My first Khukuri: Chiruwa BAS

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pjmaxm

Joined
Nov 29, 2005
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So I have been lurking around this forum for a while. Khukuris have always interested me and Himalayan Imports seem to be the best available. I have vigilantly watched the DOD threads and saw some that looked interesting but not enough I guess since I had not bought one.

When I saw this khukuri I knew immediately that it was the one for me. It is a villager chiruwa BAS that was one of the Dashain DOD specials. People are true how they sometimes say the khukuri speaks to you, and I heard this one loud and clear.

I was looking for a good all arounder, isn't everyone, and liked how this one kind of split the difference between the two models I was considering, either a Ang Khola or a BAS. Pretty beefy for a BAS at 27 ounces and 15.5". The handle fits me wonderfully as the ring is in a good spot for me and feels like an extension of my arm. Because it is villager fit the handle slabs are not perfectly aligned with the tang, but that is no worry as I have a ginder in my basement (I am feebly trying to start making knives myself). I knew it would be like that and I am fine with it because I got an amazing khukuri for a great price. A little time at the grinder is more than worth it me. I also wanted a villager as I prefer the satin/brushed finish on the blade to the polished. I have found my no-nonsense camping and bonfire khukuri and love it.

Here are some pictures of my BAS:






I know who the Kami is that made it, but did not know what the other marking were:





Another great thing for me is just as when you buy a knife from a local custom maker, I feel a sort of connection to the maker. The amount of time, effort, and skill that must of went in to this is staggering. I feel it almost an honor to receive and use this khukuri. I also really enjoy supporting craftsmen in a country where they need all the support they can get.

Oh and it already tasted a little of my blood:
It is definately pretty sharp as the cut did not bleed much and should heal nicely.

It is great to finally have one of these as I have been thinking of one for a while.
 
I really need to pick up one of these bolsterless villagers. I love the look of them:) Congrats on the new knife:):thumbup:
 
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Excellent review.
Yep, sometimes one just calls your name and no matter how many more you get and love, there will always be ONE, that when the chips are down, you're in a hurry, you just reflexively reach for.

Note on the handle fit: Chiriuwa handles are never right on. They probably are when they're made, but differences in humidity going from Nepal to Nevada to wherever you are cause the wodd to expand, contract and warp a bit. I test mine out wearing gloves, then leave it to sit and let the wood stabilize and then fit them myself.
 
Cpl Punishment said:
Note on the handle fit: Chiriuwa handles are never right on. They probably are when they're made, but differences in humidity going from Nepal to Nevada to wherever you are cause the wodd to expand, contract and warp a bit. I test mine out wearing gloves, then leave it to sit and let the wood stabilize and then fit them myself.
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Very good to know, thank you for the advice. I will wait a few days before I take the grinder to it to let it stabilize. Here in central Connecitcut we have a bit more humidity than Reno, especially the last few days.
 
yes, I want one exactly like this too, i love the simplicity of it. It's next after a 20" villager AK and 21" Chitlangi :)
 
pjmaxm said:
Very good to know, thank you for the advice. I will wait a few days before I take the grinder to it to let it stabilize. Here in central Connecitcut we have a bit more humidity than Reno, especially the last few days.
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It's Gonna take more than a few days to stabilize.....i'd recommend letting it sit around for at least several weeks, minimum.
 
Karda said:
It's Gonna take more than a few days to stabilize.....i'd recommend letting it sit around for at least several weeks, minimum.
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4 weeks? Thanks again for the advice as this is my first and want to take care of it properly.
 
Karda said:
It's Gonna take more than a few days to stabilize.....i'd recommend letting it sit around for at least several weeks, minimum.
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Yeah, I misspoke, I probably let it sit 4- 6 weeks. I'm a professional procrastinator, weeks are like days to me. :D

Nice catch.
 
pjmaxm said:
4 weeks? Thanks again for the advice as this is my first and want to take care of it properly.
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I think a month should suffice, but who knows fer sure,the longer the better. Whats going on is the khuks are sent from Nepal,which apparently is fairly humid, and then they end up in the quite dry climate of nevada and the handles tend to shrink and/or crack. This happens to both horn and wood handles. It's particularly hell on the horn/antler handles. In your case, coming to the fairly humid parts of the northeast may cause the wood to swell again so you may end up having to do very little, if anything to re-set the handle slabs.
 
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Karda said:
I think a month should suffice, but who knows fer sure,the longer the better. Whats going on is the khuks are sent from Nepal,which apparently is fairly humid, and then they end up in the quite dry climate of nevada and the handles tend to shrink and/or crack. This happens to both horn and wood handles. It's particularly hell on the horn/antler handles. In your case, coming to the fairly humid parts of the northeast may cause the wood to swell again so you may end up having to do very little, if anything to re-set the handle slabs.
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I just checked the handles now and in just a day it already looks a little better so I definitely see what you saying.

There is just one spot on the back of the handle were the steel comes past the handle that I might smooth just a little as it is biting my hand a bit and I want to use it tomorrow for a bonfire. Other than that I will not do anything for at least a month and see what it looks like then.
 
pjmaxm said:
I just checked the handles now and in just a day it already looks a little better so I definitely see what you saying.

There is just one spot on the back of the handle were the steel comes past the handle that I might smooth just a little as it is biting my hand a bit and I want to use it tomorrow for a bonfire. Other than that I will not do anything for at least a month and see what it looks like then.
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The problem may not be so much that the steel is sticking out past the handle, but that the flare on the handle is a little too pointy, or both.
I have no churwas in my collection....yet.... but i have a 12' sirupati by bura that bites the hell outta the palm of my hand just swinging it, it suffers from both prob's...slight shrinkage of the handle in combo with being too pointy on the flare. Carefully rounding the flare and butt-plate and a good buffing should solve both problems.
 
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