- Joined
- Oct 22, 2001
- Messages
- 1,049
Warning: Long post follows.
WOW!!!WOW!!!!!
Just got home and opened the famous triangular box. This is the most amazing khukuri I have ever held. I can't stop looking at it.
I'll give a run down of the basics as I need to sleep at least a wee bit this morning.
As you know this is a combination of a Gelbu Special and a Hanuman. Whoever asked for this as a special order knew what he wanted. Speed, surety, beauty and functionality.
The GS blade is the most perfect of any I've seen to date. In the others in one can detect slight hammer marks. Not in this one. Even under close scrutiny, it still appears to be a machined blade. Some like this and others don't; personal preferences. I am proud in the fact that a man armed with only a teapot and hammer can do shame to any modern CAD knife.This one is the proof that perfection is possible. At Bir Ghorka it is a daily requirement. The blade itself was sharper than any I have received. I've seen the video of the khukuri cutting paper to shreds. Heck I've downloaded it and used it as my goal for sharpening. The Hanuman came nearly that sharp. I could only cut a full length piece off twice in succession but it WAS the first 2 tries and I was so excited that I feel that a steadier hand would have been more successful.
Now a look at the amazing handle. I wish I had a digital camera here at home ( along with the ability to take pictures of things other than my 10 thumbs) to show the quality and finish.
I received my Berk Special recently and was overcome by the attention to detail on it's handle among other things. The Hanuman's handle is equal in finish. Both pieces of art are by the same kami, so I'm attributing this to his genius. It is comfortable to hold in the extreme. It IS different so if you are used to the traditional handles, get ready for a surprise. The normal ring is replaced by Hanuman's collar and makes for a smoother more Western grip IMO. I'm not sure if it is as secure for keeping one's hand from slipping, but I'd bet my fingers on it.
The features are even,clear and with good definition. New woodchucks would be wise to look at a Hanuman if they want to try their skills on a carved handle. There is ample traditional smooth surfaces to give you some confidence in your budding skills and enough carving to whet your appetite for more later. The nose is is well defined - easy to apply your favorite finish and keep it from building up in the wrong places. His mouth and eyes are wide enough to use the toothpick to keep them clear. The collar is intricate but not so much that it would be excessively time consuming to see immediate results.
The wood itself is the kind I long for and am seldom dissapointed when it comes to HI.Uncle Bill is right when he describes handles as "glow in the dark." I've seen gorgeous pieces on firearms and blades and I feel that this is one of those. Moving it a few degrees in any direction shows so much depth and color changes that I'm sure that this was saved for one of Uncle Bill's "special" khukuris.Bands appear and reappear in more glory with each new turn. There is a whorl by the pin that looks like you could put your hand into it and touch the tang itself.
The karda and chakma are to be mentioned as well. Handles are both beautiful but not to the exceptional quality of Hanuman himself. The checkering on the chakma is to give one a tactile choice without needing to look. I've seen this on my Sher GRS and saw the wisdom in it.The chakma also seem to be the only one I've seen recently that could actually strike sparks. Running it down the blade length gave me a different sound from the other chakmas. I don't know how to check for Rockwell but I can see that a few times down the blade leaves no marks.
Holding the Hanuman is like that first dance at the Prom. At first you marvel that something can look so good and wonder if it can give you a trip around the dance floor as well. It can. You'll remember what you were wearing and the music. This is THAT kind of khukuri.
Purpose flows into Hanuman and into whatever you need without effort.
Defense? Oh yeah baby! Hanuman is fast and responsive. The marriage of the right blade and handle is the miracle made flesh of which we all hope for. It positively crackles with authority and precision -there is no doubt. The Creator help anyone foolish enough to be on the receiving end. I'll take a risk on sounding dramatic
when I say that this is the kind of khukuri that you could make a hard thrust/chop and stop just at the point of contact to get your point across without bloodshed.
Cutting ability? Hanuman is'nt an AK and doesn't need to be. To be sure, it CAN do anything I'll need but cutting up oil drums or digging a garden patch would be a waste. One wouldn't use a Van Gogh for lining the bird cage.
This is THE khukuri my young son will receive when he gets older. After the 50 slow coats of love that will encase it of course.
