My first HI (photo links included)...

J

JimmyJimenez

Joined
Sep 30, 2005
Messages
580
I have now received my first Himalayan Imports khukuri (a WWII model made by Kami
“Bura”). It was purchased via HI’s “deal of the day” forum specials on February 28, 2006 (on
Bladeforum’s HI board).

The first thing I will say about this knife is that it did not come with any of what I consider to be
serious “visual defects”. These “visual defects” would have included such things as rust, blade
fractures (including in the cho/kauri area), handle fractures, and handle putty fills. These issues
have been common with some of my other orders of “Khukuri House”, “Windlass Steelcrafts”,
and now “Nepalese Khukuri House” manufactured knives. Not all of these other ordered
knives had these “visual defects”, but I did have to send a number of them back because they
did.
Overall, this new HI knife was received in the condition that I’d expect a 1st quality knife to be
in (not being purchased as a second or blemished item). This “is” a big deal for me. I have made
it a priority to describe any issues that may concern me “before” I place my khukuri knife
orders. Even so, it’s amazing to me that many venders will set you at ease, only to send you
exactly what you told them “not” to send you. As with my previous khukuri knife orders from
other sources, I informed Yangdu (owner/operator of Himalayan Imports) of my concerns when
I ordered this knife. She is now only the second person that has been able to send me an initial
khukuri knife order without the knife having the issues I gave prior notice about. A gentleman
named John McCurdy was the first to do this correctly for me when I ordered a Khukuri House
Nepalese Police model from him.
For this I must say................ Thank You, Yangdu Martino!

People that have read some of my previous posts on this and other khukuri forums, probably
already know that my purchasing of khukuri knives is strictly for collecting and display purposes
only. No time soon will I be chopping down any trees, putting down brush, or defending myself
with these tools. With that said, I still want my knives to be decent representations of the
khukuri knife craft. I want my collection to be somewhat diverse, so adding HI products is a
must for me. This recent knife purchase is just another addition to my slowly growing khukuri
collection (9 specimens to date). It does represent the first HI specimen in my collection.

The main manner in which I will share my new HI purchase with fellow members here, (and
elsewhere), is to share some links to various photos that I’ve taken of this knife.
For the purpose of “visual” comparison, these photos were taken next to my similarly sized
Khukuri House WW2 model. This KH knife was also received without those “visual defects”
that I mentioned previously, but the vendor needed to send me more than one specimen to get it
right (I’d rather have it done right the first time around). I’m hoping that these photos will give
viewers some idea of overall “visual” appearance, as well as to expose the level of “visual”
craftsmanship of each knife.
Many collectors of olden day khukuris, and fans of “Tora” brand knives, may be quick to point
out that neither the “HI” or “KH” specimens in these photos represent true renditions of World
War II khukuris. Though I agree that it’s a valid argument, I find it to be another issue
altogether, and will therefore leave that discussion for another day.
For the purpose of this thread, these two specimens make for a valid and interesting side by
side “visual” comparison. Both are about the same length, both incorporate wood handles, both
have “similar” styled brass bolsters and pommels, and both are more or less traditionally made
by Kamis in Nepal. Mainly though, each of these knives represents “their” firm’s rendition of a
WW2 khukuri knife (even if both are only loosely based on true WW2 specimens).

There will always be those who will inject the question as to why “functional” qualities were not
part of my comparison. Before this occurs here, I will again stress that for “my” purposes here,
a “visual” comparison was the only goal. Both of these manufacturers, HI and KH, make an
honest attempt to not only offer functional knives, but also ones that will be visually appealing to
their customers. Again, these photos are for the “visual” quality aspects only. I hope that I have
stressed the word “visual” enough to make it unquestionably clear that none of this is based on
any functional comparisons.

I’ll let the photos speak for themselve’s, and let the viewers decide whether they like one, both,
or neither one of these particular knives (“visually” speaking).




This first photo shows complete right side’s of knives. It also shows each knife’s scabbard and
accessories (HI top, KH bottom):
http://img414.imageshack.us/img414/6546/dscn06710ea.jpg



This photo shows both left side blade profiles (HI top, KH bottom):
http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/6464/dscn06735ar.jpg



Here we see both handles (HI top, KH bottom):
http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/9777/dscn06745at.jpg



Both pommels (HI top, KH bottom):
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/9752/dscn06786pu.jpg



Both bolster areas (HI top, KH bottom):
http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/5744/dscn06803ix.jpg



Both spines (HI top, KH bottom):
http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/1058/dscn06821oi.jpg



Both sharpened edge views (HI top, KH bottom):
http://img382.imageshack.us/img382/2192/dscn06841nm.jpg




I hope you enjoyed the photos.


