Just received my first HI khukuri, first impressions (sorry, no pics or videos YET)

[keikuru]

Hey all, I just ordered my first HI khukuri last week, an 18" sirupati. It arrived today, less than a weeks delivery which was surprisingly fast considering it's this close to Christmas! Out of the box the first thing I noticed was how easily it slid out of the sheath, there was no resistance at all except when pulling the bulkiest part of the blade out, very well made sheath. The Karda/Chakmak were amazing, while not hair shaving sharp I will not need to sharpen the little knife that came with the khukuri as it has a very "biting" edge, which I think is great as a work-sharp knife and would be more versatile than if I put a super fine edge on it which could lead to chips. Both tools are decently sized and I can easily see myself using them, unlike my old WW2 khukuri that a family friend gave me that belonged to his uncle, the tools were not even 2" long, I don't know how the old Gurkhas used to use them, but I suppose any blade/sharpening tool no matter the size was the most important thing. The Sirupati, while being called "light and fast", and while being a mid-sized Sirupati at 18", was surprisingly heavy, the spine was easily 1/4" inch although it tapers down beautifully into the handle and at the top of the blade. It feels very fast in the hand and there's no doubt that you can generate a lot of torque with it and do some serious damage. The quality is perfect, having the makers mark is a huge plus for me and knowing that I have my lifetime warranty here at HI is very comforting to know. I have done some light chopping and although the edge is what I would call barely utilitarian it chops very deep, it feels more like a sword or weapon than a tool. I'm very happy to own it and will be buying again from HI. If there's one thing I want to ask is about sharpness of HI khukuris, I know that it's better having a field sharp rig in the long term but I'm wondering if any of you forum guys would recommend touching up the edge a bit? None of the edge can cut paper so it's pretty dull. That's the only downside I can think of. Thank you Auntie for the Christmas message on your card, it's a very nice sweet touch. The quality is definitely there even down to the very small things such as the way the handle attaches to the scales, it's these minute differences that makes it clear that the kami's are very skilled.

That's all for now, I plan to make a video review and full text review with pictures at a later date.

 

[Gehazi]

those things that come with it have a purpose, check them i think its the chakma, it has a flat dull edge of polished steel of the same quality as the blade itself-- I am a super novice so this should be easy for you too -- just take that thing, angle it and very gently and smoothly run it along the edge of the blade , you should roll the cutting end back to where it can do its job, you will feel slight resistance on the chakma as it pushes this steel around, as you use it it will usually be small bumps that you just smooth out after using them, and then it stays sharp basically unless you dig into something you should not, thats why these things are so great, they are made to last, not to break. use the chakma like a sharpening stone essentially, use it to find defects in the edge and push them back into place.

my first HI was also a suripati, I find them very good blades, even though very light they are extremely durable tools, i still use mine, and its done almost everything, its pretty beaten up , but I love it.

 

[keikuru]

those things that come with it have a purpose, check them i think its the chakma, it has a flat dull edge of polished steel of the same quality as the blade itself-- I am a super novice so this should be easy for you too -- just take that thing, angle it and very gently and smoothly run it along the edge of the blade , you should roll the cutting end back to where it can do its job, you will feel slight resistance on the chakma as it pushes this steel around, as you use it it will usually be small bumps that you just smooth out after using them, and then it stays sharp basically unless you dig into something you should not, thats why these things are so great, they are made to last, not to break. use the chakma like a sharpening stone essentially, use it to find defects in the edge and push them back into place.

It's my first time using a Chakmak and it seems very instinctive to use, like I already knew how to use it even though I clearly don't. I ran it up and down the blade and felt spots where the steel seemed to have burrs and I'm guessing it was feeling out the burrs and getting rid of them. It seems like a really good tool for sharpening if it works to get a good edge since it's such an easy process and a tool that would last forever unlike sharpening stones that wear with time. I will have a go at fully sharpening with the Chakmak later today and see my results, but from what I've done so far it does seem to be removing burrs and giving the edge more of a "bite". I understand that khukuris have a working edge and not a "western" style edge where we all want these hair shaving sharp edges that just weaken the blades in the long run, but it was just a little too dull for my standards. But I would have eventually had to sharpen the khukuri again so by no means is this an issue. And by no means am I unhappy with it, the thing is beautiful. And I get to have fun learning how to use the traditional tools to touch up the edge. The grind is certainly very well made and convex'd perfectly, I'm so happy with it. The thing is a beast. HI really is amazing. Once my Chainpuri khukuri arrives I think the next (and hopefully she says) last knives I'll buy from here is a Kumar Karda and an AK bowie. I say that but I'll be like you guys in a month, buying more, always more! Haha.

