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Favorite Kamis?
- Thread starter Willieboy
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2003
- Messages
- 595
I am a big fan of Sher's work in the larger blades. His pieces tend to have larger diameter handles and the metal often is thicker that on similar models by other kamis.
Dil seems to have some similar traits as Sher as well as a very ornate kami mark.
Sgt Kadka produces awesome pieces, many with a flair all their own.
Bura and Kumar are fine craftsmen - however their handles often don't feel "right" in my largish hand.
Dil seems to have some similar traits as Sher as well as a very ornate kami mark.
Sgt Kadka produces awesome pieces, many with a flair all their own.
Bura and Kumar are fine craftsmen - however their handles often don't feel "right" in my largish hand.
If I had to pick one for my favorite it would have to be Sher, at least for pure choppers that is. Sher seems to make blades with a little more heft to them as well as his handles always seem to fit me far better then the other kamis (though my hanshee by Bura fits like a glove). I think that Sher also puts a little more flare in the butt of the handle which I prefer.
All of the kamis work is great, it's just that some seem to fit me better then others.
All of the kamis work is great, it's just that some seem to fit me better then others.
I was just curious how you know what Kami made your Kukri?
I had an 18" AK. It had two symbols and the letters "S. B." near the brass gaurd and then near the spine at the bend point (1/2 along the length of the blade) there were two additional symbols (although these looked more like some form of writitng.
Just curious.
I had an 18" AK. It had two symbols and the letters "S. B." near the brass gaurd and then near the spine at the bend point (1/2 along the length of the blade) there were two additional symbols (although these looked more like some form of writitng.
Just curious.
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2005
- Messages
- 1,991
Kumar is my fav
S.B. is Sher. The kamis used to use letters as well as their symbols (Sher's is rising sun), currently they are only using their symbols (crescent moon for Bura, rising sun for Sher, flower for Dil, flag for Vim, star for Kumar, torch for Yuvraj).
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2006
- Messages
- 994
Each has their own characteristics. If knives have "personalities" (note: I have animistic sympathies in my own personal belief system
), then I would say, broadly:
Bura and Vim's works are "friendlier"
Bura's stuff is really subtle and understated. Vim's are easy in the hand.
Dil's are "relaxed and confident". Very pretty, precise.
Sher's are "serious". Beautiful, exact. Amazing.
Kumar's are straightforward. Vibe of dependability. Graceful detail.
These impressions are from a very few select pieces. I'm waiting for my first Sgt. K, the one that "bit" Yangdu
. I know its gonna be cool.
I would love to meet each of these men and their families, shake their hands. Watch them work. I feel presumptious is making these assessments of each of these Kami's works, insofar that others have handled many many more of their works and will doubtless have different conclusions.
All of the HI Kamis have my deep admiration. I am a fan.
), then I would say, broadly:Bura and Vim's works are "friendlier"
Bura's stuff is really subtle and understated. Vim's are easy in the hand.
Dil's are "relaxed and confident". Very pretty, precise.
Sher's are "serious". Beautiful, exact. Amazing.
Kumar's are straightforward. Vibe of dependability. Graceful detail.
These impressions are from a very few select pieces. I'm waiting for my first Sgt. K, the one that "bit" Yangdu
. I know its gonna be cool.I would love to meet each of these men and their families, shake their hands. Watch them work. I feel presumptious is making these assessments of each of these Kami's works, insofar that others have handled many many more of their works and will doubtless have different conclusions.
All of the HI Kamis have my deep admiration. I am a fan.
THANK YOU for the explanation! :thumbup: You definately learn something everyday, which is why this forum is great!
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2005
- Messages
- 19,791
I like Kumar and Sgt Khadka the best!
Westfork raised a good point about handle fit and 'feel'. Sometimes a Kami's handle on a certain size and style of knife is different than the other kamis. The trouble is, I'm not sure any generalization is a constant. The handles change too. Past the 15" size, the Kamis have enough room in the grip requirements to make what they truly think should be on the khuk. The smaller khuks get condensed grips. I think sometimes Bura does make a smaller grip on the smaller khuks than his peers, but I've a lot of Bura stuff and he makes form filling grips for our larger Western hands.
All the work is exceptional or they wouldn't be HI Kamis. Bura has long held the best forms in HI khuks. When you put a kukri in the dictionary, it's his.
Sher's lines aren't always as distinct. Kumar is near Bura. I don't know Dil or Vim as well, though I know from reports they make fine blades.
If I had to have one that worked, and didn't have any time to field test it, I'd take Sher.
Kesar used to make workingman's stuff and I liked it. Sanu had the elegance. He was once the heir apparent to Bura. Like Dil and Vim, I can't personally generalize about Murali, other than I like the one I have. And I've actually either forgotten, or BLANKED it, but I can't remember the name of the head Kami before Bura who the DUCK liked so much. The two brothers, the farmers who'd come in and make khuks, The Kamis Without a Name, made good stuff. Was it KNN, or KHN? I fergit.
munk
All the work is exceptional or they wouldn't be HI Kamis. Bura has long held the best forms in HI khuks. When you put a kukri in the dictionary, it's his.
Sher's lines aren't always as distinct. Kumar is near Bura. I don't know Dil or Vim as well, though I know from reports they make fine blades.
If I had to have one that worked, and didn't have any time to field test it, I'd take Sher.
Kesar used to make workingman's stuff and I liked it. Sanu had the elegance. He was once the heir apparent to Bura. Like Dil and Vim, I can't personally generalize about Murali, other than I like the one I have. And I've actually either forgotten, or BLANKED it, but I can't remember the name of the head Kami before Bura who the DUCK liked so much. The two brothers, the farmers who'd come in and make khuks, The Kamis Without a Name, made good stuff. Was it KNN, or KHN? I fergit.
munk
It's probably around the upper size for a medium. My palm covers about 4 1/4" if I grip a ruler. My fingers are a little on the large size for regular. If it helps any most large size gloves don't fit me, to tight around the palm and thumb, but the fingers are always to long for me.
For kuks 16"+ just about all of them fit me well enough, just some more then others. I have yet felt the need to sand down a handle.
For kuks 16"+ just about all of them fit me well enough, just some more then others. I have yet felt the need to sand down a handle.
Your hand is larger than mine, and I haven't sanded down a handle either.
I think there are some khuks/tool that what would normally be considered too large for a proper grip is actually very right. It can change your swing and recovery. Some khuks should have small grips, or slender ones.
munk
I think there are some khuks/tool that what would normally be considered too large for a proper grip is actually very right. It can change your swing and recovery. Some khuks should have small grips, or slender ones.
munk