Deradune (or Deradhune, Dehradun)

[Steve Tall]

I'm posting this because there's not much information out there about HI's Deradune/Deradhune.
I recently snagged one, it's at the far left in this photo:

Here's another one that was recently offered (and it looks like it's still available):

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/897978-Deals-for-11-9-Pix-Deradune-and-Tirtha-s-Bowie


The Deradune/Deradhune is reported to have the full warranty for field usage:

I got the Deradhune. It is warrantied for field usage just like the M-43 and CAK according to Yangdu.

Here's mine, 18.5" overall length and 29 ounces, made by Tirtha:

The Deradune is obviously a full tang khukuri with no ring at the handle.
The pommel has two small bumps where it was peened onto the tang.

Interesting detail at the groove:

I won't get into whether or not this is a hybrid between the ASTK and the M43.
I don't have either of those two models to compare with, but I do have a similar sized Ganga Ram Special
to compare and contrast. Here they are, with specs below:

Specs: Deradune / GRS

OAL: 18.5" / 18"

Weight: 29 oz / 28 oz

Blade length: 12.75" / 12"

Tang: Chiruwa / Stick

Blade width
at bolster: 3/8" / 3/8"

Blade height
at bolster: 1-5/16" / 1-7/16"

Blade width at
sweet spot: 5/16" / 11/32"

Blade height at
sweet spot: 2-1/4" / 2-3/8"

Bevel at
sweet spot: 20 deg / 20 deg

Bevel at
recurve: 25 deg / 25 deg

Grip circumf.
at bolster: 4" / 4.5"

Balance point
from bolster: 3.25" / 3.5"

Pommel
height: 2-3/4" / 2-11/16"

Pommel width: 1.5" / 1.5"


The outlines of the the two blades were overlaid on the paper in the photo, lining up the tops of the blades in
front of the bolsters. While the Deradune's handle drops lower than the GRS, the cutting edges run remarkably
parallel, especially around the area of the sweet spot. The tip of the GRS is obviously shorter and not as pointy.


Chopping comparison:

I was curious about how these similarly-sized yet differently-designed khukuris would compare at chopping. I got a
dried branch of cherry wood to chop up, and made the same number of chops with each khukuri, trying to use equal
force. (I had first put a shaving-sharp convex edge on both blades.)

Almost identical results, with the GRS going slightly deeper.
Repeating the test gave similar results:

I kept chopping for a while to get a better idea of how they compare. Here's literally all that was left of the branch:

Results from this very limited trial:

The full-tang Deradune feels livelier and has noticeably better balance (no big surprise); the GRS feels a little
"clunky" in comparison. The GRS seemed to hit more solidly, like an axe, while the Deradune seemed to hit more
quickly, giving pretty close results. The crosshatched grooves on the handle of the Deradune seemed to be an adequate
substitute for the ring on the GRS handle, with no slipping or discomfort noticed. The GRS seems to have an
advantage in chopping ability, while the Deradune is probably a better all-around khukuri (more nimble, pointier,
and probably a better drawknife with its extended recurve).

Concluding remarks:

Judging by the DOTD photo, I expected the Deradune's handle to be a good fit for my 2XL hand size, similar to my
GRS. I was disappointed that the grip circumference was smaller than expected, and I was ready to see if anyone I
knew wanted to buy it from me at my cost. However, after using it briefly today, I am impressed by its performance
and now I want to keep it.

 

[bric]

Thanks for sharing information about this "unknown" khukri... I was wondering about it when I saw it up for sale. Fantastic review.

 

[alexs]

Wow, I didn't know the "D" had full warranty, maybe it's time to update the lifetime warranty sticky list.

 

[Misanthropia]

This presents a very tempting alternative to the M43, which was likely the Kukri I was going to buy soon. Does anyone know if it's a production model or just a villager one?

 

[Svashtar]

Nice report Steve. Now, look into my eyes: you are getting sleepy. Remember, you hate the Deradune, and you want it out of your life. Your first instinct was right. Norm will give you fifty bucks for it...

Seriously, it's a bit more of a fighter than a chopper, and makes a nice supplement to your collection. Very few knives can out chop a properly sharpened BGRS.

