I received my first kukri last week. It's my first real knife for that matter. 35 years old and my first fixed blade.
I have only otherwise owned small folders such as a swiss army knife and a cold steel recon 1 serrated tanto (as an emergency use pocket carry). I thought the latter was a pretty neat knife until about now.
Anyways, I purchased a horn handled 15" HI British Army Service model for use as a "survival utility" knife, because I figured that every man needs at least one "real" blade to defend his family and pass down to his children. I chose the BAS as it seemed to represent a well-rounded archetypal kukri.
I was not disappointed! Impressions follow:
First, I was struck by how HEAVY this blade was. Not in a bad way, mind you, but having read all about the kukris and knowing that the BAS was no means the largest, or strongest, I was forced to ponder the meaning of HEAVY DUTY when it comes to kukris because even the "middle of the road" BAS appears to be a knife that can withstand SERIOUS abuse and last lifetimes if maintained and treated with the respect it deserves.
The blade arrived fairly sharp but not razor sharp. That is probably a good thing, however, given the types of tasks this is intended to perform (tree chopping, etc).
I chose not to attempt sharpen it further as I have the materials on hand to do so if required in the future and if I need razor work I'll use something else. I will probably sharpen the karda further once my skills are honed on the kitchen knives. I have a strop and chromium oxide for this purpose.
Next, the craftsmanship was stunning. The sword of shiva, cho, makers mark, and respect and homage paid to Uncle Bill all compelling as is the quality of construction. It's not a "perfect" knife as the machine made ones are, it's clearly handmade and all the more impressive for it. This is a knife with a spirit and a soul--it had a story even before it came into my hands.
One story that I like is that this blade appears to have been made by the physical or spiritual son of another kami. The maker's mark is two mountains (rounded so as to evoke a land of sustenance, motherland) and there's an arrow rising between the two mountains. I'm convinced that the mountains alone are a kamis mark and that the arrow indicates another kami who as risen from the previous, like a son from a father.
This is particularly special to me, having become a father less than a year ago. So this mark is treasured. Whether the blade has inherit meaning or the meaning is imparted by the weilder is all the same to me in the end.
Moving away from the philosophical, I've taken considerable steps to preserve this knife because it is meant as a "survival utility" knife (not to mention an heirloom piece). So unfortunately I'll need a new kukri for other use
(more on that later).
To preserve it, I removed the oil with soap and then alcohol, applied "tuf cloth" twice, applied mineral oil and beeswax to the horn handle, and then applied rennaisance wax on top of that. Finally, if that were not enough, I sealed it in plastic using a vacuum sealer that I had on hand. This kukri will be as ready as a Gurkha should it ever be called into service.
So in summary, I rate the HI BAS kukri 10/10. I was more impressed than expected (even with the hype around these), and now understand the nature of what a real blade can be, something that I couldn't comprehend until now. The CS recon is like a pathetic toy in comparison. Like comparing a bb gun to a 357. Real knifes are SERIOUS business and I fully understand why someone should bring a gun to a knife fight because a man with a blade like this is to truly be feared.
Finally, I have to mention that I already ordered another kukri, one that won't be vacuum sealed and tucked away.
An 18" horn kumar kobra is in the way. I originally ordered a 15" CAK (being drawn to the indestructibility and raw power) but the blade was backordered so I thought about it again. I realized I didn't really need it (have hatchet, axe, and saw) and that it was too heavy for my potential actual uses anyway. The BAS was about heavy enough. So I wanted something that actually fit me and not to just get a juggernaut like the CAK (as awesome as that is!). I originally wanted the dhankuta for it's beauty but ended up with the kobra as it was meant to be.
I'm excited about the prospect of a light and fast (yet still strong) 18" kukri. This one will get sharpening if it needs it, and then the tuf cloth and wax--but it's going in the under the bed safe with the shotgun. And I'm sure that I'll find plenty of peaceful uses for it too (and only, I sincerely hope).
I'll try to post impressions on the 18" kobra when I receive it.
In the end, I'm a very satisfied customer of HI and hope to end up with one of the "art" pieces (but they are all art) one day. Thanks HI!
