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Just in Kailash HSI

R

ronie1988

Joined
May 25, 2014
Messages
182
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Very cool looking. I really like the blade profile and overall shape. Classic 70's BSI. This type was the last, decent, military issue to the British Gurkhas. Nice to see Kailash resurrecting this iconic piece. Proper all rounder/utility bit of kit. IMHO every one with an interest in Kukri or military knives should try and get this type for their collection. The micarta option really elevates this to the next level.
 
Caldey Cat said:
Very cool looking. I really like the blade profile and overall shape. Classic 70's BSI. This type was the last, decent, military issue to the British Gurkhas. Nice to see Kailash resurrecting this iconic piece. Proper all rounder/utility bit of kit. IMHO every one with an interest in Kukri or military knives should try and get this type for their collection. The micarta option really elevates this to the next level.
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I kept it traditional with 8mm thickness instead of 6mm
 
Caldey Cat said:
Very cool looking. I really like the blade profile and overall shape. Classic 70's BSI. This type was the last, decent, military issue to the British Gurkhas. Nice to see Kailash resurrecting this iconic piece. Proper all rounder/utility bit of kit. IMHO every one with an interest in Kukri or military knives should try and get this type for their collection. The micarta option really elevates this to the next level.
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I have buffalo horn handle...not micarta
 
Thanks for sharing the pics! Looking neat and classy.
We've been considering upping the spine thickness on the HSI- how do you like you beefed up version? I didn't manage to get a final weight from the team before it shipped. You wouldn't happen to have it would you?
Take care,
Andrew
 
Kailash Blades said:
Thanks for sharing the pics! Looking neat and classy.
We've been considering upping the spine thickness on the HSI- how do you like you beefed up version? I didn't manage to get a final weight from the team before it shipped. You wouldn't happen to have it would you?
Take care,
Andrew
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I don't have any means to weight the blade. But for sure it doesn't feel hefty. It's well balanced.
Still I shall try to measure the weight with some scale and will let you know.
 
I think a lot of it is down to personal preference. General martial artists and bushcrafters tend to trend lighter, while khukuri die hards seem to prefer more moderate weights. It's uncommon that high weighted khukuris are appreciated by modern users but I think this is a strength and practice thing. On my last trip to Nepal I was swinging all sorts of khukuris non stop for months and I found my preferred blade weight for a given utility increasing by 10-20%.
For me I think 530g is a great weight for this length and I have felt that the 11.5" HSI could do with a touch extra rigidity and chopping power. I think this is something that the average user would appreciate. The added spine thickness also helps the hollow forging look a little more dramatic.
The BSI's of this period had a huge range of lengths, shapes and weights. Our current website model is on the lower end of that spectrum as when we first started we were very focused on leading the industry towards lighter and more considered blades. These days though that mission has been pretty well accomplished and going forward we're wanting to ensure that these more historical models are as representative of possible. We're also wanting to maintain the kinds of POBs on our current blades but up the mass a little bit. In some instances this results in heavier blades than the antiques as some period handles were unusably small in today's hands. We feel that when we add in the tapers and geometry to achieve this the final blade generally has a feel in hand that we feel is both more desirable and a bit more representative of the originals in some cases.
 
Kailash Blades said:
I think a lot of it is down to personal preference. General martial artists and bushcrafters tend to trend lighter, while khukuri die hards seem to prefer more moderate weights. It's uncommon that high weighted khukuris are appreciated by modern users but I think this is a strength and practice thing. On my last trip to Nepal I was swinging all sorts of khukuris non stop for months and I found my preferred blade weight for a given utility increasing by 10-20%.
For me I think 530g is a great weight for this length and I have felt that the 11.5" HSI could do with a touch extra rigidity and chopping power. I think this is something that the average user would appreciate. The added spine thickness also helps the hollow forging look a little more dramatic.
The BSI's of this period had a huge range of lengths, shapes and weights. Our current website model is on the lower end of that spectrum as when we first started we were very focused on leading the industry towards lighter and more considered blades. These days though that mission has been pretty well accomplished and going forward we're wanting to ensure that these more historical models are as representative of possible. We're also wanting to maintain the kinds of POBs on our current blades but up the mass a little bit. In some instances this results in heavier blades than the antiques as some period handles were unusably small in today's hands. We feel that when we add in the tapers and geometry to achieve this the final blade generally has a feel in hand that we feel is both more desirable and a bit more representative of the originals in some cases.
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Good insights. Awaiting further models and upgrades from you in near future.
 
Kailash Blades said:
I think a lot of it is down to personal preference. General martial artists and bushcrafters tend to trend lighter, while khukuri die hards seem to prefer more moderate weights. It's uncommon that high weighted khukuris are appreciated by modern users but I think this is a strength and practice thing. On my last trip to Nepal I was swinging all sorts of khukuris non stop for months and I found my preferred blade weight for a given utility increasing by 10-20%.
For me I think 530g is a great weight for this length and I have felt that the 11.5" HSI could do with a touch extra rigidity and chopping power. I think this is something that the average user would appreciate. The added spine thickness also helps the hollow forging look a little more dramatic.
The BSI's of this period had a huge range of lengths, shapes and weights. Our current website model is on the lower end of that spectrum as when we first started we were very focused on leading the industry towards lighter and more considered blades. These days though that mission has been pretty well accomplished and going forward we're wanting to ensure that these more historical models are as representative of possible. We're also wanting to maintain the kinds of POBs on our current blades but up the mass a little bit. In some instances this results in heavier blades than the antiques as some period handles were unusably small in today's hands. We feel that when we add in the tapers and geometry to achieve this the final blade generally has a feel in hand that we feel is both more desirable and a bit more representative of the originals in some cases.
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Excellent point made here. In that the BSI kukris have always had noticable differences in weight, blade profile and length. Even pieces made and issued in the same year vary from piece to piece.
To be fair, it's the same for all military issued kukri going back to the mk1. For example I have several, original Mk2 pieces in my collection that are very different from each other. Three are even made by same company (Pioneer) and these 3 all have different weights and handle lengths etc. I remember, when I started collecting and learing about Kukri, these variances between what should be standard military patterns shocked me a bit. Much less uniformity than in other military knives/bayonets etc.
There was also a general fall in quality in issued Kukri as WW2 raged. The wartime demands on materials and production had a big effect.
It's important for those interested in those originals/historic military pieces (and may fancy starting a collection) that although they are "pattern" kukri they can differ quite a bit. And the difference in handling characteristics can be dramatic...
 
ronie1988 said:
It's hsi
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The HSI (Historical servise issue) is what we call the older service issues to distinguish them from the MSI (Modern service issue). Both are British service issues (BSI) but this name is also a bit tricky as there are other models that have been issued by the british historically. Aside from being BSI's the MSI and HSI are both MK5s- the 5th generation of prominent service issue khukuris. One is earlier and one is later with the style drifting and morphing over time.
 
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