced a lot differently than my two HI models, which feel nearly alike.
The Bhojpure has a lot more weight forward, and that would probably make for pretty efficient chopping. On overall utility work, though, it would take some getting used to. The edge bevel also seems to be more flat and less convex than the HI models, and it seems to be noticeably thinner, which again should translate into pretty good bite for chopping chores.
The bottom line is that all three knives are great quality pieces, and being that every one is different, I can see how one gets addicted to collecting them. I have accummulated three in about six weeks, so buyers beware! I need to branch out into the wood-handle market, but that's life. Beggars can't be choosers! Himalayan Imports has been doing great work in the American market, and Ghurkha House looks to be a rellay good ceontender in the market, too. You can't lose with either company's stuff. My judgment call is this: if you want a hardcore khukuri to work relentlessly, go with a village model from HI. If you want the best looking presentation grade models that can take anything you want to dish out or hang on a wall (or both), then get a full-blown HI model. If you want something that is in-between with sharp looks but not quite the attention to detail, then the GH Bhojpure is the ticket. A+ for them all, though!
------------------
My Custom Kydex Sheath pagehttp://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/knifehome.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
On Two Wheels
The first khukuri I got is a Himalayan Imports villager model from Dhankuta. The HI villager models are ones not made by HI workers in either shop 1 or 2. The guys who work for HI in Nepal frequently buy the best examples of khukuris made by local village kamis and sell them at reduced prices to the American market. The khukuris, despite not being made by HI, are covered by the same lifetime warranty. The Dhankuta is a 15" OAL (overall length) model with 7/16" thickness. It has a horn handle and the usual two utility blades. The village model has the typical rough finish devoid of decoration, scrollwork, or any polishing. I would say it's finish os much like a 60-80 grit belt finish. It is very well balanced and the horn handle is rock solid. I noticed some change in the pattern as the handle took stress, but I think that's probably normal as the stress lines settle into position, so to speak.
The buttcap loosened immediately, which again is something almost every khukuri will go through. It is not a structural problem, and it's fixed with simple epoxy. The Dhankuta is a joy to use and it does an excellent job at chopping tasks. Sheath is well made and tight, although the accessory tools like to fall out, so that needs some work. An excellent, excellent value for $60 shipped! A great first-starter.
The second khukuri I came across was the famous HI BAS (British Army Service) model. I think it may retial for around $150, but I got a fairly worn-out one from Bill Martino at no cost to do some testing and see if it could be reconditioned. Anyway, it is similar is all dimensions to the Dhankuta, and also has a horn handle. No comment on the scabbard and utility tools as the knives were not part of the package (they are if you buy one) and the scabbard was a discard from another knife. The khuk fits it pretty well all the same, though, and craftmanship is a bit better than on the village model. The BAS has a scrollworked buttcap which is quite nice, and the blade has some engraved decoration as well as a little brass inlay. The blade is well polished and fit and presentation are top notch. The BAS is slightly heavier, too, than the Dhankuta, so once I get the edge hardened again, it'll be a hardcore chopper! This knife looks just as good hanging on a wall as it does in use, and the craftmanship is
amazing when you consider what the kamis have to work with.
Finally, we come to the Gurkha House Bhojpure. This khukuri is again the same in dimensions as my other two, and the handles are horn. The knife may ve slightly smaller by about an inch, but I don't have anything to measure it with right now. It is used, so I can't comment on out of the box presentation. The blade is finished about the same as the BAS, with a nice polish and some engraving on the flats. It also has nearly identical brass inlay. Very similar in looks to a BAS. The bolster is probably the best fitted of the three, but the handle lacks the scrollwork on the buttcap, and it is the most roughly finished of the three. The utility tools are small but well made and the sheath is nice, but a little loose for my taste. Also, the sheath has some ox hair still on it, which grosses me out a bit!
The Bhojpure has a lot more weight forward, and that would probably make for pretty efficient chopping. On overall utility work, though, it would take some getting used to. The edge bevel also seems to be more flat and less convex than the HI models, and it seems to be noticeably thinner, which again should translate into pretty good bite for chopping chores.
The bottom line is that all three knives are great quality pieces, and being that every one is different, I can see how one gets addicted to collecting them. I have accummulated three in about six weeks, so buyers beware! I need to branch out into the wood-handle market, but that's life. Beggars can't be choosers! Himalayan Imports has been doing great work in the American market, and Ghurkha House looks to be a rellay good ceontender in the market, too. You can't lose with either company's stuff. My judgment call is this: if you want a hardcore khukuri to work relentlessly, go with a village model from HI. If you want the best looking presentation grade models that can take anything you want to dish out or hang on a wall (or both), then get a full-blown HI model. If you want something that is in-between with sharp looks but not quite the attention to detail, then the GH Bhojpure is the ticket. A+ for them all, though!
------------------
My Custom Kydex Sheath pagehttp://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/knifehome.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
On Two Wheels