*The views and opinions written above are strictly those of the author. They do not necessarily
coincide with the views of others here or elsewhere.
 
I tend to be rather 'picky' about things too, even if I will be using them as 'users'...
You need to practice a bit on the lighting of your pictures, but I really like how you have closeups of all of the important areas...
Of course, knives are NOTOROUSLY hard to photograph well anyway...
 
Looks like some REALLY pretty wood on that Bura WWII. Good snag. Congrats.
 
I'll tell you what my problem was.....

When I retrieved the mail today, I found a slip that said the Postman missed me. I went out to fetch the package at almost 5pm, and by then the light is already getting dim. By the time I started taking the photos, I had almost zilch as far as natural light, so had to resort to artificial, and that's where I always run into lighting problems :(

Did my best with what I had, but at least both knives were shot under the same lousy conditions ;)
 
Not bad pictures at all considering the lighting conditions. Far better than mine taken under similar conditions, and excellent closeups of the key areas. That is a nice knife and a great deal.

That is the second KH WWII I have seen today that I have liked. Neat pommel and handle on that one.

Norm
 
Nice shots Jimmy. I own some KH Khuks as well and appreciate their unique characteristics as I do those of my HI models. Still, HI is definitely the "Kadillac of Khuks". I like the tip profile on the HI WWII. Puts a lot of weight forward. I'll have to add that to my wish list.

Thanks for sharing.:thumbup:
 
JimmyJimenez said:
I'll tell you what my problem was.....

When I retrieved the mail today, I found a slip that said the Postman missed me. I went out to fetch the package at almost 5pm, and by then the light is already getting dim. By the time I started taking the photos, I had almost zilch as far as natural light, so had to resort to artificial, and that's where I always run into lighting problems :(

Did my best with what I had, but at least both knives were shot under the same lousy conditions ;)
Click to expand...

Well, that certainly explains it!

Do you know what I like best about KH??? The chape at the end of their scabbards!!! If yours is anywhere NEAR as nice as the one on mine, it is so superior to the HI chape that there is no comparison...
HI Khuks are overall a step or two above KH Khuks, in most respects, though I like the handle designs and handle sizes of KH Khuks better, but KH is the Mercedes of chapes, while HI chapes are, for the most part, Pintos...
 
I found the HI to be much superior in it's blade's high polish.
I also prefer the all sewn method on the HI scabbard, (over the rivet use on the KH), though I like the overall look better of the KH scabbard (which has a more overall even leather construction then the HI). IMO.
The Karda and chakmak are better in the HI by far, not only because of the higher polish, but also because of the "size". The set for the HI being "much" bigger than that sent with the KH.

The chape is nicer on the KH in not only shape, but also in construction (the HI chape looking more crude up close), IMO.
I also prefer the KH wood handle in size, feel, shape, and profile appearance (IMO), though the Chandan wood has a real nice look about it on the HI.
The bolsters are about equally made as far as quality, with the HI having a slight edge in the fact that it's a bit shorter (looks a tad bit better), IMO.
The pommel is much nicer on the KH (again, IMO). The photo does not capture it, but the KH pommel is simply more refined as far as the quality of final cut/shaping, and does not show all of the hammering marks that the HI shows.

Overall, I like both of these knives for different reasons :)
 
Congratulations to your new khukuri, JimmyJimenez.
Bura once again made a beauty.

I have only HI khukuries, but I have to admit that this KH WWII looks nice too.
Overall I like the look of the HI WWII better with the exception of the round tip profile and thesharp tip of the chape. The other way around would bee much nicer IMHO. I like the wide belly of the HI WWII, however the very tip might be pointier. Once in a while the kamis make them pointier, so it is not something which cannot be done. After all for example the Foxy Folly or the YCS are also wide bellied but also pointy in the same time.

As for the handle, I like the HI design more. The KH buttcap design is more prone to damage during heavier use. The current HI buttcap is used as per the specific request of the many heavy duty users of the HI khukuries.
If you are drawn to the other design, it is available for example on the HI Salyan models and on the Katunje (Yangdu's special) models.

Also, I prefer the more generous handle on the HI.

The fact, that the HI WWII was made by Bura also guarantees that it would be a superb user and not only a wallhanger.

It is kinda sad, that your excellent visual reviews cannot compare the functional/performance properties of those khukuries. The HI products are probably the most thoroughly tested modern made khukuries.

