Experiences with the 20" Sirupati

I've noticed that the Sirupati's have come up quite a bit in discutions recently in regards to Martial Arts, brush work and the like so I wanted to weigh in my thoughs about this beautifull blade with out changing the other threads.

I would like this thread to be a discution peoples experiences regarding the Sirupati models, their thoughts and feelings. Here are some of mine.

Since getting the Sirupati from a Tax return sale in 2003 I've used it quite abit. My mom bought a new house in March that year and durring the move up the street (old house and new are 6 blocks apart in a small town of about 750 people) the weed eater went missing. Either it was loaned out and forgotten about or it was stolen. On one of my many weekend trips home from College (11 miles south of mom so trips were frequent) I brought my new Khukuri's over to help with yard work. The Sirupati did an Awesome job on the tall grasses and other weeds in the ward. Was able to trim them down to 3 to 4 inches tall. They had started about 2 to 3 feet tall. Some of the grass was a wild rye thats quite common in town. It had no problem with the thin green and golden brown stalks. Some of the other grasses growning in the back yard that were more leaf the stalk were a little harder to get, by I managed much easier then antisipated.

In the Spring of 2005 my church group led by my self and a few others did a service project with Provo City here in Central Utah. We trimed back trees along the Provo river trail. It's a hiking/walking/biking trail that starts at the top of the canyon and goes all the way down to Provo lake. We only did a few hundred yards of the trail that were really bad. I started out on clipper duty but that wasn't as fun so I went home, got my 15" Sirupati, the 20incher and my 16.5" WWII. I did most of the tree triming work with the 20" Sirupati. It would sail threw 2" Branches with ease. And if you found soft wood with a piffy core it would sail threw 4" thick branches. About 5 people borrowed the blades from me over the course of a few hours. They all got some basic safety training and technics before getting to use them. Most people could cut 1" to 2.5" thick branches on their first try. It was a blast.

In the fall of 2004 my church group and I did a few service projects with the Forest Service up on the side of the mountain. We were helping them extend the Bonneville Shore Line trail. Both times we helped out I brought Khukuri's. The first time I was on trail digging duty then clipper duty. The second trip I started out on clipper duty. We found a small grove of young Scrub oak, elm and other such trees. The trail had to go threw the trees so the Ranger marked the entrance and exit from the grove. Then I took out my 20" Sirupati and blazed the trail. branches under 3" took 1 hit, sometimes I would slice threw a couple 1 to 2.5" branches at a time. 4" and bigger took a few chops. It was soo much fun.

Now in the Spring of 2004 some friends and I went on top of Mount Timpanogus for a three day campout. We were above the National park in National Forest Land. There was a lovely stream flowing along the road with camp sites along either side. We found one that had not been improved and almost forgotten. It was on the other side of the stream with an old worn out log bridge (Some one had cut some logs down to make the bridge, very crude but it worked) and a small trail leading to a fire pit. We got permission from the Rangers to use the campsite. They let us know that the trail was bad and that we would need to re do the camp. That was cool with us. One friend had a 25" Ontario Machette get got 10 years earlier from a surplus store, and I had my trusty WWII and 20" Sirupati. All three blades were used on brush to widen the trail and we even dropped 5 young trees (Mostly Quaking Aspen a very soft wood) ranging from 5" to 9" thick. While we work working on the last large tree the Machette broke half way threw it. I picked up my Sirupati and proceded to finish cutting down the aspen. It went threw it in just over half the time it took the Machette. Everyone there was really impressed at how well the WWII and Sirupati's handled the trees and brush.

After putting my 20" Sirupati threw all that I have no worries tackling green trees up to 9" thick if they are soft wood. If it's dead or hard wood I'll use something beefier like the WWII, Ganga Ram, Ang Khola or UBE but Now I know my Sirupati can handle anything I want to throw at it. For me, a Sirupati and WWII or Ang Khola make a great combo.

Now it's your turn to weigh in. Whatcha think about those outings and what do you cut with your 20" Sirupati or other sized if you don't have the 20"? Can't wait to hear your responces.

Heber

 

Dave, thanks for your input. Was hoping to hear from you on this subject. If I was to clear a trail in that kind of vegitation I'd be using my 20" Sirupati and an AK or Ganga Ram. That way I have both light and heavy duty tools. Thanks for the pic, nice to see them.

TWBryan, glad I could help. When you have more funds, get a Sirupati. I like them a lot. To me they seem sword like, very fast and graceful. Mine is named Lisa after a Cute red head I knew in College. We worked together at Snow college, had the Biggest crush on her. She married a really nice guy and lives back east now, but I still have my Lisa to remind me of her.

Andrew, I love the fact that the Sirupati's are so light and sharp. They sail threw brush, twigs, weeds, and thin branches so easily. Am glad you are putting yours to good use.

So, who else uses their Sirupatis?

Heber