Khukri abuse by the masked fellow

[Karda]

+1:thumbup:...an inexperienced hand is an unbiased hand

But the lack of Experience/ knowledge may tend to skew results and therefore breed misinformation. I feel that if Noss had a clue about the design characteristics of a khuk and how to properly wield one, he may well have been more impressed and less complaining about the performance of that little khuk......and rated it better than he did.
Just another reason for me NOT to hold any stock in his "ratings" or "tests" or base my purchases on any of his recommendations.
It makes me wonder what stupidity he'll come up with to say four times, if he tests a churwa-style khuk of any real size.

If Noss' inexperience is no problem and so unbiased then we could really just leave all the testing to a "silverback gorilla enraged by 13 hornet stings on its ass, Swinging a 16.63-pound sledge made by a one-eyed woman in Newark".

 

[Andrew Taylor]

I have bought well over 100 HI khuks and I have tested them to destruction myself a couple times. This test Knife Tests did for us and all destruction test are a good thing to do. You need to test any and all products to their limits...even khukuri knives that are nothing but 100% steel and nothing more. You may feel your khukuri has a soul(I felt that same way about some of mine) but if you don't test it and test it HARD that khukuri you feel has a "soul" could very well fail you when you need it most and that failure may cost you your life.

I agree with mike, destroying a khukri just for the fun of it is appalling. In the real world when the the last time you needed a knife to chop through concrete block, bar steel, steel pipe or climb on the flat of the tang?

It was abuse that broke the knife, not the fault of manufacture.

 

[noss4]

Extreme testing

"I sometimes test a blade to see if it chips, fractures or deforms when put to extreme use. I know that I am going to damage the blade so if you are not prepared for blade damage don't do this test. I chop nails and bolts, usually, to see what happens. If the blade chips out or fractures I have usually damaged the blade beyond repair and I really hate to see this. If the blade deforms and can be put back to near original condition with a little work I am much happier. This is what I want to see on the HI khukuris and how they almost always perform.

Hope this info might help in checking out your knives."

Bill Martino


Quit complaining. The HI did well. I didn't know steel possessed a soul. I guess this needs to be added to metallurgy charts.

 

[Steely_Gunz]

Extreme testing

"I sometimes test a blade to see if it chips, fractures or deforms when put to extreme use. I know that I am going to damage the blade so if you are not prepared for blade damage don't do this test. I chop nails and bolts, usually, to see what happens. If the blade chips out or fractures I have usually damaged the blade beyond repair and I really hate to see this. If the blade deforms and can be put back to near original condition with a little work I am much happier. This is what I want to see on the HI khukuris and how they almost always perform.

Hope this info might help in checking out your knives."

Bill Martino


Quit complaining. The HI did well. I didn't know steel possessed a soul. I guess this needs to be added to metallurgy charts.

Well I see you have found part of the HI website Next time, a little read up of the FAQ section on how a khuk is supposed to be used might offer a little education on how a khuk is suppose to perform.:thumbup:

Now as far as complaining goes, I haven't seen any. I have seen some people disagreeing with your methods. I have also seen some people come to your defense. ALL thoughts and opinions are welcome here.

The mysticism of a khuk is up to the person who owns it. Some believe they are just hunks of metal, some that the blessing they receive before they ship "charms" them in some way, some just think that a 1000 year old knife design beaten out to their level of fit and finish on anvil by a guy squatting in the dirt is intrinsic of having a soul.

 

[noss4]

Steely_Gunz: Your kidding right. There is plenty of complaining about many details here. You read it however you want I guess. The HI did as well as it could and It did well. It didn't do the best. As a few have been complaining about the rating I gave it. I was as fair as I could be an some have been complaining that I complained about the handle many times. Well it was a problem for me during the tests. Also I don't alter the knives so I was stuck with what it had on it.

Not everyone is complaining here this was directed to the ones that were. To those I say be happy it did well. I showed some things you don't get to see very often and you don't have to do with your own blades. For those that disagree with it. This is fine. :thumbup: But please don't be surprised when I disagree with peoples statements.

