-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Khyber
- Thread starter Tom Carey
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 5, 1999
- Messages
- 34,096
Tom, for something like the Khyber we would need a run of at least six to make the price reasonable. Also, we would need a good dimensional sketch at least.
Bill
Bill
Start with the Ontario Knives khyber for rough dimensions. This is an interesting knife design a thickened tang much like an I beam but missing the bottom half of the I. From the side it looks much like a large butchers knife.
Sorry not interested in owning one though.
Will
Sorry not interested in owning one though.
Will
- Joined
- Mar 5, 1999
- Messages
- 34,096
We will keep the doors open on this one and see what happens. The kamis can make other knives besides the khukuri -- they make the tarwar, kora and ram dao shown on our site and they made a few little "Bagh Marnes" (tiger killer) a couple of years back. I think they could make a reasonable facsimile of the khyber but, as always, it will take a few months.
If we get six takers we will give it a try.
Bill
If we get six takers we will give it a try.
Bill
- Joined
- Mar 5, 1999
- Messages
- 34,096
Okay. A profile sketch with appropriate cross sections is what we need. Detail of handle also necessary.
Bill
Bill
- Joined
- Mar 8, 1999
- Messages
- 8,911
I've got an Indian made version and scabbard to use as template going out to you in todays mail. Keep as long as needed. Ship to Nepal with your father-in-law for that matter. No soul, no blessing, no kami's spirit, then no importance to me. You should have it tomorrow. Just put me on list. Oh, and if I understand right, a cho is needed for a knife to have a soul? If OK w/ kamis and others ordering, I vote for having cho. If voted down, will still take kami version, regardless.
------------------
Russ S
------------------
Russ S
- Joined
- Mar 5, 1999
- Messages
- 34,096
Many thanks, Rusty. The Salyan should have the Salyan style cho very similar to the one you see on our logo khukuri. I strongly suspect the kamis will put a cho of some kind of this khyber model but they never fail to suprise me.
You are logged in.
Bill
[This message has been edited by Bill Martino (edited 09 March 1999).]
You are logged in.
Bill
[This message has been edited by Bill Martino (edited 09 March 1999).]
- Joined
- Mar 5, 1999
- Messages
- 34,096
Ok, Jim, as things develope we will post some specs.
Bill
Bill
Cobalt
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 1998
- Messages
- 17,664
Sutcliffe, the khyber is just a wide blade sword, basically. It holds no advantages over a khukuri, other than stabbing, which any good japanese sword can also do. The fact that this sword is from India and surrounding areas and the fact that the fighting ghurkas don't use it means that it is probably not as good a fighting tool as the khukuri. It actually looks alot like a giant kitchen knife. If the Kami's put a 3/8 inch blade on it, it should be pretty impressive. You may want to decide on a size for this, since they came in many sizes.
- Joined
- Mar 8, 1999
- Messages
- 8,911
Cobalt, I enjoy your posts and humor. I am out of my depth here as I'm not an arms and armor buff. But there seems a patttern in that field, however, of each new offensive edge then being countered by a new defense which is subsequently negated by a an offense changed in weaponry or tactics, ad infinitum.
I am guessing, but suspect that the Khyber's in line point and reinforced spine was developed at a time when the armor used was effective against slashing attacks and chopping, but vulnerable to quick, precisely aimed powerful thrusts.
In any case, any weapon that has survived for centuries is worthy of respect. And look at the shape of the Resin Bowie which some think began the evolution of the Bowie knife.
For defensive use, what you have at the time is what you go with. Given sufficient warning though, I regard the ultimate defensive tool as being made of aluminum and assembled by Boeing.
Tom, I like the length of the one I sent, we'll have to ask Bill to measure it. I'm a 5'4" shrimp, though, and if the kamis overbuild the blade thickness, the blade may need to be shortened a couple of inches to keep it in balance. I'd say keep it the same weight, and adjust the length and depth of the blade to reflect that. As to the handle, the pattern one reminds me of the broomhandle Mauser with a small pinky hook at the bottom of the butt. If you aren't going for complete authenticity but rather a good dependable tool capable of heavy use and still being admired ( or to admire first, but on call to use ), I'm more and more impressed with the way the eye shaped pommel on the khukuri helps to index the grip against the wrist and base of thumb and keep the blade edge in line. Stick the Khyber blade in a wood or horn khukri handle and I'd be happy as a clam. The template has a full tang with pinned on scales, but if we went with the tapered stick tang as on the khukuri, one piece handle instead of scales, and 18th century style sheet brass pommel instead of the cap style on the other khukuris anybody who wanted could round the top of the pommel to a more traditional khyber shape. Or not. You came up with the idea, you get first vote. This post is too long, let's hash things out via email in future, then post concisely to forum so others can drool and sign up.
