I just got my new toy today: HI Gelbu Special!

B

Broken Arrow

Joined
Dec 1, 1999
Messages
651
I just received my Gelbu Special this evening! I was surprised how neutral it feels. The spine is super thick, but the scalops on both sides lightens this puppy alot. Oveall length is 18.2" and the craftmanship is excellent. I thought the standard 20" Sirupati was awesome, but the Gelbu Special wins hands down! Thanks for picking this special Khukuri for me Uncle Bill! These things are too addicting!
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One nice thing about being a khuk knut is that any day of the year can be just like Christmas -- all it takes is the excitement of getting a new khuk. The agony of waiting, the fevered anticipation while opening the package; and, finally, the happiness of actually holding it. You don't want to put it down, and you find yourself just gazing at it it, familiarizing yourself with its every minute detail. It's like being a kid all over again. You gotta love it!
 
Steven, I couldn't have said it better myself! BA, enjoy the new toy!

Rob

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'He's losin' it... (Words spoken about me by a visitor seeing me with my Khuk!)
Lucky for them I'm not...
 
BA,

Welcome to the proud list of GS owners!! They're great aren't they? My GS is by far the most well made Khuk. I own--love the balance, weight, handle shape and of course looks and chopping power! Let us know how you like its chopping ability---that is if its a user. Have fun!

Rob
 
If I keep getting, fondling, and putting away most of my toys I'm going to start drooling over ones I already have. I hate working up to a new khuk high and then crashing when I remember I got one packed away.

But then with Birgorkha, there's always something new.

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Himalayan Imports Website

Himalayan Imports Khukuri FAQ
 
I know what you mean, Rusty.

Also, if those Birgorkha guys don't slow down with the new ideas I'm going to go bankrupt. Just about the time I think I've finally got my collection complete in terms of the styles/sizes that I like, Uncle Bill posts a photo of something new and, usually, it's something I just "gotta have."
 
Hey guys with Gelbu Specials, how long are your Khukuris? I noticed that in Uncle Bill's information sheet the Gelbu is listed at 19" overall. Mine is a little over 18". Well, after polishing my new toy I noticed that the blade doesn't have any ripples! Also, this puppy is scary sharp also. The Kamis did an excellent job. The wood handle has a very nice pattern. When the weather clears up, I'll test it on my Blair Witch Tatami man.
 
My gelbu special is 18" long and has a black horn handle, the top of which is a smoky gray color with beautiful grain pattern. BA, your gelbu has a wood handle?!? Was this a special order? Just curious.

Rob
 
Rob,
My Gelbu Special wasn't a special order Khukuri. Uncle Bill had a shipment come in and he had some wood and horn handle G.S.. Uncle knew that I like large Khukuris and so, he chose the biggest one in that shipment. I was surprised to see a wood handle, but I'm totally happy. This handle on my G.S. fits my hand perfectly. I really like the blade. There Khukuri has alot of positive energy in it..
 
My GS measures almost exactly 18.5". Blade spine 9/16". The handle was a surprise: almost 6.5" and bigger in circumference than either of the sirupatis I've handled. Makes it almost a 'two-hander'. The horn on mine cracked almost immediately, I'm sorry to say. Epoxy blackened with ebony black acrylic artists' color was used to fill in the gap, but it's still growing...another victim of green horn syndrome. The Gelbu is quite different in handling from the 20" sirupatis: much less lively but with a hulking power that has a charm of its own.
 
Congrats BA! I guessed you love Sirupatis more by its speed from its light weight in your MA use, but I was wrong. Looking forward to your reports, BA vs tatami man. My GS left Reno on 20 Jan. but yet arrived here. Is it another customs trouble, or wrong address of another lucky guy on the parcel, or two GS at a time seemed too greedy in his eyes? Anyways your post adds my agony of waiting! Oh I must admit it will also increase joy when I receive the parcel.
How about having another to keep for your son, for the next step of 15" Sirupati?


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\(^o^)/ Mizutani Satoshi \(^o^)/
 
WrongFriend,
It is nice to here from you! I assumed that you were busy with your new daughter. My little one is doing real well. He is getting alot bigger. I was really impressed with the G.S.. For a Khukuri having a wider blade than my Sirupatis, it sure handle very fast. When it is time for me to join my ancestors, my son will get all of my toys, especially my family sword. What did you think of the picture of my family Katana?

