Looking for HI Khukuri Recommendation

B

bgz101

Joined
Oct 6, 2010
Messages
63
Hello everyone -

This is my first time to post in the HI area.

I have ready and ready through many post and reviewed the HI web page repeatedly, but I'm still a little unsure as to which one to get.

What am I looking for?

I'm looking for a khukuri that would do very well as a weapon and do many light-to-medium duty task in the field. (I don't plan to use it as a pry bar for example) :)

With that in mind, which model and what length appeal to you the most?

The Kobra and Sirupati seem to be ideal as weapons, but I'm not sure where they rate 'in the field'. The WWII model seems to be a good balance, but perhaps some of you recommend another instead?

I have lots of knives and I know everyone has different preferences. I'll probably end up with 2 or 3 HI knives before summer rolls around again but I'd like to make my first purchase as close this particular criteria as possible.

your insights are appreciated . . . thank you very much
 
The Sirupati is in fact the one I often use as a field knife. It is even in my car as my car blade.
They make great weapons as well. Another good one like it are the various Chitlangi Khukuris.
They have a bigger bell on pommel and tend towards the ornate. Those are actually my favorites.
 
Welcome to the HI Forum bgz101, glad to have you with us.

Yangdu's father, Kami Sherpa affectionately known as Pala, was a Gorkha before he became the owner of HI. About ten years ago he was asked what khukuri he would recommend for Gorkha issue for combat and field use and his response was the Gelbu Special. This would be my recommendation to you also as I'm very fond of this model.

Uncle Bill liked the WWII. You'll get many suggestions from the fine members of this Forum. The khukuri will probably pick you and if this happens to you then go with the flow.

Being a member of BladeForums allows you to use the Search function. This makes it easy to look up various models and read reviews and opinions of owners. The HI Archives will allow you to Search 1999-2002. The FAQ on the HI website and the Link Library have much information. Also, be sure to read the Safety Sticky.

Once again, Welcome Aboard. I must give you fair warning and urge you to turn and run before you are stricken with Himalayan Imports Khukuri Virus (HIKV). Its really hard to cure.

Rick
 
Steve Tall said:
FWIW, it seems that yesterday's DOTD 18" Sirupati is still available.
Click to expand...

It wouldn't be available if I didn't already have a few Sirupatis, Chitlangis, and Chainpuris in the 16" - 18" range as I like them real well. I should get my Gelbu Special tomorrow. I think the Sirupati would be a great first khuk.
 
The Gelbu is a great choice. I've got an M-43 en route. I'm told they are great too. My favorite however, is my 14" BDC. It's a very lively blade. I've put mine through it's paces, and it's shined through every time.
 
bgz101 said:
What size Sirupati do you prefer?
Click to expand...

oops, sorry... I went outside to talk to my neighbor who rang the bell...

I like them in the 18" range myself. Those seem to be just right for my hands and build.
 
One more vote for Gelbu Special considering your need. Strongly recommend.

Welcome to the forum

Hung
 
Welcome:)

I think the 18" Siru would serve you well. If you are looking for a little bit more heft, the WWII models are great. The 16.5" is very well balanced, and the 18" gives you about half an inch more blade and an inch more handle. You'd be surprised how choking up or down on the grip will modify your swing and the power of your strike.
 
Given your purpose of weapon/light/medium duty chopper, I would say get a Baby Ganga Ram Special of ~16.5" OAL (or a Chiruwa AK at 16.5") backed up by the very light Tamang knife. If weight is an issue on a hike, then take just the Tamang. Anything larger is overkill and I cannot think of another model I have that successfully combines the best features of each of the above.

Now, off topic, if you have more than "medium" duty tasks, I would buy up to a big chopper like an M-43, a 20" AK/CAK or a 21" Chitlangi, or even larger, two-handed beasts.

Just my 2cents.

Edit: We haven't seen the tamangs in a loooooong time, it seems, and that's real pity. The rest of the models should be easy enough to obtain.
 
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alexs said:
Edit: We haven't seen the tamangs in a loooooong time, it seems, and that's real pity. The rest of the models should be easy enough to obtain.
Click to expand...

what, like a month or six weeks? a lot of things haven't been seen in years.
six weeks doesn't seem all that long when compared to say, a Bhimsen...
 
My 18.5 inch is damn near perfect length, though I prefer the M43 blade profile over my WWII. I believe mine is 26oz, I doubt I'd want it much heavier than that.
 
warty said:
what, like a month or six weeks? a lot of things haven't been seen in years.
six weeks doesn't seem all that long when compared to say, a Bhimsen...
Click to expand...

Certainly, but some models are just not that popular with a wide audience and so would come up only rarely (I am not saying the Bhimsen is one of those).

However, the Tamang--to my mind--should be a very highly demanded knife even outside of the HI community or why not even outside the kukri community as a whole. Therefore, it seems surprising these things are not a lot more common or--indeed--a regular item on the HI site. Warty, you alone amount for much of the previous demand for Tamangs; I just wish more people could experience that feather-weight "fighter" and also feel the need to have 3 of them in different wood handles. I would also like to see a chiruwa version of it to bring the balance back even at the added weight (I know you will say it is not necessary for strength and I agree mostly). Mine is on permanent loan to my girlfriend, by her side of the bed, for self-defense at night. It is the only one of my HI products she is completely comfortable and competent using for everyday needs while she owns a gorgeous Foxy Folly gathering dust as a wall-hanger as even that is too heavy to use safely without serious training first. I have a feeling many other ladies will voice the same concern with heavy knives, but not against the light Tamang.

Another model I would like to see again and think there would be demand for is the ASTK. Where did those things go? I never managed to shark one on DOTD, and right now I can't afford the custom order. I would love to see Prince's, Tirtha's, or Santosh's interpretation of it. The ASTK might just be the perfect answer to the opening post too, in case it wasn't mentioned before.
 
One of the reasons I posted the "Your HI Wishlist" thread was to give Yangdu a good idea of the common models people are looking to snag in the DOTD's. M43's, Foxy Follys and Tamangs seemed to be the common recurring pieces. You can always have one made, as well...
 
They all run in cycles and all you need to do is wait. :) There aren't an army of kamis making these things remember, only about seven guys. Each blade is then hand made from a leaf spring then the ONE sarki makes the scabbard for ALL the blades. THEN they get shipped to Yangdu to be dolled out to us here on Bladeforums. :D

They simply can't constantly make all the models all the time that are popular so they do them in cycles, so just watch for the next one and jump then. ;) Certain models are ALWAYS in demand, like the AK and the CAK, those sell like gold so a certain part of each shipment will have those in there as well as a few M43s and a Sirupate or two. Then the rest of them run in the cycles, like the ASTK, Tamang, Foxy Folly and the decorative ones that are thrown out at us each month. Then a few swords have to be made and all the other ones that have been ordered through the website we don't know about plus the special orders... I think you understand that with just seven kamis and one sarki, you can't expect them to be churning out Tamangs and ASTKs all the time since they aren't as popular as those they are churning out. :)

(hope there are enough smiles in there to not piss anyone off)
 
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