Gelbu Special - lines on 18" and 21" models

P

Pan Tau

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Sep 3, 2002
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When looking on HI`s shop site I notice that the 21" GS seems to have nicer lines than the 18-incher. The shape seems straigter and more flowing. Is this due to the blade lengh or due to the kami? I would love to get a 18 incher with the lines of the 21 incher pictured, but I do not know if they are made that way...

I would be glad if some of you could post or link pictures showing their Gelbu Specials specifying Blade lengh and kami so that I can make a order to get close to the shape I want.

Below the pics from the shop site. First the 18" GS - more curved and then the 21" GS with the shape that pleases me so much.

yhst-7333098713883_1779_2993922


yhst-7333098713883_1779_3163811


Thank you!

Andreas
 
I've wondered the same.
Those two look like entirely different styles.
 
I suspect it to be a result of the maker more than any specific plan. My 18" GS (17 oz) by Bura and is straigher than the 18" shown above, similar to the 21" above (my picture is a little off). It is one heck of a good khuk and a great weight.
MP_GS.jpg
 
Have noticed that many posted pictures do not do justice to the subject. The pictures of the Gelbu Specials are a great example of this.
The 21" Gelbu Special is just a longer 18" Gelbu Special. There will be some differences between Kamis but not neccessarily between the different lengths by the same Kami.
One of the big differences between Gelbus made by different Kamis is the width of the primary bevel from blade center to the edge. Some make the bevel as wide as the fuller and some make the bevel narrow as to be maybe a fourth or less the width of the fuller. The depth of the fullers makes a difference in the handling of the khuk. The deeper the fullers, the lighter and faster the khuk feels. If the fullers are not very deep the khuk basically feels like a sirupati of the same length. Kumar has been doing a good job on getting the fullers deep lately from what I've seen. Remember Uncle will let you "check out" a khuk and if it's not right you can exchange it. Be sure and let him know when you are ordering it what features you desire the most. He usually has a few to chose from so may be able to accomodate your wishes.
 
I've been wondering about this for some time.The GS on the website has beautiful lines but the GS images on offer of late look quite different.As for the trial option for non US buyers the postage makes it no option:( .
Yaj.
 
I recently got a 21" GS by Kumar and it closely resembles the one in the picture on the website. It has the deep fullers like hoghead describes.

The only differences from the picture is that it is not quite as angled downward, which is fine with me, and it appears to have more of a point by just a little.

The deep fullers are wider than the bevel, a little more than 1/4.

It feels very lively and handles quite nicely.

CARman
 
I got a 21 inch GS by Kunmar, too, some time ago.

It has the graceful angle in the website picture but a much longer sweet spot and fore-end (almost as if Kumar put a bit of Kobra into it). Fullers also wide and deep. Very good blade. One of my main users.
:)
 
Originally posted by yaj
I've been wondering about this for some time.The GS on the website has beautiful lines but the GS images on offer of late look quite different.As for the trial option for non US buyers the postage makes it no option:( .
Yaj.
Click to expand...

I figure the best way to get what you want is to describe the features that you want to Uncle Bill and let him go and pick one for you. If you send him the pic he could possibly try to find something similar.
 
I've got an 18" GS that more closely resembles the bottom pic. It's all up to what that particular kami felt like on that day I guess. Which is what makes collecting khuks and customs so much fun for me at least.
 
Thank you for all the info and pics. Roadrunner, which kami made yours?
As yaj said exchanging a knife will cost 40 $ from here, so I will try to be sure to get a GS with the lines I like. I will leave it to uncle bill - but certain preliminarys have to be done.
1. convince my wife I need another khuk
2. Ask friends if they need a khuk and safe shipping money
3. look how much money there is in the safe for my "toys"...

Andreas
 
Pan, Sanu made mine, he hasn't been with HI for quite some time now. It's too bad, he did excellent work.
 
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