My Favourite Khukuri Model – long winded!

G

Glenn Jones

Joined
Feb 26, 2002
Messages
618
I hadn’t bought a khukuri for some time now and I haven't visited these forums for years, but used to - quite a while back. I used to have a sizeable khukuri collection. In recent years I have sold 10 times more khukuries than I have bought. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I bought a khukuri. That is more a factor of my increasing age and satisfaction with those I already own rather than my dissatisfaction with khukuries in general. I just ordered possibly my last khukuri from Yangdu yesterday. My decision to buy one more was prompted by the fact that I had narrowed down my choice of the best khukuri for me after more than 15 years of using khukuries (and you can never have too many of the one you like), an Australian dollar that seems of late to continually follow a downward spiral (and is unlikely to increase in value for a long time if ever), the fact that the Australian government looks set to apply a hefty tax on all items imported into Australia in the near future (presently a tax is only applied to items costing more than $1000 Australian), and it is my 39th wedding anniversary and this is a gift to myself. Of course, I also bought a bunch of red roses for my wife.

I first started buying khukuries a long, long time ago. I think I still have one from HI’s original shop 2 (and that wasn’t the first khukuri I bought) and I can still remember the excitement of getting up at 3am to make sure I would be in the running for Uncle Bill’s DOD. My favourite forumite in those days was Yvsa (may he rest in peace). It is nice to reminisce. One thing that is not a factor of my age is that I have always preferred lighter khukuri models. I think the heaviest khukuri I have left is a 26 ounce ,16.5 chiruwa AK model. It is also my best chopper by a long way. I have tried heavier khukuries that can’t compete with it - but it is not my favourite khukuri. I have bought khukuries from many sources but it is mostly HI khukuries that I have left now. The one thing that is beyond question is that the service from HI is the best. No one else comes close to the service I first received from Uncle Martin and now Yangdu, and their integrity is also beyond question.

I should also mention other criteria besides weight that affect my choice of a favourite khukuri. Australian timber is a lot harder than that in the USA. Most of the timber on my land is what we locally call ‘black wattle’. I have tried many big knives on it and it tends to chew them up and spit them out. I have given up trying to chop it and now use Silky Zubat saws to cut any sizeable limbs. I only use a knife for de-limbing small branches (for which my choice of favourite khukuri does a great job). Besides which, if you want larger dry timber for a fire, there is always an abundant supply on the forest floor in my part of Australia. I also have never had a use for the smaller knives that come with most khukuri. I have favourites I use in the small knife arena that I carry separate from the khukuri. So the khukuri that is right for me is a lightweight, easy to carry one, with minimal accessories that is as useful for brush cutting and small branch de-limbing as it is for carrying out kitchen duties.

So what is my favourite khukuri model - my favourite khukuri model is the Tamang model, but with the reservation that only those that have dimensions similar to the very first original Tamang that Yangdu picked up in Nepal (I have seen some longer and heavier ones of late that are not for me). I already own two tamangs that fit my specified criteria. Both are 16 inches in overall length. One weighs 13 ounces and the other weighs 14 ounces. I use them both fairly regularly in the kitchen nowadays. They both came shaving sharp. Sharper than any other khukuri I have ever bought and are the only khukuries that I have used regularly in the kitchen. They are both superbly balanced in the hand and have a more neutral balance compared to other khukuri so you don’t get tired when using them. The only additional criteria I asked for when buying the Tamang from Yangdu yesterday was that it be polished. It is not that I think a polish is necessary on this knife. After all, it is going to get stains on it from carrying out kitchen duties but the two I already own don’t have a polish but instead have that black coating on them. It simply is nice to have something different. The last thing I like about the tamang is that to my eyes it is one of the more elegantly shaped khukuri and visual appearance is important to me.

Well there you have it. My favourite khukuri of all time (well at least for my present age and life style) is the Tamang. It is one great khukuri and as far as I know is unique to HI.:thumbup:
 
Well, I guess that's yet another I have to get.

Today, my favorite is the M-43 on the weight range of 25-27oz., and 15". It's a great weight to length ratio, and it's a great worker.

But who knows what the next DOD will bring.

P. S.
That wattle sounds like some pretty hard stuff.
 
Let's see pics of your old favorites, after many years in use. I don't know the tamang well.

DOD Means ?
 
