Habaki still standard on HI?

J

JimmyJimenez

Joined
Sep 30, 2005
Messages
580
Hey guys, just wondering something about the Himalayan Imports khukuri knives. I had read that the Habaki style had been phased in on most (if not all) of their knives. Is this still the game plan, or have they reconsidered the idea?

In other words, my question is if the official word from HI is that they basically use the Habaki style on their knives?

I thank you very much in advance :)
 
Yangdu recently indicated that due to popular demand the Kamis were bringing back the traditional bolster. Whether or not that means the total absence of the Habaki is anyone's guess, but we are seeing more and more traditional. Yangdu listens to us.

As has been noted by many knife folks who know these things, there is no difference in the strength of the habaki vs the traditional, but is a cosmetic issue primarily.


munk
 
I think it depends a little on the kami. My FF (blem) has no cho creep and a rather traditional bolster :D and is made by Sher. My 17.5" BGRS has almost an inch of cho creep and a habaki bolster and is made by Bura. So, I don't think it's a "standard" necessarily, but rather something that shows up frequently.

mike
 
That observation is making the assumption that the two blades were made at the same time under the same conditions. There is much stock of the habaki bolster around. The FF was Specifically ordered with the traditional bolster. Thus, no one really knows what precisely the Kamis are doing regarding the habaki. Have they dropped it entirely? Will they put it out in a limited basis? It is too soon to tell in my opinion.


munk
 
Munk, I was unaware that the FF's were specifically ordered with traditional bolsters. Either way, it came out nice. Not to say that my BGRS with cho creep and habaki bolster is any less nice. And like you said, it doesn't affect the performance at all, it's strictly a cosmetic difference.

mike
 
I feel the same way, cndrm; I have too many old favorite blades with the habaki bolster to even imagine not loving them because of it. I'm ready for a change- I like the traditional bolsters. I won't be jetisoning my old collection though just because the newer HI blades are more traditional.

The habaki has been attacked from so many angles. First, they weren't as 'nice looking'. Then, they weren't 'right' or traditional. Part of the wonder of HI is HI made it's product BETTER than historical khuks, able to do more work, and take more abuse, with far more variety and model types. Then I heard the Habaki was weaker. This was refuted by every knowlegeable knife hand. It could conceivably be weaker- if it were left unsupported. This was not the case. Then I heard most recently the Habaki wasn't as good because it 'hides the seam'. If you look at a traditional bolster, you will see the division between the tang and the blade proper is still hidden from view.

There is one difference of opinion regarding the habaki bolster that some have; that it allows a sloppier sheath fit. If this is true, then I think it is because the final resting place of a blade within a sheath is less definate than with the traditional bolster. The traditional falls into place pretty much in the same spot; the habaki allows more varience which could conceivably lead to worse fit.

munk
 
The "seam" argument no longer holds water for me. When I disassembled my siru the top edge of the habaki was in fact the seam. That's why I wound up with a longer handle than the original when I removed it - everything had to move up to take up the extra space. Nothing was being hidden, but don't take my word for it - the pictures are up. We can draw our own conclusions.

One example is stastically insignificant but until I get the urge to disassemble the rest of my collection, that's good enough for me.
 
FWIW, my UB memorial Salyan by Bura has no trace of a habaki, and has the absolute best blade-to-sheath fit of any of my HI kukris. Of course the level of fit and finish on that particular model is just an absolute testament to the skill and dedication of all involved. :thumbup:
 
Same here- Berk, not only true of my UBE but others- which is a different experience than Norm has.

The UBE is kind of a sleeper around here. It actually chops real well, but gives you more 'fight' with that upturned tip. I like it in Cougar country.

Oops- I misread; you were talking about the Salyan. No matter- all good.

munk
 
The question of historicity is frequently brought up by H.I.'s detractors...but what they have failed to realize, is that history is being written by H.I.....right here, right now.

The fact of the matter is, the kamis at H.I. are known for their ability to handle new ideas (even though it seems like pulling teeth to us, they are miles ahead of the competition).

Historical accuracy is a myth and is really only preferred by tight-buttoned historians bent on proving a point.

Khukuris are khukuris and come in all shapes and sizes. To quote someone smarter than me....."It's all good, my friend".
 
Koster just said that as good as it can be said.

Our kamis know what they are doing.



munk
 
It's looking like HI is moving back to the traditional bolster. If it matters at all, I actually like the habaki, and hope that HI keeps it as an option. The habaki is useful and distinctive, while cho creep is only distinctive.
 
I can't disagree with anything said here. I guess it depends on the blade in question. I can't imagine that big Sher Movie Model with a thick flat spined blade with anything but the thick habaki bolster that it has. But my salyan is like Berk's, and is perfect in all respects, and it would look much worse with such a bolster.

As Munk said, I am happy to see it in new models and old versions coming out, especially in models such as the Seax which on my two copies has huge habaki bolsters present, even though it is meant to fit in a sheath, and they look ungainly on that style knife. (I guess to be critical of my previous writing, that model alone would contra-indicate my previous point that it was meant for only scabbard fit, but I think that has been a consideration in the past.) The new Kumar Seax models look much nicer IMO with a standard bolster, as do knives such as the kerambit which have always had it.

However, to follow up on Munk's point, I have no burning desire to unload all my perfectly good habaki bolster knives and replace them with standard bolster models. About the only thing I cringe seeing anymore is cho creep, and then it has to be pretty bad. I have a wonderful 18" villager AK with well done habaki bolster, a razor sharp pointy edge, great unfinished horn handle, all in all a real workhorse, and the cho is at least 2.5" from the start of the bolster! That is just a waste of good blade, and makes the knife look very odd indeed, but that is an extreme example, and I have never seen another that far out. (I am tempted to scribe the underside of it with lines a 16th of an inch apart and just use it as a short ruler! At least I would get some use out of that space! ;)

Bottom line, no matter what they come up with in the future, I'm convinced the overall effort will always be one that drives improved quality and choice for us.

Regards,

Norm
 
Norm, not at present, but when I have funds, if that 18" AK of yours weighs somewhere's around 28 oz, I'd be happy to buy it from you.

I kinda miss the AK Villager I gave away. Sniff.



munk
 
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