HI 20.5" Bonecutter: first impressions

M

moogoogaidan

Joined
Feb 21, 2009
Messages
669
I was able to get my grubby mitts on a sweet Murali-made 20.5" Bonecutter (standard finish) this week and I can't say enough good things about it! It weighs in at a beefy 48 oz. but definitely feels a bit more nimble than its mass would have you believe.

The only khuks I have for comparison (besides my Condor khukuris -- but those don't count) are two 18" ASTKs, each weighing 36 oz. (both villager finish).

First, let me say that for anyone who tries to differentiate between the different models of HI khuks just through pictures is missing so much. Sure, you can tell that certain models are bigger, have more pronounced curves, geometries, etc., but until you have them in person, you don't realize exactly how different they are. I thought the ASTK was a chopper with its heavy weight, but in relation to the Bonecutter, I can definitely call it more of a utility blade. If you want dedicated chopping, the Bonecutter should be what you're after. It's like comparing a chefs knife to a meat cleaver.

The full belly and forward weight balance makes the Bonecutter feel like a hatchet in my hand. The tang, though full and beefy, tapers toward the butt cap, increasing its blade heaviness. It feels like this thing can be hit with a cruise missile and still keep going. Just taking a few swipes on an errant 2x4 i had, it bites deep and seamlessly, and wants to brutishly crush through the wood. It was a sweltering 111 degrees today, so a couple of chops is all I had in me, but I know this thing is the best chopper money can buy!

Also, i have to talk about the handle. It's 7" from butt cap to the top of the bolster, and is very comfortable for my smallish-medium hands. Although there's tons of real estate, it still feels natural thanks to the handle ring in the middle, which keeps my meat hooks firmly in place. It's also big enough to hold with both hands, in case i ever need to rain down one tremendously powerful blow.

The only problem: i tend to want to own two identical khuks -- one to use, and one to keep safe and admire! Just like I have a user ASTK and a safe queen ASTK, I must have another 20.5" Bonecutter! Since I got mine I can't stop thinking about going back in time and snagging my Bonecutter's seeming twin on the 7/21 DOTD! (Note to the shark who got it: if you ever want to sell it, i MUST have it!)

Thanks to Yangdu for her lightning-fast shipping, and to HI, which produces the toughest, most unique, useful tools in the knife world! Below are some photobucket pics for reference:

20.5" Bonecutter and 18" ASTK, both sheathed:
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u191/moogoogaidan/knives/P7240024.jpg

20.5" Bonecutter and 18" ASTK side-by-side
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u191/moogoogaidan/knives/P7240031.jpg

20.5" Bonecutter underneath 18" ASTK for size comparison
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u191/moogoogaidan/knives/P7240032.jpg

20.5" Bonecutter in one hand
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u191/moogoogaidan/knives/P7240035.jpg

20.5" Bonecutter in two hands
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u191/moogoogaidan/knives/P7240037.jpg

20.5" Bonecutter in two hands (close up)
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u191/moogoogaidan/knives/P7240038.jpg

Cheers all, hope you enjoyed!
 
MooGoo,

That's gigantic!

I would suggest you give it a few chops on a fairly tough log after you used your ASTK.

A LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT is all i can say. Chopping has never been easier.
 
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Thanks Cpl! You're the best in the business! Sorry that I didn't shrink them down a bit.

JayGoliath: Tough logs are in short supply here in Las Vegas, NV! Haha, I was seriously considering posting an ad on Craigslist offering to come over and trim/limb any unruly trees for free just so I can get some honest use with this thing!
 
Is it just me or do the Bonecutters by kamis other than Sgt. Khadka have a much more obtuse and less wide bevel? I've held off on picking one of them up for this very reason - part of the appeal of the bonecutter for me is the combination of a fairly hefty kukri with a very wide bevel creating a relatively acute edge... a lot of mass and force focused onto a much smaller area = better chopping/slicer.
 
killa_concept said:
Is it just me or do the Bonecutters by kamis other than Sgt. Khadka have a much more obtuse and less wide bevel? I've held off on picking one of them up for this very reason - part of the appeal of the bonecutter for me is the combination of a fairly hefty kukri with a very wide bevel creating a relatively acute edge... a lot of mass and force focused onto a much smaller area = better chopping/slicer.
Click to expand...


I only have a Murali Bonecutter and I can say that the edge is the most acute of my khuks. I have no other maker's Bonecutters to compare to but it is a joy to chop/slice with. I really like mine :)
 
killa_concept said:
Is it just me or do the Bonecutters by kamis other than Sgt. Khadka have a much more obtuse and less wide bevel? I've held off on picking one of them up for this very reason - part of the appeal of the bonecutter for me is the combination of a fairly hefty kukri with a very wide bevel creating a relatively acute edge... a lot of mass and force focused onto a much smaller area = better chopping/slicer.
Click to expand...

said massive obtuse edge is the mark of a fine bonecutter - the originals were outrageous. i imagine it requires a fine touch to get both wide, thin, and properly hard.


Bladite
 
Bladite said:
said massive obtuse edge is the mark of a fine bonecutter - the originals were outrageous. i imagine it requires a fine touch to get both wide, thin, and properly hard.

Bladite
Click to expand...

I'd agree - but I know for a fact that these other kamis are quite capable of doing it as well. Perhaps they're just not aware that the distinguishing characteristic of the BC is more about the bevel width and very thin edge than the overall shape? :confused:

Cotherion said:
I only have a Murali Bonecutter and I can say that the edge is the most acute of my khuks. I have no other maker's Bonecutters to compare to but it is a joy to chop/slice with. I really like mine :)
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Yes - the ones I've been seeing by other kamis lately are still great and would make amazing kukris in their own right. It's jut that the bonecutters I'm accustomed to seeing by Sgt. Khadka are scary obtuse by comparison... We're talking about the bevel taking up a third to half the width of the blade, creating a very thin edge. Lots of mass + very thin, sharp edge = knife capable of cutting to - and perhaps through - the bone with ease (get it?). Some examples from old posts to illustrate my point:

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well, here is my 22" Sgt K Keyboard Kutter aka Bone Cutter and my 18" Dil ASTK
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You can see the bevel on the KK pretty clearly and maybe tomorrow I can see about finding another Kami's BC for comparison shots...
 
Rather than start a new thread, I'll just ask here.

What's the difference between a Bonecutter and a Ganga Ram Special? They look pretty similar to my untrained eye.
 
The Bonecutter has a wide bell at the pommel and the edge is thin and the blade is more gradually curved.

Also the Ganga Ram is more pointed.

Here are two of the original GK bonecutters beside 3 HI Ganga Rams

The origian Sgt Karka ones were really close to the original GK ones. Over time they have morphed to where they are closer and closer to a ganga ram.

If you can look closely you can see the difference in the edge bevel, how much and where the blade starts curving and also in the curve of the cutting edge

20ee3d1qt1.jpg
 
Balog said:
Is there any way to get one of the old style Bonecutters these days?
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Sadly...No. The person that was making/ selling them dropped from sight a long time ago. The closest thing you can get is a Sgt. Khadka Bonecutter.
 
Great review and pix, thank you
 
Someday, we're going to have to get a helicopter, or maybe a cherry-picker, and get an over-all view of all of Hollowdweller's edged tools. :)

Amazing thing is he USES most of them!
 
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hollowdweller said:
The Bonecutter has a wide bell at the pommel and the edge is thin and the blade is more gradually curved.

Also the Ganga Ram is more pointed.

Here are two of the original GK bonecutters beside 3 HI Ganga Rams

The origian Sgt Karka ones were really close to the original GK ones. Over time they have morphed to where they are closer and closer to a ganga ram.

If you can look closely you can see the difference in the edge bevel, how much and where the blade starts curving and also in the curve of the cutting edge
Click to expand...

it would be nice to get the original bonecutter template back on track... the newer GRS-ish style isn't what i had in mind at all.

otherwise, we're going to be getting is a modified chiruwa GRS (with occasional non chiruwa mutants - i think one of the kamis decided that was the way to go).


Bladite
 
Thanks for the great information on the BC here. Never really paid attention to the characteristics of a BC, pretty amazing.
 
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