If your going to give everyone else their voice here then be fair and give me mine as well.

ps. I just think of a knife as piece of steel made by a man. I'm not into the mysticism thing.

 

[wildmanh]

Steely_Gunz: Your kidding right. There is plenty of complaining about many details here. You read it however you want I guess. The HI did as well as it could and It did well. It didn't do the best. As a few have been complaining about the rating I gave it. I was as fair as I could be an some have been complaining that I complained about the handle many times. Well it was a problem for me during the tests. Also I don't alter the knives so I was stuck with what it had on it.

Not everyone is complaining here this was directed to the ones that were. To those I say be happy it did well. I showed some things you don't get to see very often and you don't have to do with your own blades. For those that disagree with it. This is fine. :thumbup: But please don't be surprised when I disagree with peoples statements.

If your going to give everyone else their voice here then be fair and give me mine as well.

ps. I just think of a knife as piece of steel made by a man. I'm not into the mysticism thing.

I don't have a complaint, more a personal preference. Would love to see a summery added to the page with the videos. Mostly cause I prefer to read a review and look at pictures instead of spend half an hour or more going through the videos.

As for testing, some people on this forum asked for the test! I've gotten flack for testing Busse and SwampRat knives before if you can believe it.

Noss4, Can't wait for your field test of the Chiruwa AK. Loved your other field tests. Thinking I should do more of them. Ain't done one in years.

Heber

 

[noss4]

wildmanh: I haven't been doing the write ups lately because I'm swamped with other things besides knives so I just post the videos. It saves me some time. Hopefully I can start doing the summary's again. They are just a play by play of the videos for the most part.

I'm looking forward to using th CAK in the field. I hope I can get away soon to do it. Field testing is fun.

 

[JTR357]

If Noss' inexperience is no problem and so unbiased then we could really just leave all the testing to a "silverback gorilla enraged by 13 hornet stings on its ass, Swinging a 16.63-pound sledge made by a one-eyed woman in Newark".

Bad comparison.You totally missed my point.That's alright though.

These tests are either liked,hated, or entertaining to say the least.It's not worth arguing about.

Have a good one Karda

 

[JTR357]

Hey Noss,Keep doin' what your doin':thumbup:

I'm still waiting to see how the ZT0100 does in a destruction test.That 3V's some tough stuff

 

[wildmanh]

wildmanh: I haven't been doing the write ups lately because I'm swamped with other things besides knives so I just post the videos. It saves me some time. Hopefully I can start doing the summary's again. They are just a play by play of the videos for the most part.

I figured you had your reasons. Thanks for letting me know. I still prefer to read something for 15 minutes then watch the videos. Not sure why...... But thanks again for addressing it for me.

I'm looking forward to using th CAK in the field. I hope I can get away soon to do it. Field testing is fun.

Field testing sure is fun. A friend and I are talking about going camping next weekend. If we do, I'll try to do some field testing of my own and post picts and a write up after wards. Pictures and a write up on your field test would be greatly apreciated. BTW if you just had a video of the field test I'd watch it. I just hate to watch videos of someone breaking something, I'd rather read about it. LOL!! But a field test is different. LOL!!

Heber

 

[Karda]

Bad comparison.You totally missed my point.That's alright though.

These tests are either liked,hated, or entertaining to say the least.It's not worth arguing about.

Have a good one Karda

How So? It was one line. there was no point other than you agreeing with shecky.... +1.

I happen to disagree with the idea that an inexperienced tester makes the test unbiased. I happen to feel that if you are going to properly test a given item that you should properly school yourself in it's use beforehand or your results are liable to be biased by your inexperience and are therefore worthless.

 

[wildmanh]

How So? It was one line. there was no point other than you agreeing with shecky.... +1.

I happen to disagree with the idea that an inexperienced tester makes the test unbiased. I happen to feel that if you are going to properly test a given item that you should properly school yourself in it's use beforehand or your results are liable to be biased by your inexperience and are therefore worthless.

