"little" Kumar R5

A

arty

Joined
Oct 18, 2003
Messages
1,777
I recently obtained a very nice Kumar R5, one of Hi's small blades from 8/11. The knife is about 9" with a 4 1/4" blade and a chandan handle (8oz). The blade was originally 1/4" stock and this is the heft of the metal in the handle. The blade comes out of the handle at 3/16" and has a distal taper.

The handle looks really beautiful after 3 coats of Watco followed by 3 coats of Formby Danish Oil Finish (satin wiping varnish). Very nice knife and a real bargain.

If I hunted very large game, this would be a great skinner. The knife takes a fine edge, and is very strong and heavy. I have an old Gerber skinner, but this one is more generally useful, because the point is dropped.

I used to think of knives like this as heavy duty - and this one sure is.
Great knife.
 
I picked up an R5 myself, and I've got nothing but good things to say about it. I took a piece of 0000 steel wool to the handle and I'm giving it plenty of coats of mineral oil (just gonna keep it up until it stops absorbing it). The lines and overall attitude and presentation of the blade couldn't be better, it feels great in the hand, and like the man said, it's one solid little knife. Which brings up a point. When you look at the R5 next to the monsters (and even "normal sized") khuks that HI sells it looks little, tiny even. It ain't. HI's product line sort of skews everything to looking smaller than it really is.

One other thing: if I see another in horn I'll be on it like sh!t on velcrow, you can count on that! The only thing that could be better than the beautiful grain mine has is that stunning black horn/steel contrast. :thumbup: :thumbup:

If you get the chance, pick one up. Unless it's horn, then leave it for me! :D :rolleyes:
 
I'd like to post a picture, but can not. I have a camera handy, but not posting rights.
 
I have several of the sarge blades and JKM's I'm very happy with them but I don't have one of these yet I would like to see someone post some comparrisons.
 
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