Is there a test elbow to finger tip guideline?>>

M

Mtell1

Joined
Sep 12, 2009
Messages
188
Hi,

Sorry to ask a basic question, or maybe I am 100% out to lunch here...:)

To determine an ideal blade size is there a test/guideline such as measuring from your elbow to finger tips? I read about it from this thread and I think one or two other places...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=682892

If so, Im at about 17inches...is this a guide line to help pick a blade length? Many thanks.
 
It might be a starting point but there are so many other factors that it is just that..a starting place...things like what you are using it for, what weight are you comfortable with, are you looking for something that is more tip heavy or balanced...each kurkri handles differently, feels different so length is only one thing to consider....
 
Mtell1 said:
If so, Im at about 17inches...is this a guide line to help pick a blade length? Many thanks.
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I think maybe it'd be a better "biometric" for overall length, but even then one would have to take into account weight differences between the various khukuri designs, as well as your intended applications. For example, I can chop fine with a 19" Bonecutter, and my elbow to fingertip measurement is about that, but I wouldn't be able to use it for more than one or two hours on and off. The weight would get fatiguing for a lil' fella like me.

Folk have long sought a "golden measurement" for khuks, and we usually just come back to the conclusion that there's more considerations at play.

Edit: Harper beat me to it... faster typer! :D
 
Mtell1 said:
Hi,

Sorry to ask a basic question, or maybe I am 100% out to lunch here...:)

To determine an ideal blade size is there a test/guideline such as measuring from your elbow to finger tips? I read about it from this thread and I think one or two other places...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=682892

If so, Im at about 17inches...is this a guide line to help pick a blade length? Many thanks.
Click to expand...

My mention of elbow to tip was more of a baseline reading for a comparison to the blade length. To me, I pictured myself drawing the blade in a Martial Arts style and bending at the elbow. I then would have needed at least that much space to conduct the draw safely. It shouldn't be used to determine blade length per se... when it comes to general use.

Now what seemed like too much at the time, after getting my 18" Ultimate Fighter I now have a better comparison. There's a lot more play in the length than I previously thought. I figure now I'd be happy with anything 16.5" - 18". That would probably fit what I want to do with it. Anything bigger and I'm not going to be able to perform the draw correctly.

You basically need to figure out what you want to do with it. For Martial Arts... probably less than 20" unless to perform short sword techniques in which 20"+ would be appropriate. For basic chopping... 15"+ would be good. Some guys say for brush clearing they like 20"+ so they don't tangle up or get cut by the brush.

It's all personal preference. ;) Figure out what you want it to do, and then go from there.
 
Thanks for the feedback guys, I appreciate it.

Id like something for overall use, Im a one knife type of guy, LOL.

The last knife I ordered was a ScrapYard Dumpster Mutt LE picture looked great and they are kind of limited so I ordered right away. The handle was too short for me, knife too heavy and too think, so that was $130 wasted, it still sits in its box. Great knife but not for me.

With the Khurki I want to make sure that doesn't happen again!

I think this knife is great, I would have ordered it but couldnt find any information on the Bonecutter on the HI website...

10-20-09%20006.jpg


Im not very good with choices, or Id end up with buying a lot...:)
 
A good overall some would say is the M-43... others might say the CAK. Depends on how much oomph you want in the swing. But either are relatively "all around" knives. The Bonecutter sounds good too... similar in nature from what I gather to the Bonecutter more than an M-43.

Just go through the pages here in the forums and see what everyone is saying. Then infect yourself with the virus and buy one... then another... then another. :P One day you'll find the perfect one.
 
Mtell1 said:
I think this knife is great, I would have ordered it but couldnt find any information on the Bonecutter on the HI website...
Click to expand...

