Gelbu Special kami of choice for you is?

Drdan

Drdan

Joined
Dec 24, 2003
Messages
1,390
And, is he also great with wood handles? Is it common to have one kami make the blade, and another to make the handle? Thanks
 
My fave "standard" khukuri is a 21" Gelbu by Kumar, horn handle. The balance is wonderful for such a large blade. I've only taken down a 4" birch with it so far, but it has not needed sharpening.
Horn handles hold up well. They need care in dry climates, but often all they need is some handling; the oils on your hands soak into the horn.
For dry climates and serious care, try Hooflex (do a search on it here for care tips). You can get it at horse & livestock stores or it's often on ebay :)
 
Have a few Gelbu Specials as I like this model. Favorite is still the 21" by Durba. Has a great feel to it. Kumar has gotten good at these GS's and would recommend him. The ones by Bura are good too. The horn handle one by Bura is the closest to the Durba I've found. Sher does a good job as did Yadep Y!B. Hmmm, Guess I like them all.:) Prefer the ones with the deep fullers. If the fullers are not very deep this model feels alot like a Sirupati of the same length.
 
Mr. Bad Example... I'm going with an 18" GS for my first khukuri. I'm told it won't be my last, so it will be interesting to see what "fate has in store for me!"

hoghead... Your post only confirms the inevitable! :( H.I.'s motto should be, "Betcha Can't Just Buy One" :D Too many decions...



Best Wishes for a Fantastic 2004! Dan
 
How do the two blades differ in "feel?" Assume that both are 18" in length, what differences could you describe - in feel and use?
 
Don't have a Gelbu Special. I'm afraid to order one. If I did, I'm sure I would have to make up a use for it to fill. Buy first, justify it later ( hopefully enough later that you have a good answer by the time the wife finds out ).
 
I've decided on Bura, and am considering asking for a Gelbu Special with a "Tin Chirra" blade. Don't tell Uncle Bill anyone; I want him to enjoy his days off until Monday!:rolleyes: To me, it would be a most attractive khukuri, and hopefully be even move lively in the hand that the regular blade... Don't know if it would enhance or diminish the GS's balance though. :confused:

Dan
 
with a Tin chirra. The wider blades lend themselves more easiy to many fullers. The GS single fuller removes more material. addign more fullers meands there is more material supporting the blade between the fullers, so it may be stronger but will be thicker if they do not cut the fullers deep enuf.

The chitlangi is basically a dui chirra GS, so you might end up with something like that with three tiny fullers.

Good luck! I've only seen dui chirras turned out from HI, no tin chirras yet. if they do make it, share pix!

Keith
 
I highly regard your input, and as I don't want a heavier blade but a lighter, stronger one, it is only fitting to go with the Dui Chirra GS. If there are any suggestions that might be useful, since I am going to be doing a special, I'd really appreciate your input. With a handle like yours, I can only assume you really know what makes a good khukuri. Your assistance in making mine is acknowledged. Thanks!

Dan




Best wishes for 2004, and do have a Happy, Safe, and Healthy New Year!
 
Important contribution. I'll go for the Dui Chirra. I'll take pics and post them when it arrives. Thanks! Dan
 
Originally posted by Drdan
Important contribution. I'll go for the Dui Chirra. I'll take pics and post them when it arrives. Thanks! Dan
Click to expand...

Make it easy and just get a Chitlangi.:D I LOVE mine!!!! The Chitlangi -is- a Dui Chiarra.
And the Chitlangi cuts like a much heavier khuk in my experience. The heavily bell shaped handle also makes it easier to hang onto when swinging with a great deal of force.
IMO the HI Chitlangi is one of the better khuks with the thinner blades!!!!
The defunct Ghurka House carried them for quite a while before Gelbu hired the two kamis that brought them to The Khukuri House originally and I refused to buy from GH although I lusted after a Cheetlange, their name for it.:rolleyes:
When the first HI Chitlangi became available I JUMPED on it and got the very first one!!!!:D
The very first HI Chitlangi is 21" plus and handles like a dream. It's -one- of my -go everywhere- khuk's meaning that it is one that travels with us when we go on a road trip.:D
 
Originally posted by Yvsa
Make it easy and just get a Chitlangi.:D I LOVE mine!!!! The Chitlangi -is- a Dui Chiarra.

