info requested

B

Broken Eye

Joined
Apr 2, 2010
Messages
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After having recently made my first purchase (20 inch sirupati, don't know which kami yet because it was shipped to my house ridiculously faster than expected and I still am at college), I was wondering if anyone could give me further info on the Kumar Kobra. I have not found many reviews of it, and after reading that Kumar was no longer at HI, I am wondering if they are still being offered.
Similarly, I have read that wakizashis, I think, were once made and offered. Any info about this would be most appreciated, and any suggestions on other khukuris would be as well!
 
Welcome welcome:)

I believe that the Kobra is still being made by various kamis. It's one of my favorite HI blades. I have both a 20" and a 25". While neither are serious wood choppers, they are two totally different animals. The 20" weighs right at 20 oz and is light and incredibly agile. The 25" is over 2lbs and probably built to cut a man out of his armor:D:thumbup:

Love em;)
 
Broken Eye,
First- welcome to the forum, your first HI khukuri and Himalayan Imports Khukuri Virus (HIKV). HI is still making and selling wakizashis but they are called "wajaski". A long and a standard model were made available in the last 2 or 3 months on the Forum posted DOTD (Deal of the Day).

In the Archives section click on Himalayan Imports Archive, when the page loads scroll down and select "Beginning" from the drop down menu that reads "Last Day" and click on the Show Threads button. At present threads are arranged by date of last post- most recent to oldest. The post titled "Kumar Kobra Review", Last Post date 11.20.99,
is an earlier anonymous review of the 20" Kumar Kobra. Then a post by Tom Holt titled "Farewell to HIKV...", Last Post 5.27.00, reviews the 25" Kumar Kobra. Tom's initial review and constant recommendations led me to acquire a 25" Kobra. This should at least get you started.

Due to the changeover in providers that is due to happen in the next day or two, you may or may not be able to access these in that 2 day time. Though it may be inconvenient, the change may free up search for everyone. The search feature will supply you with days of reading on this model.

Read the safety thread, enjoy your new blade and let us know what you think about it.

Rick
 
I was going to ask about Himalayan Imports Khukuri Virus in the other thread, that is perfect. I am infected!
 
From my understanding a Kobra is basically a Sirupati which is made with a slimmer & thinner blade, and a different cho. It's more of a weapon than a Sirupati.

Generally though, as I have a 20" Sirupati by Bura which is only 24oz, which is right at the edge of being almost in a Kobra's weight class.
 
That's a sweet Siru, Wolf, at that weight. You're right about it coming in at about Kobra class, too. Your 20" Sirupati comes in at 1.2 oz per inch as does my 25" Kobra (30 oz)made by Sanu. That is a nice weight for a 20" Sirupati, IMO. My 20" came in at 32 oz and is now doing digging/landscaping chores. Great for removing dandelion root.

Rick
 
stickfred said:
That's a sweet Siru, Wolf, at that weight. You're right about it coming in at about Kobra class, too. Your 20" Sirupati comes in at 1.2 oz per inch as does my 25" Kobra (30 oz)made by Sanu. That is a nice weight for a 20" Sirupati, IMO. My 20" came in at 32 oz and is now doing digging/landscaping chores. Great for removing dandelion root.

Rick
Click to expand...

I use it for slaying multiflora rose. It's one of the fastest blades I own.
 
I just slayed a whole lotta multiflora rose in my back yard with an 18" Kumar Ang Khola, then I used it to chop out the roots of a tree that had grown up in the middle of the stuff that I had wanted to cut down forever but could never get near until recently.
 
Isn't it great having useful tools? I look forward to discovering the many things these blades will do and comparing to see which one works best for different tasks.

Good work on that tree. You might keep an eye on that multiflora, though. It can be nasty stuff and may also require rooting out.
 
I removed the whole thing, roots and all! That and the tree. :)

Felt darn good too as I have been wanting to do this since I moved here.
 
I have finally had to the chance to get my 20" sirupati, and, needless to say, I love it even though it seems a bit heavier than I expected. I hope to be able to take it out and use it soon.