 

[Gehazi]

you got it man, those burrs are what you want to smooth out, and it is very instinctive because they are so well made, i know exactly what you mean, my brother only had to tell me once how to do it and I always check my blades when im doing the cleaning to make sure the edge is ready for work even though I only use my kvluks and siru -- part of the great fun of the knives is actually maintaining them over time and finding the very small things you can do to make them more suited to you, like I had several brass caps that started showing because of horn shrinkage, so i carefully smoothed them out and its like it was meant to be. having to tweak things like that shows you really enjoy the hobby is all huzzah.

Blades with souls, machines are great but they can't make a blade with a soul.

and yeah other than food and shelter this is my primary dumping ground for disposable income, and I love it.

 

[Slugger]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm leaning towards one of these lighter blades next.

 

[Gehazi]

I have never been disappointed in a purchase from here, simple as that and I have bought a lot.

 

[ndoghouse]

Keikuru I noticed you had a sheath that was loose. Coincidentally I was going through my collection doing repairs at the time you were posting this and was inspired to get off my south side and help ya out. I posted a "how to" regarding your loose fitting sheath. I hope it helps ya out. It is common to have this happen. Sometimes being stored in a dry climate like Reno where Aunti Yangdu keeps them causes them to dry out a bit. It would not be cost effective for her to return them to Nepal for repair or adjustments so she has to offer them to us for ridiculous low prices. We have come to expect a few blemishes here and there on the DOTD offerings. Many of us here know how to sharpen them,fix cracked handles, and tighten up sheaths so that makes these DOTD offerings especially enticing to us. If you have one of these issues we will be glad to walk you through anything you need to do to get your knife up to your expectations. Were all under the same boat! The result of these DOTD offerings are when you order online from the website you are getting the cream of the crop! ENJOY!

 

[keikuru]

Sorry, I thought I had replied to that thread saying thanks, I guess I forgot. I meant to say thanks so much for posting that since it was posted just as I posted about having a loose sheath. The funny thing is my old khukuri had a sheath that was too tight, and this one is too loose. I don't really mind at all though, I see this as more of a weapon than a tool that I'll be lugging around too much so I kind of like that it sits loose in the sheath, but I'm going to try your method and try and tighten her up so she doesn't fall out. I'm really looking forward to getting a camera soon so I'll record my attempt at tightening the sheath as well as my full impressions, review etc. coming soon. Thanks a lot for the advice. People like you make this community what it is and for those of us who really go out and bang these suckers around maintenance is something we need to know, and it's something fun to learn at the same time so you know if you ever have any issues in the future you can always maintain it. It's like what I hear from my mechanic mate, he often fixes these super expensive land rovers that are designed to survive anything, but because the drivers don't know how to look after them as soon as they break down they're screwed, so even a crappy car can last you a lifetime if you learn how to look after it. I guess the same goes for a khukuri! Hope you have a nice holiday!

 

[Jens Schuetz]

Hey all, I just ordered my first HI khukuri last week, an 18" sirupati. It arrived today, less than a weeks delivery which was surprisingly fast considering it's this close to Christmas! Out of the box the first thing I noticed was how easily it slid out of the sheath, there was no resistance at all except when pulling the bulkiest part of the blade out, very well made sheath. The Karda/Chakmak were amazing, while not hair shaving sharp I will not need to sharpen the little knife that came with the khukuri as it has a very "biting" edge, which I think is great as a work-sharp knife and would be more versatile than if I put a super fine edge on it which could lead to chips. Both tools are decently sized and I can easily see myself using them, unlike my old WW2 khukuri that a family friend gave me that belonged to his uncle, the tools were not even 2" long, I don't know how the old Gurkhas used to use them, but I suppose any blade/sharpening tool no matter the size was the most important thing. The Sirupati, while being called "light and fast", and while being a mid-sized Sirupati at 18", was surprisingly heavy, the spine was easily 1/4" inch although it tapers down beautifully into the handle and at the top of the blade. It feels very fast in the hand and there's no doubt that you can generate a lot of torque with it and do some serious damage. The quality is perfect, having the makers mark is a huge plus for me and knowing that I have my lifetime warranty here at HI is very comforting to know. I have done some light chopping and although the edge is what I would call barely utilitarian it chops very deep, it feels more like a sword or weapon than a tool. I'm very happy to own it and will be buying again from HI. If there's one thing I want to ask is about sharpness of HI khukuris, I know that it's better having a field sharp rig in the long term but I'm wondering if any of you forum guys would recommend touching up the edge a bit? None of the edge can cut paper so it's pretty dull. That's the only downside I can think of. Thank you Auntie for the Christmas message on your card, it's a very nice sweet touch. The quality is definitely there even down to the very small things such as the way the handle attaches to the scales, it's these minute differences that makes it clear that the kami's are very skilled.

