Kamis

[Bigbore577]

I wasn't going to go anywhere else anyway.

Still a bit out of range for the time being, but definitely not out of mind.

Jackal, you have great tastes as does Ndog, perhaps I should say similar likes. The GCB may not go out of mind for you. However, ever since I stumbled upon a thread started by our friend Karda some years back, I can't get the following out of mine:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...p-Fuller-Sirupati?highlight=Teardrop+Sirupati

PS: I deplore auto correct! Karda, would have banned me had I not corrected his moniker post haste.

 

[ndoghouse]

Yeah that teardrop is a dream blade for sure. Thats one of them hit the EMS button first then think about it later. Im alive today and done more stupid things

 

[Jackal_89]

Take a second mortgage on your house man! Its definitely worth it! Tell them its for tools to add on a patio or porch to the back of the house. You can take a pretty good cut off a 2x4 if you practice They are about 3/8" thick and fullered all the way down. They look heavy but the balance and craftsmanship is superb. They ring like a bell when you thump them. They look heavy because they are so wide but them fullers really lighten it up. Probably my favorite sword of all. I like any Chitlangi tho.

Got another year of college! No house yet! I save up my play money, but paying for school is more important. I may end up broke, but no loans means no debt and no debt with a new job (hopefully) means more money for HI!

 

[Jackal_89]

Thanks, I try!

At first that teardrop Sirupati was a bit too strange for my taste, but I gotta say, it's going on me. That or it's just the HIKV going deeper.

 

[Bigbore577]

Thanks, I try!

At first that teardrop Sirupati was a bit too strange for my taste, but I gotta say, it's going on me. That or it's just the HIKV going deeper.

Both!

 

[cul4u01]

Thanks, I try!

At first that teardrop Sirupati was a bit too strange for my taste, but I gotta say, it's going on me. That or it's just the HIKV going deeper.

You like the sirupate, you'll love the bashpati then.

 

[Jackal_89]

A couple things:

One: This thread has gotten a little off topic. Not that I'm complaining!

Two: You all keep showing me these pics for some reason. It's as if you're trying to tempt me or something... (shifty eyes)

Three: The bashpati looks like a short WWII with bone handle, yes? I'm still a bit skeptical of horn and bone for handle material. Never used it myself and since I've read it cracks in cold or large fluctuations in temperature (like in my Ohio winters).

 

[cul4u01]

Three: The bashpati looks like a short WWII with bone handle, yes? I'm still a bit skeptical of horn and bone for handle material. Never used it myself and since I've read it cracks in cold or large fluctuations in temperature (like in my Ohio winters).

The bashpati isn't short, it's 18", and 24oz. The handle is bone, but with proper care, it's held up splendidly. It's also extremely agile for an 18" blade, but then, it is a Rajkumar piece.

We love showing off our blades, it helps spread the HIKV to unsuspecting newbies...

 

[Jackal_89]

The bashpati isn't short, it's 18", and 24oz. The handle is bone, but with proper care, it's held up splendidly. It's also extremely agile for an 18" blade, but then, it is a Rajkumar piece.

We love showing off our blades, it helps spread the HIKV to unsuspecting newbies...

Ah. It's hard to get a good sense of scale in these images.

 

[Bawanna]

They aren't all that large, some are smaller, I have one about 12" or so.
Don't worry about horn or bone handles, if you love it you'll keep it close to your body under your clothing to keep it warm and loved.

You should do this extremely carefully but it's the right thing to do. Love the knife and it'll love you right back.

 

[cul4u01]

Love the knife and it'll love you right back.

:thumbup:

 

[Shavru]

LoL, Welcome Jackal, Yes, HIKV is a serious disease. It is not fatal unless you are married and your spouse doesn't understand your spending habits, or you borrow Khuk money from a loan shark and don't repay him. But there is no cure.

I for instance logged on just to look because I had someone mention them to me, and now I have umm, let's just say a modest collection of no less than 24 HI blades which includes a Falcata, a set of Bowies, a couple of Kumar Kardas a few other types of non-khukuri knives and a dozen or so Khukuris. As someone who spent decades collecting Nihonto I find HI Khukuri are very similar in the concepts that every Kami (Smith's) work is unique. There are standards but then within those standards for the type of knife you see a particular Kami with a style that REALLY pleases your eye, while others you merely like. The true value of the handmade item is exactly as you described it. The Soul of each blade.

 

[Scara]

LoL, Welcome Jackal, Yes, HIKV is a serious disease. It is not fatal unless you are married and your spouse doesn't understand your spending habits, or you borrow Khuk money from a loan shark and don't repay him. But there is no cure.