[This message has been edited by Broken Arrow (edited 02-06-2000).]
 
BA,

Congrats on the new baby boy! We just had a girl 1 month ago today. Any chanc I could see a pic of that katana? If not, not to worry
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Rob
 
Rob,
I need to get more pictures developed of my family Katana. When I do, I can send some to you. Just e-mail me and give me your address. Some of the pictures that I have now are not too good. I need to practice more. Also congrats on your girl! My son is three months now.

[This message has been edited by Broken Arrow (edited 02-06-2000).]
 
BA, thanx for welcoming me, and congrats your boy's getting along well out of cold. Your swords are all nice, even nicer lying aside your boy makes me think he'll grow up bigger than the sword, eventually big enough to wield evey one or two of them.
Rob, congrats on your daughter. My daughter just had her fiftieth day in this tough world. Well, our next generation... where's Data?


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\(^o^)/ Mizutani Satoshi \(^o^)/
 
Blessings to the new children from all of us in Nepal!

Thanks for reports on GSs.

We are going to India on a horn search and will find a decent supplier to solve this cracking handle problem. In the meantime look for more wood handles. I'm going to try to get some teak and other exotic woods from my pal in Bangkok so we may have some wood handles coming that will be more desireable than horn.

Stay tuned.

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
Wrongfriend,

Congratulations right back to you!

Uncle Bill,

Great news about the new exotic wood handles! I can't wait to hear about what you find. I have an equally strong addiction to nice woodwork as I do to nice blades, so the combo will be lethal to my checkbook
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. Thanks for well wishes to my keiki (child in Hawaiian).

Best wishes and safe travels!

Rob
 
Originally posted by Bill Martino:
I'm going to try to get some teak and other exotic woods from my pal in Bangkok so we may have some wood handles coming that will be more desireable than horn.
Click to expand...

Hi Bill,

I suggest that you reconsider utilizing teak, especially if its source is "Bangkok". Its origin was certainly not environmentally sustainable and not socially sustainable. Chances are high that it is literally bloody wood. BTW, Thailand has banned logging and you can guess where precious wood sold via Bangkok originally came from... There a few teak plantations on Java though.

Since I prefer wood handles as well (mostly for functional reasons) I'll expand on this topic soon.

Best wishes,
kai
 
_______________________________

"We are going to India on a horn search and will find a decent supplier...

"I'm going to try to get some teak and other woods from my pal in Bangkok..." Uncle Bill
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"I suggest that you reconsider using teak...

"Chances are high it is literally bloody wood...

"Since I prefer wooden handles as well ( mostly for functional reasons ) I'll expand on this topic soon." Kai Witte
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Please do, kai. Some of us feel the spirit in these khukuris. Is it ergonomics, or is it the blessings of the kamis? It's there, and *I* can feel it if the handle is wood or horn. Brass handled HI's like on the Banspati may well have that spirit too, but I'm unable to feel it. "Bloody wood" doesn't belong on these khukuris.

Uncle Bill noted he'd check out woods "from my pal in Bangkok". There's a difference in befriending people and in doing business/contributing to their delinquent acts that I don't believe Bill would knowingly cross. Thank you much for giving Bill a heads up on the matter. I don't want to diminish your concern, nor my trust in a fallible but ultra-ethical Uncle Bill.

Anyway, now you've got me curious. What is the story on teak? How about ebony or is that only an African wood?

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Himalayan Imports Website

Howard's H.I. Khukuri FAQ

Common Forum Abbreviations

[This message has been edited by Rusty (edited 02-11-2000).]
 
Hi Rusty and Bill,

I certainly appreciate your past record with sustainable development in Nepal!

I need some more time for coming up with a short review on Asian timber. Tropical wood got a bad name during the last years (finally and correctly so!) and the best solution would be to get reliable (preferably local) sources where sustainable use of the forest can be ascertained (to some extent).

Teak is a whole other category - try any search engine with teak AND "human rights violation"...
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Best wishes,
kai "trying to make a difference, too"
 
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