Hello everyone; khukuri weight/balance Q's

A

Andrei Taganov

Joined
Jan 17, 2002
Messages
4
I've just stumbled into this forum, and I was wondering if anyone can give me some idea of how khukuris balance. Are they like hatchets, or more like short swords? If anyone has some HI khukuris on hand, I'd like to know the weight and PoB (point-of-balance, distance in inches forward of grip) for the following:

kumar kobra (18" or 20")
sirupati (18" or 20")
WWII (16.5" or 18")

Thanks,
Andrei
 
Welcome, Andre - Since I just weighed my 16.5" WWII for another post, this is an easy one :D This one weighs 1 lb., 4 oz. and balances one inch in front of the cho. All Khuks are blade heavy (gee) but the hammer magic exhibited by the kamis puts the balance point close to the cho (within 3" usually) even on the larger blades. This balance-weight distribution makes all of them surprisingly easy to handle, even though each blade style has its' own characteristics. To me, now that I am used to them, a Khukuri handles better than a straight knife of the same length and weight. Hard words,from an old Bowie nut. One saying popular around here is "Let the knife teach you". This isn't metaphysical mumbo-jumbo. Khukuris are made according to tradition and use, with skills passed down over hundreds of years. Some decry their seeming inability to thrust, but many can thrust very well. Western blade use tends to use the point more than the edge - Large Asian blades emphasize the edge more. The balance of most Khukuris leads your focus toward the "sweet spot" behind the tip, for cutting and chopping.
 
Glad you dropped in, Andre...
My old sirupati (pre-Birgorkha, 20"x7/16", 2 lbs even) balances precisely 4" in front of the bolster, or just about where the blade bends. This is about three inches behind the 'sweet spot'; makes for a blade-heavy knife. You feel it when you do a few moulinets with these. more like a hatchet than a sword, then, but not really very close to either. The khukuri and its cousins, the falcata, and even the Moro barong, are choppers...in longer length, more like a short sword or short broadsword of the medieval type. The bend in the blade gives a push cut effect on a chop, and a draw cut on withdrawal. Best of both worlds, if what you are looking for is a brutally effective weapon, and don't favor point work.

Ken
 
Welcome to the Cantina, Andrei. Can't add much to what Wal and Ken said.:)

BTW, is your screen-name taken from "We the Living"?
 
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