My favorites are the GS, Chitlangi, and Sirupati, possibly, but not necessarily in that order. I was going to first get the Chitlangi, but since I haven't seen any closeups of the butt-cap, I prefer to go with a special order GS... FerrousWheel gave me the input on the Dui Chirra, and I feel he's right on that call.

I like the Chitlangi's lines; it seems as if it is very maneuverable and nimble. I also appreciate the beauty of the handle and engraving on the blade.

I don't have any use for the choppers personally, so I might just stay with the 3 styles listed above. Was yours a special order? I feel that it would be great to have a member's page where tons and tons of categorized thumnails can help interested buyers to hook up with what they want. Have tradional khukuries, and a page for non-traditional khukuries. From there we could have all the models listed. We could have a page of handles, carvings, butt-caps, and so forth.

When you click on the thumbnail, you would open see the large photo, and a brief description. Then a button to click that will take you to reports on the model, explanations of it's geometry, impressions of it's maneuverability and adaptability as a combat weapon, etc. The martial artists among us can give invaluable input.

I'm not privy to the goings on at H.I., and the finances, and it is none of my business. If this is something that H.I. has been studying for some time, but is holding off until... that's fine. I would encourage perhaps more frequent raffles, or whatever and use the proceeds to fund getting someone like pendentive to completely tweak the system. This is just an observation, and definitely not a negative criticism of any kind. I prefer to be optimistic and positive as far as how H.I. can make a bigger leap foward in 2004 and beyond. Heck, I want my khukuris to increase in value, so if you want to call my interest self serving, than go ahead! :D :D

I feel like I made the right purchase on the GS I ordered yesterday, (today for you), and will be doing the same on Monday when I make a special order. If you want to futher give me ideas on a Bura GS special, presentation grade Dui Chirra with a heavy dense saatisal handle carved nicely, and a scrolled butt-cap, I'm all ears. If people like you hadn't come along to help me, I would have purchased a khykuri, not knowing a lot about them, and maybe you'd see me again, and maybe not. H.I.'s strength is greatly fortified by the forum, and the forumites' assistance of newcomers. The funny thing is that nobody sold me on anything. The article sold itself as long as I was permitted to make an informed decision.

Thanks for being so patient and helpful...it's most appreciated!

Dan ;)

P.S. After this rambler, you should help me install one of thos shovelers below this line... :D

Happy New Year, my friend, and best wishes for 2004...
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by Drdan
Originally posted by Yvsa
Make it easy and just get a Chitlangi.:D I LOVE mine!!!! The Chitlangi -is- a Dui Chiarra.

My favorites are the GS, Chitlangi, and Sirupati, possibly, but not necessarily in that order.

I like the Chitlangi's lines; it seems as if it is very maneuverable and nimble. I also appreciate the beauty of the handle and engraving on the blade.
Click to expand...

Dan, basically the Chitlangi is a Dui Chiarra GS.:rolleyes: :p

Depending on how I feel tomorrow, after powwowing today and bringing a nephew and a brother into the Arena, I may get out my dig camera and take some pics of my Chitlangi and send them to you.
If I get to you may be changing your mind about the GS.:p :D ;)

Gonna have to learn to transfer the pix to the computer as I haven't used the camera but once and I deleted the pic of my ugly niece.;) :D
Click to expand...
 
You know Dan, Yvsa's got a good point. The chilangi which might cost the same does have some nice features to it where the GS is well plain. While most Chitlangis do have the dui-chirra fullers and the decorative sword of Shiva, and the fancier handle, there are some that have a single fuller. Called a Sotang whatever that is. The Sotang tends to have thinner edge bevels if thats important.
Still like my GS. Somebody asked about the difference between the GS and the Sirupati and the biggest difference is the weight. Maybe not so much actual weight but felt weight. This is really apparent if the fullers are fairly deep. The GS will feel lighter in the blade than a Sirupati of the same length. The bevels on the GS tend to be a little wider than the Chitlangi or Sirupati also. Probably due to the fact that the Chit and Siru taper more from the spine to the primary bevel, where the GS will taper more from the fuller edge to the blade edge. Not always perfectly like that but thats the way they make these things. You can of course modify that detail if necessary.
 
