First impressions and observations.

L

lizzardbone

Joined
Jul 28, 2006
Messages
253
My first purchase from HI.

I alwayse try to be honest so i will give my good and my not so good.
And I asure you all, I am no expert!

15 inch 18 ounce Balance khukuri (horn handle) by Sgt. Khada-

Not so good- The edge for the first 2" after the cho is pretty flat with a couple visible nicks. The karda and chakmak handles were scarred a bit from the small tack heads in the sheath. Small 1/2" crack along grain at front edge of Kuk handle.
Good-This instrument feels great in the hand. It has been described to me as being more weapon than general purpose implement, and I feel that is an accurate statement at this point. It is very sharp at the sweet spot and balances at just slightly over 2" forward of the cho. I have never seen a three hole cho before this model, and I like it. Except for the Sword of Shiva, there are no engravings or inscriptions on the blade except for a small five point star at the end of the Sword of Shiva. Any signifigance of this star?

Summary- This thing just feels and moves correct in my hand. I guess it is called a Balance for a reason. I will be keeping it! Or giving it to my son if he wants it:grumpy:


16.5" 21oz WWII by Bura

Not so good- A few cracks in horn handle in front of ring, .500-1.25" long. None extend to end of handle. Not quite as pointy as i would like.(but that is me).
This next observation I found odd. Please tell me if this is a normal occurance. When holding the knife point up and observing the blade edge on, the edge does not hold a straight line from cho to tip. It is as if the blade has a little twist to it. ????
Good-This is a tool. I don't have nor have i handled an AK, but untill then, this is what I think a multipurpose Kuk should be. The weight does not appear to be obtrusive and it feels to be a great compromise on length, not too long not too short. This one feels like it wants to be in the middle of any kind of work.
Summary- I dont know just yet. It doesent grab me by the boo boo, ya know? I may ask Yangdu if she will possibly do an exchange with me on another style of same value. If not, no big deal. I will make it my worker.


All this said,I try to be honest and I have yet to field test either of these. That is where it counts most, I believe.
Please let me know if I am being over critical as these are from the DOTD sales, and my "not soo good" observations are to be expected.

No disrespects intended to any of the kamis or HI as i truly respect their skill, knowlege and effort.

My final thought.............I WILL be giving them repeat business!
 
I think you've been fair - the DOTD knives are usually blems (e.g. "hairline crack that will probably go nowhere"), and you found some of the visual blemishes.

I haven't got a Balance, so I can't really comment. As to the 16 1/2" WWII, you're talking about my user ... The blunter tip does look less pretty, and would be less effective as a weapon I'd imagine. Though the look does take some getting used to, the effect is to put the weight farther out forward, helping it to chop efficiently.

I find the length good for carrying 'round, and once I learned some khuk technique, it performs better than a similar sized hatchet for chopping ... and does more besides. I'm told that the 18" models chop better yet, but at a tradeoff of weight and size to hump around on your belt.

I'm a bit surprised by the comment about the edge looking a bit twisted. Some have the handle a slight bit offset to one side - which folks here have said can contribute to better chopping performance, depending on which way it goes. Mine does that slightly, and it has made no difference in use.

But if you mean the blade itself kinda corkscrews, that does sound a bit unusual - and might be worth a call.
 
If you want an exchange e-mail Yangdu. She never fails at the customer service thing. The edge thing is normal. These guys are making these things on a dirt floor in a dark room. The cracks are normal for horn. Horn cracks. A light touch with superglue and a little buffing with a polishing cloth is all it takes.

Other than that, I just don't have a balance model, so I couldn't say. Others love theirs.

I'd check for the exchange before hacking away with it if you're so inclined.
 
An edge that deviates too much side to side from a consistant line offers itself to breakage.