Email Yangdu directly at himimp@aol.com with your inquiry/request for a Bonecutter as there may be one still in stock as they have not been a regular production item, so they do not appear on the website in in the online shop.
 
b.c.molin said:
Email Yangdu directly at himimp@aol.com with your inquiry/request for a Bonecutter as there may be one still in stock as they have not been a regular production item, so they do not appear on the website in in the online shop.
Click to expand...

Yeah that exact Bonecutter you referenced was a Deal of the Day and sold. You might e-mail her and ask if there's another one available at the same price (maybe a blem). If not, ask what the price would be for a new one.

A lot of what people buy is not listed on the site.
 
On the DOTD thread there are often listed not only villager models. But non standard items such as the Bonecutters, and the knives by Sgt. Khadka. Quite a number of specialty items show up as well.
 
Furthermore, if you email Yangdu, tell her what you want to do (not just an "all 'round knife", but the actual tasks you want it to perform) and she can give you some suggestions.

My favorite is the CAK, with the M43 a very close second.

Uncle Bill thought the WWII is the best all-rounder, yet I don't particularly care for it.

Also check out the "Lost pages" post and look at the pictures. Generally, one or two will call to you -- be honest with what you want -- and are good first choices, and may end up being the best choice.
 
things to think about are: weight; is this something you are going to be packing through the woods or in the back of your truck? length; are you going to be using it as a camp knife, a brush clearer, a chopping tool? Style; once again what are you using it for, will it be a everyday companion, a martial arts tool, or a show piece?

The only thing you don't have to think about is quality even though everyone has their favorite kami they are all the best quality you can get...and don't worry if you buy a blem from the forum most of the time you'll be doing good if you can find the problem.

Finally email Yangdu with the qualities you are looking for and she will help you out....no one hear knows more about kurkris than she does and she wont steer you wrong.

there is a 16 inch 31 ounce chiruwa Ang Khola by Vim in the 10/22 sale that would be a excellent first kurkri. And probably the most durable knife you could ever own.
 
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I'm 6'5" so proportionately me using a 20" khukuri would be about the same as a Nepalese person using a 15" khukuri.

I like my khukuris BIG. I have a 26" chitlangi I'm fond of but I consider it a sword. For actual use out in the woods for clearing brush and chopping wood, I like 'em in about the 20" - 23" length. That feels right to me.


And by the way, if you look back to the bronze age and early iron age, most swords were a bit on the small side compared to what was used in the Medieval period. A 20" khukuri would certainly be considered a sword back then.
 
Mtell1 said:
I think this knife is great, I would have ordered it but couldnt find any information on the Bonecutter on the HI website...
Click to expand...

Bonecutters are among the best khuk designs for chopping wood. I've got a 19" one and love it! I don't know much about the Dumpster Mutt LE, but I might wager a guess that you'll probably want a BC in the 15-16" range, given that weight seems to be an issue. Best bet would be to find out what the Mutt weighed, and compare to some of the BC (and maybe other) specimens on this forum... as was suggested earlier, e-mail Yangdu and ask if she has any models you like that weigh XX number of ounces.
 
The last knife I ordered was a ScrapYard Dumpster Mutt LE picture looked great and they are kind of limited so I ordered right away. The handle was too short for me, knife too heavy and too think, so that was $130 wasted, it still sits in its box. Great knife but not for me.
Click to expand...

No offense intended at all, but if you thought that a 1/4" thick knife was too heavy and thick, I'm not sure if you want a khukuri. My 15" Sirupati is 0.410" thick just above the bolster, 0.365" thick at the "bend," and weighs about 18 ounces. I just got a new 21" Chitlangi, too. It's a whopping 0.514" thick above the bolster, 0.456" at the "bend," and 33 ounces. Chitlangis, Sirupatis, and Chainpuris are supposed to be the lightest "true khukuri" designs, too. Kobras are lighter, but aren't considered to be "real" khukuris, generally. Unless my info is outdated; I know they used to be covered under the knife/sword warranty rather than the khukuri warranty.

If you do know what you're getting into, though, for reference, the 15" Siru's handle is about 3.5" of usable length (which is perfect for my average-ish size hands), while the 21" Chit has a good 4.75" of handle (a hand-and-a-half grip, for me). It seems like, in general, the longer ones have longer handles too.
 
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Remember though with a chitlangi handle, about .5" of that length is because of the bell-shaped pommel.
 
That's why I said usable length. I wasn't counting any of the pommel, or the flare. It's 4.75" from where the bolster reaches full thickness (not the habaki part or the tapering part), to where it just starts to flare.

Then again, "usable" differs from person to person. Here's a photo, to make it a bit more unambiguous.

handle.jpg


Hm, a lot of parallax error from the camera being so close. It is approx 4.75" from the "shoulder" of the bolster to the start of the flare, even though it doesn't look like it.

While I've got the camera out, here's the 21" Chitlangi's thickness.

thick.jpg


Chitlangi on the left, very old abused Ka-Bar on the right (the handle got moldy and had to be removed, yuck). HI khukuris can seem unbelievably thick to the uninitiated. But despite the thickness and weight, this is a very agile, maneuverable blade.
 
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Ryan M said:
I just got a new 21" Chitlangi, too. It's a whopping 0.514" thick above the bolster, 0.456" at the "bend," and 33 ounces.
Click to expand...

So you are the shark who beat me to it hey? :thumbup: :D

Good luck with it and let us know how it performs.
 
Ryan M said:
No offense intended at all, but if you thought that a 1/4" thick knife was too heavy and thick, I'm not sure if you want a khukuri. My 15" Sirupati is 0.410" thick just above the bolster, 0.365" thick at the "bend," and weighs about 18 ounces. I just got a new 21" Chitlangi, too. It's a whopping 0.514" thick above the bolster, 0.456" at the "bend," and 33 ounces. Chitlangis, Sirupatis, and Chainpuris are supposed to be the lightest "true khukuri" designs, too. Kobras are lighter, but aren't considered to be "real" khukuris, generally. Unless my info is outdated; I know they used to be covered under the knife/sword warranty rather than the khukuri warranty.

If you do know what you're getting into, though, for reference, the 15" Siru's handle is about 3.5" of usable length (which is perfect for my average-ish size hands), while the 21" Chit has a good 4.75" of handle (a hand-and-a-half grip, for me). It seems like, in general, the longer ones have longer handles too.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the insight, great detailed information.

With the Dumpster Mutt I was hoping I could use it as a bush/belt knife to replace my $7 plastic Mora. Bad thinking on my part, but thats how it goes. A Grohmann would have been better for a belt knife, or another plastic Mora.

Honestly I dont get out to any places where Id have any real use for a Khurki - to me it would be more of a collection piece and a representation/appreciation of the Nepal area and people...

Its amazing how for around $100 you can get a beautiful knife that was forged from a truck spring, horn handle, polished to a mirror, all worked by hand.
 
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Ryan M said:
That's why I said usable length. I wasn't counting any of the pommel, or the flare. It's 4.75" from where the bolster reaches full thickness (not the habaki part or the tapering part), to where it just starts to flare.

Then again, "usable" differs from person to person. Here's a photo, to make it a bit more unambiguous.

Hm, a lot of parallax error from the camera being so close. It is approx 4.75" from the "shoulder" of the bolster to the start of the flare, even though it doesn't look like it.

While I've got the camera out, here's the 21" Chitlangi's thickness.

Chitlangi on the left, very old abused Ka-Bar on the right (the handle got moldy and had to be removed, yuck). HI khukuris can seem unbelievably thick to the uninitiated. But despite the thickness and weight, this is a very agile, maneuverable blade.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the great pics, I appreciate it. Youre right they are super think. To me its like a little axe, the thickness makes it an even more indestructible tool...

Off topic, but I know what you mean about moldy leather handles. I have an old Marbles Field-craft and its stacked leather disc handles are pretty nasty...
 
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