Also, the majority of the most beautiful modern day khukuries are also HI products (silver mounted Dhankuta, Salyan, Katunje, YCS, Hanuman, Gharud).:thumbup: :thumbup:
 
littleknife said:
As for the handle, I like the HI design more. The KH buttcap design is more prone to damage during heavier use. The current HI buttcap is used as per the specific request of the many heavy duty users of the HI khukuries.


It is kinda sad, that your excellent visual reviews cannot compare the functional/performance properties of those khukuries. The HI products are probably the most thoroughly tested modern made khukuries.
Click to expand...

I first would like to say, thanks for your comments :)

I also wanted to address a few points you brought up (I pasted those points above).

The first is the pommel comparison. When I say that the KH pommel looks better, IMO, it's not because of the "type" of pommel that it is. Actually, the pommel type found on this HI is also found on some KH models. What I mean by liking this particular KH pommel better, it's the overall quality of manufacture. Like I said, my photos did not show this very well, and I may have to take a few shots today to better illustrate, but the HI pommel does not look as refined. The oval brass button that the tang is peened over is not very refined looking, and neither is the brass pommel itself, (when compared to the KH specimen's pommel set up).
I expect to see signs of hand craftsmanship in these knives, but I also see there being a careful balance that also refines craftsmanship during it's final touches. I think both of these KH and HI specimens could have benefitted in certain areas with this balance in mind. This KH has some areas where more refinement would have made for a bit nicer product, but so too can the same be said of this particular HI. These are just my opinions based on my observations.

As for the "function aspect", I guess I'm not going to be able to explain it any better than I already did in my original post above, but I can try (I'm not always the best at getting things across).
I think it may surprise us all to learn how many folks, like myself, collect real khukuris, (not the typically called "wall hangers), but are purchased for the sole purpose of collecting. For instance, I have some guns that I use for shooting, but I also have even more of them that I collect. These are "real" guns, some never fired, but my choice is to "collect only" these particular specimens.

I think many of these "collector's only" may not feel comfortable particapating in khukuri forums, though they may enjoy browsing. It may have a lot to do with them feeling that collectors that only display their wares may not have anything to contribute. Well, I want to prove them wrong, and want them to join in with me here and elswhere. One guy may do excellent overall reviews (function and visual), while another may just do the functional review real well. Well, I want to show that even the third type, the guy that specifically spotlights the visual aspects of his received knives, can also particapate :)

Are we all not one big happy khukuri family?........ I think so :)
 
littleknife said:
It is kinda sad, that your excellent visual reviews cannot compare the functional/performance properties of those khukuries. The HI products are probably the most thoroughly tested modern made khukuries.

Also, the majority of the most beautiful modern day khukuries are also HI products (silver mounted Dhankuta, Salyan, Katunje, YCS, Hanuman, Gharud).:thumbup: :thumbup:
Click to expand...


This is how I feel too, like something is missing after a LOT of reading. You do very detailed reviews, but they are inherently shallow because they only review one aspect of the knife. Please, I'm not trying to offend you with the word shallow, this is a friendly criticism of your review, not a personal attack on you or your review.;)

I do understand wanting to collect a certain model (WWII) from each of the vendors. Also I respect that you are a knife collector. I would love to tour your home and look at your collection. And I think you make good displays for your knives also.

Maybe its just the excitment I get when using my khuks, and the appreciation for the skill when it glances off its target. It takes some skill building, and I think you would enjoy that part too. Still, if you collect the ones Littleknife has mentioned, they will be beautiful additions to your collection, and I would appreciate seeing pics of how you display them.:thumbup:

What other HI models do you plan to acquire?
 
Jimmy,
I hope you enjoy your HI blade as much as I my own. You made a great choice.





munk
 
aproy1101,

I guess I can only again state the following:

JimmyJimenez said:
As for the "function aspect", I guess I'm not going to be able to explain it any better than I already did in my original post above, but I can try (I'm not always the best at getting things across).
I think it may surprise us all to learn how many folks, like myself, collect real khukuris, (not the typically called "wall hangers), but are purchased for the sole purpose of collecting. For instance, I have some guns that I use for shooting, but I also have even more of them that I collect. These are "real" guns, some never fired, but my choice is to "collect only" these particular specimens.

