How Many People Use Their Kardas?

Josh Feltman · Oct 11, 2002

I didn't pay too much attention to my karda at first, but it is actually a pretty handy little knife. It works great for some of the tasks for which a khukuri is just too big-- cutting string, etc. I even made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with mine the other night (although I made sure my wife didn't see me for fear of mockery

)So, do you use the kardas that come with your khukuris, or do they just take up space in the sheath?
--Josh

Steven Roos · Oct 11, 2002

I'll get back to you when i get my first khukuri!

Federico · Oct 11, 2002

I use the karda all the time, when I can find my normal daily carry. But then again, I normally have a pile of knives lying all over the cave, so what gets used is whats near by

Steven Roos · Oct 11, 2002

I just got home and found my new khukuri!

I'd say I'd use the karda. It looks like a very nice little knife!

Josh Feltman · Oct 11, 2002

im2smrt4u-- congrats! Which model did you get?
--Josh

Steven Roos · Oct 11, 2002

Originally posted by Josh Feltman
im2smrt4u-- congrats! Which model did you get?
--Josh

I got a BAS. Its the #4 listed here.

Bill Martino · Oct 11, 2002

Around camp you'll find many uses for that little knife.

Steven Roos · Oct 11, 2002

Originally posted by Bill Martino
Around camp you'll find many uses for that little knife.

Is that what it is intended for? A general use knife when a khukuri is too much?

Josh Feltman · Oct 11, 2002

im2smrt4u-- great choice-- my first (and so far only) khuk is a BAS by Sher. It is by far my favorite knife.
--Josh

Kendo · Oct 11, 2002

your bas looks almost like a large penknife ?????
i like it

you will be pleased that one.

raghorn · Oct 12, 2002

I field dressed and skinned a deer with a karda today.

It was an "aftermarket" karda, but I'm sure an HI would have done the job too.

Bill Martino · Oct 12, 2002

The karda is just like any other little knife and does the same work. That's what it's for.

munk · Oct 12, 2002

I use mine all the time, in fact, I get annoyed if there is not a khukuri on my desk so I can grab the karda fast and slice what needs slicing.

Last night, a little weary, I threw a log into the wood burning stove and couldn't shove it all the way in. I ran for my 20" villager and banged away on the branch stem which blocked the wood's entry.

note to myself: the villager was a little too big. Next time smaller khuk.

munk

Tom Holt · Oct 12, 2002

My kardas get used a lot; mostly, for some reason, for cutting string.

I have one extra-fine karda that no longer lives with its parent khuk; it lives in my woodworking toolbox, and gets used for inletting, scraping &c. It takes and keeps an amazingly good edge. The knife it came with was made by Kumar, but I get the impression that a lot of the side tools on his knives are made by apprentices.

I bought an old khuk (WWI vintage, is my guess) that turned out to have a pretty lousy blade, somewhat soft and not very well made; but the karda that came with it is both beautiful and extremely functional. The blade is a gorgeous Salyan kind of shape; the handle is some kind of walnut and has a beautifully brazed steel bolster. Holds a good edge, too.