DUI CHIRRA BY TIRTHA KAMI, WOW what a Khuk!!

ArchAngel

ArchAngel

Joined
Feb 13, 2000
Messages
2,688
These are the specs. per Yangdu.
Overall lenght 21.5''
Weight --43 oz
Spine thickness --3/8''
Steel guard
Chiruwa style horn handle with 3 pins and brass tube

As most of you likely notice, I do not tend to post all that much. I prefer to read and learn, and maybe on the occasion that I might actually have something to offer, I post.

The same seems to go for buying khukuris these days. With a collection of khuks that exceeds 30 to 40 pieces I find my tastes have refined and I have to have something really strike a cord to have me actually buy these days.
This Dui Chirra is such a khuk. It actually called to me in a way that I just could not refuse.
I was not let down when I opened the triangular box that arrived here at Yangdu's typical faster than light delivery service.
First I want to thank Maniacal Pete for changing his mind on this one. It gave me a chance to get possibly the khuk of my dreams.
This khukuri is just down right AWESOME!! Thank you for it Yangdu.
I can tell you it is sharp. The first thing I did was cut myself polishing away a small black spot at the tip. I love to bond with my blades, and what better way than to wet the blade with my blood.
Anyway I feel this khuk should become a standard. Although it is 43 oz. It does not seem that heavy. The balance is superb and with the multiple hand positions that the long handle offers, you can choke up to lighten the blades feel or hold towards the end and increase the chopping ability.
I must say that Tirtha Kami is at the top of his game, looking at this khuk.
The fullers are very well formed and the ring from my fingernail tap test is wounderful sounding in all the right areas.
The guard is very solidly brazed to the blade, and the handle feels just right.
There is some wonderful white grain to the handle that adds to it's beauty. The villager finish is great for this blade as it screams for me to take it out and use it. I may even attempt a nice patina.
Can anyone tell that I am really impressed with this khukuri? If I could only get one khukuri this year, I am happy to have this one be it!:thumbup:
I haven't been able to get any good pictures yet, as it has been rainy and snowy outside but I tried to take a few for this post. I can't wait to get this baby out and chop with it!!
I willl get better pictures when there is good light. These were just quickies.
Thanks for reading my ramblings.:o
 

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That's awesome.
I'm glad to see that it went to someone who could really appreciate it and even post a comment or two. Thanks for the review.

pete
 
Thanks for posting this for us ArchAngel and I'm glad that this khukuri was the right one for you. I'm looking forward to your future "ramblings". Have fun with it.

Rick
 
sweet --- i saw it but blew it off because I knew i had one to pay for already
 
Really nice! Super blade, with a really unique and generous handle. Great snag for you! :thumbup: I can absolutely see why it appeals to you so much.

By the way, I checked my listing of lengths/weights for HI blades and the closest I can find to those specs and blade shape is the original first Foxes Folly. That was a few oz. heavier than this but not by much.

The only knife I own that are these exact specs are the Museum Model, and that's in pieces in my garage. ;) I knew I shouldn't have hung on to it...!

Norm
 
Thanks guys,
It is a nice one Norm, and feels lighter than it is when I choke up on it.
I have three versions of the FF.
The first one by Bura was one of the mistakenly heavy ones. It is also totally sterile. No marings at all. It was 20 1/2" and 52 oz.:eek:
The next one, by Bura also is my favorite at 21 9/16" and 29 oz. It is perfect! It is the one in the middle.
I have ine of the 17" at 24 oz. but I like that long light one the best.
 

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ArchAngel said:
Thanks guys,
It is a nice one Norm, and feels lighter than it is when I choke up on it.
I have three versions of the FF.
The first one by Bura was one of the mistakenly heavy ones. It is also totally sterile. No marings at all. It was 20 1/2" and 52 oz.:eek:
The next one, by Bura also is my favorite at 21 9/16" and 29 oz. It is perfect!
I have ine of the 17" at 24 oz. but I like that long light one the best.
Click to expand...

Wow, that's right, I forgot that you had the other one! :)

Like you I also have one of the original series, mine by Kumar. It is 21" and 49 oz., and was the one I was comparing to your new blade here. It came from Spiral via the UK.

The second is a twin of yours, and one of the two prototypes (the second round of prototypes for the final 17" 24 oz. FF fighter), also by Bura and 21" and 29 oz. I completely agree with you, to me that is the perfect combo, so I never tried for one of the ~21" long 24 oz. versions. (Kind of wish I had now to get the whole series, but was concerned about the thin edge.)

Two others, also trial versions: prototype #1 is a 17" 34 oz. by Sher, and the final prototype, #3 at 17" and 24 oz. by Bura. It sounds to me like you have the other of those as well! :thumbup: Each one of these prototypes was done in a pair for eval purposes.

One final version came as a one off, in horn: 16" and 30 oz. by Sher, that is a twin to the one the Gurkha is holding on the HI website (Kamagong's avatar as well). A short, deep blade.

Norm
 
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Thank you for the kind words and pictures. I will pass this message to Tirtha Kami.
 
I really like the longer handle... and it looks thin enough for my smaller hand to get around too. I would seriously consider getting one if they become a regular item :)
 
ACStudios said:
I would seriously consider getting one if they become a regular item :)
Click to expand...

+1

If the Dui Chirra or Tin Chirra became regular items they would rocket to the top of my HI wishlist. Those fullers and that blade profile are indescribably cool. I'd want a traditional handle, but that knife is still a beauty. Congratulations on a great score!
 
Thanks guys,
It is a sweet khuk. I lightly toughed up the edge over the weekend and it is laser sharp now, with minimal effort. I will let you all know how my beasty chops once I can get out and chop some with it.
The one thing I am sure of is that I like this khuk enough that it is going to need a nice multi position, quick draw sheath for woods carry. It is worth it for sure. I hope I can find someone to do it with the same vision for the sheath as me.
 
DSC08785.jpgDSC08790.jpgDSC08795.jpgDSC08787.jpgDSC08798.jpgWell All,
I finally got out today and had some yard work for the Dui Chirra. I had a bunch of downed limbs, standing dead trees, and the like that needed some cleanup.
I want to tell you that this Dui Chirra is an awesome chopper!! It was unstoppable.
I spent a few hours cleaning the yard. Not all of it chopping, mind you but enough to establish that this is a first class chopper. I am so happy that I managed to grab this monster. I had lots of fun chopping with it. One to three inch limbs were severed with one half hearted swipe. Some of the standing dead hardwood trees in the six to ten inch range took a little more effort but were not a problem for this babys edge. The khuk is quite easy to control, and the long handle made for lots of hand positions.
The edge was unaffected by all of that hard wood. There were some bad chops by me that had the blade entering the wood all wrong and still the edge looks fine.
After all of the yard work I brought my baby in to get some cleaning and a final assessment of the edge after all of the chopping.
Being that this is a village finish,cleaning amounts to using red scotch-bright and my mineral/clove oil mix. The blade cleaned up nicely and was still extremely sharp.
So sharp in fact that it sliced a chunk of the side of my thumb pad off that I carelessly let drag along the edge while cleaning the blade. OUCH!!
The blood flowed and is still seeping a couple of hours and a lot of bandaging later.
I am completely happy with this khuk! What a solid performer it is.
This will be in my favorite khuk lineup forever. It is that good.
Thanks Yangdu, It is AWESOME!!!:thumbup::D
I don't have any action shots, but do have a few post use shots. Sorry for the picture placement. I will have to get used to this new system. Hope the blood doesn't bother anyone.
 
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