HI "New Kobra" & Old Bura Hanshee

[Svashtar]

Here's a couple of interesting older HI's.

In August 2004 Uncle Bill put up a DOTD for a "New Kobra". It sat all day and I didn't spot it until nearly 5 pm. Almost a day later it looked like Bill Sanders called it and said he had snagged it, but he was counting his chickens that time as Uncle had emailed me back confirming it the evening before. (NOTE: see post #16 this thread; there were 2 sold the same day.)

This was the DOTD thread:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=310408&highlight=new+kobra

This was a one-off HI but chops very nicely; it's too bad it didn't become a regular production item, as it is much more substantial than a regular Kobra of this length. It's the perfect tool for de-limbing high branches or clearing heavy brush, etc. Note the top of the pommel, which I rounded with a belt sander then buffed to a high gloss. Much more comfortable for my larger hands and still feels very secure.

21" and 27 oz. by Bura:

Nearly a 15" blade here, with a long Sword of Shiva inlay

It really reminded me of an HI version of the Becker Patrol Machete at the time; here they are side by side. I was a Becker freak before I discovered HI, but you need gloves to swing the Becker for very long; not so with the HI...

Other I found is a very early Bura Hanshee. 18.25" and 36 oz. but one of the best hardened and sharpest kukris I've held. IMO this was Bura at his best, and was made way before I showed up on the forums or had even heard about HI. Hard rosewood handle, comfortable w/ generous length for big hands, and thick spine but not too thick. Nice zombie decapitator ... !

Regards,

Norm

 

[Wolf_1989]

l dig both but that Bura hanshee is delicious:thumbup:

 

[pmwc78]

Norm, that kobra is sick. That's the kind of "out there" design I like to see.


I have the same problem with the Becker BTW.

 

[Svashtar]

Yep, every once is a while the Kami's come up with something so unexpected it just blows you away. These are good examples of a well done traditional design and something new that also works very well.

 

[Duzzy]

I feel like I've seen another "New Kobra", but it was called the "King Kobra". Super cool blades regardless.

 

[RobCarter3]

Those khuks are Incredible! I really like the "new cobra." It looks like someone took a BAS and stretched it creating a very cool and unique kukri. The hanshee is the physical embodiment of graceful lines.

 

[CR33]

gratz

 

[b.c.molin]

Here's a couple of interesting older HI's.

In August 2004 Uncle Bill put up a DOTD for a "New Kobra"... 21" and 27 oz. by Bura...

Gotta love that weight/size combination ... hard (impossible?) to find something similar today.

Only thing I could think of would be a custom Tamang perhaps, which would be a delight IMO! :thumbup:

 

[BFH44]

so where can i get a Bura banshee - does HI make em anymore - maybe by special request and extra $

 

[Karda]

so where can i get a Bura banshee - does HI make em anymore - maybe by special request and extra $

You would have to ask yangdu. Obviously it probably would not be made by the old master.

 

[dirtypaulie]

very nice blades

 

[DannyinJapan]

now that actually looks like a cobra..

 

[JOE68]

Very interesting blades.

 

[C.S. Graves]

Gotta love that weight/size combination ... hard (impossible?) to find something similar today.

Yeah, seems like something only Bura'd be able to pull off, but who knows? I've never seen the "New Kobra" before, but must say, it's pretty cool. Will there be a revival one wonders?

 

[Cpl Punishment]

That "new Kobra" looks wicked! I can almost see it bending back at the tin section, and the "head" snapping forward like a cobra's strike at the last minute (I know it's steel and won't do that, but man, that thing looks like it's alive!).

 

[Svashtar]

I feel like I've seen another "New Kobra", but it was called the "King Kobra". Super cool blades regardless.

Well, this just shows you how senile I'm getting. There not only _was_ another one sold the same day (Bill Sanders DID get it after mine), but I actually responded to the thread where Bill posted about it! No wonder I was confused... Wish the old pics were still up.

Bill was the one who labeled his the "King Kobra", but Uncle Bill's official DOTD name was New Kobra.

Here's Bill's thread from 8/30/04:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=311999&highlight=king+kobra

Norm

 

[Svashtar]

so where can i get a Bura banshee - does HI make em anymore - maybe by special request and extra $

You'd have to ask, but be specific about what you want. There were probably 20 or 30 Bura Hanshees made that were all 15.5" and about 19-20 oz. I have a picture of a horn handled one at home I sold that I'll post later. Weren't really that curvy, but nice knives, kind of like a very slightly more curved 15" AK without the fuller IIRC. I honestly would have to say they were "Hanshees" in name only, but were great knives.

Then there were small runs of the "Bura Special Hanshee" which was more curvy, 17.5" and the same weight, about 20 oz. Then just 2 "Sher Special Hanshee's" as far as I know, both a bit longer at 18" and about 22 oz. Ddean snagged a gorgeous neem one and I got the other in horn. Both had narrower blades and were more of a fighter style.

Finally, there were several of the "Bura Boomerang Hanshee's" made. Do a search for those and you may still find some pictures as they were the most recent. Lot's of guys got those I think, and that is probably what you would want. They ran about 18-18.5" and 22-23 oz. or so.

This one is well balanced but is still 36 oz., and has a thicker spine than any other I've owned, but the longer handle really makes a difference as far as "felt" weight.

Best,

Norm

 

[CallsThunder]

Thanks for sharing Norm. Super khuks.

 

[b.c.molin]

There were probably 20 or 30 Bura Hanshees made that were all 15.5" and about 19-20 oz. ... I honestly would have to say they were "Hanshees" in name only, but were great knives.

Then there were small runs of the "Bura Special Hanshee" ...which was more curvy, 17.5" and the same weight, about 20 oz.

...Then just 2 "Sher Special Hanshee's" as far as I know, both a bit longer at 18" and about 22 oz. Ddean snagged a gorgeous neem one and I got the other in horn. Both had narrower blades and were more of a fighter style.

Finally, the "Bura Boomerang Hanshee's" made. They ran about 18-18.5" and 22-23 oz. or so.

This one is well balanced but is still 36 oz., and has a thicker spine than any other I've owned, but the longer handle really makes a difference as far as "felt" weight.

It would be of great value if this information could be added to this thread:

The Missing Pages in the HI Catalog
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=653851

Norm, it is so good for us newer folk to have you posting such illuminating facts.:thumbup:

Many Thanks,

bruce

 

[stickfred]

I'm loving these photos you keep posting Norm, even though sometimes it makes me almost feel sick that these blades and kamis aren't with us any more. The Hanshee/M43 hybrid and the Bagh Bhairab have always spoken to me, not to mention the GRS by Ganga Ram himself. Or a piece by Kesar or Durba to help round out the selection. Our exposure to models and kamis from the past through your sharing helps give an insight to the khukuri in its many incarnations. Thanks again.

Rick