KLVUK First Impressions

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sweetcostarica

sweetcostarica

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Five (5) hours ago I received a Keshar Lal Villager Utility Knife (KLVUK) aka Ugly Villager Kukri from the Postman and here are my first impressions.

Himalayan Imports KLVUK
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Length/Blade:* 27 cm (10 5/8 in)
Length/Handle:* 11.5 cm (4 1/2 in)
Length/Overall:* 39.7 cm ( 15 5/8 in)
Belly width:* 5.5 cm (2 1/8 in)
Spine thickness-point:* 2 mm (1/16 in)
Spine thickness-bolster:* 7 mm (1/4 in)
Weight:* 528 grams (18.60 oz)

Delivery of the Kukri
This Kukri took four (4) days to arrive at my door from Reno, Nevada to Anchorage, Alaska. The knife was packaged well and in good new condition.
I guess there were damp conditions along the way because surface rust was seen on the spine and on the belly of the HI Villager Kukri.
The rust cleaned off easily with food grade Mineral Oil (Karda’s recommendation) and Flitz Metal Polish.
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The Handle
The handle is horn and seems universally sized for all. It was comfortable and I think could be a good fit for males and females.

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The Blade
This Villager's knife blade has a good shape and is a convexed grind. The balance on it is not too bad (slightly above average). It’s sharpness just barely cuts paper which is great for the wood work it has in it’s future. However the edge is thin enough for a razors edge if desired.

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Overall by just holding it and checking it’s specs I like this design a lot for it’s ruggedness and handy size for hiking. If the blade was totally polished I would think it was a BSI/BAS with a wider edge bevel. The specifications are that close. The KLVUK is a junk yard dog. It’s not beautiful outside but on it’s inside is a ferocious spirit and a natural ability to get the job done.

Field Test is scheduled after the weather improves. In Alaska that could be next week or next year. Will see. Hope you like this 1st impression review of the KLVUK. Himalayan Imports has another winner here in a traditional flavor :thumbup:.
 
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I think you will loooove it. The knife above it a true Utility Knife as in it's name. It's price is reasonable at 83 USD (including shipping). If you get a blem you will have to go to jail because that's like stealing at those prices. Anyway, Shinook tell us your take on the KLVUK when you get it. OK.
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SCR, I agree with with you...the kuk looks and feels like a BAS with the forging left on. It actually fits in a spare BSI scabbard I had laying around.
 
Big W said:
SCR, I agree with with you...the kuk looks and feels like a BAS with the forging left on. It actually fits in a spare BSI scabbard I had laying around.
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You are lucky and good thinking. I went with the "hobo" method and recycled the cardboard temporary sheath it had on it. Black Duck tape can do anything.
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When I start carrying the KLVUKs on a regular basis I'll make a real Kydex sheath for it.
 
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It's all about the Kami Medical Fund sheath... I have one waiting for my KLVUK when it gets here in a couple days.
 
Shinook said:
It's all about the Kami Medical Fund sheath... I have one waiting for my KLVUK when it gets here in a couple days.
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That's a good action to take by going the extra mile and helping the Kamis more. I was looking at eKantipur.com for Nepali news and there's a lot going on in Nepal. Many, many ways to help. I will look deeper into what is happening over there. Thanks for this motivation to get involved Shinook.
 
sweetcostarica said:
That's a good action to take by going the extra mile and helping the Kamis more. I was looking at eKantipur.com for Nepali news and there's a lot going on in Nepal. Many, many ways to help. I will look deeper into what is happening over there. Thanks for this motivation to get involved Shinook.
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Thanks for the website! As for motivation... I get my motivation from Auntie Yangdu, and everyone else involved with HI. :)
 
bud white said:
Thanks for the review، just snaged 4 of these and will be my first hi knives
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Congratulations. These are some of the best Kukris coming out of Nepal ever (overly dramatic?). Anyway, good buy and let us see them in action if you get a chance.
 
sweetcostarica said:
Congratulations. These are some of the best Kukris coming out of Nepal ever (overly dramatic?). Anyway, good buy and let us see them in action if you get a chance.
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Thanks, I. Live in australia so it will be little while befor I can use them. But when I do I will post pics.
 
Australia has some really, really tough anti-knife legislation. Be careful bud white but I know you will. I feel for you.
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Thanks for the fantastic overview:) I've been really curious about these since Yangdu posted them up a few weeks ago. In the near future, I'm hoping to do a side by side comparison of one with my first khuk, a 15" villager model made my Kumar. There should be some real differences there regarding weight and spine thickness. I'm curious to see how the edge geometry stacks up to my Kumar.

These seem like a good way to get Nepali steel in the hands of folks who may not be able to pony up the cash for the monster versions. They're also a nice way to get some more traditional khuks in the hands of those of use that understand that not every khuk NEEDS to be a bruising monster. I think these are just a great all around design and should be a big hit for HI:)
 
I for one, new to Khukuris (just one BAS right now), am getting interested in the traditional designs as well. I am not the chopper that so many HI enthusiasts are. Being an Anglo/Scandi/Germano/Celt, I just can get the axe out of my blood. I love the looks of the more leaf shaped models and I like the old WWI models that show no real bevel at all. I maybe KLVUK bound someday. Of the current regular HI offerings, I am liking the m43...like that shape.
 
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The bigger, heavier HI Kukris are nice and are treasured by many. They do work fantastically on wood. I can not take that away from them but I'm getting old. For us old timers 25 oz (700 grams) is a maximum weight.
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Above sketch by IDCZazie
I will look forward to your comparison. That's a great idea Jake.
 
Got my second one today with a wood handle. I must say these are the best kukri I've handled in a while, Bura's tutelage is definitely present. Any kukri enthusiast that doesn't snap one of these up is missing out.
 
There is something Primal, earthy and gritty about these knives..... Ironically they are called ugly villagers. however, they are some of the most beautiful knives i've seen from HI. The specs are perfect...
 
Nice picture, thank you for sharing
 
Yangdu said:
Nice picture, thank you for sharing
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As soon as the weather get's better up here in Anchorage I will do a light Field Use test on the KLVUK. After my 1st impressions I think this knife will pass my test and be a shining example of what a smaller traditional Kukri can do.
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Above: Picture of a very young Gurkha
 
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