I for instance logged on just to look because I had someone mention them to me, and now I have umm, let's just say a modest collection of no less than 24 HI blades which includes a Falcata, a set of Bowies, a couple of Kumar Kardas a few other types of non-khukuri knives and a dozen or so Khukuris. As someone who spent decades collecting Nihonto I find HI Khukuri are very similar in the concepts that every Kami (Smith's) work is unique. There are standards but then within those standards for the type of knife you see a particular Kami with a style that REALLY pleases your eye, while others you merely like. The true value of the handmade item is exactly as you described it. The Soul of each blade.

You have one of the HI Falcatas? Ever since the most recent review of an HI Falcata I've wanted one. And the fact that just today I gave a presentation on the Battle of Cannae, during which Hannibal carried a falcata makes a difference too.

It would be interesting to see how traditional Japanese swords stack up against a falcata.

 

[Jackal_89]

LoL, Welcome Jackal, Yes, HIKV is a serious disease. It is not fatal unless you are married and your spouse doesn't understand your spending habits, or you borrow Khuk money from a loan shark and don't repay him. But there is no cure.

I for instance logged on just to look because I had someone mention them to me, and now I have umm, let's just say a modest collection of no less than 24 HI blades which includes a Falcata, a set of Bowies, a couple of Kumar Kardas a few other types of non-khukuri knives and a dozen or so Khukuris. As someone who spent decades collecting Nihonto I find HI Khukuri are very similar in the concepts that every Kami (Smith's) work is unique. There are standards but then within those standards for the type of knife you see a particular Kami with a style that REALLY pleases your eye, while others you merely like. The true value of the handmade item is exactly as you described it. The Soul of each blade.

Thank you!

Those Nihonto's are pricey!!!!! No wonder you have such a collection! It's always good to hear people who know good blades support HI! It only makes me want more!

 

[Shavru]

You have one of the HI Falcatas? Ever since the most recent review of an HI Falcata I've wanted one. And the fact that just today I gave a presentation on the Battle of Cannae, during which Hannibal carried a falcata makes a difference too.

It would be interesting to see how traditional Japanese swords stack up against a falcata.

Yep,

As for comparing. Well the blade is 20" overall length is 27 so a lot shorter than a Katana. Falcata weight is significantly more than most of my Nihonto though I don't have a scale so can't give exact weights of any of them. Totally different style of fighting too I am imagining just from holding and swinging the Falcata. It really isn't something you can change directions of the blow quickly on but the strike is not going to be deflected easily either. I think of it as a Hybrid between a Sword and a Khuk, Pretty functional but I wouldn't want to face a Katana with it. If both users are fairly equally skilled it would be brutal for both. I doubt either party would survive. The Katana slashing until the Falcata user can get inside the reach would do a lot of damage probably fatal though not immediately. Then once the Falcata user got in range the damage he would do would quickly demolish any defense the Katana user tried to effect. Oh Yeah, you definitely have to be a very strong wristed person to use the Falcata properly too. The Falcata would make large gruesome wounds with much damage. The Katana very accurate and deep slice wounds, Totally different types of Warfare involved in the usage of them both.

 

[Scara]

Yep,

As for comparing. Well the blade is 20" overall length is 27 so a lot shorter than a Katana. Falcata weight is significantly more than most of my Nihonto though I don't have a scale so can't give exact weights of any of them. Totally different style of fighting too I am imagining just from holding and swinging the Falcata. It really isn't something you can change directions of the blow quickly on but the strike is not going to be deflected easily either. I think of it as a Hybrid between a Sword and a Khuk, Pretty functional but I wouldn't want to face a Katana with it. If both users are fairly equally skilled it would be brutal for both. I doubt either party would survive. The Katana slashing until the Falcata user can get inside the reach would do a lot of damage probably fatal though not immediately. Then once the Falcata user got in range the damage he would do would quickly demolish any defense the Katana user tried to effect. Oh Yeah, you definitely have to be a very strong wristed person to use the Falcata properly too. The Falcata would make large gruesome wounds with much damage. The Katana very accurate and deep slice wounds, Totally different types of Warfare involved in the usage of them both.

I suppose it would also be necessary to factor in that the Iberians often fought with shields in addition to their swords. But your assessment sounds pretty on. I'd love to see someone make training versions of the falcata and katana and spar, as well as the same scenario but with the falcata wielder using a shield.

 

[Bawanna]

That's really something! Pretty wonderful Falcata.

