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- Oct 28, 2000
- Messages
- 1,077
Yesterday I received my Durba Especiale from Uncle Bill.
I decided to bite the khukuri
and emailed Uncle Bill to acquire an example of Durbas work. I also credit Jim Clifton for sparking my interest in acquiring an example.
On to the khukuri:
Physical Data: 18 inches long
a broad fuller on each side
bronze HI habaki
premium Nepali Oak handle
standard 1/8 thick bronze buttcap
karda and chakma 6.5 inches long and finished similar to khukuri
Weight - between 1.75 and 2 pounds
Impression:
The blade is nicely forged, very close to being bilaterally symetrical. Spine is very close to straight with the exception of a couple pimples on either side. Good thing to watch for if youre looking for a khukuri that is relatively evenly balanced from the right to left side. Sword of Shiva is straightest I have seen from any of the HI kamis in the last year and a half. Cho is well done and reminescent of Dolly Parton. No hairline cracks or flaws noted at all on the blade.
Now the handle portion. Habaki is done very well and I can barely make out where it was welded together on the spine side. Handle is of an exceptional grade of Nepali oak (have to compliment the raw material purchaser for BirGhorka for doing an excellent job). Wooden portion of handle is 7 inches long and 4 inches around at widest point. For a medium large hand this handle is very comfortable. Buttcap is solid.
Fit and finish are excellent and in my opinion are the equal of Bura or Sanu, two of BirGhorkas other top kamis. Balance is unbelievable and comparable to a good balance khukuri.
Karda and Chakma are similarly done and are quite beautiful to look at, yet quite functional by North American standards.
Scabbard is by the Sarki with no Name and well done. It was a bit hard to extract the khukuri, but this may be due to humidity changes.
In Summary, a very nice khukuri from Durba and one that Jim, HIs Official Head of Research would be proud to own (Sorry Jim, but I had to get the best of Durba
)
Harry
I decided to bite the khukuri
On to the khukuri:
Physical Data: 18 inches long
a broad fuller on each side
bronze HI habaki
premium Nepali Oak handle
standard 1/8 thick bronze buttcap
karda and chakma 6.5 inches long and finished similar to khukuri
Weight - between 1.75 and 2 pounds
Impression:
The blade is nicely forged, very close to being bilaterally symetrical. Spine is very close to straight with the exception of a couple pimples on either side. Good thing to watch for if youre looking for a khukuri that is relatively evenly balanced from the right to left side. Sword of Shiva is straightest I have seen from any of the HI kamis in the last year and a half. Cho is well done and reminescent of Dolly Parton. No hairline cracks or flaws noted at all on the blade.
Now the handle portion. Habaki is done very well and I can barely make out where it was welded together on the spine side. Handle is of an exceptional grade of Nepali oak (have to compliment the raw material purchaser for BirGhorka for doing an excellent job). Wooden portion of handle is 7 inches long and 4 inches around at widest point. For a medium large hand this handle is very comfortable. Buttcap is solid.
Fit and finish are excellent and in my opinion are the equal of Bura or Sanu, two of BirGhorkas other top kamis. Balance is unbelievable and comparable to a good balance khukuri.
Karda and Chakma are similarly done and are quite beautiful to look at, yet quite functional by North American standards.
Scabbard is by the Sarki with no Name and well done. It was a bit hard to extract the khukuri, but this may be due to humidity changes.
In Summary, a very nice khukuri from Durba and one that Jim, HIs Official Head of Research would be proud to own (Sorry Jim, but I had to get the best of Durba
Harry
