Kumar Fighter

[Julian]

The Kumar Fighter is a shorter, more slender and lighter version of the 20" Sirupati. I am not a martial artist so I do not know how good a fighter it will be. However, I just spent the last 30 minutes chopping the hell out of a firewood log with it. Although it is not as thick and tough as the 20" Sirupati, I am confident to say that it will EASILY out-chop any high-end conventional knives in the same weight class (12-14 oz). It appears that the harder and faster I chop with it, the more it wants to play, and the more I want to chop. I think Rusty knows what I am talking about.

Pala said that this Khukuri should not be used as a pry bar. But I put the Kumar Fighter in a vise and bent it to roughly 5-10 degrees without doing any harm to the blade. I suspect that it can probably take more punishments but I did not want to take the chance. So this moderate test of strength will do.

Tallwingedgoat mentioned in another thread that files are much higher carbon than truck springs and would be ideal for small knives. What about for longer knives? Since I own the only H.I. khukuri that is made out of a file, I would appreciate someone explain the pros and cons of making knives from files, as metallography is not my specialty.

I am considering renaming the Kumar Fighter to Kumar's Light Weight Companion as it is more than just a fighter. What do you guys think?

Julian

[This message has been edited by Julian (edited 02 October 1999).]

 

[Rusty]

How about Kumar's extra long lasting stay- sharp knife. A 12 or 13 inch long blade ought to stay sharp six time longer than a knife with only a 2 inch blade, so you aren't carrying it as a fighter, just as a more durable sharp edge. Right? (VEG)

 

[Howard Wallace]

I think you’re right, Julian. See my review of my 14 oz. Udhaipur Villager for examples of the peaceful use of a similar blade.
( http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum26/HTML/000579.html )

You probably know this blade better than anyone but Kumar now. Follow what its spirit tells you.


[This message has been edited by Howard Wallace (edited 02 October 1999).]

 

[ghostsix]

It will be more brittle,as a rule.It sounds as though your file was annealed enough.

 

[Bill Martino]

Thanks for report, Julian.

------------------
Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
http://members.aol.com/himimp/index.html

 

[Will Kwan]

Julian,

How much force was require to flex the blade 10 degree? How was edge retention of the knife, did you notice a difference from your other khukuri's?

The toughness of the file depends on how it was hardened again after reworking it into a khukuri. If it is left fairly soft the blade will be quite tough.

Will

 

[Bill Martino]

I think that little knife might be tougher than I thought it was. But is just looked so puny compared to other HI khukuris that it scared me.

------------------
Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
http://members.aol.com/himimp/index.html

 

[Julian]

Will: I don't know exactly kow much force I used. I remember putting a some body weight behind the effort. What is important to me is that I know this khukuri can take a moderate amount of punishment. Uncle Bill may be right that this "thin" knife is tougher than what meets the eye. But I did not want to take a chance to break it by bending it more.

 

[Bill Martino]

Julian demonstrates what I tell all our khukuri owners -- test the blade in your back yard. Don't wait until you are in a situation where your life depends on your blade to test it.

Testing builds your confidence in your blade exactly as Julian said. "I know this khukuri can take a moderate amount of punishement."

Smart, Julian, and thanks.

------------------
Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
http://members.aol.com/himimp/index.html