himalayan imports, which is best?

icefrogg187 said:
what makes these blades better then the competitor's? cold steel acts like their's is hardcore
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I've never used Cold Steel's knives, so I can't compare. Besides, the mods will jump on our heads, if we make comparisons here, rather than elsewhere in the forums.;)

What I will say, is that HI khuks are hand-forged, by highly skilled individual craftsmen. They're differentially tempered, which gives great edge-holding ability along with shock-absorbing capacity to minimize blade damage. They're thick, tough-as-nails; hell, they're the real article. These aren't made-up knives for soldier wannabees or armchair backwoodsmen - these are time-tested designs and materials, which will be as useful to your grandson as to you.

Because HI khukuries etc. are hand-crafted, there's variation from each to each. Because they're handmade rather than machine done, they look and feel alive, not like they were stamped out of some gawdawful big sheet of steel. And because they're made in 3rd world conditions, the fit/finish doesn't match the high level of polish of custom knifemakers working in the developed world ... nor does the price. Me, I like seeing the occasional file mark along the spine, or perhaps the hint of a hammer mark - but I like handmade things. But because of all this, you won't be in a lather when (like I did last weekend) you use them in the garden, and discover that rhubarb juice does a dandy job to etch the blade and reveal the differential hardening line. You won't rip your hair out when sometime during your first few outings, your blade goes through your target, and puts its tip into the dirt (please read the safety thread!).

These are blades to use. My 16 1/2" WWII does all you're wanting - I bought it for the self-same reasons you've given. Other models have different compromises; this one fits me. But do I want more? Sure. I lust after a 21" Chitlangi, an 18" Ganga Ram, a pair of BASs for my sons, when they get old enough. And I'd like a sinuous 12" siru, just because. Do I NEED them? Nope - no matter what these HIKV addicts will tell you.:D

I don't know if the competitors' blades can do all this stuff. But Cliff Stamp's various reviews, where he trashed knives left and right, described HI khuks as one serious piece of kit - outpacing the others he tested in all the tests that mattered to me. I sharked a Villager on a DOTD, and once I learned to get it sharp ... well, you can see how I feel.

Just get one. Then write the day after that triangular box arrives, and let us all say "I told you so.":D

Tom.
 
icefrogg187 said:
what makes these blades better then the competitor's? cold steel acts like their's is hardcore
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Cold Steel acts like all of their knives are *hard core.* Their carbon steel blades are all right but their stainless is mostly AUS 6 I think and nothing to write home about.:rolleyes:

The thing about the HI Khukuris over Cold Steel's is that the HI's are authentic and the Cold Steel Models what Lynn Thompson thinks they ought to be and to the majority of us here there are no comparisons.
As far as HI and the other Nepalese makers selling from Kathmandu there are several advantages to buying HI with the HI Guarantee being the best.
Quality, shipping and other things factor in along with the great DOTD or YBB's.
Deal Of The Day or Yangdu's Best Buy.:thumbup: :)
 
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