Khukuri knife for thinning hafts

I've read that those are extremely dangerous (even by angle grinder standards), and wonder how the supposedly safer carbide carving burr wheels compare in performance. Thoughts?
 
nzedge said:
What I meant is that a real Khukri has soul.
I agree many others make and have made "real" khukris..but the likes of cold steel and other mass produced khuk's, IMO, are not "real" khurkis, as they the lack soul that is forged into them by the sweat and blood of their maker
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Well, I'm all for old school craftsmanship and all, have held a lot before going with a synthetic handles (wish I didn't have to), but sometimes those forging them are just people like you and me, want to make a quick buck, cut corners if possible, and have less of a romantic ideal than the westerner that is going to buy it. There are many antique pieces, and I am not talking about exotic materials and such, that have yet to see an equal from today's handmade ones. Yet, they handle remarkably similar to a....Cold Steel.

I very much prefer the handle ergonomics and the aesthetics of some from the years gone by, wish I'd have gotten into them earlier, when times seem to have been different. In fact so much, that had I had more money, I would've comissioned one to be made exactly as an antique one, but with strict quality control. Alas, not enough dinero :). All I wanted was a properly hardened and straight blade. 4 pieces later, not from the same manufacturer, showed me otherwise.

Sorry, not trying to rain on your parade, it just irks me when a blade full of "sweat and blood and soul" didn't pass the simple test of being whacked in a seasoned wood a few times before sent out, yet many rave about the legendary QC of several manufacturers (not pointed at any in particular, as far as I know in all cases the final QC is apparently the end user's responsibility).

I guess the kamis know some will be either jewelry, or get such a fat edge they will beat wood into submission, instead of cutting.

I am very much glad to hear others had better experiences than mine, and I admit sometimes I do seem like a very unlucky fellow, this wouldn't be the first time! :)
 
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Moonw said:
Well, I'm all for old school craftsmanship and all, have held a lot before going with a synthetic handles (wish I didn't have to), but sometimes those forging them are just people like you and me, want to make a quick buck, cut corners if possible, and have less of a romantic ideal than the westerner that is going to buy it. There are many antique pieces, and I am not talking about exotic materials and such, that have yet to see an equal from today's handmade ones. Yet, they handle remarkably similar to a....Cold Steel.

I very much prefer the handle ergonomics and the aesthetics of some from the years gone by, wish I'd have gotten into them earlier, when times seem to have been different. In fact so much, that had I had more money, I would've comissioned one to be made exactly as an antique one, but with strict quality control. Alas, not enough dinero :). All I wanted was a properly hardened and straight blade. 4 pieces later, not from the same manufacturer, showed me otherwise.

Sorry, not trying to rain on your parade, it just irks me when a blade full of "sweat and blood and soul" didn't pass the simple test of being whacked in a seasoned wood a few times before sent out, yet many rave about the legendary QC of several manufacturers (not pointed at any in particular, as far as I know in all cases the final QC is apparently the end user's responsibility).

I guess the kamis know some will be either jewelry, or get such a fat edge they will beat wood into submission, instead of cutting.

I am very much glad to hear others had better experiences than mine, and I admit sometimes I do seem like a very unlucky fellow, this wouldn't be the first time! :)
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lol dont worry im not having a parade :)
As with anything hand made there will be errors and mistakes, and as is human nature cases of corners cut. Some will be of lower quality made by apprentice smiths etc, or just someone having a bad day.

Im not saying its "better" than a mass produced cold steel, or that its really imbued with the sweat and blood of the kami which gives it some magical powers. Its just, imo, the mass produced one lacks something intangible that you cant quite put your finger on.

my experience with HI Kuks has been outstanding. The one I used to cleave through goat leg bones didnt even suffer a nick. Im sure it would still have shaved afterwards, I could not detect any damage whatsoever. Iv cut plenty of wood with them. I didnt mention that as I feel the bone is harder on the blade than wood.

iv even got a 25" HI kuk (which is pretty big as kuks are measured from the tip to the handle, not the length of the blade so dont take into account the curve). Have swung that thing at full speed with no probs..get loads of tip speed on a 25" kuk
 
And several companies in Nepal have kukuries made by hand by kamis. I think HI is the best and they have received all my business, but HI is not the only.
 
For rough-shaping wood by chopping I'd honestly go more for something like a manaresso or similar. Kukris are shaped more for power than for precision and the presentation to the target seems like it'd be awkward compared to a straighter blade.
 
nzedge said:
lol dont worry im not having a parade :)
As with anything hand made there will be errors and mistakes, and as is human nature cases of corners cut. Some will be of lower quality made by apprentice smiths etc, or just someone having a bad day.

Im not saying its "better" than a mass produced cold steel, or that its really imbued with the sweat and blood of the kami which gives it some magical powers. Its just, imo, the mass produced one lacks something intangible that you cant quite put your finger on.

my experience with HI Kuks has been outstanding. The one I used to cleave through goat leg bones didnt even suffer a nick. Im sure it would still have shaved afterwards, I could not detect any damage whatsoever. Iv cut plenty of wood with them. I didnt mention that as I feel the bone is harder on the blade than wood.

iv even got a 25" HI kuk (which is pretty big as kuks are measured from the tip to the handle, not the length of the blade so dont take into account the curve). Have swung that thing at full speed with no probs..get loads of tip speed on a 25" kuk
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Gotcha, glad for you, that was indeed a good test that your khukuri passed with flying colors!
 
Thomas Linton said:
And several companies in Nepal have kukuries made by hand by kamis. I think HI is the best and they have received all my business, but HI is not the only.
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I have no problem with this statement, and I will reiterate that their customer support is top notch. In my situation, hailing from Europe and with strict postal rules about what is weapon or not...added two extra variables that did not help :). None of it HI's fault!
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I've read that those are extremely dangerous (even by angle grinder standards), and wonder how the supposedly safer carbide carving burr wheels compare in performance. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I haven't tried a carbide burr wheel. I'm comfortable using the lancelot. I keep my gaurd in place. I use my auxilliary handle. And I hold my work securely in a vise. Your get different results from using either the flat or the edge of the tool. The edge cuts insanely fast and requires careful control. The flat is slower and more controlled. If you can brace an arm against the bench or work you will gain more control.
 
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