Does anyone have any tips on sharpening kukris? I'm trying the mousepad-high grit sandpaper method on my knives and it works decently, but am reserved to use it on the siru.

I now have the desire to get an 18" Kobra and a heavy-duty, full tang chopper. After having read many reviews about the Bonecutter, M-43, and CAK, can anyone explain the subtle differences between them and which might better at one application than another? I just can't seem to catch on fast enough. Thanks in advance!
 
Broken Eye the mousepad sharpening works on the khukuris also. Many have used and recommended this system for sharpening. If your Siru has a good edge, the high grit will refine it. If the edge isn't so good, you may want to start with a lower grit and work up (300 to 800 to 1200 for example).

The CAK is a shoulder form chopper that is warranted by HI as a prybar. Very strong khukuri that is very popular. In addition to chopping, its blade profile makes it a good splitter, too. The M43 is a forward curve form that has many fans here on the forum. It was a military style between WWI and WWII. It chops well and comes with the chiruwa style handle but this handle won't come with the ring on the handle unless you order it that way. IMO the M43 seemed a little front heavy-kinda like my 20" Sirupati. The Bonecutter is a more forward curve model and has many fans too. Besides the general accolades for the Bonecutter, my memory isn't clear about whether it comes with a chiruwa handle or what it may be best for. I will let others chime in on this model since I do not have one. You will probably get more information on all three of these from other forum members. These types of questions usually bring out all types of response.

Unless you are looking for a warranted prybar, don't overlook the standard handled models. If your Sirupati came with a through tang handle, see how your hand feels after using it. They absorb shock pretty well and are tough. This will also allow you to consider the baby (18") Ganga Ram Special. Its edge profile is thinner than an AK so it won't split as well and may "stick" a little while chopping but it is a sweet chopping, felling and limbing khuk.

I'm really glad you finally got your first khukuri in hand. Go out and have some safe fun trying it out. If you find it unwieldy or too heavy, let Yangdu know and I'm sure she would let you trade it in. Perhaps an 18" Sirupati or Gelbu Special. Me, I like the GS. m2c.

Rick
 
They don't necessarily need to be full (slab) tang to be heavy duty choppers. H.I.'s internal tangs are plenty strong. Most of mine have internal tangs and I have absolute confidence in them.
 
Broken Eye said:
I now have the desire to get an 18" Kobra and a heavy-duty, full tang chopper. After having read many reviews about the Bonecutter, M-43, and CAK, can anyone explain the subtle differences between them and which might better at one application than another? I just can't seem to catch on fast enough. Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

The Bonecutter, M43, and some of the top choppers in HI's line up. Throw in the Ganga Ram and you have the Four Horsemen of the Chopocolypse :D

...well and the WWII;)

The bone cutter tends to have a bit more subtle curve with a wider belly. Aesthetically, it's one gorgeous chopper and has a real cult following on the boards:)
The CAK is the quintessential "sharpened chopping pry bar". Personally, I never found it to outchop some of my other khuks, but others swear by them. It's going to be incredibly tough to break one. Unlike the BC, the CAK is a bit more angular with a hard break at the spine. It drives the tip down a bit more when you strike.
The M-43 is the most "weapon-like" khuk of the three. Like the WWII, the M43 straddles the line between tool and weapon incredibly well. IMHO, the WWII is a bit more tool than weapon. The M43 is a bit more weapon than tool....but the wood you chop isn't going care one way or another;) The full curved arch of the M43 really drives the blade home point first. It chops way better than it has any reason to;)

Word to the wise, be extra careful when you transition from a straighter khuk like the CAK to an M43. If it's a really curvy model, then a glancing blow can send the tip back toward your shin or thigh PDQ:eek: The M43 is a whole different animal than the "working" khuks. In my experience, mine has been much more bloodthirsty:D:thumbup:
 
I like the Bone Cutter myself but usually use my UBE (the bigger one) in the garden because the point comes in handy for digging out weeds and such. The UBE gives up some chop but it will still do the job. If I do need to REALLY chop down something big, like when I was taking out some stumps recently, I used the CAK.
 
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