How much punishment can a 20-22 inch Kobra take

G

Glenn Jones

Joined
Feb 26, 2002
Messages
618
I recently purchased a 22 inch Sher made Kobra. I found it better at chopping and cutting two inch to twig size branches around the house than my two 20 inch Sirupatis, and there is quite a bit of work around the yard I can give it in this branch size. It has the exact same spine thickness as one of my Sirupatis and is a quarter of a pound heavier than that sirupati (Sirupati 22.4 ounces, Kobra 26.3 ounces). The Kobra does have a thinner side profile than this Sirupati but has a thicker cutting edge.

However, the opinions of forumites on the Cantina varies greatly when it comes to how much work a Kobra can take. My understanding is that it is the only khukuri that is not covered by the HI warranty. Rusty recently mentioned that a 20 inch Kobra might make an excellent machete replacement, but if you try chopping 2 or 3 inch thick saplings or branches, it will eventually fail. However, Tom Holt believed that the 25 inch Kobra was an excellent all round khukuri. If I remember correctly, he eventually broke his, but only after hitting hidden rocks with it. Raghorn mentioned only a month ago that he regularly used his 18 inch Kobra to clear trail and cut saplings up to four inches in diameter.

I am trying to judge how much use to give my Kobra. My questions are mainly aimed at those who own a 20 inch to 22 inch Kobra: What is its length and weight? How much use had you given it? If you have broken it, how did you do it? :confused: :confused:
 
I too have a 22" Kobra, with the old-style bolster. If I were you, I'd stop at the 2" mark. Anything over that, say 3" in diameter, would probably be abuse of the blade. Of course, the shorter the blade, the more rigid and less likely to deform. So an 18" Kobra would probably stand up better to brush work than a 22", but I'm just guessing here. Anyway, kobras were intended to be fighting blades, not yard tools. I just have to make a few dry cuts with it to know exactly what it was designed to do...
 
I should be clear to everyone that HIKV hasn't yet taken hold on you, Glenn. If it had, you'd be asking "In addition to my Kobra, how many other types of khukurie can hang from my belt before my pants land around my ankles and my wife's skillet lands on my head?"

Stephen
 
Please nobody take offense, but I gotta say this. Compared to every old khukuri I've ever seen, the modern ones we're used to seeing are unnecessarily thick. It's no big mystery to me, in order to make a blade "unbreakable" it's gotta be "beefed up", right? They have to be unbreakable if folks are going to go out and use them as sharpened pry bars with which to bludgeon trees and such into submission. The wonderful vintage khukuris that Berkely was so gracious to share with us down in Austin yesterday were some quick, graceful, beautifully efficient tools/weapons. They looked like they'd "been to town" a time or two and done their jobs honorably and well. Still, I have no doubt that one of our modern users could booger up/break one in no time flat by using it inappropriately. We pride ourselves now on bragging, "look how thick and heavy this blade is made". I wish everyone could try out one that's not burdened by being unnecessarily thick/heavy.

Again, this isn't directed at anybody, so please, nobody take offense, but rather than hearing folks asking how much punishment a blade can take, I'd lots rather hear them ask; "with proper care and use, will this cutting tool/weapon give me good service and efficiently accomplish the tasks I require of it?". Same question, different attitude.

Sarge
 
Here here Sarge! I couldn't agree more. That was one of the things I noticed when I played with some Busse knives at Blade. I'm sure I couldn't break one, but I wouldn't want to carry it around all day either. They felt unwieldy to me. I found myself drawn to the big hand-forged bowies that seemed to weigh nothing in the hand, but also somehow also felt that they would destroy anything in their path. So Glenn, I would say use it in the manner you feel appropriate. If you set out to break it, you probably will. If you listen to it, take care of it, and let it know that you've got it's welfare in mind, it will return the favor. (Sorry, I just finished running a little bit ago and I'm feeling a bit philosophical.) Let us know how it works for you.
 
A crowbar can be broken if you set out to do so. Question, what do you want to do with your khuk? If you want a fast khuk that's light in the hand kinda like a light sabre, the Kobra is a good way to go. Like the HI website advertises the Kobras are great for Martial Arts. I find them fun when the weeds get to high or for trimming bushes. You can't expect them to chop like an AK. Sure you can bend or break one easier than an AK but if you use them to cut things instead of as a tire iron they're great khuks. Fast as a whip and alot of fun due to that speed.:D
 
I wish everyone could try out one that's not burdened by being unnecessarily thick/heavy.
Click to expand...

We have discussed this before. HI khukuries are very over-engineered; the traditional ones are about half the weight.

It probably makes them safer and more effective at slower speeds, when you let the knife do most of the work; but, creates a good deal of force at higher speeds.

n2s
 
Use a hammer as a hammer, a wrench as a wrench ................use common sense too.:D

I used my son's 20" Kobra for a day trimming bushes, light branches and chopping roots. I had no problems at all. I plan to pick up a 18" for myself soon. I like it better on the smaller and lighter vegitation.;)
 
Totally off topic - well not really ..