I have only otherwise owned small folders such as a swiss army knife and a cold steel recon 1 serrated tanto (as an emergency use pocket carry). I thought the latter was a pretty neat knife until about now.
Anyways, I purchased a horn handled 15" HI British Army Service model for use as a "survival utility" knife, because I figured that every man needs at least one "real" blade to defend his family and pass down to his children. I chose the BAS as it seemed to represent a well-rounded archetypal kukri.
I was not disappointed! Impressions follow:
First, I was struck by how HEAVY this blade was. Not in a bad way, mind you, but having read all about the kukris and knowing that the BAS was no means the largest, or strongest, I was forced to ponder the meaning of HEAVY DUTY when it comes to kukris because even the "middle of the road" BAS appears to be a knife that can withstand SERIOUS abuse and last lifetimes if maintained and treated with the respect it deserves.
The blade arrived fairly sharp but not razor sharp. That is probably a good thing, however, given the types of tasks this is intended to perform (tree chopping, etc).
I chose not to attempt sharpen it further as I have the materials on hand to do so if required in the future and if I need razor work I'll use something else. I will probably sharpen the karda further once my skills are honed on the kitchen knives. I have a strop and chromium oxide for this purpose.
Next, the craftsmanship was stunning. The sword of shiva, cho, makers mark, and respect and homage paid to Uncle Bill all compelling as is the quality of construction. It's not a "perfect" knife as the machine made ones are, it's clearly handmade and all the more impressive for it. This is a knife with a spirit and a soul--it had a story even before it came into my hands.
One story that I like is that this blade appears to have been made by the physical or spiritual son of another kami. The maker's mark is two mountains (rounded so as to evoke a land of sustenance, motherland) and there's an arrow rising between the two mountains. I'm convinced that the mountains alone are a kamis mark and that the arrow indicates another kami who as risen from the previous, like a son from a father.
This is particularly special to me, having become a father less than a year ago. So this mark is treasured. Whether the blade has inherit meaning or the meaning is imparted by the weilder is all the same to me in the end.
Moving away from the philosophical, I've taken considerable steps to preserve this knife because it is meant as a "survival utility" knife (not to mention an heirloom piece). So unfortunately I'll need a new kukri for other use
(more on that later).To preserve it, I removed the oil with soap and then alcohol, applied "tuf cloth" twice, applied mineral oil and beeswax to the horn handle, and then applied rennaisance wax on top of that. Finally, if that were not enough, I sealed it in plastic using a vacuum sealer that I had on hand. This kukri will be as ready as a Gurkha should it ever be called into service.
So in summary, I rate the HI BAS kukri 10/10. I was more impressed than expected (even with the hype around these), and now understand the nature of what a real blade can be, something that I couldn't comprehend until now. The CS recon is like a pathetic toy in comparison. Like comparing a bb gun to a 357. Real knifes are SERIOUS business and I fully understand why someone should bring a gun to a knife fight because a man with a blade like this is to truly be feared.
Finally, I have to mention that I already ordered another kukri, one that won't be vacuum sealed
and tucked away.An 18" horn kumar kobra is in the way. I originally ordered a 15" CAK (being drawn to the indestructibility and raw power) but the blade was backordered so I thought about it again. I realized I didn't really need it (have hatchet, axe, and saw) and that it was too heavy for my potential actual uses anyway. The BAS was about heavy enough. So I wanted something that actually fit me and not to just get a juggernaut like the CAK (as awesome as that is!). I originally wanted the dhankuta for it's beauty but ended up with the kobra as it was meant to be.
I'm excited about the prospect of a light and fast (yet still strong) 18" kukri. This one will get sharpening if it needs it, and then the tuf cloth and wax--but it's going in the under the bed safe with the shotgun. And I'm sure that I'll find plenty of peaceful uses for it too (and only, I sincerely hope).
I'll try to post impressions on the 18" kobra when I receive it.
In the end, I'm a very satisfied customer of HI and hope to end up with one of the "art" pieces (but they are all art) one day.
Thanks HI!