I agree and I think I mentioned that earlier in this thread. KHukuris are a different kind of knife then what people are used to. Soft tip so it deforms instead of breaks (I've reformed tips before and I prefer them soft so I can do that instead of regrind a missing tip), different handles westerners are used to, chopping tecnique is also different and the Kami's seem to have smaller hands so on shorter blades we get smaller handles.

If I was to review beds and didn't take into account that most people are not 6'5" tall most beds would get horible reviews. If I did review beds I'd only review extra long ones that were the same as the standard sized ones. It applies to knives too. Sometimes blind testing is good, but with a tool that is radicly different then the norm, it's best to study a bit. Sheesh, I can't chop well with a Bowie right now cause I have not used one in 4 years. If I was to review a Busse Battle Mistress I'm sure I'd get bad results. But Noss and others got great results chopping with it.

Heber

 

[seaice]

My view is that most of the destruction test is fair - including cutting/chopping near the tip.
The one part I don't really go along with is the jumping on the handle sideways.... but, guess it depends on whether or not you regard the kukri as a pry-bar multitool, or an exclusively slicing/chopping implement, and select one with that in mind confused: would you use a felling axe to lever-shift boulders?).
I'm biased though, in that when it comes to kukris I generally prefer longer, lighter and fast blades - and that's for practical working.

 

[JTR357]

How So? It was one line. there was no point other than you agreeing with shecky.... +1.

I happen to disagree with the idea that an inexperienced tester makes the test unbiased. I happen to feel that if you are going to properly test a given item that you should properly school yourself in it's use beforehand or your results are liable to be biased by your inexperience and are therefore worthless.

I was just referring to your quote(and a funny one too) "a silverback gorilla enraged by 13 hornet stings on its ass, Swinging a 16.63-pound sledge made by a one-eyed woman in Newark".As a bad comparison.I was thinking more along the lines of a robotic arm(untrained) or something like that,as an unbiased hand.

Let's just agree to disagree.I rarely ever post in this subforum & I'd hate to make an enemy over a controversial test.All you guys & gals in this HI forum seem like a nice buncha people.I don't want to offend anyone.

Take Care,

 

[Karda]

I was just referring to your quote(and a funny one too) "a silverback gorilla enraged by 13 hornet stings on its ass, Swinging a 16.63-pound sledge made by a one-eyed woman in Newark".As a bad comparison.I was thinking more along the lines of a robotic arm(untrained) or something like that,as an unbiased hand.

Let's just agree to disagree.I rarely ever post in this subforum & I'd hate to make an enemy over a controversial test.All you guys & gals in this HI forum seem like a nice buncha people.I don't want to offend anyone.

Take Care,

Ahh, that quote is from Kazeryu, in the original knifetest topic.

Robotic Arm? Gotcha...I think, Although the Tester would still have to be there and now have Knowledge of both knives and robotics and how to properly set up both for testing.

No enemies here, these are only words and opinions and while we may not see eye to eye on certain subjects, it doesnt mean we cant all still be friends.

You Also take care

 

[wildmanh]

Gentlemen, thank you for keeping it Civil!

So who else recently got a new Khukuri that is willing to post a field report? Preferably with pictures.

Heber

 

[SkagSig40]

Extreme testing

"I sometimes test a blade to see if it chips, fractures or deforms when put to extreme use. I know that I am going to damage the blade so if you are not prepared for blade damage don't do this test. I chop nails and bolts, usually, to see what happens. If the blade chips out or fractures I have usually damaged the blade beyond repair and I really hate to see this. If the blade deforms and can be put back to near original condition with a little work I am much happier. This is what I want to see on the HI khukuris and how they almost always perform.

Hope this info might help in checking out your knives."

Bill Martino


Quit complaining. The HI did well. I didn't know steel possessed a soul. I guess this needs to be added to metallurgy charts.

You are 100% correct!
I have probibly known Bill longer them most on here. I bought my 1st khukuri from him in 1992 back before he advertised in Blade Magazine IIRC. He told me many times to abuse the knife even to destruction if need be and Bill himself destroyed MANY MANY khuks. Flex it in a vice if I was even strong enough, chop nails, bolts, steel cable ect. Because some day in real life you may have to do that with a knife to survive. Knives have been used to cut/chop through steel.
Bill told me of a State Trooper he knew who keept an Ang Khola in his squad car. He used it once (or maybe it was a few times...I can't remember now) to cut/chop open a wrecked car to get to the driver because the jaws of life were to far out. He said that Trooper had to cut through the hinges even.