To sum it up: Me Likey!
WOW!!!WOW!!!!!
Just got home and opened the famous triangular box. This is the most amazing khukuri I have ever held. I can't stop looking at it.
I'll give a run down of the basics as I need to sleep at least a wee bit this morning.
As you know this is a combination of a Gelbu Special and a Hanuman. Whoever asked for this as a special order knew what he wanted. Speed, surety, beauty and functionality.
The GS blade is the most perfect of any I've seen to date. In the others in one can detect slight hammer marks. Not in this one. Even under close scrutiny, it still appears to be a machined blade. Some like this and others don't; personal preferences. I am proud in the fact that a man armed with only a teapot and hammer can do shame to any modern CAD knife.This one is the proof that perfection is possible. At Bir Ghorka it is a daily requirement. The blade itself was sharper than any I have received. I've seen the video of the khukuri cutting paper to shreds. Heck I've downloaded it and used it as my goal for sharpening. The Hanuman came nearly that sharp. I could only cut a full length piece off twice in succession but it WAS the first 2 tries and I was so excited that I feel that a steadier hand would have been more successful.
Now a look at the amazing handle. I wish I had a digital camera here at home ( along with the ability to take pictures of things other than my 10 thumbs) to show the quality and finish.
I received my Berk Special recently and was overcome by the attention to detail on it's handle among other things. The Hanuman's handle is equal in finish. Both pieces of art are by the same kami, so I'm attributing this to his genius. It is comfortable to hold in the extreme. It IS different so if you are used to the traditional handles, get ready for a surprise. The normal ring is replaced by Hanuman's collar and makes for a smoother more Western grip IMO. I'm not sure if it is as secure for keeping one's hand from slipping, but I'd bet my fingers on it.
The features are even,clear and with good definition. New woodchucks would be wise to look at a Hanuman if they want to try their skills on a carved handle. There is ample traditional smooth surfaces to give you some confidence in your budding skills and enough carving to whet your appetite for more later. The nose is is well defined - easy to apply your favorite finish and keep it from building up in the wrong places. His mouth and eyes are wide enough to use the toothpick to keep them clear. The collar is intricate but not so much that it would be excessively time consuming to see immediate results.
The wood itself is the kind I long for and am seldom dissapointed when it comes to HI.Uncle Bill is right when he describes handles as "glow in the dark." I've seen gorgeous pieces on firearms and blades and I feel that this is one of those. Moving it a few degrees in any direction shows so much depth and color changes that I'm sure that this was saved for one of Uncle Bill's "special" khukuris.Bands appear and reappear in more glory with each new turn. There is a whorl by the pin that looks like you could put your hand into it and touch the tang itself.
The karda and chakma are to be mentioned as well. Handles are both beautiful but not to the exceptional quality of Hanuman himself. The checkering on the chakma is to give one a tactile choice without needing to look. I've seen this on my Sher GRS and saw the wisdom in it.The chakma also seem to be the only one I've seen recently that could actually strike sparks. Running it down the blade length gave me a different sound from the other chakmas. I don't know how to check for Rockwell but I can see that a few times down the blade leaves no marks.
Holding the Hanuman is like that first dance at the Prom. At first you marvel that something can look so good and wonder if it can give you a trip around the dance floor as well. It can. You'll remember what you were wearing and the music. This is THAT kind of khukuri.
Purpose flows into Hanuman and into whatever you need without effort.
Defense? Oh yeah baby! Hanuman is fast and responsive. The marriage of the right blade and handle is the miracle made flesh of which we all hope for. It positively crackles with authority and precision -there is no doubt. The Creator help anyone foolish enough to be on the receiving end. I'll take a risk on sounding dramatic
when I say that this is the kind of khukuri that you could make a hard thrust/chop and stop just at the point of contact to get your point across without bloodshed. Cutting ability? Hanuman is'nt an AK and doesn't need to be. To be sure, it CAN do anything I'll need but cutting up oil drums or digging a garden patch would be a waste. One wouldn't use a Van Gogh for lining the bird cage.
This is THE khukuri my young son will receive when he gets older. After the 50 slow coats of love that will encase it of course.
To sum it up: Me Likey!
