Khukris blade size

D

dragon2

Joined
Jul 18, 2001
Messages
87
The decline of the Busse Basics and the beauty of the HI products have swayed my decision for my next purchase. I am torn between the Kind Kobra 25" and the Sirupati 25". My question is what are the blade lengths for the 2. How much handle do I have to swing the relatively heavy blades. Also, anyone who has tried both or either, feel free to comment and recommend.
 
The 25" Kobra was a bit much for my use, and as a result AC has it now - Maybe he can tell you more, since he has been wandering around the SD hills with it. The cutting power you can generate is awesome, and the handle is not quite large enough for a two-handed hold, but more than sufficient for any single grip.
 
Thanks, Wal. I've not really used either one to any extent but there a a couple of forumites who have. I'd guess the Sirupati will outchop a kobra maybe 50%. Either is easy to hang onto.
 
Tom Holt claims the 25" Kobra cures HIKV. He hasn't been around lately so maybe he is cured. I want one eventually, but can't tell you from hands -on experience, yet.

The 25" Sirupati I've never handled either. I suspect it may outchop a 20" AK.

The 30" Kobra was made specifically as a sword, but buyers misused it for chopping and bent them. Uncle Bill had to discontinue them. Darn it!

The 30" Sirupati I keep around as therapy for my back. Swing it in a figure eight for five minutes and it will pull your spine back into alignment. I suppose a lighter sledgehammer would do the same.
 
I have a 25" Sirupati from KWNN, and a thirty inch Kobra by Kumar. The sirupati is one of my favorite bladed items I've ever owned. It's got great balance and feel to it. However, Uncle Bill did say that this was one of the lightest Sirupatis he's seen in a long time.
The Kobra's definately a 2 hander! It's very blade biased. I can only imagine what a normal thirty inch sirupati would feel like. I'vce actually pondered selling the kobra, but decided not to since Kumar isn't around anymore nor the thirty inch kobra.

The computer I typed this on doesn't have a working c-d-e or 3 key. I copied and pasted each instance of these characters. Stupid cheap*** school with stupid cheap*** Macs!!! The a**h***s even glued the mice shut so people wouldn't steal the balls, which means you can't clean them! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
 
So the smith who made the Kobras is gone? I read something about him being on vacation. Has he retired, or quit for good?
The 30" kobra bent? Does the 25" have the same tendency. I would probably be using the one I get for some chopping. Would the sirupati be the best choice given this criteria?
 
All the kamis can make a kobra but the kami who made the first one is gone -- we hear he went to Saudi Arabia to work as a gardener.
 
Dragon...

I have Wal's old 25" Kobra, and cannot imagine that it would ever bend. It is a pretty massive blade, and the first khuk I owned. The handle will allow (as Wal stated) about a hand and a half hold on it. Depending on your strength, you would use it one handed easy enough.

I haven't had a chance to test it on anything other than air. It works great on that :D Also, make sure you test the ceiling height in your house before swinging it :D:D:D

If I get a chance to test it, I'll post a report. Lately, I've been too busy to do anything but work...

Alan
 
"Lately, I've been too busy to do
anything but work... "

I know the story, Alan, but John Powell doesn't.
 
I own a 30 inch Kobra (Kumar) and a 25 inch Kobra (Kumar). I think that Tom was right, that they both will do most jobs that a Khukuri was meant for, except use as a heavy duty axe or taking apart vehicles or oil drums. It really doesn't have enought thickness to properly pry or bend it self out of heavy wood or metal. It will cut most 6 inch trees and a lot of other things in the woods. However, like Bob says, they are a bit blade biased, and require a pretty strong arm. My 30 inch weighs in at 2 pounds 10 ounces, and the 25 inch at around 2 pounds or a bit less.

But one of my favorites is a 22 inch Kobra that seems to have the advantage of long reach and inherent toughness. It is a lot of fun to play around with, and my wrist and arm don't hurt afterwards.

However, if you review some of the tests at Howard's Khukuri FAQ, you will find that the Kobras and Sirupatis have some disadvantages because of their light weight and length. I personally find that anything over 18 inches long tires me out and doesn't actually cut very well (for me at least)over the long haul. Something about finding and keeping the sweet spot on target. Granted, the Kobras and Sirupati excell at Martial Arts and fast cutting. But I like my 15 inch blades for general work, with my UBE an outstanding example of minimalism in a large blade. It cuts better than the 18 Ang Khola that I owned!!

So, decide on what you want your blade to do then purchase appropriately. Oh, and remember that when you buy your first Khukuri, it will definitely no be your last. There just isn't any such thing as the "perfect all around Khukuri". I managed to buy 15 in the first 2 months I started attending the Cantina!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top