That's all for now, I plan to make a video review and full text review with pictures at a later date.

Mine can shave hair (arm and not face). I didn't even make the edge angle flatter. All I did was sharpening at the angle which was already there. Don't see any disadvantage of sharpening it as much as possible.

 

[Karda]

Mine can shave hair (arm and not face). I didn't even make the edge angle flatter. All I did was sharpening at the angle which was already there. Don't see any disadvantage of sharpening it as much as possible.

As I've stated plenty of times before. A khukuri used for chopping should not be hair-shaving sharp. Too fine of an edge promotes deformation and chipping. A field sharp edge (think axe/hatchet sharp) is the correct one for chopping. A hair-shaving sharp edge should only be used on blades whose job is dedicated to slicing.

 

[Gehazi]

display khuks should be hair shaving sharp though !

 

[Jens Schuetz]

As I've stated plenty of times before. A khukuri used for chopping should not be hair-shaving sharp. Too fine of an edge promotes deformation and chipping. A field sharp edge (think axe/hatchet sharp) is the correct one for chopping. A hair-shaving sharp edge should only be used on blades whose job is dedicated to slicing.

Nothing sharper than my KVLUK as it came from Reno. So I guess I'm not too sharp or the Kamis like it too sharp too once in a while or my arm hair is too brittle
Anyways there are no more chips than with dull blades because the edge had the same angle. I did not! regrind it to a smaller angle.
Now with dull blades one might have to berserk more while chopping and cause true blade damage. Dull blades are bend at the very edge or are too toothy which are also starting points for more damage when chopping.
So as long as sharper only means sharper and not flatter I don't see any reason to keep it dull.

 

[snowwolf]

Too fine of an edge promotes deformation and chipping. A field sharp edge (think axe/hatchet sharp) is the correct one for chopping. A hair-shaving sharp edge should only be used on blades whose job is dedicated to slicing.

Words of the wisdom.

I also do like Gehazi says... I keep my show room blades razor sharp (if the steel allows it). But no matter how often I warn the people who handle them, sooner or later I hear a quiet "oh shit" followed by a bleeding finger.

 

[snowwolf]

So as long as sharper only means sharper and not flatter I don't see any reason to keep it dull.

There is a right blade angle for every tasks.

 

[Jens Schuetz]

There is a right blade angle for every tasks.

Exactly :thumbup:
The question was not about the angle. It was just about keeping it sharp at that angle or dull.
(have seen tools that cut magnesium and steel (without chipping) which had even bigger angles and were still so sharp that they could cut my skin with no effort...)

 

[Gehazi]

great posts snowwolf and jens ! love that graph, still really learning how to properly move the steel myself. but a good policy with knives , even when allowing guests to handle them---- Please always treat like a loaded gun.

 

[Steve Tall]

Convex edges can be made sharp enough to shave hairs, and still be strong enough for chopping wood. Axes put to hard use on trail crews, for example, can be routinely kept "shaving sharp".

Stropping is a good way to get a hair-shaving edge on axes and khukuris. I've read that the resulting polished edge (instead of a "toothy" edge) gives better performance when chopping, something about the friction or resistance being reduced? Maybe the micro-serrations of a "toothy" edge give better performance for slicing (like saw teeth or a serrated knife), but when chopping those micro-serrations will tend to fold over, effectively dulling the blade.

I think the problem arises for khukuris when an angled bevel is imposed onto the formerly convex edge. Then the edge is weaker, especially if it's made "shaving sharp".

 

[snowwolf]

Exactly :thumbup:
The question was not about the angle. It was just about keeping it sharp at that angle or dull.
(have seen tools that cut magnesium and steel (without chipping) which had even bigger angles and were still so sharp that they could cut my skin with no effort...)

Well put, sorry if I miss read at first.