Garud AK owners - do you use it, or display/fondle only?

[Huge Grant]

In anticipation of my Garud AK's arrival sometime next month, I thought I would ask if any of you actually use your Garud? I keep going back and forth, not sure what I'm going to do. I have a 15" AK and will definitely need something longer/thicker for bigger jobs. I know it is capable, but I can see myself wanting to preserve its beauty. Would love to see some pics too if you have them!

 

[Shavru]

I have always wondered how the Dragon feels in the hand. When you grip the Garud it appears your hand would overlap the carving. I am not sure if that would feel good or not. Might not be even an issue. Ah well. I personally look at HI blades in general as users. They are beautiful, and with proper care and maintenance they should stay that way if you use them. Just want to be careful of what you are cutting on , make sure there aren't any nails embedded in the wood ect, clean and oil them properly after use. Basically the same things you should do with any blade you expect to continue being able to use for a long time. that being said, if you are a collector and choose to acquire them in order to preserve them as a collection there is nothing wrong with that either, it just matters what you want to do with your blade.

 

[davidf99]

I don't have a Garud AK, but I have some of Lokendra Kami's Dui Chirra type khukuris with carvings on the end of the handle. Same principle as the Garud AK.

They're certainly capable of being used, but I wouldn't. These are works of art, and while part of the attraction is that they are as solidly made as a "regular" khukuri, some of the beauty is bound to be marred by anything but the most minimal usage. But it's up to you. Some people make a principle of not keeping any blade that isn't a "user," but in that case, why spend the extra money on something with an elaborately carved handle?

One additional point: Most HI knives are "full tang" in the sense that the tang goes entirely through the handle and is peened over at the end. This is not the case of the Garud and other artistic models that have figures carved on the end. Although your Garud handle is probably completely secure, the fact that it is not "full tang" might be another reason not to use it, or at least not to use it for heavy work.

By the way, Lokendra Kami is not the same as Lok Kami. Two completely different people. Lokendra used to work for HI, but I don't think he does these days. Here's an example of one of Lokendra's Gorkha Hat Knives with a matching female version:

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He did a little ceremony with this pair of knives, calling it the wedding of Brave Man and Wise Woman.

The first photo shows the knives not quite finished. In the second photo they are finished, but the picture really doesn't do them justice, due to the lighting. These are highly polished blades with beautiful, deep fullers and elaborate Swords of Shiva. The photos are from Yangdu's original posting. One of these days I'll take new photos and post them.

 

[Gehazi]

from left to right -- giant 26 inch HI duichirra with tools , HI hanuman with tools, HI garud AK silver bound-- but honestly I think they all have a dui-chirra style( same as dave99, I do prefer the dui chirra to AK style esp for display ), but I think you were asking more about the handle than the blade-- I would be perfectly willing to use the garuda, it does not disturb my grip at all-- I only clean any of my blades but the KVLUK and my ancient bura sirupati, those I use. that is why HI is so good, no matter how pretty, you can use it like a blade should be used.-- on balance what dave said though, won't stay pretty long if you put it to work, unless you like the beauty of that.

 

[cul4u01]

Gehazi - Nice blades buddy! Love them double fullers...

 

[abdelhazred]

I have always wondered how the Dragon feels in the hand. When you grip the Garud it appears your hand would overlap the carving. I am not sure if that would feel good or not. Might not be even an issue. Ah well. I personally look at HI blades in general as users. They are beautiful, and with proper care and maintenance they should stay that way if you use them. Just want to be careful of what you are cutting on , make sure there aren't any nails embedded in the wood ect, clean and oil them properly after use. Basically the same things you should do with any blade you expect to continue being able to use for a long time. that being said, if you are a collector and choose to acquire them in order to preserve them as a collection there is nothing wrong with that either, it just matters what you want to do with your blade.

I purchased a blem Garud Ang Khola with a little splitting in the beautifully carved handle.

I opted rub a little resin and quickly wrap some of the handle in twine. With the added bulk from the twine, I find it fits my grip just perfectly, though I don't plan on using it unless I have to. The fore-paws of the dragon and everything past are still exposed, and the blade has a pristine mirror-finish on it. Perfectly functional, but why damage the perfect knife if you don't need to?

 

[Shann]

I have a hanuman carved khuk and the handle is actually one of the most comfortable. The monkey face isn't as ornate a carving as the dragon, though. Mine has a large crack in the handle that I didn't want to get any bigger so I haven't actually used it because I didn't want it to get any worse. It is very comfortable in the hand, however.