If the edge wanders too much side to side you'll want to contact Yangdu. This is dangerous in breakage potential. These are rare but occur sometimes, just as the occasional shank weakness. If other manufacturers came closer to HI volume, it would be apparent in mistake numbers. HI is rare per volume, very rare. Somtimes because of the diligence of the friends and fans of HI error seems more pronounced. The emphasis occurs because of rarity, a surprise. Blems are offered as a discount but are almost always structuraly sound. If you recieved an exception to this rule you need to speak with Yangdu.

All will be right.

munk
 
I had a 25" siru that had a pretty good sized crack when I got it. I took it up against a fence post anyway. Full power swings didn't do a bit of damage to the horn. Demolished the post. Horn is tough stuff.

Frank
 
I thought the horn cracking problem that a lot of us encountered a year or more ago was due to a batch of improperly cured horn?

The WW2 isn't supposed to have a sharp tip. The wider tip at the end should give it a more forward heavy balance for chopping. I would be concerned about the edge deviation like Munk said. I didn't know it could contribute to failure but I could see it causing excessive glancing.
 
Well, Hollow; think of a edge imbedded in wood, but not straight- you get, how do I say this? Back and forth side movement. Come to think of it, my 25" AK suffers from this- a Sanu blade. hasn't failed.



munk
 
munk said:
Come to think of it, my 25" AK ...
Click to expand...
God, that must be a mighty thing. A 25" AK tops the scales at how much? With a good whack, you could chop through to the next county...
 
The issue of glancing strikes and or blade trajectory changes after entering material under full force swings is my largest concern with this particular Kuk.

As a side note.

After a brief field test, my 15" 18oz Balance impressed me to say the least.

My first strike at a China Berry tree a bit over 1" dia, was as if it was not even there, amazingly clean cut.
Second victom, Pine Tree just shy of 2" dia gave an impression that something was there, yet was fell with one strike.
As long as my technique was smooth and swing maintained good followthrough(wich I failed at several times), this performance would repeat every time. I can only imagine an 18" 26oz WWII.

The phrase "\ohhhhhhhsssshhhhhiiiiiii--------..................." was quietly uttered by me out of amasement from the ease these cuts were made by such a small and relatively light knife. I honestly belive these knives have some special juju, but a thousand or so years of refinement and tradition in the kamis craft is undeniable.

Tried a small ammount of choping on 4-5" dia seasoned oak, It works ok, but I feel its a bit out of it's element here. No fault here in my opinion.

The but plate has a rather sharp edge and coupled with the short handle, it put several shallow slices(surface abraidment) into the heel of my palm but not enough to stop me. Nothing that cant be fixed with a handle mod.

What are the odds of a 15"-16" Balance with a full tang like the M43 to eliminate the butt plate? Just thinking out loud.

Thanks for the feed back.
 
Heh heh heh. Welcome to the psych ward ...

Some of us have tried to describe the physics of why a khuk works like it does, but it's much more convincing to find out for yourself.

Don't forget to re-read the safety thread.
 
"I can only imagine an 18" 26oz WWII."

18.5", 28oz WWII in wood by Kumar. 7/16" thick at the spine. It's a beast. The fuller on the AK is beautiful (I have a little 15 incher) but the WWII is big enough for me. I don't think I could handle a 20" AK. And I traded a 25" siru because it wore me out way too fast. It hit like a ton of bricks but two feet of steel is not something I wanted to swing with rubbery arms.

Uncle Bill always used to say you don't pick the khuk, it picks you. Some find their way to you but really aren't meant for you. They will find their rightful owner just as your khuk will find you. Perhaps it already has, in the Balance. The good Sgt. makes some stunning blades.

Frank
 
munk said:
Well, Hollow; think of a edge imbedded in wood, but not straight- you get, how do I say this? Back and forth side movement. Come to think of it, my 25" AK suffers from this- a Sanu blade. hasn't failed.



munk
Click to expand...

I think I see what you're saying. like the torque from the wood pressing in unevenly could exploit a brittle edge?
 
That's it. Pressure from the side either a) revealing a edge fault and causing failure, or b) continued side pressure eventually causing failure


Tom Fetter; my 25" AK is rather light for the species, 3lbs, 4 ounces.



munk
 
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