------------------
Russ S
[This message has been edited by Rusty (edited 10 March 1999).]
I am guessing, but suspect that the Khyber's in line point and reinforced spine was developed at a time when the armor used was effective against slashing attacks and chopping, but vulnerable to quick, precisely aimed powerful thrusts.
In any case, any weapon that has survived for centuries is worthy of respect. And look at the shape of the Resin Bowie which some think began the evolution of the Bowie knife.
For defensive use, what you have at the time is what you go with. Given sufficient warning though, I regard the ultimate defensive tool as being made of aluminum and assembled by Boeing.
Tom, I like the length of the one I sent, we'll have to ask Bill to measure it. I'm a 5'4" shrimp, though, and if the kamis overbuild the blade thickness, the blade may need to be shortened a couple of inches to keep it in balance. I'd say keep it the same weight, and adjust the length and depth of the blade to reflect that. As to the handle, the pattern one reminds me of the broomhandle Mauser with a small pinky hook at the bottom of the butt. If you aren't going for complete authenticity but rather a good dependable tool capable of heavy use and still being admired ( or to admire first, but on call to use ), I'm more and more impressed with the way the eye shaped pommel on the khukuri helps to index the grip against the wrist and base of thumb and keep the blade edge in line. Stick the Khyber blade in a wood or horn khukri handle and I'd be happy as a clam. The template has a full tang with pinned on scales, but if we went with the tapered stick tang as on the khukuri, one piece handle instead of scales, and 18th century style sheet brass pommel instead of the cap style on the other khukuris anybody who wanted could round the top of the pommel to a more traditional khyber shape. Or not. You came up with the idea, you get first vote. This post is too long, let's hash things out via email in future, then post concisely to forum so others can drool and sign up.
------------------
Russ S
[This message has been edited by Rusty (edited 10 March 1999).]
Cobalt
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 1998
- Messages
- 17,664
Well Rusty, one thing is for sure. If this project gets the go ahead and you decide on a relatively short length like say 15 inches overall, you may just end up with a contender for the toughest fixed/straight blade out there. Shoot if they make it small enough like say 15 inches I may even go for one to compete against the other manufacturers out there of straight blade knives.
Just as a side note, the khybers I have seen have been from 12 inches to 27 inches. 12 inches may be too small, and 27 inches of 3/8 inch or thicker blade is definitelly going to be heavy, so that may give you some boundaries.
Just as a side note, the khybers I have seen have been from 12 inches to 27 inches. 12 inches may be too small, and 27 inches of 3/8 inch or thicker blade is definitelly going to be heavy, so that may give you some boundaries.
- Joined
- Mar 8, 1999
- Messages
- 8,911
OK, located "nominal" specs given for the Indian made khyber - not listed in current catalog, but found old one. Here they are: 24 1/2" overall; 18" blade; 7/16" T rib spine; 1 7/8" blade width. Weight not listed.
------------------
Russ S
------------------
Russ S
- Joined
- Mar 5, 1999
- Messages
- 34,096
Cliff, check me with some quick calculations but my off the top guess is this knife per Rusty's specs (thanks, Rusty) will weigh about 3 pounds. Too heavy for most, I'm guessing.
Bill
Bill
- Joined
- Jan 13, 1999
- Messages
- 1,422
Are you guys talking about the United Cutlery Indiana Jones Khyber Bowie?
I found some picts. The blade is listed as 18" long 1/8" thick 420J2. Handle made of brass. It is a beauty. Too bad about the steel.
<center>
<center>
<center>
<center>
Graphics stolen from abc-direct.com
I found some picts. The blade is listed as 18" long 1/8" thick 420J2. Handle made of brass. It is a beauty. Too bad about the steel.
<center>
<center>
Graphics stolen from abc-direct.com