Little disappointed by BAS performance.

C

cybrok

Joined
Aug 7, 2005
Messages
4,741
Hello

I went to a survival class last Saturday, that one was mostly about firemaking and I have to say I was disappointed by my 15" BAS.

Compared to the big blades around, it did not chop as well and didn't bite as good when batoning.

Maybe the chopping is more about my technique, I probably havn't found the sweet spot yet, but on batoning :S

Should I reprofile the edge? Just sharpen it more?

I can't say the 2 khuks I have are scary sharp.
 
I had a BAS and sold it. I thought the size and weight were good but the angle of the blade and the handle would sort of twist. Also it was a Sher and had a thicker steeper edge and didn't have the best penetration into the wood.

I have the more curved rather than angled Ganga Ram and Bonecutters that are the same size as the BAS and there's no comparison. Both chop way better and have less tendency to twist in my hand.:thumbup:
 
You may also consider the Ang Khola or the CAK. It's a mean chopper and I'd recommend a slightly longer model than the 15-inch. The 15-inch models are well balanced but for chopping, a weight distribution that's more forward tends to work better. I also like my 16-inch WWII a lot. Many other guys on the forum have found success with more curved models like the M43. I personally own a Hanshee by Bura but it's too pretty for me to use and I had a beautiful edge professional put on it by a friend.

I am not an edge expert but many of the guys here on the forum are and can give you more expert opinion.
 
I'm sure that you're right to consider sharpening the blade. Several times, I've heard people here say that HIs are best after some initial cutting use, or a couple of sharpenings, thus removing the carburized steel(?) around the edge.
 
Sharpen it. In my experience HI Khuks don't always come sharp.
 
Cybrok, are you sill having problem sharpening the blade?
If so then send it back to HI and I will ship you the 15 inch Ang Khola with sharp blade.
 
Yangdu said:
Cybrok, are you sill having problem sharpening the blade?
If so then send it back to HI and I will ship you the 15 inch Ang Khola with sharp blade.
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That's a great offer. I will keep it in mind.

But I'll try the mousepad technique with lower grits first. After all I had a kydex sheath done for that khuk ;)
 
I found my BAS sharpens better if I sharpen it edge first on sand paper and cut into it at a sharp angle. It is very very sharp right now and i have no problem cutting things 1 to 1 and a half inch thick in one swing.
 
b.c.molin said:
+ 1 ... from another very satisfied Vim Kami made BAS owner!:thumbup:
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Vim Kami does a good job... what used to be my Kobra chopped through 3 trees... I know violating warranty, but I felt like it could handle 6-12" diameter trees... and it did... obviously not the ideal kukuri for it, but hey, it did it decently :thumbup: ...I have since sold it, due to financial hunger
 
kukulza28 said:
Vim Kami does a good job... ...I have since sold it, due to financial hunger
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Vim is number 2 on my favourite Kami list and it gives me comfort to know that the Kobra has been tested on more than I'll ever use it on! :cool:

Rest assured it has gone to a good home, where it it will be cared for and pampered! :)
 
I need to start assembling more of this info on individual kamis for the "Missing Pages" thread; IT hasn't been updated, either.
 
b.c.molin said:
Vim is number 2 on my favourite Kami list and it gives me comfort to know that the Kobra has been tested on more than I'll ever use it on! :cool:

Rest assured it has gone to a good home, where it it will be cared for and pampered! :)
Click to expand...

Who's your #1 favorite Kami? My guess is Master Kami Bura?

Also, do we have a pic of Kami Vim anywhere?
 
I have 2 khukuris and a few other knives (a SD, a sword, and a kagas katne).

Both khuks were made by Bura, so I REALLY doubt the quality of the blade or HT is the problem. Probably just need more sharpening.

Do the kamis sharpen the blades themselves? Or is the polishing/sharpening the job of someone else?
 
topgun0728 said:
Who's your #1 favorite Kami? My guess is Master Kami Bura?

Also, do we have a pic of Kami Vim anywhere?
Click to expand...

Not that I have the skills to rank based on anything other than 'in hand feel' and surface appreciation of fit and finish but my favourite Kami is Sgt. Khadka who seems to make a handle that fits my hand perfectly. His finish is top notch and his 18.25inch/31 ounce Chiruwa Khukuri is my 'go to' chopper.

I am lucky to own three examples of Burra's fine handiwork and can see why he is the Royal Kami but his blades do not give me the feel of Vim's.

I like Vim Kami's work whether it be a BAS, Kobra or Bhairab. All these blades have a feel of warmth and willingness to want to be used. At the risk of going into metaphysics, there is an aliveness in Vim's blades that I do not find present in the work of many other Kami's. Others have their own different experiences in this regard.

1-16-09%20001.jpg


bio info here:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=612495
 
Cybrok,
I'll throw another option your way--if you'd like, I have the tools and setup to reprofile the BAS into a thinner edge geometry and when I'm done with it it shouldn't look anything but factory, unless my abilities have entirely left me. Cost of shipping will get it done, the BAS is a particularly easy khuk to work on. It can absolutely be done on a mousepad, but the belt sander is faster by about twenty or thirty times for material removal and then I can make it purty by hand. Dunking the blade every two passes on the belt, the HT won't come anywhere close to being affected. BAS is my favorite and highly under-represented in my opinion. :D

PM if interested.

Warren
 
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