- Joined
- Apr 27, 1999
- Messages
- 620
Gurkha House Service #1 Mini Test
I recently ordered a Service #1 Khukuri from Craig Gottlieb of Gurkha House. Actually I ordered two, but one was sent as a gift to a fellow Knife Junky who happens to be my cousin. The Khukuri arrived two days after placing my order. This relatively short waiting period was due to great customer service on Craigs part and a minor miracle on the part of the US Post Office.
I was truly amazed when I opened the box and pulled out the Khukuri. The sheath is very well made and solid. The leather work and stitching are very tight and smooth. There are no loose ends or uneven cuts/seams. The Khukuri and both small utility blades fit tightly in the sheath but do not bind in any way. The fit and finish of the knife components and blade were very good to excellent. The Buffalo Horn handle was fitted beautifully with the brass bolster and end cap.
The blade length is 10 1/8 inches. The blade spine, at its thickest point, is 3/8 inches. Overall length from blade tip to the tip of the brass cap on the handle is 15 ¼ inches. The blade easily shaved hair from my arm right out of the box and had what I would describe as a medium polished finish. A little Flitz polish brought the finish up to a light mirror sheen. When held in the light at just the right angle, you can see the remnants of the dimples from the hand forging process. This conjured up images of an old craftsman by a small forge, hammering my blade from a raw piece of metal into its present configuration. This one is mine. There isnt another one exactly like it anywhere. Although it could be used as a display piece, this knife is a working utility/survival/war tool. A friend of mine at work described it as A heart-attack serious piece of equipment. That pretty well sums it up.
Next came the testing phase. First I want to say, right up front, I am NOT any kind of knife expert. Ive been using and collecting knives since my teens (many, many moons ago) but have little knowledge of metallurgy, stress analysis or the many other sciences involved in the knife making arts. My only experience with large, fixed blade knives has been with the Kabars and a couple of Bowies I used and abused during 20 plus years of working in Africa, Asia and the Middle-east. Some worked very well, some were dismal failures.
I have a few, very basic guidelines when deciding if I should carry and use any knife: Can I trust it to perform the task(s) I carry it for? Would I trust it to hold up in an emergency situation? Will it hold an edge? Can I re-sharpen it without too much hassle? I figure thats all I really need to know.
The first thing I did with the Khukuri was wrap the handle with a few layers of Medi-Rip (a stretchable, self-adherent bandage). The horn handle of the Service #1 is smooth and somewhat on the thin side for my long fingers. I wrap the handles of all my large knives, hammers, screwdrivers etc. I like the sure-grip surface and cushioning the wrap provides, especially in wet or sweaty conditions. Plus, when the wrap gets too dirty and grimy, I just remove a layer or two for a clean grip surface. Try it, you might like it.
I proceeded out into my back yard for some limb cutting exercises. I have mango and orange trees in my yard. The mango limbs are extremely soft and brittle. They provided no real challenge for the Service #1 which severed limbs up to 1 ½ inches in diameter with ease in one swipe. After ½ hour, the knife would still shave hair from my arm.
Next came the orange trees. The dead limbs I had on the trees were from 4 ¼ inches to 2 ½ inches in diameter. I dont know what the relative density of orange wood is, but its a lot harder than Pine or Poplar. Probably close to Oak in hardness. The Service #1 made deep, positive cuts into the first 4 ½ inch limb with each chop. It never stuck or became lodged in the wood.
After several swipes, about ½ way through the first limb, I noticed that the top of the brass cap on the handle was digging a hole in the heel of my hand. The cap is diamond shaped and comes to a distinct point on the upper and lower ends. A quick trip to the grindstone and a little work with a fine file cured this little annoyance. I worked the cap for a few moments until it had the shape of an inverted tear-drop. Problem solved. I must point out that I have somewhat long, thin fingers and hands. Everyone else who handled my Service #1 found the handle and cap to be very comfortable in its original shape.
