- Joined
- Aug 18, 2000
- Messages
- 312
I won't admit I was eager, nope! So this afternoon I came home from a hard day barking at younger sailors and opened up The Box. Gentlemen, I know it caused a furor last week, but when Uncle says the karda and chakma are useless, believe him and pay the extra for an HI set. They are really sweet little tools and as this knife isn't just for show, much needed to keep it in shape.
The khuk is about as hefty as a 20-oz hammer in the hand. I like the oval cross section on the horn handle, makes indexing second nature. Believe me, this isn't the knife to lose track of in use, as it would cripple one in an instant. The handle is smooth, appropriate for a field tool (no chafing). One thing I would prefer would be slightly more swelling towards the front of the handle because I have bigger hands than most Nepalese and because (as someone pointed out last week) Westerners often cut forward instead of just down and back. God help the man who loses his grip on a thrust or forward slice!
The blade is lightened by hollowing the broad section slightly, this doesn't show up on the pictures clearly but is a fascinating feature. In my opinion it is a sophisticated blade. I see a small "cold shut" near the spine, although it might actually be a partially ground out fuller line.
The main drawback it that the blade is twisted very slightly, although the grind actually counters this twist. When I look down the back of the blade, it is twisted but when I sight the edge line from cho to tip it is nearly straight! It is sharp. Very sharp.
The sheath is excellent, but has the limitations of all wooden sheaths. In particular is the thin edge being likely to split if the knife is dropped, drawn or sheathed carelessly. Careless people shouldn't buy knives anyhow.
I'd be interested in hearing from you veterens who own the HI knives, particularly about the twist in the blade. I paid for a working man's knife and am totally happy with this one. No sleepy box under the bed for this khuk, it gets to have a normal, productive lifespan and will eventually go to my son as a gift.
Many thanks for my money's worth, Uncle!
Stephen
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Micah 6:8. Well worth the attempt!
The khuk is about as hefty as a 20-oz hammer in the hand. I like the oval cross section on the horn handle, makes indexing second nature. Believe me, this isn't the knife to lose track of in use, as it would cripple one in an instant. The handle is smooth, appropriate for a field tool (no chafing). One thing I would prefer would be slightly more swelling towards the front of the handle because I have bigger hands than most Nepalese and because (as someone pointed out last week) Westerners often cut forward instead of just down and back. God help the man who loses his grip on a thrust or forward slice!
The blade is lightened by hollowing the broad section slightly, this doesn't show up on the pictures clearly but is a fascinating feature. In my opinion it is a sophisticated blade. I see a small "cold shut" near the spine, although it might actually be a partially ground out fuller line.
The main drawback it that the blade is twisted very slightly, although the grind actually counters this twist. When I look down the back of the blade, it is twisted but when I sight the edge line from cho to tip it is nearly straight! It is sharp. Very sharp.
The sheath is excellent, but has the limitations of all wooden sheaths. In particular is the thin edge being likely to split if the knife is dropped, drawn or sheathed carelessly. Careless people shouldn't buy knives anyhow.
I'd be interested in hearing from you veterens who own the HI knives, particularly about the twist in the blade. I paid for a working man's knife and am totally happy with this one. No sleepy box under the bed for this khuk, it gets to have a normal, productive lifespan and will eventually go to my son as a gift.
Many thanks for my money's worth, Uncle!
Stephen
------------------
Micah 6:8. Well worth the attempt!