Glen,
If beauty is the beast and you still want a similar knife to perform like the Tamang then I have to recommend to you to look at the new Yek and Dui Chirras by a new Kami of HI. He is Thamar Kami and builds his blades in the old style of the early mark II Gurkha Army Khuks but a much lighter version. It may have a bit more drop to it than you are used to compared to the Tamang but if you can adjust and take advantage of the ergonomics of his style then his blades would be a great modern adjustment to the old lighter Tamang. They are typically 17-18" and 21-25 ounce in weight and very well balanced. I have personally fell in love with his style and ergonomics. If you want the same but with a little more beef with the same style then Purna Kami makes A Dui Chirra with plenty of deep biting chip flying respect. HI hasnt lost any quality in Kamis thats for sure.
Welcome back to the forums and keep askin them questions. There are some new Kamis and some old hats returned and they are second to none. I think they are doing customs as well so if you have some specs for a blade you want email Aunti Yangdu and she will git 'er done.
 
I agree. The Yek is probably the most beautiful looking khukuri I have seen. Reminds me to some extent of some of my antique WWII blades and they were the ones that originally attracted me to khukuries. The weight would probably not be something I would like. Though, maybe one around the 21 ounce mark would tempt me more than I would like. So, please Yangdu, do not put one up on DOD. I don't need another khukuri and they look too pretty to use. :D
 
Glenn Jones said:
The only additional criteria I asked for when buying the Tamang from Yangdu yesterday was that it be polished. It is not that I think a polish is necessary on this knife. After all, it is going to get stains on it from carrying out kitchen duties but the two I already own don’t have a polish but instead have that black coating on them. It simply is nice to have something different.
Click to expand...

FYI, that black coating is forge scale. It's not paint or anything like that, but it's blackening of the metal that occurs while being forged. There's a certain beauty to it, but there's also a certain beauty to polished blades.
 
Yup, now I've decided I definitely need (NEED) a Tamang, now I can't decide if I too want polished or natural.

I do like shiny stuff, but I like the scale too.

If used in the kitchen I'm sure the wife would be happier with shiny.......ok now I'm talking to myself which I'm told is not completely unnatural or a sign of forthcoming dementia, not to be confuse with well I can't remember what it's confused with but I'm ok. I think.
 
Am brand new to the site and as I received my first Khukuri today, the question is easy to answer. It is a 20-inch Kobra made by Kami Kumar Bishwakarma. I will assume he is entitled to be called a Master Kami, as this weapon looks about as perfect and functional as it could be. Spent 34 years in the service, several decades in the Infantry and I sure could have used one of these back then. Whether it is a Khukuri made by a fine craftsman in Nepal, a Smith & Wesson, or an Austrian combination gun from the Ferlach valley, the thought of how much skill and experience went into the process that generated a weapon that might one day be called upon to save the owner's life is reassuring. As soon as I write my thanks to the distinguished lady who sent this from Reno, I am going on campaign to convince my old Army buddies -- now long-since retired -- as well as some of my comrades still on active duty, that they may well want to consider obtaining something from HI. Were I able to speak to Kumar, I would tell him that he crafted a magical knife indeed, and to pay no mind to whatever caste system he may or may not still be under in his home country; for should he ever travel to where I tread, he will be welcomed with open arms to the warrior class.
 
Welcome to the community here French! Thanks foremost for your service! Kumar is a master. Congrats on your Kobra! 20" is a magical length if you can carry it efficiently. I have a few similar HI blades in that length and they are fast and effective and feel like extensions of your arm. The distinguished lady Mrs Martino (affectionately Aunti) who sold you the knife is distinguished indeed! She dedicates her life to the cause and her service is second to none. She and her family has assembled the best Kamis in Nepal to provide the best Khuks you could possibly obtain. She has an outstanding support group of folks here on the forums that help her in any way we can because we believe in her. Any questions you may have can be answered here. She will always answer them as well. We all wish we could meet the Kamis as well but I guess its not always in the best interest of the company to have guest in the shop due to political reasons. Hopefully that will change someday. Anyway Bonjour French and enjoy your stay!
 
Welcome to the shark infested waters of HI. French. Hope you find us agreeable.
 
Might want to check your transom. That's the back end there. I think you forgot to put your plug in.

Oh man, I've so done that. Embarassing.

How's our little girl doing. Back 100 percent?
 
Bawanna said:
Might want to check your transom. That's the back end there. I think you forgot to put your plug in.

Oh man, I've so done that. Embarassing.

How's our little girl doing. Back 100 percent?
Click to expand...

Daughter is about as close to 100% as can be. Seems like nothing happened to her this past week at all. Of course, mom and dad is still recuperating, but that's to be expected, we ain't no spring chickens.
 
Bawanna said:
Look at recent DOD's, there have been 3 or 4 in the last month or two.

I didn't realize all the benefits Glen mentioned in his well written report.

The bad news is now I probably along with many others want a Tamang. Never seems to end for me.

There's one in this thread.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...Good-and-Seven-Blems-for-8-4?highlight=tamang
Click to expand...

Thanks Big Fella, I do like the Kukri with less extreme angles. So far....I appreciate the link to the Kukri
 
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