Garud Ang Khola

[javand]

Since I haven't seen many pics of these, I thought I'd share today's arrival. This isn't a new GAK, it's an old one, unused, by Kumar. No U.B. marks, so I'm guessing it predates 2005?

Interestingly enough, all of the marks are on the left side of the blade, unlike the others I have.


I took pictures with my two users for comparison. The old shop 1 AK (16.5", 23oz), and my 18" Santosh (supposedly, although the marks look like Sher?) M-43 (don't remember the weight).


Most interestingly, the length is ~18.75", but the weight is only 27.5oz! =D Much lower than the 2.75lbs listed on the HI site.

This thing is a beast, very lively, the fuller is deep and long. F&F is top, the handle almost feels weightless.

It's going to be very hard not to turn this into my primary user.. =\

Sorry for the image grain, it's dim here tonight.


Cheers!

 

[Steve Tall]

Luck-eee...
One just like this (less than 2 pounds) is on my wish list.

 

[javand]

Luck-eee...
One just like this (less than 2 pounds) is on my wish list.

You have no idea just how lucky.


I practically stole this one.


The handle btw, contrary to what I read, it's extremely comfortable.. Just FYI. Although I tend to choke up and put my index finger around the bolster.

 

[pmwc78]

Very nice! Good to see a proper AK blade. Always liked the Garud.

 

[JayGoliath]

This thing is a beast, very lively, the fuller is deep and long. F&F is top, the handle almost feels weightless.

Would it because of the partial tang with only one rivet?
The weight of the blade despite the fullers will "offset" the fulcrum and move forward, pushing the potential energy ahead?

but the weight is only 27.5oz! =D Much lower than the 2.75lbs listed on the HI site.

I'm thinking the weight reduction done between 27.5Oz Vs 2.75Ibs. If i say it's a typo error it's just too much.
To be able to reduce the weight to < 30Oz would be ideal.

 

[javand]

JayGoliath,


I can see how it might look that way, considering how I wrote it, but on the HI site it says "The knife weighs 2 & 3/4 pounds."


I weighed it on a gram accurate scale at ~27.4-5.


It's definitely light.


I wonder how far the tang extends into the handle? Even if it stops at the bottom rings, it's likely only an 1" shorter than the AK or BAS stick tang models I have. I think it's mostly just a perception of weight based on how big the handle is (stouter than the M43), and the balance.


I really like that tang style though. Feels very secure, although that's anecdotal, I haven't chopped anything with it yet.

 

[Ezaske]

How thick is the spine? 1/4 inch would explain the light weight. It does look thicker in the picture though.

 

[javand]

How thick is the spine? 1/4 inch would explain the light weight. It does look thicker in the picture though.

That's definitely the weight savings.


It's ~3/8" vs the listed 9/16"

Which I'm completely happy with.

 

[stickfred]

A very nice Garud you have there javand, and by Kumar no less. An excellent find. Congratulations.

As to the weght, I wouldn't be too surprised that it only weighs 27.5oz. Kumar was a real craftsman and liked to make the lighter blades such as the Kobra that he designed. I have a beefy 18" Hanuman by Sher(Tiger) with a 1/2" spine that weighs 33-34oz, so to see a Kumar (the anti-Sher) at the weight yours is doesn't surprise me. You've got a gem there.

 

[Steely_Gunz]

Kumar was my favorite kami for a long, long time. I would love to see him come back to HI. You can be sure you have a very fine edged blade there:thumbup:

Also, it should be pointed out that the Garud is the khuk for taking out supernatural creatures. The carving can represent violent martial force and is good for warding off evil. The nickle silver probably isn't too good for vampires. Plus it swings pretty easily. Not all of us are built like Z from the Monster Hunter book series:thumbup:

I have one, but i'm embarrassed to say that I can't remember if it was made by Bura or Kumar

I'll have to dig it out from under the bed.

 

[javand]

Kumar was my favorite kami for a long, long time. I would love to see him come back to HI. You can be sure you have a very fine edged blade there:thumbup:

Also, it should be pointed out that the Garud is the khuk for taking out supernatural creatures. The carving can represent violent martial force and is good for warding off evil. The nickle silver probably isn't too good for vampires. Plus it swings pretty easily. Not all of us are built like Z from the Monster Hunter book series:thumbup:

Good to know Steely! You're right, it does swing well. After this one, I couldn't imagine a 2.75lb version!

I have one, but i'm embarrassed to say that I can't remember if it was made by Bura or Kumar

You may be embarrassed for your memory, but it seems like you're in good shape with either option.


