I'd like to offer my Kobra for testing purposes...

Drdan

Drdan

Joined
Dec 24, 2003
Messages
1,390
It's too beautiful, but...here goes...

I have no doubt as to the quality of this khukuri, and its excellent construction and forging. If Cliff Stamp is interested, I am willing to give it to him for full testing. Obviously, I don't need to find out if the blade can be bent! I only ask that the testing is fair, and it is put up against blades with similiar lengths and weights. The testing can be light chopping, even extended light chopping, slicing vines, small diameter trees, whatever...

The khukuri will first be sent to Dan Koster aka "pendentive", so that it can be checked out (I live in Europe), and the edge be readied for testing.

If anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to give me your input.
 
Sounds like a great idea! I'd be very interested to see how a Kobra fares in Cliff's hands.
 
Originally posted by Roadrunner
Sounds like a great idea! I'd be very interested to see how a Kobra fares in Cliff's hands.
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Can't back out now, Roadrunner! It IS too beautiful to abuse, but I am convinced that it will perform admirably. I enjoy reading unbiased testing, no matter what is being tested. Cliff Stamp is the UL (Underwriter's Laboratories) tester here, and I am sure he will select fitting blades to pit the kobra against. :)
 
I wouldn't do it. Kobra's don't take what a standard khuk does and the kind of abuse a full out test does will destroy it. Every year a poster writes in about a bent Kobra, chipped kobra, etc. The Kamis say they are really short swords and should not be cutting heavy wood.


Just my opinion. It's not that important to know how far a Kobra can go- in my eyes. Yes, in the interests of 'science' I'd be mildly curious...but why? The Kobra isn't made for this.


munk
 
Originally posted by munk
I wouldn't do it. Kobra's don't take what a standard khuk does and the kind of abuse a full out test does will destroy it. Every year a poster writes in about a bent Kobra, chipped kobra, etc. The Kamis say they are really short swords and should not be cutting heavy wood.


Thanks, Munk. I would prefer to test it for what it's made to do best... Light cutting to chopping, and afford fast, self defense applications. There's really no sense to destroy a beautiful functional work or art... Perhaps Cliff Stamp can test if for its intended application vs other knifes, and test its ability to maintain an edge, see its penetration capabilities, comfort, balance, etc. Just testing the water, Munk; I'm aware that you're partial to the lighter khukuris as I am... :)
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munk, good point. Perhaps if it were sent with the caveat that no destructive testing be performed? Cliff is tough on blades, but ordinarily he only breaks them when he's asked to test to destruction. You're right in that there is no need to do that with a Kobra as it's already been proven that they will break where other khuks will not.
 
Actually, I'm partial to heavier khuks. I cut wood. Though I'm not the strongest limb in the forest, I've found the weight of the khuk does the work rather than my arm.

But for carrying around- 2 lbs is about the top. My favorite khuks weigh somewhere between 26 and 30 oz.


I'd like to get a 22" Ganga Ram special someday. My 25" light AK, 3lbs +, is too long for limbing.


munk
 
Originally posted by Roadrunner
Perhaps if it were sent with the caveat that no destructive testing be performed? Cliff is tough on blades, but ordinarily he only breaks them when he's asked to test to destruction.


Agreed, Roadrunner, no testing to destruction! :eek: Light cutting (vines, grass, tree branches, etc., which seemingly would be its ideal application, along with martial arts use. If I wanted to clear weeds, and knew I'd be chewing up the ground, I'd use an inexpensive machete, and not trash a khukuri...
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Originally posted by munk
I'd like to get a 22" Ganga Ram special someday. My 25" light AK, 3lbs +, is too long for limbing.


munk
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I finally got one by Bura a couple months ago. If I ever make it out your way we'll field test it on your turf. :cool:
 
Before I ask Dan Koster to perform the "works" on my kobra, if anyone is interested in doing some non destructive testing, do submit a post with a proposal... :rolleyes:
 
DrDan?

You HAVE asked Mr. Stamp if he'll test your khuk? He does this as a courtesy and for personal interest, it's not a service. He is a working physicist, living in Nova Scotia.

You might check in with him before going any further.

Justathought.
 
Originally posted by Kismet
DrDan?

You HAVE asked Mr. Stamp if he'll test your khuk? He does this as a courtesy and for personal interest, it's not a service. He is a working physicist, living in Nova Scotia.

You might check in with him before going any further.

Justathought.
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I did send him an e-mail, inviting him to comment on the post's offer. Perhaps the testing protocol is not interesting enough, and testing to destruction is preferred... :D He's most welcome to think it over; I'm positive I'd really learn a lot from his testing and observations... I'm not sure if I would approve of the appearance of my nice sleek beautiful kobra afterwards! :eek:
 
There really is no reason why they blade should bend or chip during cutting wood, consider than even a $20 machete will do this all day long with no problems. I have used a dozen such blades from martindale which are ~1/8" stock with distal tapers and you can whack away with them with no problems. Unless the khukuris is thinner than this, if it bends then the spine is too soft, or the edge hardening too shallow. If the edge chips then it is too hard, it much also be too thin and/or hollow but that should then make a fold not a chip. This is a spring steel we are talking about here.

Sure I could have a look at the blade, but to be very frank, if you have to constrain it to light grasses then you would be better off with a machete. I have a long Sirupati and a machete is easily the better tool for such work, both cut it effortlessly, however the machete is simply lighter in hand. However the Sirupati comes into its own on thicker wood work where the more momentum on the swing gives less feedback, espeically on harder woods, and profile gives much less wedging on thicker woods which the machete can bind in too readily.

-Cliff
 
What you are saying seems to be the general consensus of information I've gleaned since originally opening the thread on khukuris, goloks, and parangs. It seems that people in various cultures use what they're accustomed to use for light cutting, even if some of the blades are used more effortlessly because of their inherent lightness.

If you feel that a valid test comparison can be made that will enhance the wealth of information on HI's website, you're welcome to use the kobra. If on the other hand, you feel that the conclusions that would be obtained can be stated at this time, I'll have another fine khukuri to use and enjoy.

Thanks again for your input and frankness...
 
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