Fort Williams MK1 versus Pensioner vs Ek Chirra vs Panawal

Hi,
Try to ask here: [email protected]
Usually it takes 1 - 2 days to get an answer.
Brgds,
Mariusz

 

Andrew from @Kailash Blades will reply on all the questions you'll have as soon as he sees your post and have the time to write a proper answer.

On my order I went with a micarta wrapped stick tang handle. It's still in transit though..

 

I’m waiting for customs clearnce to get those 2 pcs


Ps
I don’t know how to add photos

 

I do

 

Hey there guys!
Thanks so much for holding the stand until I had a chance to see this. @ProudGrognard thanks for your patience on the reply. I've taken on another job alongside my work with Kailash recently and am trying to compress my usual week's worth of on and off work into two days on Monday and Tuesday. If the schedule keeps up and works I might make some automated messages to show when I'll be ale to respond.

There's a lot of different things that can make a khukuri better or worse as a workhorse, with some workhorses being better suited to certain tasks than others.

The panawal is the heaviest duty traditional workhorse blade we do which is down to its full tang which helps it withstand very rough, borderline stupid use and its much thicker secondary/ primary bevels. That makes it able to withstand harder hits through bone or antler, go through nails in wood, and endure overswings into rocks etc.

The MK1 has a more weight forward balance due to the lack of a full tang/buttcap but it has a much leaner grind which makes it a more efficient cutter/chopper. A full tang adds overall blade weight and also moves the point of balance closer to the pommel making for a more controllable but less efficient chopper.

The Ek chirra does have a broad blade but it also has some serious hollow forging to reduce the blade weight at the very front of blade. As a result the feel is quite light and fast as a result.
Finally the pensioner does have a thicker spine at the bolster, but it also features a lot of fullering, complex grinding and distal taper. As a result the final weight is a lot lower and the balance is both lively but powerful.

For many people, a heavier, more powerful blade with a thicker grind doesn't make a good all day working blade though, even though they're often described as workhorses. They're more durable but cut less efficiently. They have more power but can be more fatiguing. Ultimately a good workhorse blade comes down to what kind of work you're looking to do, how you want to do it and in what situations. It's a very personal thing and there's a lot of different competing variables. If you tell me what kind of work you'd want to do and what situations you'd be looking at using the blade in I can make a recommendation for you based off that and my own experience.
Take care,
Andrew and the team at Kailash

 

No worries at all.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns