Confusing Array of Models - Opinions Sought

Joined
Jun 11, 1999
Messages
47
Hello Everyone,

I am new to Himalayan Imports and their beautiful knives and swords.

I practice Modern Arnis and am looking for blades to use with my martial art.

Can anyone suggest certain models or styles that might work best for me?

Can anyone give me a little background on which models are best for fighting? As tools?

Are certain models optimized for certain tasks?

How about the swords? Has anyone tried them? What did you think?

Thanks for the help.

- Anthony
 
I don't know alot about Modern Arnis but maybe I can be some help.

Are certain models optimized for certain tasks?

Yes they are.:D

The Ang Khola Khukuris are for heavy chopping and cutting and are pretty much unbreakable. They are the heaviest Khuk's.

The Sirupati is for fighting, it is lighter, but well made and very strong.

The World War II is a good balance between a tool and a weapon, light enough for fighting, but strong enough for heavy chopping.

The British Army Service is pretty much the same as the WW II in features.

The KOBRA is like the Sirupati, but even lighter.

Swords

The Tarwar is a very strong short sword with a straight single edged blade.

The Katana's speak for themselves.

Anything you buy from HI will be top quality and you really can't go wrong. :)

But remember that everything is hand forged and they are all different, each being unique. :D
 
Anthony:

For MA, I would recommend a Kobra, per Bill. It's not a chopper, but it's light, quick and fairly manueverable. The 20" version is best, IMO. The 25" is too heavy for me.

My second choice would be a 20-21" Sirupati or Gelbu Special. Quick, but not as quick as the Kobra.

Rusty (another denizen hereabouts) recommends a 1 oz.-to-1" ratio for fighting khuks (approximately). I believe he's right.

For me, the swords are all two-handers.

S.

PS. There are a number of folks with MA backgrounds around. Hopefully, they'll weigh-in, too.
 
Occaisionally use an 18" WWII for practice. Then again I like em heavy, especially for training.
 
My love is the 16.5 to 18 inch WW2. Why it? It does about everything well. It is what I grab when I don't know what I'll need it for. It is like a K frame S&W 357. I know it and feel comfortable with it.

The BAS ( in one size of 15" ) is not that much lighter or smaller. But to me, there is something missing with it, lacking in it's feel.

Ang Kholas - a 15" is Bill's #1 seller. But there is an 18" AK that does so much more. The 20 or 22 and above are dedicated choppers and splitters.

The 20" sirupati can fill in for an 18 inch AK or WW2. It's leverage compounds it's efficiency. An 18" Sirupati would have the ability to work like a BAS. The 15" Sirupati's strength is lightness and relative concealability. It is a light 10" bladed fighter.

The 12 inchers are a law to themselves. each is different. Sirupati, Dhankuta, Ang Khola, some AK's are light and some Sirupati's heavy. You need to pick up each 12" to know it. One thing they all have in common. You want one ( or more ) to carry for when you aren't carrying. They are the 38 snubbies of the knife world.

Anyway, get something other than a BAS is my suggestion. A WW2 in either length is my recommendation. Then get a 12 incher. The rest is gravy. If you want a martial arts blade get something ( whatever they call it ) with close to a one inch to one ounce ratio as said by spence. Listen to Yvsa. Listen to everyone, just take it all with a grain of salt.

Except for one thing. If you listen you will find that unlike mass machine produced knives, there's something more to many khukuris. A spirit? A soul? Magic?

There's something there difficult to articulate but there nonetheless. Like picking one up one day and feeling like there's a USB or firewire port in the palm of your hand and the khuk just plugged itself into that port. It's become an extension of you.

Mysticism? Yes, that's true. Reality? You handle them and then you tell me.
 
