HI Swords?

Cpl Punishment

Cpl Punishment

Joined
Jan 28, 2006
Messages
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Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone owned the swords on the HI website. Particularly the Tarwar and the long Tibetan sword.

Are these fully battle-ready swords (no, I don't expect a lot of sword fights, but if I'm going to buy a sword, it might as well be the real deal)?

What would be the advantage of the tarwar over the Tibetan sword, and vice versa?

I like the looks of the tarwar, but it doesn't look like it'd be much of a stabber, and I like the length of the long Tibetan sword.
 
Pretty much all of the HI swords are over engineered to take maximum stress in a combat situation. That said, you shouldn't chop wood with them. However, they can take whatever you dish out. I have owned a version of the Tarwar, and it will chop like crazy. The long sword I have not handled (yet;)), but I have heard that it is a beefy blade with its chiruwa tang.

I currently have at hand the HI katana and the Manjushree. Both of these blades are fully battle ready.

Dave Rishar used to post up some videos that made the Cold Steel: PROOF videos look like a day at the park:D While you should never do the things that he did to these blades, they took everything he could throw at them. The HI swords appear to have a through tempering slightly harder than spring steel which means they'll take an edge, hold it, and not shatter under the stress. The Cantina owes Dave a big thank you for his tests and videos:)...thanks, Dave:D

If you're looking for a "real deal" battle ready sword, but you don't get all hung up on the non-traditional build and look of the blade like a lot of Japanese and European sword enthusiasts some times do (which is not a bad thing), then look no further than the HI line. I've been very happy with mine thus far:)
 
Don't forget the falcata, the uddha sword, H.I. indonesian swords, the yinyang sword, and the long khukris (which I consider swords).

Don't be afraid to try a long khukri as a sword. It will give you khukri cleaving power combined with short-sword reach.

I have a 25" sirupati and I would NOT want to be hit by that thing. :eek:

HPIM0513.jpg
 
I have a 25" sirupati
Click to expand...
Been wondering about getting one of the longer kukris - currently use sirupates of 16" and 15" blade a lot for branch/brush cutting.
Is that 25" blade or overall length?
What is its weight, and whereabouts is the point of balance?
 
seaice said:
Been wondering about getting one of the longer kukris - currently use sirupates of 16" and 15" blade a lot for branch/brush cutting.
Is that 25" blade or overall length?
What is its weight, and whereabouts is the point of balance?
Click to expand...

Exact measurements:
25.5" overall length with a 19.5" blade*.

(*I measured the blade from the tip to the beginning of the habaki on the bolster, so the blade length is more like 20" even if you count the habaki into the blade length.)

Point of balance is about exactly 6" from the habaki.

I haven't weighed it.
 
The double-edged swords (Manjushree, Dukti) and the Napoleon swords both appear to be through hardened, according to the etches I've done. Every other single-edged HI sword that I've owned was differentially hardened.

While I own a Falcata, I haven't etched or tested it in any way yet and can't comment on it.

I quite like them. The Tarwar is a no-nonsense chopper that can be thought of as a machete on steroids, and my Tibetan compares very favorably with some pieces in my collection that cost considerably more.
 
I'd like to see Dave's videos testing HI swords meself... I imagine they're not online at the moment though?

I thought the Bhutan sword was an interesting looking piece.
 
HI swords are generally speaking very tough. When I was younger, dumber, and invincible, I used the middle sword in this picture to chop through a pine log.

"*Note* Doing this will void your warranty and may cause bodily injury or death."

If you want a tough, interesting sword made by a little man squatting over a 6" square anvil, heated in a charcoal fire, an HI sword is for you. I've had several and they were all very good. :thumbup:

Steve
HISwords.jpg
 
I have a 20 inch Cak that I can get most of both hands on and practice with as a two handed short sword.
Great for confined areas.
Very powerful.
 
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