Originally posted by Yvsa
Dan, basically the Chitlangi is a Dui Chiarra GS.:rolleyes: :p

If I get to you may be changing your mind about the GS


Yvsa, your chances in convincing me will ultimately depend on some visual stimuli plus come carefully placed words. I may come over to the "Dark Side" of the Chitlangi sooner than you think... Before I hit the sack, I was thinking, "I've already purchased the GS, and in a week's time, I will KNOW what a GS is; at least a Kumar GS. For me, balance, speed, and nimbleness in the hand is paramount -- If I can have all that with beauty, then I'm sold on ordering one next week... :)

The blade symmetry is right on, and not an issue here. I'd like to see details of the handle carving, read what you can relate regarding to the "oversized knob", and see a shot of the of the butt-cap which
will show the pinning arrangement, keepers, and any artwork. Give me a brief reflection with these 3 factors, and a decision will be made.
If you want to throw some "eye candy", take a great shot of the Chit (that's allowed isn't it, Uncle Bill) Depending on how your Pow Wow went, you might want to wait until January 2, 2004. :rolleyes: Thanks for wanting to challenge me on the Chitlangi; I think that you're close to winning... :(

Best wishes to you and your family, Yvsa
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by hoghead
You know Dan, Yvsa's got a good point. The chilangi which might cost the same does have some nice features to it where the GS is well plain.

I'm falling futher and further into the abyss now, hognead :eek: I like "restrained bling bling" as opposed to "dropdead throw it in my face ostentation". The Chiltangi is an example of the former to me, and the kothimoda's scabbard is an example of the latter to me...

Your input regarding blade weight and feel is highly regarded. As I already have the GS, I'd be prudent to go for a Chitlangi now. The butt-cap photo will be the deciding factor at this point. Is the butt-cap notably larger than the GS's? Can the entire butt-cap be engraved?

Good heads up on the blade weight and feel, hoghead! Thanks: Dan

"Imagine a particle without mass" A koan of a modern physicist
Click to expand...
 
The Chitlangi has other factors which attract my personal sense (or lack therof) aesthetics. I LIKE that closed cho; I REALLY like that closed cho... Others may dislike it completely, and that's fine with me. We all have our likes and dislikes; purchase what gives you pleasure.

I like the idea that the handle is partially carved, and partially left smooth. Walosi related that he once had a handle completely carved, and afterwards, in retrospect, he was sorry for going that route... He found some areas of the wood that were truly spectacular, and a smooth handle would obviously bring it out in all its glory. The Chitlangi offers me the possibility to have the best of both worlds. I might well become a solemn member of the H.I. Chitlangi Club, or H.I.C.C. :D If felt like it this morning! :D

P.S.; Sorry about the hognead typo :o

Dan
 
Originally posted by hoghead
Dan,
The buttcap on the Chitlangi is quite a bit larger than GS's.

I'm not yet sold on the "JL style" ** buttcap (I like spelling it like you do too), but I'm sold on the Chillangi! If anything the larger buttcap will afford added grip safety when powerful and rapid motions are used while practicing whit this knife. Yvsa will surely be pleased that he convinced me, especially being that he didn't have to snap a photo!

The blade is blindingly polished like all the H.I.'s khukuris; I clearly see the designs engraved on the blide now, and they're a bit flashy but elegant -- they compliment the handle's carving nicely.

This is exactly what makes this forum a great asset for newbies. It allows one to make an informed decision, instead of just getting anything that initially attracts your eye. The Dui Chirra blade design personally appeals to me, especially being that the particular design allows for a significant reduction in weight, without sacrificing any of the khukuri's strength.

It would be interesting to see how Bura interprets this khukuri... Since I'm going for a special order, I'd appreciate any suggestions as far requesting special engraving as an option, both for the handle and blade.... I want to stay within the traditional confines of what constitutes a Chitlangi; I'm just searching for variations, if anyone is aware of any.

** Jennifer Lopez ;) Now if I could just have a nice photo of the buttcap of that Chitlangi, I'd have succeeded in starting off 2004 with a bang! :D

Good work, and many thanks, Eric. Uncle Bill will receive my request on Monday. I have a few interesting upgrades in mind already...

Dan

"There is nothing that is good or bad; it is our thought that makes it so" William Shakespeare
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top