To Answer the Op's question:
There is no real use to compare different khukuri from different makers. The variation in styles, designs,geometries and weights make it almost impossible to come up with a fair and accurate representation and conclusion. Too many times i've seen blades compared that were apples and oranges. There is a big difference is materials and workmanship also, which must be factored in, the old forging vs. stock removal debate....if you will.
Busse makes blades that cover their niche in the market well, as does any other maker. It is patently unfair to one or the other when you compare them without first taking into consideration the differences. Add the fact of differences in perception and opinion into the mix and it becomes even harder to compare.
There is no one Do-It-All khukuri. It is the reason for so much variation in the design of the khukuri.
Thank you, Moogoogaidan, for trying to set the record straight on the subject of steel.
As many know, Himalayan Imports made its name and reputation in the khukuri business by bringing high quality useable traditional khukuri to the world market. The first to do so in any real quantity with any real longevity. At a time when tourist khukuri were the norm, Uncle Bill and H.I. forged the path for creating top shelf khukuri worthy of respect anywhere, educated in their making and usage, and in general, thru magazine articles and marketing brought the khukuri from an obscure knife used by an elite fighting corps to the notice of the world.
To Address Gravelfaces and peterPHWS comments:
I won't comment specifically on the handle issue, as it was before my time and shouldve been addressed to/by Uncle or Auntie already and been made whole.
As far as H.I. warranting only certain models for certain mediums..... This is a little complicated. First, It was necessary to modify the warranty this way to protect H.I. from unscrupulous individuals who were abusing the knives and the warranty. Some intentionally breaking product in order to claim warranty, but others, whom, thru lack of knowledge or possessing an unreasonable expectation of knife usage, damaged product by improper usage. It was felt that the change in warranty would reflect our postion on and encourage the proper and safe usage of our many blades. Also, it is hoped that users will take the time to ask questions and understand the reasoning behind the many styles and variations of khukuri and knives we offer. There is a khukuri made for, and suitable for almost any task you can imagine.
Inclusions, variations in design and manufacture are expected things in handmade/forged manufacturing, just as it is in handmaking sheaths.
I can assure you that Himalayan Imports does it's best to insure consistancy and high quality.
About the soft edges. This is a known problem in the manufacturing process. It only happens on highly polished blades. Sometimes the buffing process anneals a thin skin of metal on the edge. A couple sharpenings exposes the hardened metal again and all is well. We are doing our best to mitigate this as much as possible.
To address the "lucky dip" theory:
This may have been true years ago, and may still be true in some places of the world by makers looking for the fast buck.
It is true that many khukuri are/have been made with less than quality materials and workmanship to people without adequate knowledge.
Himalayan Imports has never looked for the easy way or the easy money. Reputations are built on integrity.
very fugly blades