So these destruction tests are 100% valid! Maybe someday you will be in a burning building and haave to chop through cinder block wall to get out....you never know.

Noss did a fantastic job and is to be comended! So stop wining and acting like the little baby knife was killed and it's spirit snuffed out if it.
:barf:

 

[kronckew]

... some have been complaining that I complained about the handle many times. Well it was a problem for me during the tests. Also I don't alter the knives so I was stuck with what it had on it.
...

i personally was commenting more along the lines that the handle was designed to be held in a hand not in a large glove, naturally it slipped around and was hard to hold on course. constructive comments on the slightly differing method for holding & chopping that a kukhri requires that we have mentioned are also for your future benefit to more realistically test.

you do not need to modify the handle, you need to modify the way you grip it and with what, and which bit of the blade edge you use to hit with. if you are wearing gloves for safety reasons, there are cheap kevlar alternatives that i'm sure would have a more natural grip friction.

carry on testing, but use a bit of flexibility based on the knife's designed construction and conditions of use. the kukhri did well and beat out a number of mass produced homogeneous knives, a tribute to it's centuries of iterative design based on real world usage.

i am looking forward to seeing the chiriwa ang-khola tests, tho i'd suggest you go into the woods and chop and de-branch a few trees with it first to get a better feel for it.

 

[C.S. Graves]

I think there is some validity to the argument that some knowledge as to the technique specific to the use of a certain tool makes for a better comparison with other tools. For example, if you try to use an ulu like a paring knife, you won't get the optimum performance out of it, but if you use traditional techniques, you'll get to see the tool's true capabilities.

But it was only a 12" khuk Noss was using. The very lack of heft, relatively speaking, wouldn't necessarily suggest the notion of snapping the wrist in the chop. Perhaps once he gets a chance to use that beefier CAK, it'll seem the proper way to go.

Mind you, since I couldn't view the videos, I'm just gonig on the descriptions of the tests in this thread itself.

JTR357 brought up the notion of a "robotic arm" to objectively guage a blade's chopping ability. This reminds me of a low-tech equivalent a writer in blade magazine used to test several knives, with the blades affixed to the end of a timber "arm" that would swing down from a set position to chop into a piece of test wood, and he would guage depth of penetration this way.

 

[KenM K]

Steely_Gunz: Your kidding right. There is plenty of complaining about many details here. You read it however you want I guess. The HI did as well as it could and It did well. It didn't do the best. As a few have been complaining about the rating I gave it. I was as fair as I could be an some have been complaining that I complained about the handle many times. Well it was a problem for me during the tests. Also I don't alter the knives so I was stuck with what it had on it.

Not everyone is complaining here this was directed to the ones that were. To those I say be happy it did well. I showed some things you don't get to see very often and you don't have to do with your own blades. For those that disagree with it. This is fine. :thumbup: But please don't be surprised when I disagree with peoples statements.

If your going to give everyone else their voice here then be fair and give me mine as well.

ps. I just think of a knife as piece of steel made by a man. I'm not into the mysticism thing.

I was someone who thought you rated it low. From watching your tests i thought it performed as well as some of the knives ranked a little higher. This is not an attack on you it is just my opinion. As there is no real science backing it i can disagree with the rating. I know you do the best that you can to do it fairly and evenly. It still is not as there is not a set lbs of pressure delivered with each blow. So every blow by a hammer varies in lbs of pressure. I do think you show a little favoritism towards Busse. I love and own some busse's scrapyards and swamp rats. They are great very tough knives. But when you retested the knife due to your error according to you for it to achieve a higher rating that made me question if you were a little bias. Other then that i do think you try to be fair and equal with most knives you test. I am sure a lot of us in the HI forum feel that the HI was more in the five rating range then the four after watching the test. Again that is IMO as your ratings are in your opinion.