I like this a lot, but have a couple similar in this style. The ASTK is different enough for me that I might try and get one of those someday. It used to be if it had a sharp edge that was enough, but getting older makes me more and more particular.

Thanks again for the excellent review and comparison. Nice touch on doing the overlapping comparison drawing. :thumbup:

Best,

Norm

 

[pmwc78]

Very nice review Steve. Your Dhera is much more m43 than mine which is like an astk,siru cross. I like the comparison between this and the grs.

 

[JayGoliath]

Hahah Norm the Lullaby.

Steve thank you for the review! it's been very scarce.

 

[Andrew Colglazier]

Steve was kind enough to send his Deradune to me to do a review. It is still ongoing, here is what I have so far -

OK, finally I found some time to do some comparisons of this knife (the Deradune) with three other models I have in my safe.

Top to bottom - M43, Pen, Deradune, WWII (I think).

These knives are all about the same length, within an inch or so of the Deradune.

Pics of the Deradune -

I am not normally a fan of chiruwa handles, much preferring hidden tang khuks. One of the reasons I don't like full tang handles is because they are often too large (thick) for my hands. One of my few full-tang khuks is an M43.

My M43 has a blade almost exactly the same length as Steve's Deradune, but the handle of the M43 is significantly shorter and thicker.

I like the handle of the Deradune much better, as it is smaller in diameter, longer, and has a much more pronounced flare to the butt.

The blades of these two khuks differ somewhat also.

The M43 blade has a continuous curve from the handle to the tip, whereas the Deradune has a definite "shoulder" on the spine.

Most of the curve to the Deradune blade comes from the butt to the "shoulder" on the spine, whereas the curve of the M43 is more or less continuous from butt to tip. I much preferred the feel and shape and handle of the Deradune to MY M43.

The next knife I compared the Deradune to is my beloved 18" Pen Knife.

I've had this Pen for quite a while, and it has seen a good bit of service here around the ranch. It is one of my top "go to" khuks, mainly because of its length, weight (relatively light) handle (hidden tang) and shape (hatchet-like).

I like khuks in the 15 - 18" range, mainly the Pens, the AK's, the GR's, the WWII's and the BAS's. I like medium length, relatively light, blade-heavy khuks with hidden tang handles.

My 18" Pen is a lighter weight khuk than the Deradune, and I must say I prefer the shape of the Deradune's handle.

The Pen doesn't have much in the way of handle flare, though it's handle is thinner and longer than the handles of most khuks.

My Pen has reach, but not mass. I use it mainly for light limbing. The blade is much straighter and lighter than the Deradune. More of a heavy machete in nature. Despite the Deradune's full tang handle, it has a nice blade-heavy feel in my hand.

I next compared the Deradune to what I believe to be a WWII which I picked up from HI several years ago.

The main differences I found between my large WWII and the Deradune are 1) the straightness of the WWII between the butt and the "shoulder", and 2) the handles. While the WWII does have some curve (not nearly as straight as the Pen), the Deradune has quite a bit more curvature. From the "shoulder" to the tip, the two knives are very similar.

The handle of the WWII is a bit thicker, and on this knife, not as comfortable as that of the Deradune.

To sum up my observations a bit - In comparing these four knives, I have found one very clear fact. The handle of the Deradune is to be preferred, IMO, over the other three. I haven't had time to do any chopping with this knife yet, but in general handling, it is a very comfortable handle.

The Deradune has a pleasantly blade-heavy feel and yet it has good balance. Whether the handle will continue to feel so comfortable while doing heavy chopping has yet to be determined.

The fit and finish on this knife are quite good, certainly on a par with the other knives I compared it with. I am partial to Villager knives, not a fan of shiny blades, so the Deradune appeals to me on that point.

Steve, if you don't mind, I would like to sharpen this fellow on my belt grinder?

More to come at a (not too much) later date.

Andy

 

[bemo]

Very nice comparison. Thanks for the info. Absolutely love that Pen knife!

 

[Steve Tall]

Thanks, Andy. Looking forward to hear how it performs for you. No hurry, take all the time you need. Feel free to resharpen.