I think many of these "collector's only" may not feel comfortable particapating in khukuri forums, though they may enjoy browsing. It may have a lot to do with them feeling that collectors that only display their wares may not have anything to contribute. Well, I want to prove them wrong, and want them to join in with me here and elswhere. One guy may do excellent overall reviews (function and visual), while another may just do the functional review real well. Well, I want to show that even the third type, the guy that specifically spotlights the visual aspects of his received knives, can also particapate :)

Are we all not one big happy khukuri family?........ I think so :)
Click to expand...


As for which khukuri will be next, or which HI specimens may come my way in the future....... That has yet to be determined ;)


PS. Thank you, Munk :)
 
JimmyJimenez said:
I think many of these "collector's only" may not feel comfortable particapating in khukuri forums, though they may enjoy browsing. It may have a lot to do with them feeling that collectors that only display their wares may not have anything to contribute. Well, I want to prove them wrong, and want them to join in with me here and elswhere. One guy may do excellent overall reviews (function and visual), while another may just do the functional review real well. Well, I want to show that even the third type, the guy that specifically spotlights the visual aspects of his received knives, can also particapate :)

Are we all not one big happy khukuri family?........ I think so :)
Click to expand...

JimmyJimenez, don't worry, you are part of the khukury family and also the HI Cantina.

I did not mean to insult your reviews.
I think they are very important too.

Most of the reviews here are function and performance related, so reviews like yours are very important to get the whole picture.
After all, aesthetics is very important for most knife users too, including myself. I would not buy an ugly khukuri.

I also think that the attention to the small details and accesssories are very important for the overall assessment of the whole "package", especially for first time customers.

Many guys here know what they need, and they don't mind modifying the khukuries if the basic package is excellent ( steel, size, forged shape, edge profile, heat treatment, handle lenghth andshape, security of attachments).
For them the sharp chape points, the eventually poorer quality karda and chakma, the overall scabbard leather appearence are less important, because all those things can be easilky fixed or replaced.

The most important thing is the khukuri itself, and it takes some experience in using it to realize what an incredible deals are those HI khukuries.
Comparable custom made, hand forged western knives with similar looks and performance will cost easily 3-6 times, if not more.


What we have to keep in mind, is also the fact, that these khukuries are also made for specific markets in mind, and tio keep the business going, they have to sell well.

I am sure, that the kamis could make all the khukuries both functionally top notch and aesthetically the best, but that will reduce the amount of knives produced and increase the price to a point when it will not competitive any more.

Most of the Nepali khukuri shops chose to target the tourist market with good loking, richly decorated wallhangers which are frequently made of less durable materials, inferior steel, have poor heat treatment or less stable fittings.

HI chose to make the best working khukuries in the world and also some of the most beautiful ones too. It also has the greatest variety of models of any vendor.

The heavy duty working models are deliberately made with less attention to scabbard decoration or karda/chakma finish, so that the price would not be too high.

On the other hand, the decorative models are not only exuberantly carved, finished, but most of them would be vastly superior in performance compared to the competitors' models.

Also, Ms. Yangdu is listening to the customers, so if you have specific needs, she probably can make it happen, or even might easily find the proper khukuries amongst the regular offerings.
 
I can understand and appreciate others views, and it's the reason why when I read a fellow board members post, no matter what they may be covering, I show respect.

As for tourist khukuri/wall hangers, I believe those words get thrown around a lot, but many folks may not fully grasp what that means. For instance, it is pretty much a well known fact that product to product, the HI is one of, if not “the” best functional khukuri available. There are other makers who may not have the functional qualities or consistancy down as good as HI, and may have higher failure rates and such, but are still offering "real" khukuris knives.

Others that make real knives such as Nepalese Khukuri House, Khukuri House, Tora (which itself is made under contract by the Nepalese Khukuri House following a higher standard for the Tora company), may or may not meet the functional standards of HI. Still, they are making real khukuris nonetheless. I think to consider these "wallhangers" simply because they may not be the best in their catagory, would be unfair (IMO).

There are those that are really and truly "wallhangers", but not these companies that I mentioned above. Again, they may not meet the higher quality control standards of HI, but real they are.

I guess one should be careful with the way one uses the words "wall hanger" or "tourist khukuri".
My HI is a wall hanger, but not because it would not be fully capable of handling just about any function, but because I choose it to be a wall hanger. In fact, all my khukuris are wall hangers, and again, because I choose them to be. That is not to say that what I buy are designed for “no function”, because they are designed as real knives.

For instance, there have been those that have complained about their KH or NKH functional qualities, but quite a few have also chimed in and said the exact opposite (them being pretty happy with their products). These same folks will sometimes chime in and say that they much prefer their HI's, but that is not to say that they believe that their KH, NKH, or what have you, is a fake khukuri, but rather that HI is simply a higher quality knife.