 

[davidf99]

I had this Falcata. It was 27" OAL and 56 oz of sheer beauty. I gave it up -- reluctantly -- because the heavy weight, forward balance, and relatively narrow handle made it too hard for me to manage. I remember wishing there were a similar blade with a two-handed handle, but of course that would mean sacrificing the umbrella-handle shape at the end.

A person would have to have very strong wrists indeed to do anything with this blade other than lifting it up to hang on the wall. I suspect that the historical Falcatas were a lot lighter weight, just as military khukuris tend to be thinner/lighter than choppers.

View attachment 593998

 

[Shavru]

Love the brass trim on the sheath of that one Davidf99. Very classy looking. I have been doing Kendo for MANY years and took up Scottish backswords as well as Sabre sport fencing over the years too. My wrists and forearms are probably as strong as most men, though I still lose arm wrestling to hubby, I blame that on pure bulk. The Falcata wears out my wrist in just 10 minutes of fighting. For comparison the average Nihonto/Katanas I own weigh in between 32 and 46oz. with most of the ones I use being in the 34-38oz range. Backswords I have average in the range of 36-42oz. and sport sabres are really light at 15oz range for competition and 18oz being the heaviest I ever saw. I think you are right though. The grip makes a huge difference. The Falcata is pretty thin so it twists in your grip a bit if you try to change lines in the middle of an attack or defense. I think you are right about them maybe putting on a bit of weight over the years. That makes a lot of sense as most historical Falcatas I find references to seem to be in the 36oz range estimate. That might make enough difference to make them more user friendly. Still a heavy weight for the length, but not as robust as the one I have. Scara, also a good point. I was thinking duel-weild but I doubt anyone could control these at their weight, with their off-hand. So the shield would help a lot. I also see Iberians using spears similar to Roman legions. Sheild and spear until close then Falcata instead of the Roman Gladius for closeup work.

 

[Scara]

Love the brass trim on the sheath of that one Davidf99. Very classy looking. I have been doing Kendo for MANY years and took up Scottish backswords as well as Sabre sport fencing over the years too. My wrists and forearms are probably as strong as most men, though I still lose arm wrestling to hubby, I blame that on pure bulk. The Falcata wears out my wrist in just 10 minutes of fighting. For comparison the average Nihonto/Katanas I own weigh in between 32 and 46oz. with most of the ones I use being in the 34-38oz range. Backswords I have average in the range of 36-42oz. and sport sabres are really light at 15oz range for competition and 18oz being the heaviest I ever saw. I think you are right though. The grip makes a huge difference. The Falcata is pretty thin so it twists in your grip a bit if you try to change lines in the middle of an attack or defense. I think you are right about them maybe putting on a bit of weight over the years. That makes a lot of sense as most historical Falcatas I find references to seem to be in the 36oz range estimate. That might make enough difference to make them more user friendly. Still a heavy weight for the length, but not as robust as the one I have. Scara, also a good point. I was thinking duel-weild but I doubt anyone could control these at their weight, with their off-hand. So the shield would help a lot. I also see Iberians using spears similar to Roman legions. Sheild and spear until close then Falcata instead of the Roman Gladius for closeup work.

According to Wikipedia, which as we all know is always right, Iberians did fight with javelin and spear until closing into range. At least at Cannae however it is somewhat debatable if the Romans were all carrying Gladii (yeah, those Romans and their strange plural, gladii instead of gladiuses). Apparently 216 BC (the year of Cannae) is the year they adopted it, but they were also frantically creating new legions and sending them into battle, so whether or not they all carried a gladius at battles like Cannae is uncertain, from what I can tell with my limited research. However that was far from the only time that Romans fought Iberians. Cannae happened under the Roman Republic, and they were still fighting the Iberians when Julius Caesar was in power. Returning to the Falcata, I see the Falcata being a soldier's weapon, with many people working together with sword and shield. The katana and similar seem to be more the weapons of individual fighters. And of course the Samurai were most effective in warfare as horse archers.

As for robustness of various Falcatas, I imagine an HI Falcata or any decently made one today would be far superior to the ancient ones, even at lighter weights. Metallurgy today has just advanced so far ahead of where it was back then that we can achieve blades that are far more durable in every respect, whether it be edge-retention, shock absorption, or rust resistance.

I would love to see an HI Falcata with a lighter blade, and a thicker grip. A grip sized like my Lachhu 18" WWII would be perfect for me for a heavy weapon. Come to think of it, an HI Gladius would be interesting, though less so than a Falcata.

Apologies to Jackal for how far of topic we're going.