FWIW my first Bura is in the mail now. It's a BAS, which isn't the most exciting model to me, but I can't wait to get my hands on it considering the source!

 

[Steely_Gunz]

The BAS may be one of the most unsexy and vanilla jack or all trades khuks in the line up. However, you'll be hard pressed to find a better all 'rounder for hiking and camping. It's big enough to handle most any camp chore you can throw at it. It's light enough to not pull your pants down on a couple mile hike. It'll chop, it'll split, it's maneuverable enough to do finer work.

To top it off, you're is Bura-made. You may just have scored yourself the most honest hard-working heirloom of your collection. congrats:thumbup:

 

[BFH44]

all the blades in the blades pics look like great pieces to me but i still do not know all the particulars of HI and the different Khukuri's

 

[JayGoliath]

all the blades in the blades pics look like great pieces to me but i still do not know all the particulars of HI and the different Khukuri's

BFH44,

It's a "pain-stalking but well-worth it" homework.
The reason why khukuri remains my favorite blade amongst all my folders and super steel is that i don't just see as a piece of sharpened steel;
It's a pot of cultures, science and tech melted into one.
I can't stressed every morning i see a new design off a Dotd it boils my blood.

Every other months your understanding behind this magnificent design of 1500 years continue to amaze you with the stories (Bugle and the Tiger) and of course if you want to know more you may ask any of the Falkland's vet about the fleeing Argentinians upon hearing the war cry "Ayo Gorkhali"....

I just love that !!!!

 

[javand]

The BAS may be one of the most unsexy and vanilla jack or all trades khuks in the line up. However, you'll be hard pressed to find a better all 'rounder for hiking and camping. It's big enough to handle most any camp chore you can throw at it. It's light enough to not pull your pants down on a couple mile hike. It'll chop, it'll split, it's maneuverable enough to do finer work.

To top it off, you're is Bura-made. You may just have scored yourself the most honest hard-working heirloom of your collection. congrats:thumbup:

You were right. I just got the Bura BAS in. Instantly fell in love with it, I don't think I'm going to be able to avoid making this one a user. There really is "just something about it". Very different feel than the Murali BAS I have.

Same length blade (a hair longer) than my shop 1 AK, but only 18oz. Shorter but wider handle, with a noticeable curve to it. Very lively. The edge is more obviously convex than any of my others also. The karda is one of the least useful I've gotten yet though. Do the Kami's make these with each kukri, or are they made in batches or something?

 

[Steely_Gunz]

You were right. I just got the Bura BAS in. Instantly fell in love with it, I don't think I'm going to be able to avoid making this one a user. There really is "just something about it". Very different feel than the Murali BAS I have.

Same length blade (a hair longer) than my shop 1 AK, but only 18oz. Shorter but wider handle, with a noticeable curve to it. Very lively. The edge is more obviously convex than any of my others also. The karda is one of the least useful I've gotten yet though. Do the Kami's make these with each kukri, or are they made in batches or something?

Glad you like it

My 15" plain jane villager is basically a cross between an AK and a BAS. It's ridiculously useful for everything

As for the karda? I dunno. I'm pretty sure the apprentices make those, but I don't know if they are assigned per blade or if they say, "We're making 5 18" wood handled WWIIs, 3 horn handled 15" AKs, and an antler M43...make the tools."

I will say it can be a bit of a game of chance if you get really serviceable accessory tools or not. Generally speaking, as Uncle Bill often said, there are better and easier ways to maintain an edge and accompany a khuk than by relying on the chakma/karda.

 

[javand]

Glad you like it

My 15" plain jane villager is basically a cross between an AK and a BAS. It's ridiculously useful for everything

As for the karda? I dunno. I'm pretty sure the apprentices make those, but I don't know if they are assigned per blade or if they say, "We're making 5 18" wood handled WWIIs, 3 horn handled 15" AKs, and an antler M43...make the tools."

I will say it can be a bit of a game of chance if you get really serviceable accessory tools or not. Generally speaking, as Uncle Bill often said, there are better and easier ways to maintain an edge and accompany a khuk than by relying on the chakma/karda.

Aye. The tiny chakma that came with my AK is the best of all I've had so far. It's so hard it wont scratch, the rest are mostly useless. Generally though, I've found field maintenance of edges to be ridiculously easy with some 1000 and 1400 grit 2" strips of automotive sand paper cut to fit a piece of 1/2" thick CCF padding that inserts into the hip belt of one of my packs.