KLVUK Field Test

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sweetcostarica

sweetcostarica

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Here is an in the field use test of the KLVUK. Please check it out.
[video=youtube;HDMDmVuJ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDMDmVuJ&feature=g-upl[/video]
 
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The KLVUK
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This is a short written review that follows the video “KLVUK Field Test”. When the first Himalayan Imports Ugly Villager knives arrived on scene this year I was excited because I’m more of a traditionalist when it comes to the Kukri. I love it’s history and the culture that surounds it. The Ugly Villager seemed to be the essence of a working Nepali farm tool.
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These days the Ugly Village Kukri with it’s curved spine is not seen as much. Lately, the angled spine Keshar Lal Villager Utility Knife (KLVUK) has almost replaced it. That is fine because they are fundamentally the same knife. The KLVUK usually weighs between 16 and 20 ounces (453 - 566 grams). The length of the blade is between 10 and 12 inches (25 - 30.5 centimeters). The spine is 1/4 of an inch (6.35 mm).

This field test took place at 9:00 am in the morning and the temperature was 14 F / -10 C. It was very cold. A good test for the knife in winter conditions.
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For the test I used deadfall which is always lying around. Some of the branches and logs were frozen hard. While chopping I noticed no vibration in the handle (I was wearing gloves though) and the “stick tang” added to the knife’s forward balance. The handling was good and the Kukri was easy to control. As I used this knife I felt pleasure in the effort and looked forward to the next piece of wood.

The KLVUK edge did not chip or bend. The sharpness went from shaving to paper cutting sharp. In my opinion that’s fantastic because of the hard, frozen wood it was processing and the cold conditions. I think it’s heat treatment is pretty good just like most HI knives I have used.
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At the end of the day my feeling is that this Keshar Lal creation is one of the best priced, highest utility, and practically weighted kukris at Himalayan Imports. I wouldn’t change a thing.
 
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Awesome review:) I packed mine with me to work today...for no real reason. I can confirm that not only will the knife chop frozen wood, it will also open a bag of Chex Mix:D
I can't wait to give mine a REAL test;)
 
Nicely done Video, sweetcostarica!

All should be aware of the fact that should a blade failure happen while chopping really frozen wood it may not be covered under warranty, as it would not be considered a manufacturing defect or problem. As always one should use good judgement and not chop things harder than your blade is able to withstand. Test the medium you are going to chop beforehand and assess the target fully before going ahead and chopping.

Ferrous Wheel in the Safety Thread said:
*Test cutting and extreme cutting principles*

Edge profile:
HI khuks are made with different edge geometry, which can mean there are different khuks for different tasks. I would not use a thinly profiled blade to cut wood, but it'd do a job on reeds, brambles, grass, underbrush (i.e Gelbu special). I would not use a thicker profiled blade to cut lighter targets, but it would be perfect for chopping lots of wood or harder test targets. The more obtuse the blade geometry, the better the blade will hold up to extreme cutting--conversely, it may not cut as deeply as a thinner model.

Confirm your target:
Know the composition of your target, and ensure that it is not harder than your khuk.
When cutting certain high carbon or spring steels could really chew up a khuk. You can test target hardness by runnng the hardened area of the khuk along the target material, like peeling a carrot or shaving a sliver from a stick. If the khuk cuts or bites into the material, then you pretty well know how things are gonna go. If the surface is resistant to the khuk and the khuk will not bite, then you'd be better off not striking the target. Keep in mind that it is possible to successfully cut small amounts or thin pieces of material as hard as the khuk by exercising the principles in 1-5. Proper technique can make all the difference.
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Very nice video/review! I my fondness for my KLVUK has grown over time. I find that more and more its my "go to" khukuri for hiking.
 
the only thing you got wrong was right at the beginning. it does NOT 'lack a little beauty'. it has it's own unique beauty that some may not like and some are fascinated by. i fall into the latter category & prefer the finish (or un-finish). it is not tarted up in any make-up, face powder or mascara. it is the pure functional nature that the kami endowed it with. a working miracle of ancient knowledge and tradition without any unnecessary decorative frills.
 
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Thanks for the replies Karda, Shinook, Jay, Wayne, and Steve.
It seems this knife has a strong following. I have three (3) of them now. Each has a different feel and character. That's the nice thing about being handmade of course.
By the way about the cold temperature. I have to stop video taping four (4) or five (5) times to warm my hands with chemical hand warmers. Did not want to start a fire in a public park since I didn't have a fire pit or an area especially for fires there.
But this test was frozen fun.
 
kronckew said:
the only thing you got wrong was right at the beginning. it does NOT 'lack a little beauty'. it has it's own unique beauty that some may not like and some are fascinated by. i fall into the latter category & prefer the finish (or un-finish). it is not tarted up in any makeup, face powder or mascara. it is the pure functionality nature and the kami endowed it with. a working miracle of ancient knowledge and tradition without any unnecessary decorative frills.
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You wax sentimental Wayne. I feel the same but can not match your nicely put composition of the English language. That was nice.
 
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sweetcostarica said:
You wax sentimental Wayne. I feel the same but can not match your nicely put composition of the English language. That was nice.
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thanks, glad you agree. i did make a couple of grammar mistooks which i have corrected.

my initial thoughts were of the frozen nature of the wood, it seems my concerns were unfounded and that situation was dealt with in supreme indifference by the khukuri.

p.s. - i like my Condor utility knife. it's slightly bigger than yours tho. it's the DaDao model. :)
 
Great video and post, thank you for sharing
 
My pleasure Yangdu. Good to see you Lee and Goodstuff. I'm Back.
Glad you all liked this chilling video.
 
I don't need a fully size khuk often in my day to day, but I find myself often strapping on my KLVUK hooked to a shoulder rig simply because it does SO MUCH for a knife it's size:weight. 16" and 17.5oz and I barely know it's there.

Happiness is the look on the delivery truck driver's face when I whipped out the KLVUK to cut the shrink wrap on a skid of product:D I've known the guy for years, and he can appreciate a good blade. He just didn't expect to see one THAT size come out of nowhere and zip through a 4' run of 8 or 9 layers of wrap in about half a second:D
 
Thanks for the review and the video. As always, it has been informative and made my mouth water. Khukuris that are designed for real use are the most original ones, in my opinion. With the other forms, you never know how much they have mutated in the meantime between use and present.


So, my question, where do I order the KLVUK as I cannot find it? Or is it gone from the Himalayan Imports webpage?
 
Hans Asmussen said:
Thanks for the review and the video. As always, it has been informative and made my mouth water. Khukuris that are designed for real use are the most original ones, in my opinion. With the other forms, you never know how much they have mutated in the meantime between use and present.


So, my question, where do I order the KLVUK as I cannot find it? Or is it gone from the Himalayan Imports webpage?
Click to expand...

Hans, your best bet is to send Ms. Yangdu Martino an email at himimp@aol.com. HI is so innovative that a lot of the most coveted models aren't considered "stock" items. Just send Yangdu a little note saying what you are looking for, and she'll get back with you as soon as possible regarding availability and cost with international shipping.

Good luck:)
 
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