HI swords

[Qeth]

I recently purchased a huge super CAK, and it's a little too heavy for my taste. I'm now looking into getting one of the swords or large straightish bladed knives, such as a Tarwar or a short sword or Bowie variant. I'm looking for something lively and well balanced in hand, but will be able to withstand the accidental ding on a rock. The super cak is more comparable to an axe, and I'm looking for more of a machete. I'd appreciate any suggestions and comments from the owners of these types of hi blades.

Thanks!

PS I'm particularly interested in a non polished version, I believe they're called villagers?

 

[Steely_Gunz]

Well keep in mind the more machete-like you get, the less return on your investment of a "hard use" knife. Not that you are likely to bust or rattle loose a thinner khuk, its just that they work OK as a heavy machete...but really, a $15 machete clears lighter stuff much more efficiently (of course I use a 20" Kobra instead, but I'm a khuk knut).

Pretty much any HI knife is going to survive a rock ding inasmuch as it will suffer the expected flattening/chip at the impact point. I guess it depends on what you really want to use this for. Machete work or martial work.

A chiruwa Tarwar would be a beast of a chopper. A bit heavy, but the weight is spread out over the length a little better than a giant AK. You could limb trees AND goblins with that.

If you are looking more along the lines of a fighter, a 20" Cherokee Rose bowie is really tough to beat. I don't think I have ever handled a large fighting knife that whips through the air with such grace. I love mine, and they often come up in villager finishes. Keep in mind that it's a thinner stock with an ergo handle that is for comfort, balance, and maneuvering...not chopping down trees. It's a fighter that I have used to split kindling and light camp work (light being a relative term for an HI knife. It's still tougher than 95% of the "hard use" knives sold out there). It's mainly used for bump-in-the-night duty.

If I were going to split the difference between a fighter and something I could pry with (within reason, of course), I would look at the Tirtha bowie. Mine is right at a smidge over 17", 10" blade so plenty of handle. 1/4" thick with a chiruwa handle. Razor sharp, stout, very balance in the hand yet puts a good bit of stank on the target when you chop.

Mine was ordered with a villager finish because I prefer it to a mirror polish.

Here's a pic of the aftermath where I was attacked by a tomato with malicious intent...self defense, I swear...oh and I have to edit to add that half of those cuts were made with the CLIP of the blade

In short, what's the total length you're looking for? Pretty much anything is going to be livelier than the chiruwa AK.

 

[HARPERSGRACE]

Sword, long knife (bowie), machette are three really different animals...not sure what you're looking for...

 

[Qeth]

Steely_Gunz,

Thank you for your reply. I currently have a bahadur, 18 or so oal, that has similar lines as that Tirtha bowie. I'll look up the 20" Cherokee Rose bowie and see what that's all about. And man, good thing you had the bowie when that tomato attacked. Thems is vicious!

HARPERSGRACE,

I guess I'm still on the fence on what I should be getting. I want to have a long, but agile and lively blade that I can use to clear 1-2" branches, do some wood processing, and maybe dig up the occasional stubborn root. I realize it is not ideal for all the tasks, but I want to use these mundane jobs as a way to train and get familiar with the knife/ sword.

So, sturdy enough to do yard and camp work, but balanced like an agile fighter, in case things do come bump in the night. I'm looking at you, tomatoes!

 

[matilda]

Hi Qeth, You may be interested in the Uddha sword. I find it easier to use for clearing compared to the Tibetan sword. Much less blade chatter with the Uddha.

 

[HARPERSGRACE]

I would go with the tarwar if you want something that actually falls into the sword like range, I've never owned one but have heard good things. I have a Tibetan Short Sword and a 25 in Kobra I don't think either would fit your purpose.

 

[alexanderkbaker]

What about the jungle knife or the other similar Bowie, I can't remember the bowies name.

 

[Qeth]

Thank you for all the recommendations, everyone. Now to try to find one on a DOTD

 

[Cpl Punishment]

There's the Farm knife, it's a wicked little beast.