After another ½ hour of chopping I noticed that several small sections of the cutting edge, on the curved portion of the blade, had peeled over. These peeled areas were all less than 2 or 3 mm in length and less than 1 mm deep. This did not seem to affect the chopping capabilities of the blade. I kept on chopping until all of the heavier limbs had been severed from the tree and then cut into several pieces.
I stopped to take a break for a while and dress the cutting edge of the blade. Although not sharp enough to shave hair or slice effortlessly through some fruit I had in the kitchen, It would have continued to perform as a chopping tool for a while longer Im sure. Ive used a Spyderco Triangle Sharpener on my knives for a number of years. I originally ordered it with the metal Speed Sleeves . These work very well for edges that require more than just a touch-up. After 16 passes over the speed sleeves, all traces of the peeled edges were gone. A few quick passes over the medium ceramic stones brought the edge back to shaving sharpness. I was truly surprised at how little effort was involved with the re-sharpening process. No more than 10 minuets total.
Another hour of sectioning the orange limbs (and chopping anything else that was handy) had no adverse effects on the cutting edge. No further sign of peeling. A few passes over the medium stones of the Spyderco system was all that was required to bring the blade back to shaving sharp every ½ hour or so.
Please note: No animals were harmed during the testing process. I confined my cutting to wood, bushes and the occasional piece of PVC lawn sprinkler pipe (much to my wifes dismay). I didnt attempt to dismantle a car or chop up a 55 gallon drum with my knife, although I have no doubt this blade could accomplish these things. It really is A heart-attack serious piece of equipment. But, this one is MINE!! Remember the dimples in the blade and the old craftsman? He knew I was out here somewhere and made this knife for ME.
Craig at Ghurka House sells a quality product that the guy on the street can afford and can trust. I spoke to the man and know that he believes in his product. Now, Im a believer too. My Service #1 is with me to stay. It meets all of my guidelines for a keeper.
Now I gotta go to Home Depot. What was that lawn sprinkler pipe doing so close to the surface anyway?
Blackdog
------------------
Una salus victus nullam sperare salutem. -Virgil
I recently ordered a Service #1 Khukuri from Craig Gottlieb of Gurkha House. Actually I ordered two, but one was sent as a gift to a fellow Knife Junky who happens to be my cousin. The Khukuri arrived two days after placing my order. This relatively short waiting period was due to great customer service on Craigs part and a minor miracle on the part of the US Post Office.
I was truly amazed when I opened the box and pulled out the Khukuri. The sheath is very well made and solid. The leather work and stitching are very tight and smooth. There are no loose ends or uneven cuts/seams. The Khukuri and both small utility blades fit tightly in the sheath but do not bind in any way. The fit and finish of the knife components and blade were very good to excellent. The Buffalo Horn handle was fitted beautifully with the brass bolster and end cap.
The blade length is 10 1/8 inches. The blade spine, at its thickest point, is 3/8 inches. Overall length from blade tip to the tip of the brass cap on the handle is 15 ¼ inches. The blade easily shaved hair from my arm right out of the box and had what I would describe as a medium polished finish. A little Flitz polish brought the finish up to a light mirror sheen. When held in the light at just the right angle, you can see the remnants of the dimples from the hand forging process. This conjured up images of an old craftsman by a small forge, hammering my blade from a raw piece of metal into its present configuration. This one is mine. There isnt another one exactly like it anywhere. Although it could be used as a display piece, this knife is a working utility/survival/war tool. A friend of mine at work described it as A heart-attack serious piece of equipment. That pretty well sums it up.
Next came the testing phase. First I want to say, right up front, I am NOT any kind of knife expert. Ive been using and collecting knives since my teens (many, many moons ago) but have little knowledge of metallurgy, stress analysis or the many other sciences involved in the knife making arts. My only experience with large, fixed blade knives has been with the Kabars and a couple of Bowies I used and abused during 20 plus years of working in Africa, Asia and the Middle-east. Some worked very well, some were dismal failures.
I have a few, very basic guidelines when deciding if I should carry and use any knife: Can I trust it to perform the task(s) I carry it for? Would I trust it to hold up in an emergency situation? Will it hold an edge? Can I re-sharpen it without too much hassle? I figure thats all I really need to know.
The first thing I did with the Khukuri was wrap the handle with a few layers of Medi-Rip (a stretchable, self-adherent bandage). The horn handle of the Service #1 is smooth and somewhat on the thin side for my long fingers. I wrap the handles of all my large knives, hammers, screwdrivers etc. I like the sure-grip surface and cushioning the wrap provides, especially in wet or sweaty conditions. Plus, when the wrap gets too dirty and grimy, I just remove a layer or two for a clean grip surface. Try it, you might like it.
I proceeded out into my back yard for some limb cutting exercises. I have mango and orange trees in my yard. The mango limbs are extremely soft and brittle. They provided no real challenge for the Service #1 which severed limbs up to 1 ½ inches in diameter with ease in one swipe. After ½ hour, the knife would still shave hair from my arm.
Next came the orange trees. The dead limbs I had on the trees were from 4 ¼ inches to 2 ½ inches in diameter. I dont know what the relative density of orange wood is, but its a lot harder than Pine or Poplar. Probably close to Oak in hardness. The Service #1 made deep, positive cuts into the first 4 ½ inch limb with each chop. It never stuck or became lodged in the wood.
After several swipes, about ½ way through the first limb, I noticed that the top of the brass cap on the handle was digging a hole in the heel of my hand. The cap is diamond shaped and comes to a distinct point on the upper and lower ends. A quick trip to the grindstone and a little work with a fine file cured this little annoyance. I worked the cap for a few moments until it had the shape of an inverted tear-drop. Problem solved. I must point out that I have somewhat long, thin fingers and hands. Everyone else who handled my Service #1 found the handle and cap to be very comfortable in its original shape.
After another ½ hour of chopping I noticed that several small sections of the cutting edge, on the curved portion of the blade, had peeled over. These peeled areas were all less than 2 or 3 mm in length and less than 1 mm deep. This did not seem to affect the chopping capabilities of the blade. I kept on chopping until all of the heavier limbs had been severed from the tree and then cut into several pieces.
I stopped to take a break for a while and dress the cutting edge of the blade. Although not sharp enough to shave hair or slice effortlessly through some fruit I had in the kitchen, It would have continued to perform as a chopping tool for a while longer Im sure. Ive used a Spyderco Triangle Sharpener on my knives for a number of years. I originally ordered it with the metal Speed Sleeves . These work very well for edges that require more than just a touch-up. After 16 passes over the speed sleeves, all traces of the peeled edges were gone. A few quick passes over the medium ceramic stones brought the edge back to shaving sharpness. I was truly surprised at how little effort was involved with the re-sharpening process. No more than 10 minuets total.
Another hour of sectioning the orange limbs (and chopping anything else that was handy) had no adverse effects on the cutting edge. No further sign of peeling. A few passes over the medium stones of the Spyderco system was all that was required to bring the blade back to shaving sharp every ½ hour or so.
Please note: No animals were harmed during the testing process. I confined my cutting to wood, bushes and the occasional piece of PVC lawn sprinkler pipe (much to my wifes dismay). I didnt attempt to dismantle a car or chop up a 55 gallon drum with my knife, although I have no doubt this blade could accomplish these things. It really is A heart-attack serious piece of equipment. But, this one is MINE!! Remember the dimples in the blade and the old craftsman? He knew I was out here somewhere and made this knife for ME.
Craig at Ghurka House sells a quality product that the guy on the street can afford and can trust. I spoke to the man and know that he believes in his product. Now, Im a believer too. My Service #1 is with me to stay. It meets all of my guidelines for a keeper.
Now I gotta go to Home Depot. What was that lawn sprinkler pipe doing so close to the surface anyway?
Blackdog
------------------
Una salus victus nullam sperare salutem. -Virgil