I would suggest the 18" Gelbu Special. Or 20" if you want the extra reach. I feel that the GB is one of the best weapons grade khukuris out there. The deep fullers in the blade drop the weight and at the same time strenghten the blade by forging an I beam cross section into it. I have no Kobras, I do have Sirupatis, and Gelbu Specials. Both would work as Weapons/tools. GS, is lighter, and faster with no loss of strength. My .02 cents worth at least. Good luck in your choice!:D Welcome also!!
 
a Kobra, Gelbu Special or Chitlangi would probably be your best bet. A light Sirupati would also do well. My Siru is 25" and a bit on the nose heavy side but it bites DEEP. My 18" WWII seems to say "I can do that". If you follow the one inch/one ounce rule you can't go wrong. Unlce Bill, the Khukuris and the Kamis who made them all have my utmost respect. These blades seem to have a way of finding their right homes and they like the company of their own kind;) Enjoy the first of many and welcome to the Cantina.

Frank
 
Each separate khukuri has its own separate merits. Some kobras are very light as well as some sirupatis. The Gelbu special can be a good one for a fighter. Alot depends on the maker. Have a 30" sirupati and 30" kobra both by Sanu. The sirupati is the lighter of the two by a few oz. Like the blade on both but like the kobra handle better. Both of those sort of qualify as swords. Have a 20.5" kobra that weighs 20 oz, and thats about as light and quick a khuk as I have. My personal recommendation for a fighter is a 18-20" sirupati. Have fun!
 
Having practiced and competed in both Arnis and Kenjitsu, my observation has been that a match only lasts a few seconds and you seldom get a second shot at your opponent. I was also trained to let the weight of the blade do the work, i.e. you just provide direction. In reality, the goal is to traumatize your opponents weapon hand, a leg, or the central nervous system (brain or spine). Conclusion: go for a heavier blade.

Also, the ideal length of your khukuri should be the length of your bent forearm, from your bicep to the tip of your middle finger. In my case, this is about 17 inches.

Balance is also important. Select a khuk that is not forward heavy.

You've probably figured out that I chose a Chiruwa AK for my martial arts practice, although I've been eying some of those 18" Mallas that Uncle has posted on the forum lately; but somebody beat me to them!
 
Look at the two 18" 22 oz on the bottom of today's specials. GS and sirupati. Good for starting with Martial Arts, and 22 ozs. can still do reasonable work.

Beyond that you'll just have to keep trying one after another til you get hit with the "thunderbolt" like in the Godfather movie. Somewhere sometime you'll pick one up that was made for you and there'll be no question. And it might not be what you thought you were looking for.
 
I'd recommend the BAS but Rusty might beat me up.

Depends on if you're looking for a long or short piece of cutlery.
 
There's nothing wrong with the BAS, it's just kinda like having sex with your wife.:p :p :p
 
I'm not an Arnis practitioner and don't know exactly what your blade requirements might be, but I agree with Rusty - an 18" Sirupati would seem like a good way to start...and the price on that one is sure right! :)

I also agree with the comparison between a 12" khuk and a .38 snubbie.
Once you get the right one, it easily becomes a carry piece - it'll just feel "right". Some may find a 12" too small, but don't forget the first rule of a gun/knife fight...ya gotta' have one! :cool:

You won't go wrong with Uncle Bill and HI...train hard and stay safe.

TS
 
Yep, it isn't going to do you any good sitting at home or in your car, you have to have it handy. :D

A 12" would be a great EDC. :)
 
Only on HI does an 8" long 3/8 to 1/2" thickness bladed khuk weighing 11 to 16 ounces and a foot long overall get referred to as a nice little everyday carry piece for taking along when you don't expect to need a knife.

If you haven't yet been infected by HIKV, run for your lives NOW!!!

;) ;) ;)
 
Originally posted by Rusty
Only on HI does an 8" long 3/8 to 1/2" thickness bladed khuk weighing 11 to 16 ounces and a foot long overall get referred to as a nice little everyday carry piece for taking along when you don't expect to need a knife.

If you haven't yet been infected by HIKV, run for your lives NOW!!!

;) ;) ;)


I don't like puny little folding knives...:D

Yes I have it, I admit it and am happy about it. :) :D
 
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