Ganga Ram Khukuri

W

Will Kwan

Joined
Nov 23, 1998
Messages
1,594
Most owner of the Ganga Ram Khukuri consider it the best khukuri. How is the edge retention and toughness.

Ysva, any details? How does it compare to other khukuri's you own? Anyone else feel free to add your input.

I hope Ganga Ram gets a chance to make mine.

Will



[This message has been edited by Will Kwan (edited 02-03-2000).]
 
Will, there's a big difference between the original Ganga Rams and the newer ones. I have both. I got a blemished original (cracked handle) a while back and was so impressed that I got on the list to get another GR because I wanted to have one that was unblemished. Well, I just got my second one and was rather disappointed. It was about 1 inch shorter, had no carving on the handle like the original had, had a polished finish as opposed to the satin finish of the original, and it did not have Ganga Ram's initials engraved on the blade like the original. I emailed Uncle Bill about this "plain jane" version and he said that, because of his age, Ganga Ram is probably getting help with the khuks he's making today, so it's not like it used to be when he did all the work himself. Don't get me wrong, the newer Ganga Rams are nice, but they lack that special quality that the originals had.

[This message has been edited by Steven F (edited 02-03-2000).]
 
:
Will I haven't really used mine enough to give a really good review. It seems something has gotten in my way to prevent me from getting out to my sis's place for weeks now.
frown.gif


I did take it to show my Bro and he asked if I wanted to check it out on some Blackjack Oak. This is the wood I talk about that sucks sand up with the water. It will tear up a new chainsaw chain in nothing flat!!

He had a log about 7" in diameter that had been burnt in a wildfire on one side making it even harder. I chopped through it in about 50 chops. This was the 1st time I had used the blade and the log was in an awkward position.
It held it's edge well with no deformation and seemed just abut as sharp after I cut the log as it was before.

I have also chopped some Honey Locust in my woodpile. It is a nice hardwood with a pretty yellow heartwood. I touched up the edge after the oak with the chakma and after using Scotch Brite on it.

One thing I really like about the knife is what I think is a superb balance. The blade curves continually from the bolster to the point. The blade is wide, 3", and tapers nicely from the spine to the edge bevel. The spine on mine is about 9/16" or 14 mm thick.

It chops better than my 18" AK, but that's probably due to the weight at 3 1/4 Lbs and the thinner edge. Mine likes a 1/4" being 22" long.

I would like to think the totally curved spine has something to do with the balance and it's penetration, but I haven't spent enough time with it to determine that.

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>>>>---¥vsa---->®

"Know your own bone, gnaw at it, bury it, unearth it again."

'Thoreau'

Khukuri FAQ
 
I guess it is not GR's problem but it is BirGorkha problem! Unlike Shop1 which has developed a quality & standard over >10 years manufacturing experience; BirGorkha just started manufacturing good Khukuri for about -+ 6 months. I guess some of the Kamis at BirGorkha are previously village Kamis that used to manufactured just Village Khukuri. So if you compare each quality of BirGorkha Khukuri, I think it still not achieving a standard quality in it's product. I mean sometime up and sometime a bit down. Just my 1 1/2 cents ... if there is any 1/2 cent! Please do correct me if I,m wrong ... OK!

NEPAL HO!
 
Mohd, I too have sometimes been disappointed in the cosmetics of the shop2 or BirGorkha knives compared to the shop1 knives. Bill does say that for using, the shop2/Birgorkha are stronger and better tempered. But things are improving.

Pala/Kami the owner came over for several months to find out for himself that HI khuks sell themselves because they are the best,and because of Bill's integrity.

Bill and Yangdu and Kami are headed back to Nepal now if not already there with ideas of what to maintain and what to change.

I spoke to Bill face to face about the break with his adopted brother at shop1 ( Due to the long recuperation from surgery and not being able to keep HI supplied ). I hope the situation works out for Bill's sake - it was obvious it bothered him, and those in shop1.


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Himalayan Imports Website

Himalayan Imports Khukuri FAQ

[This message has been edited by Rusty (edited 02-05-2000).]
 
I've seen one pic of GR special so far, and it may be a stupid question, is there only one shape of GR special, a kami tends to stick to one type for his life long?

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\(^o^)/ Mizutani Satoshi \(^o^)/
 
WrongFriend, basically, the answer is yes. Ganga Ram's blades all have the same wide, fully curving, distinctive shape. However, there are differences in the details. In the past, it used to be that each GR had some carving on the handle, and no two GRs were carved alike. However, that seems to be changing (see my first post on this thread).

[This message has been edited by Steven F (edited 02-06-2000).]
 
Thanks for info. Am I correct in saying that the strength and edge retention of the Ganga Ram is comparable to the best H.I. khukuri's? I guess it has not been determined if it is actually superior to the best H.I.'s.

Being craftmanship challenge I tend to overlook details such as engravings and decorations. As long as the khukuri chops well, is durable, and comfortable to use I am happy. Looks like I might like the Ganga Ram (I hope he hangs around long enough to make mine).

Will
 
All this talk of the GRS has got my HIKV going again and am hoping that my order for one comes through too.

Harry

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Ayo Ghorapani!
 
Steven, thanks for info. Do you think the GRS is in that size and shape because Ganga Ram intended to offer his best of best SPECIAL khukuris for his best US customers, or it is the only type in his carrer/belief?

BTW, I have to get rid of this thread soon, before GRS obsesses me.
...How long is the wait list? Oh maybe I missed the last train.


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\(^o^)/ Mizutani Satoshi \(^o^)/
 
I am hoping that the Ganga Ram I have on order will be like the original. Being made by the old master is why I want to get it. That's why I have the Banspati's that are made by Bura, the Royal Kami. Very important to me being made by these master's.

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Same for me on the Ganga Ram

- his claims he'd show that sherpa boy ( Pala/Kami ) how a magic khuk was made that got sharper the more you used it... and so on. The first was his best effort, and then the rest came when he came down to shop2/Birgorkha. I don't care if he has help, I just want something done by him. To his best standards. With all the magic he can put into it. And his initials, or special carving on the handle. Any kind.

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Himalayan Imports Website

Himalayan Imports Khukuri FAQ
 
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