First impressions and mini-review AK Bowie.

Yvsa

Yvsa

Joined
May 18, 1999
Messages
15,395
:
I received the new style AK Bowie yesterday.I couldn't hardly believe the kamis had done such a wonderful job of reproducing the prototype.
The scabbard is lovely,well sewn with only some slight puckering on the back near the point.
The embellishments on the front side are a nice touch and gives that nice hand made flavor.

The balance is about the same as on the wood one,but is a tad further out at the cho because of the tapered tang.
I really like what they did with that!
What is really surprising is that the knife Doesn't "feel" like the 2 1/4 Lbs.it is.

The blade is/was the most highly polished one I have yet seen!
smile.gif

The handle scales have no gap between them and the tang and are pinned on with what appears to be large steel rivets.
I think it's kind of funny because I used some roofing nails to simulate the rivets and thier placement and these are about the same size.
smile.gif

My first impression is that it's pretty close to what I had pictured in my mind.Very well executed in steel and horn.
The scabbard exceeded my expectations with the quality of the leather it is made from.I really like the "rough out" and the grain it shows.

Specs....
2.25 Lbs.
OAL.16 inches.
10 inch blade.
5 inch handle.
6 inch handle including the tang.

Exposed tang thickness from..
0.350 inch to 0.285 inch.
Thickness at spine..0.450 inch average.
Thickness at top of edge bevel which is distally tapered....
Back - 0.300 inch.front - 0.240 inch.
Thickness of bevel at intersection of spine.- 0.285 inch.
Thickness of first fuller approximately.- 0.190 inch.at the front,which is the only place I could get my mic's close enough to measure.
Handle circumference......
Thin part.- about 4 inches.
Thick part in center.- 4 1/4 inch. At the guard about 4 1/8 inch.

I sharpened it and the blade is nicely hardened with _Just_ a _Bit_ softer point and around the cho.
My brand new file will cut both of these places,with an older file not quite biting in as much.

Too the woodpile! I first done some stabs into the endgrain of some well seasoned oak with the knife in a hammer grip.It would penetrate a tad over 3/8",but this was with a heavily increased
grip.The first one hurt a
little.It may have went deeper if I hadn't of felt that shock on the first one.
Cliff called it right when he said it needed a bit more swell at the guard to distribute the force of the blow better.
I then turned the knife edge up and it was easier to penetrate up to 1/2" deep on a stab.That's pretty good when the width and thickness of the point are considered.It also didn't hurt as much.
I also agree with John where he said (I think)"that the handle would be better more rounded."
I should have reviewed his again before starting this one.

I grabbed an oak branch about 4" thick and proceeded to chop.
OH It Loves To CHOP!!!
It may be that being more used to this style of blade that made it easier to handle.I had very good control,but after about a dozen and a half or so chops I noticed a little hot spot at the base of my thumb.I tightened my grip again and proceeded on.I was using a V about 3" wide to chop through with and at about 1/2 way I turned it a quarter turn.After I had cleared some of the wood out I turned it on it's end and started chopping with the grain.It peeled that Red Oak Sap Wood like it was pine!
The cuts on the heart wood left a nice shiny finish.

I played with it a bit more splittin another piece of oak and doing some stabs across the grain and pulling the blade side ways.
I could get about 5/8 to 3/4 inch deep with these stabs and I was pulling good size chips of wood out with no damage to the blade.
The edge was still shaving sharp with this small amount of work.

I Like It!! A Lot!!
smile.gif


When I get a little time I will do as I promised and take it my "sister"s" and give it a real workout on green wood.

This will also be after I rasp the hot spot down and sand the grip with about 220 grit paper.I think it is much too slick without the standard Khukuri handle.
That's the only negative point I have found with the knife though and that will or should be easily fixed.
I also lay this onto myself as the kamis followed the design very well!
------------------
>>>>---¥vsa---->®

If you mix milk of magnesia with vodka and orange juice do you get a phillips screwdriver?

Khukuri FAQ




[This message has been edited by Yvsa (edited 14 December 1999).]
 
Yvsa,

I got a feeling that it's going to grow on you more the more you use it. I was thinking about the handle design, and do you feel that perhaps doing a "drop" to the back of the handle like the bottom of a handle of a khukuri would help? Instead of doing the flair like on the top and bottom of the butt of the khukuri, doing just the bottom one, leaving the top flair off? The exposed pommel would still work, it may just increase in width of it. Definitely, more rounding of the corners of the handle are in order, as well as a bit more texturing to the surface of the horn. Maybe some well placed ridges ala khukuri would do it??? It seems point penetration is going to be a little better with this version, compared to the drop point. Uncle Bill said mine should be in next week, which will be perfect timing as I'll be in West Virginia for the holidays, and plan on spending ALOT of time in the woods. It's going to be interesting comparing the two versions, side by side.

Take care,
John Johnson

"It takes a village to ruin a child."
 
Another great review by a true expert. Many thanks, Yvsa! Two experts are saying essentially the same thing. I happen to agree with just about everything said. The handle may need a little fine tuning to make it better. When Cliff gets his AK Bowie I think everybody can put their heads together and come up with a handle that will be near perfect. What do you think about some not so deep hatchmarking on the buff slabs? It would give you something better to hang onto.

------------------
Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
:
I can try that Uncle Bill.
It shouldn't take much to do that at all.
I think Cliff's input would put us exatly where we need to be with what John and I have already experienced.

Sooooo,after all the input do you think we could make just a handle prototype and get the Kamis to change the handle design and use the same blade?

I am "partial" to the one I made.
smile.gif

The blade that is.
I expect even more from it when it is used on standing brush and small trees.There may be some up to 5" that Kathie will want removed.In that case I can use my 18" AK to take them all the way down if necessary.
I do agree with John that a flare at the pommel end would make the knife easier to hold onto at this moment in time,but I will do some work on mine before I do some serious testing with it.



------------------
>>>>---¥vsa---->®

If you mix milk of magnesia with vodka and orange juice do you get a phillips screwdriver?

Khukuri FAQ


 
:
John,my apologies.I didn't mean to ignore you and I got sidetracked while I was making the other post.
I do think that some kind of flare would be an improvement,but like Uncle says about Cliff's input...Well that should get us a Lot closer!

Yeah! I think it's one that's gonna grow on me too.
I am anxious for you to get yours and the review you do on it.Especially about the handle.At least you know what to watch out for right off.

Cliff is somewhat at a disadvantage because of where he lives and there not being anything harder than spruce there.I believe that's what he has stated anyway.
I sure enough wouldn't be able to stand the cold there!!
The area you will be in has many of the same kinds of woods that we have here.
I think the "Blackjack Oak" that we have here is like nothing that grows anywheres else.
The dayum-ed stuff sucks sand up wih the water through it's roots!
If you get one any size at all and don't cut it up while it is still green then you have a battle on your hands.It wrecks brand new chainsaw chains with a vengeance!Then the sand wears out the bars.Most folks won't cut it at all,but it makes for one helluva fire!

Take care.

------------------
>>>>---¥vsa---->®

If you mix milk of magnesia with vodka and orange juice do you get a phillips screwdriver?

Khukuri FAQ


 
Oom Bill,
I have been following your forum for over a month now (in stealth mode)and am in awe of the caliber of my fellow forumites! The bowie is awesome! I was "in the wings" when G6 stepped over the line(too bad) What a way to shut up and shut down the retail hype machines!!! Having carried various Khuk's on my web gear while on active duty, I can attest to their absolute neccessity.While on active duty as an FSO, I was attached to 1/504 PIR/82nd Div(ABN) and I encouraged member of my FIST team to carry large pieces of cutlery. I'm slowly "prostelitizing" my troops to consider the Khuk as: 1) a great multi-purpose tool. 2) An unbeatable H2H weapon. and 3) A visible and tangible way of harnessing the martial and warrior sprit when facing extreme odds and potential combat ops. When fear begins to take hold, the unsheathing of the Khuk was enough to reprioritize my thoughts and gain confidence( of course accompanied by a quick recitation of my life verse, Psalms 144!)
Unbelievably, I have yet to try an HI AK or Salyan!!! (I'm saving up as I write this). I came across the bowie section and have a few thoughts. Please try a version with a full-tang and pinned Khuk handle!!! it won't have the lanyard loop, but it would have the "hourglass" shape conducive to hangin' on! I love the thought of a 1/2 inch stock forged bowie w/ chakma and Kardma!
Anyhow, I am waiting with baited breath to see a khuk handled bowie.
Oom(uncle in dutch)Bill, thanks for bringing us these treasures from Nepal.
-Redleg out.
 
Oom Bill,
Just caught my boo-boo. I meant Chakma and Karda, not Kardma!
Anyway,
My thoughts and prayers for you and the nepali people.
-Redleg out

------------------
"Blessed is the Lord my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle..." excerpted from Psalms 144.
 
Honestly, I'm not trying to manipulate this thread, but I just had an idea for a possible handle. In my spare time i repair/restore nihon-to. in addition, I wrap handles of existing knives in the japanese style with menuki and resin coat or epoxy the silk or nylon wrapped handle ala' hartsfield and Piorek. The only way to get this non-slip handle off is to grind it off. Could you have a few made with a fullslab/tang khuk type "hourglass" handle with the end radiused and drilled with a .5" hole? If you can, I will wrap one for free for you to torture test. Just tell me the color choice and menuki preference. I'm not trying to sell you anything, I just want one in this style for myself.
Let me know.
jhedi01@netzero.net
-Redleg out

------------------
"Blessed is the Lord my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle..." excerpted from Psalms 144.
 
Redleg, many thanks for valued input. I, too, and in awe of the calibre of our forumites. I will say it again. If this is a great and popular forum it is because of the great forumites who post here. I know I am partial but I think we have the best.

Let's stay in touch on this handle project and see where it takes us. It is too soon to make any definite changes but I figure in 3 or 4 months we will have a handle that will be equal to the blade.

I do not want to change that blade. I think we have it right where we want it.

------------------
Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
Oom Bill,
I'm home nursing a bad back and the flu. I'll try to scan some of my handle ideas to you when I get back to the office. In what price range will the AKB reside?

-Redleg out

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"Blessed is the Lord my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle..." excerpted from Psalms 144.

 
Yvsa,

It's bad enough here in Minnesota, cold wise, without going ANY further North!
smile.gif
Come to think of it, the trees here are kind of "stunted" as well! I moved here from Kentucky, and the place where I liked to "play" in the woods had alot of limestone bluffs and rockhouses. The soil had lots of sand, from the limestone being worn away, and everytime I would take a knife there, it ALWAYS ended up getting scratched beyond belief, to say nothing of the edge. Sand being in the grain of the wood is just crazy, especially oak. Talk about a defense mechanism for the tree! Better not let Greenpeace find out about this, or we'll have genetically altered forests with trees full of sand.
smile.gif
Hmmm...now if we can just come up with a diamond coated chainsaw blade
wink.gif


Take care,
John Johnson
 
Thanks for the review Yvsa. The AK Bowie is on my want list in the future. Gotta save $$$ and pay up debts first. Where does it stop? I wanted these things ever since I was a kid. Has to be in the DNA or something. I read once that if you look into the palm of your hand you can see 1,000 generations.
 
I knew a palm reader and fortune teller who used to hang out around the Kathmandu Guest House. His name was Babu Singh and he could conjure up some amazing stuff by looking at your palm. He impressed me.

I wonder if he still has his shop set up in Thamel. I'll have to check when I'm there.

------------------
Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
:
Hey John.I lived in Minnesota twice when I was a boy.I lived in Hopkins,right next to Mineapolis both times and then we moved to Mankato for a while.That was when Hector was a pup and he's been long dead now.I used to snow ski the hills around Hopkins.Nice woods up there.One of my friends family had a cabin on Womans lake and we spent some great times there.Dennis and I both liked Pork'n Beans and ate them like crazy.The woods were very musical when we played in them.
smile.gif


Jay,I don't know where it ends.I had Uncle paid up to the Ganga Ram and now I am in debt again.If I had my wishes I would just move over to Nepal and hire my own Kami's and keep thier production.
smile.gif


When I get things square again I want to design and have a custom khuk made.I will make the prototype and if anyone else likes it I would be honored to share the design.
If Uncle and Pala take it on then they will own the design
The Kothimoda that Uncle posted today is similar as to the fullers I want.It will be a Full Curving Khukuri with a broad blade like the Salyan.The center spine will be for strength as I would like the blade no more than 7/16" thick and about 18" to 20" overall.Depends on weight.
It will have two 10" Kumar kardas with it.No use having a chakma and a karda when you can have two kardas.
smile.gif

I got that idea from Uncle some time ago when he said he would sharpen his chakma for one to take into the woods for a long time.
smile.gif


------------------
>>>>---¥vsa---->®

If you mix milk of magnesia with vodka and orange juice do you get a phillips screwdriver?

Khukuri FAQ


 
These big bowies certainly do set a standard all their own. Yvsa, looking forward to your comments after you come back from your sisters. By the way do you still have the Trailmaster you mentioned awhile back? If so could you comment on the relative chopping ability?

About the wood, yeah, most of the wood down here is soft like Pine. There is some Black Spruce which is a lot denser than Pine but which is still nowhere near as difficult to cut as some hardwoods.

Concerning the temp, yeah, but its a dry cold.

-Cliff
 
Yvsa, if you can make the wood prototype the kamis can do it in steel as your AK Bowie indicates. They don't do well with sketches or drawing and I am sure they will have problems when I am trying to tell them face to face odd jobs that I want done. I may have to hire a model maker while I am in Nepal.

That kothimoda my pal has is one of the nicest I have ever seen.

------------------
Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
:
Uncle this is one I am gonna communicate with you on e-mail or phone before I even start!
I Know you're a better judge of weight than I am on the khuks.You call them most every time.I want the custom one to not wiegh more than 1 3/4 Lbs.I think at 1 1/2 Lbs it would be perfect.

One of these days!!
smile.gif


------------------
>>>>---¥vsa---->®

If you mix milk of magnesia with vodka and orange juice do you get a phillips screwdriver?

Khukuri FAQ




[This message has been edited by Yvsa (edited 16 December 1999).]
 
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