durability

charels · May 25, 2000

I am wondering which khukri made by HI(including the villagers) is the most durable khukri in terms of utility, edge retention and tip strength. The khukri should be between 14"-20" long. weight is no factor. asthetics is no factor. I just want a knife that could outlast me. and my offspring. and their offspring. thank you.

charels

Berkley · May 25, 2000

charels,
Given your criteria, I'd say the 20" ang khola is the best choice. Assuming it's still legal for your great-great-grandkids to own such a politically incorrect artifact, it should survive any abuse it can be subjected to for as long as your dynasty endures

Berk

charels · May 25, 2000

oh yes, i was interested in a 15" villager, could anyone provide the price of this knife? thank you

charels · May 25, 2000

what is the price on a 15"AK?

RayC · May 25, 2000

Hello
Any HI khukuri will last a life time all are tough,dependable blades.The Ang Khola is a good chioce if you only want one and intented to chop heavy.No matter which you choose you will not be disappointed nor will it be the last one you buy.
Welcome to the club.

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Ray

Coronach · May 25, 2000

'nor will it be the last one you buy.'

Ain't THAT the truth?

Mike

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"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert Heinlein

May 25, 2000

No matter what you get from Uncle Bill, there is no such thing as an HI Khuk that is not durable and doesn't have excellent edge hardness and retention! These knives perform way above what is considered "normal", and you'll be thrilled with every one you purchase! (and, I agree again, there will not be only one

). Welcome to the Cantina, open your wallet, grab a sharp instrument and sit down

Rob

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Nothing soothes the nerves like a sharp knife in hand...

Bill Martino · May 26, 2000

Hello charels:

15 inch village model will run $50 to $75. The 15 inch AK is $125. We pay shipping in US and Canada.

Thanks for input, guys.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

[This message has been edited by Bill Martino (edited 05-25-2000).]

Will Kwan · May 25, 2000

I second Berk's recommendation. A 20" Ang Khola fits your objectives.

Will

Steven F · May 25, 2000

But BEWARE!!!! It does not matter one bit what khukuri you buy -- as Mike said, you will immediately be hooked and, before you know it, you'll be fantasizing about the "next" khuk. I know whereof I speak. When I bought my first khuk I wasn't even particularly interested in knives, much less khukuris. But I wanted to get a khukuri because of reading about the Gorkhas and thinking that it would be kinda neat to own one of the fabled Nepali knives. Well, here it is, less than a year later, and I'm buying khuks whenever I can scrape the money together, and sometimes spending money I don't even have. I've got khuks hidden all over the house, trying to hide my addiction from my family, yet I still WANT MORE!!!!

HIKV -- what sweet misery!

Bill Martino · May 25, 2000

Thanks for input, Will.

Steven, there are worse addictions -- like smoking for one. Every AM I awaken wanting a cigarette. Last thing at night I want a cigarette. What a monkey!!!!

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

charels · May 25, 2000

thanks for the info guys, I think i will either get a 15" or 20" ang khola, mr. bill, i think you will be hearing from me pretty soon. what kind of finishes do the AK and villager have?, again, i thank ya'll for the info.

Bill Martino · May 25, 2000

Village models (I'm sold out) are usually a little rough in terms of Hi standards. HI khukuris have excellent finish.

We will get you fixed up.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

Coronach · May 25, 2000

Finishes? Well...I have one of the first batch of villagers, and then two 'line' khukuris. Allow me to compare and contrast.

The villager. Imagine what would happen if a kami were to make a blade. Perfectly shaped, proportioned, hardened, ground and sharpened. And then he stopped, spending not one calorie on prettying it up.

Thats my villager. The A-10 of my small khukuri collection. Works perfectly. But looks? Looks? Lets say she has a lovely personality.

'Finished' (non-villager) khuks have almost a mirror finish. Their handles are polished. The brass is shiney. They work just as hard, but they're fitted and finished.

That help?

Mike

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"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert Heinlein

WrongFriend · May 25, 2000

Aesthetics is one thing to be considered. Take "regular" HI khukuris ... not to be sold by your offsprings, who may not be interested in edged tools! Kothimora(sp?) may work as well as other khuks and will be cherished for generations IMHO. Some of silver decorations will fall off, giving more antique look on the khuk for your decendants.

I have a six-month daughter now, and trying to make my 20" AK familiar to her every day, for the purpose.

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Did you enjoy today?
\(^o^)/ Mizutani Satoshi \(^o^)/

charels · May 26, 2000

okay, it just seems that i contradicted myself. the original post says that i was not worried about "aesthetics" then in the same post, i ask what the finishes are, however, to redeem myself, let me clarify. what i meant by finish was that, is the surface rough or smooth?, because the way this tool is going to be used,it's going to rust a bit, and if the surface is a bit rough, the rust would be harder to take out than if the surface was relativley smooth. thank you. oh yes, by the way, how do they compare with the khukuris from Gurkha House?
specifically a direct comparison between the 15" HI AK and the 15" GH AK. Again, i thank ya"ll.

[This message has been edited by charels (edited 05-26-2000).]

buoy · May 26, 2000

I'd buy a regular "finished" HI khukuri (cause Uncle Bill is out of the villagers, and besides, why not get one that's not fancy, but is nicely polished?) and mix up some Choji Sutra Oil for blade treatment (Sentry Tuf-Cloth will do the trick if you don't want to go that far) and trust Uncle Bill to pick out a winner for you.

Craig at Gurkha House is, I hear and believe, a great guy and very honest businessman. I got a 20" Ang Khola from GH about the same time I got my first khuk from Uncle Bill, and it's a wonderful knife.

There doesn't seem to be much contention and comparing between the two here, and that's maybe a good thing. Maybe it's just because we haven't finished talking about old cowboy songs.

But you see, Uncle Bill is, as you'll learn if you hang here awhile, Uncle Bill, and, while it doesn't have anything to do with anybody or anything else in the world, as long as he's selling 'em, that's where I'll be buying 'em.

Besides, where else do you have at least a chance of getting a "magic" knife? (I'm gonna give that U.B.E. a real workout this weekend.)

I don't have one, but quite a few people here really like the 18" AK, and that's a good compromise between the 15" and 20" AK. It's not that much more money than the 15", and it's a lot more knife. I've been thinking about getting one myself.

Chris

Dan K · May 26, 2000

Well, with Himalayan Imports you know whom or most likely whom made your knife. The whole Khukuri experience is much more than the sum of the parts. This is more like insider trading in an extended family: more intimate, if you like. It's also a cultural thing.

If on the other hand, you are not interested or care about the people involved and don't really care which person on this lump of clay we live on, made your knife and you're only interest is the knife, period: then either company will give you good value for your dollar. This is in no way intended to belittle Craig or his company, but he has his knives made by a contractor. Himalayan Imports make their Own stuff.
Dan

Not a day goes bye that my homely little villager, my "Beloved Pet" doesn't bring a smile to my face. Wish I could get another Khukuri from that Kami!

charels · May 26, 2000

oops, double post, at least it will give me time to practice on my smilies..... here goes:

p.s. i didn't double post just to practice my smilies

[This message has been edited by charels (edited 05-26-2000).]

[This message has been edited by charels (edited 05-26-2000).]

charels · May 26, 2000

oh yes, uncle bill (if i may call you that), are you ever going to get more villagers? I am especially interested in the 15" or an 18". I was interested in the AK, but after conferring with my bank account, that is not a viable option.

P.S. someone could have told me i was spelling khukuri wrong in my original posts, thanks a lot guys

[This message has been edited by charels (edited 05-26-2000).]