I have been clearing my garden today and I used my 21 Sher GS all day - took down creepers, twig thick branches, cut roots ... even used my GS o pry out a very stubborn root. I was very reluctant as I thought I would damage it or at best bend it - as roadrunner said Listen to your khuk's and don't try break them but give them work you know they can handle. You will only discover this by testing it till the point where you think "£%$@, I'm going to break an HI khuk". When you hear you brain telling you this that is the limit to which that khuk can perform. I still haven't heard that voice yet ...

;)
 
Thankyou for the views above. I suppose it is time to give my own opinion of my Kobra. I don't know whether Sher made mine a little bit tougher than others, but mine doesn't seem flimsy compared to the dozen or so other khukuries I own. I certainly felt confident using it to cut two inch branches and like it for that purpose. I probably will not use it for much more than that (but then that is a major need I have for a khukuri), but I reckon it certainly could be used all day on that size forever without any problem with far more comfort and ease than other khuks I own. I suppose it sometimes comes down to the individual khukuri and the kami who made it. Sher has a reputation for making his tough and this particular khukuri just has that special something that appeals to me. In short, I'm not a martial artist and I felt this Kobra was being sold short by suggestions that that was all it could be used for.:D :D :D
 
Treat them right, and use the proper tool for the job. It's so simple anyone should be able to understand.

But there's always the one guy that, as Wiil Rogers said, has to learn about the electric fence the hard way. Most of them fellows learn or move on to other forums.
 
Originally posted by Sylvrfalcn
Please nobody take offense, but I gotta say this. Compared to every old khukuri I've ever seen, the modern ones we're used to seeing are unnecessarily thick.

It's no big mystery to me, in order to make a blade "unbreakable" it's gotta be "beefed up", right?
They have to be unbreakable if folks are going to go out and use them as sharpened pry bars with which to bludgeon trees and such into submission.

Sarge
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Sarge I agree with you. I've stated several times here how thin the old khuks once were. I think the "thickest" one I've seen was about 5/16" at the angle and like all the old ones had distal taper towards the end of the blade and towards the butt!!!!
That put the weight, and strength, right over the sweet spot!!!!
Of course a lot of the argument on thickness also needs to take length into the equation as well. The longer and thinner a blade is the more apt it is to bend if not 'hit' well.

It would be really something to be able to communicate with a really good kami and get a khuk made to fit you, your hand, your grip and your personality!!!!:D
I can see it now............
A tin Chiarra about 18" with a nice wide belly and pointy with a beautiful burley rosewood handle and steel fittings!!!!
Then take it to a Newari to have some judicial carving done on the blade up near the bolster.:rolleyes: :cool: :eek: :p :D :D :D :D
 
I bought the 18" AK *BECAUSE* it was over engineered. I use/abuse the AK as a prybar, I cut coins and other soft to medium hard metals with it. I cut rolls of 2" thick rawhide with it. It laughs at nails in wood. It'll cut iron and mild steel, electric fence wire, bone, and of course wood. I avoid rocks tho.

The Beefiness of the AK bowie is comforting to me, and allows for deep, dramatic fullering. It's a short axe!

The HI seaxes, however, were appropriately lightly built, along the historical model, so I know the kamis can do the thinner and more accurate repros.

All that aside, I know that the historical ones are much sweeter, but they weren't intended to be used as agricultural tools, most likely weren't meant to dig in the earth, etc. Also, the users of those had the skills in cutting that were swordmanlike in quality. A thin khuk could be wielded without incident by the skillful user. The finest of swords can be broken by an unskilled user, I bet it is the same with khuks.

Today, these khuks are available to folk who have not used one or trained with one. Thus over engineering them seems to reduce failures due to improper striking or the resulting torque of a bad hit. Perhaps it is we that must get better before the tool will follow.

Anybody wanna whip up a wood model an "HI Expert" khuk, with thin profile and bunches of fullers???

Keith
 
Originally posted by Yvsa ......It would be really something to be able to communicate with a really good kami and get a khuk made to fit you, your hand, your grip and your personality!!!!:D
I can see it now............
Click to expand...
The 2004 Himalayan Imports BirGorkha Tour

Sign up now for a challenging week of bladesmithing.

On arrival at BirGorkha
you will be adopted by a kami
who will guide you in making
the khukuri of your dreams.

Bring your favorite leaf spring.
Not responsible for missing body parts.
Results not guaranteed.
All the rice you can eat.
:D
 
That sounds like a great group trip. Is there some fine print at the bottom of the apprentice smithing brochure that says "HI guarantees you'll leave with the same number of fingers and toes as you came with ... even if it takes us all night to find them.":eek:
 
I think a lot of it has to do with technique. Also, I think most of the Kobra problems have been related to prying. You can put lots of leverage on a 20+ inch blade.
 
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