You then have those that say that HI is itself a “tourist khukuri” because they do not always represent khukuri styles of old. Them having made many with Habaki bolsters, and having many with pretty noticable cho creep and such, so they want to use this “tourist khukuri” name calling in a insultive manner. I do not agree with this either. Each product should be left to stand on it’s own merits, and fair side by side comparisons, whether “visual”, “functional”, or “both”, is just fine with me. I do not like when one glorifies one’s own, or someone else's products by stepping on the competition with name calling.

Do many “real” khukuris get sold to tourist (such as NKH, KH, KP, and others)?.......Yes.

Do tourist many times get street khukuri fakes as well, knives that are all dolled up, but may not even have any heat treatment?.......... Yes.

Just because a khukuri has a few modern or different features does not make it a “tourist khukuri”.

Just because a khukuri may oftentimes be sold to tourist, does not make it a wall hanger. (Heck, if you live in a poor country, and tourists like to visit that country, then one would be insane not to sell one’s wares to them (whether they are real or fakes).

So my views are made by my own observations, and I’m not easily convinced into the “whatever” the rest of the crowd is saying.

I hope this gives a little more insight into my way of looking at things ;)

All’s good :)

I don't want this to turn into a me vs. someone else thread, it has not been that so far, so I'll just respectfully bow out of this interaction now, and let my original "visual review" stand on it's own merits ;)
 
JimmyJimenez, I did not mean to use the terms "wall hanger" and "tourist khukuri" as an insult.

I know, some guys use them as derogatory terms, especially when those guys imagine (or heavy drinking makes them to imagine :D ) that they are really competing with the HI for the same market. ;)

If you read carefully my previous post, you might find that I did not mention neither KH, nor NKH or Tora by name. I never said that there is no real khukuri beyond the HI made ones.

I also never said, that display khukuries are not khukuries, or that khukuries should not be pretty and displayed. What I said, was that most khukuri shops produce items for display and collecting rather than use.
The situation is similar to the pocketknives made by Case today. While the quality of the Case knives improved during the last 4-5 years, they are still produced rather for the collectors' market than for the users' one.
Does this mean that Case knives are not real knives? Does this mean that one should not collect modern Case knives?

What I meant to say was, that HI produces khukuries for both the most heavy duty users and the most demanding collectors.

JimmyJimenez, once again, I think you are doing a very important job by posting your visual reviews. :thumbup: :thumbup:
I buy khukuries with both performance and aesthetics in my mind.
I also prefer a nice and functional tool over a functional but crudely made one.
I also like attention to small details on a tool, even if the tool gets dirty during the use.

Thank you, for your reviews.
Good to have you in the HI Cantina.
 
littleknife said:
JimmyJimenez, I did not mean to use the terms "wall hanger" and "tourist khukuri" as an insult.

I know, some guys use them as derogatory terms, especially when those guys imagine (or heavy drinking makes them to imagine :D ) that they are really competing with the HI for the same market. ;)

If you read carefully my previous post, you might find that I did not mention neither KH, nor NKH or Tora by name. I never said that there is no real khukuri beyond the HI made ones.

I also never said, that display khukuries are not khukuries, or that khukuries should not be pretty and displayed. What I said, was that most khukuri shops produce items for display and collecting rather than use.
The situation is similar to the pocketknives made by Case today. While the quality of the Case knives improved during the last 4-5 years, they are still produced rather for the collectors' market than for the users' one.
Does this mean that Case knives are not real knives? Does this mean that one should not collect modern Case knives?

What I meant to say was, that HI produces khukuries for both the most heavy duty users and the most demanding collectors.

JimmyJimenez, once again, I think you are doing a very important job by posting your visual reviews. :thumbup: :thumbup:
I buy khukuries with both performance and aesthetics in my mind.
I also prefer a nice and functional tool over a functional but crudely made one.
I also like attention to small details on a tool, even if the tool gets dirty during the use.

Thank you, for your reviews.
Good to have you in the HI Cantina.
Click to expand...

I apologize, littleknife, I did not mean to imply that you had used those phrases as an insult against any company.
What I meant to say was that just using those terms, people often times get the wrong idea, and since these types of phrases have been used in the past as insults against certain "real" khukuri firms (even against the very respected HI firm), that it may be best to be more specific when using them.

I just wanted to clarify (I did not want to bow out of this interaction with any hard feelings).

Thanks for understanding, buddy :)
 
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