If you don't mind the kukri shape, albeit a bit straighter than most kukri, the Tamang, especially the 18" versions, are light and perfect for what you want.

 

[Qeth]

Man, looked up the tamang, that looks good too. I like the tarwar, tamang, and Tirtha bowie. I'd need to get all 3 in hand to figure out what'll be best for my needs.

Again, thanks for all the suggestions!

 

[Cpl Punishment]

That's the spirit!

Buy all three!

PS, I love the Tarwar as well.

Even though some dummy <cough>me<cough> cut a small tree down with one, it's not designed for the kind of work you want to do, and is NOT warrantied for such use.

 

[Qeth]

Hmm, the handle on that tarwar looks a bit too thick for my hands (I use medium sized gloves). How heavy is it? And how thick is the spine?

 

[Svashtar]

That's the spirit!

Buy all three!

PS, I love the Tarwar as well.

Even though some dummy <cough>me<cough> cut a small tree down with one, it's not designed for the kind of work you want to do, and is NOT warrantied for such use.

Sweet Tarwar Cpl, and one of the very few with engraved blades. You are a lucky man. :thumbup: I have a pair with plain blades by Bura and Kumar, but honestly haven't tried any heavy cutting with them as they are just too pretty.

Norm

 

[C.S. Graves]

The tarwar may be heavier than one would want for machete-type duties. The Uddha might be a less cumbersome candidate for brush clearing activities.

 

[Cpl Punishment]

Hmm, the handle on that tarwar looks a bit too thick for my hands (I use medium sized gloves). How heavy is it? And how thick is the spine?

The handle may be a bit "girthy" for you. I wear size 10 gloves and it feels great to me.

I have no idea on the weight, but the spine is 3/8" thick. Even being big and brawny, this is definitely a two-handed weapon if I want to wield it at any speed.

Sweet Tarwar Cpl, and one of the very few with engraved blades. You are a lucky man. :thumbup: I have a pair with plain blades by Bura and Kumar, but honestly haven't tried any heavy cutting with them as they are just too pretty.

Norm

Norm, this one, too, is a Bura.

Funny thing is, as nice as it looks in the pic, that was taken AFTER I cut the tree down. Tough sword.

 

[b.c.molin]

The handle may be a bit "girthy" for you. ...Even being big and brawny, this is definitely a two-handed weapon if I want to wield it at any speed.

Well if the old style handle is 'girthy' what hope for those of use with smaller hands will we have with the new chiruwa handled Tarwar.

Lets not mention the additional weight gain of over 1/2 to 3/4 pound weight added to it either. I hope Steely is right in that the extra weight is spread out over the entire blade but at about 43 ounces compared to the older styles 29-34ounces I don't think it will be a quick or all day use blade.

 

[Cpl Punishment]

The Chiruwa style will give is a more neutral balance. So even being heavier, it may be more nimble. The Chiruwa handles may be smaller also, as they aren't trying to cover the entire tang.

 

[BFH44]

Hi Qeth, You may be interested in the Uddha sword. I find it easier to use for clearing compared to the Tibetan sword. Much less blade chatter with the Uddha.

please tell me about this i have not heard of it before - is there a link for it ?

thank you -

- Eric

 

[Abaniko]

Here are a couple of Uddhas, both by Bura. Amazing blades.

 

[Abaniko]

The Chiruwa style will give is a more neutral balance. So even being heavier, it may be more nimble. The Chiruwa handles may be smaller also, as they aren't trying to cover the entire tang.

i think you are absolutely right about the balance & while "nimble" isn't the word I'd use for a blade this size, I'm not sure what the right word would be instead... I've handled many well regarded "cutting" swords that were much much clunkier feeling. This thing CUTS :thumbup:

I've some familiarity with full tang HI Tarwars, & I've always felt them to be somewhat tip heavy for their overall length.

The chiruwa grip is a tiny bit beefier, but that is easily made up by the wonderful grippy goodnes of their design. I wear med/large gloves. I love my Chiruwa Tarwar mucho. :thumbup: