Difference between Kobra and Reti

C

Crypsis Kobra

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Dec 17, 2014
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Can someone explain to me the difference between the Kobra and the Reti? They seem almost identical in dimensions, maybe the Reti seems slightly lighter but I can't tell. Also why are their no more Kobra deals? It's a great khuk as they all are for their particular purpose. I used to have a Kobra and a Sirupati, I currently have a Chitlangi and an Ang Khola. Also a Tibetan concealed style knife with the decorated sheath, and a Micro mini bowie. I love every one of these blades but from a martial arts standpoint the Kobra was my favorite, but i gave it as a gift to a martial arts teacher I had for over 10 years. So i'm interested in the difference between that and the Reti and why I don't see Kobra deals anymore. Thank you.
 
Kobras are still around. I've only been here a few months, but I snagged a 20" model pretty early on. That was probably July or August? Seems like the blade styles are made almost in batches, like the kamis sit there and go, "ok, what haven't we made in a little while?" Then they make some of that style, then go to different ones for a bit. Right now, I'm seeing lots of AK Bowies, quite a few Tamangs, and a lot of Retis, but I'd only seen one or two posted in the last few months, until recently.
 
I had given some thought to this " batch " mentality as well and I believe what I've come up with to suit my own mental needs is....

When a custom order is placed off the main HI websight, I'm thinking Auntie turns it in to the Kamis and they make 3 to 5 of them rather than just 1...... when they get thru customs and return stateside, I think Auntie selects the best of the bunch for the full retail paying customer's special order....and turns the others thru DoTD....this way if any of the customs come in flawed its not another 3 month wait to try again.....and this would also explain why we tend to see " small batches " of these lesser common Kuks roll in from time to time.


I could be WAY off base.... but that's what happens in MY mind anyway....along with a lot of stuff you just don't wanna know about! >.>
 
Thanks for the replies that all makes sense. Anyone know the type of steel that the reti is made with? I wonder if it's still 5160
 
Crypsis Kobra said:
Thanks for the replies that all makes sense. Anyone know the type of steel that the reti is made with? I wonder if it's still 5160
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They are made from old files so... no its not 5160. Its file steel which is diamond hard because it has to be harder than the 5160 steel in order to file it. A Reti is almost diamond hard!
 
wow really?! that's an awesome selling point, and must be the reason they are using those files to make khuks, that's really cool I didn't know that. what's the longest Reti you've ever seen, I was thinking they must be limited by how long the files typically are.
 
so they must hold an edge really well, but be a little more brittle, not as good for chopping as for cutting, slicing or stabbing. i do wonder if the file texturing on the sides of them make a cut slightly less smooth as it cuts through because of the friction caused by the file texture, maybe if so it's un-noticeable.
 
I just received an 18inch reti in the mail today. The spine is .25 inches thick. The file pattern can be felt, but is pretty hammered down and smoothish. I doubt it would be very noticeable cutting most stuff, if at all. It is a BA knife!
 
Crypsis Kobra said:
.... what's the longest Reti you've ever seen, I was thinking they must be limited by how long the files typically are.
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I have one that's 17.5" OAL and 15.5 oz. That's the longest one posted here as far as I can recall.

I wouldn't use a Reti or a Kobra for chopping. It's not designed for that purpose. The shape, weight, thickness and (for the Reti) steel type all cry "fighter" rather than "chopper." Some Kobras are thicker than others and could be used for moderate wood chopping if nothing else was at hand, but the Retis tend to be even smaller and thinner than Kobras.

17.5" Reti Knife with gray horn handle:

View attachment 598297
 
If I'm not mistaken, aren't files typically case hardened? I would think that during forging, this case hardening is taken away and the metal is then treated in a whole different way. By all accounts, it should end up being softer than the file it started as. However, it is still going to be comparatively brittle and less "tough" than 5160. Perhaps someone else can respond to this, but I'd be reluctant to baton or chop with something like that, based on what I've read about metals. That and the reti comes off as a bit too light to chop well.
 
I just got a Reti in the mail, and man is it a sweet knife;) Kumar really did an awesome job. I can't wait to test the edge out.
 
I have used my Kobra for things like clearing brush and vines, but it easily chops branches as well. Not sure I'd use it for "heavy chopping," mainly because it just doesn't feel like it would be good for that. I've learned to play with every new knife, and let the blade speak to you. The knife itself will tell you what it's capable of. My Kobra feels light and fast and long in hand, but with enough weight that you can just swing it gently and it won't get bound up. In use, it is almost like a combo of khukuri and machete. Far from useless around the yard, don't think of it as a fighter-only.

The Reti on the other hand...well mine should be here in a couple days, and I'll go from there :)
 
I would say that the Kobra is kind of like a machete of sorts. The Reti seems more like a combat knife. Fast and destructive, I can't wait to put it through its paces:)
 
Clearly the reti has been reforged so the HRC is not the same as the file. I assume the reti has been heat treated the same as any other kukri made by HI. Unless someone has the means to test the hardness we can only speculate, but I am guessing diamond hardness is very unlikely. Any type of steel can be heat treated to a range of hardnesses.

I will echo what others have said about the Kobra excellent light duty chopper. I have a reti in the 18 inch range. I haven't had a chance to work it out, but it is light and fast. I would hesitate to use it on soft plants but until I have a better feel for it I will stay from any sort of wood. Hmm...I have a pumpkin that's been sitting around...
 
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