My Gelbu Special came today

S

Snarlin Stef

Joined
May 2, 2003
Messages
143
18 incher horn handle by Kumar. Easily the most beautiful blade I have ever purchased from HI. The horn handle has a slight natural white/grey discoloration .5 by .25 inches that has a beautiful pattern and fades back into black; only makes the blade look even more stunning. The metal is perfectly bent and molded to fit the blade and its great work i must say. I also like the stereotypical Kumar "fat" handle. it fits my hand perfectly and makes the blade seem really light. Visually im in love with the blade.

I do have a few critiques. One of them does worry me a lot:

1) the blade is barely 3/8th of an inch thick at its thickest point (and thats giving it the benefit of the doubt). This is the major concern that I have becuase I was expecting a blade that was "at least 7/16ths of an inch thick" like the website says. This will likely mean that the blade is "weaker" than its 7/16ths counterpart. I have never owned a Kobra but I would suspect that this was a Kobra blade that was turned into a GS blade. I would really appreciate if other GS owners can comment on their blades thickness for comparison.

2) not a big deal: Scabbard is not a perfectly "snug" fit when the blade is in it. My other 3 blades that I have purchased from HI have perfect scabbards in that I can put the blade in the Scabbard and turn it upside down and shake the thing and the blade stays in. This GS falls outa the scabbard when upside down. Im sure i can put some kind of fuller or cotton or something to make it a bit more snug... i think of something... again not a big deal.

3) not a big deal: very tip of the blade has a very minor bit of rust that I am about to spend 5 minutes on getting out... not a big deal either.

I wish I hada scale that was sensitive to weigh the thing... personally Im very concerned about the blade thickness (barely 3/8ths thick) If someone can compare their GS thickness to mine it would be greatly appreciated (also mention the Kami that made it as well)

im hoping that im just spazzing out and that all other GSs are actually about 3/8ths thick... bcs It would be a shame to let go of a blade this nice.

please advise
 
If the website says 7/8 inch think I've made another mistake. I wouldn't worry about this blade being weak.
 
My 18" is 1/2" at the spine. It's plenty tough, believe me. I think that 3/8 of an inch is plenty thick for nearly anything. If you want the biggest, toughest khuk around get a Sher made AK; he makes them extra thick. Mine was made my Sanu. Unfortunately he is no longer with HI, he did beautiful work. I really wouldn't worry about the thickness of your blade, I'm sure it's extremely tough. Keep in mind that most other "heavy duty" blades out there are only 1/4" thick, and many consider these to be overbuilt! 3/8" should do fine.
 
UB

i meant to say 7/16ths... im fixing my post right now

roadrunner...
the website says 7/16ths (my AK is aobut 7/16ths to 1/2).... yours is 1/2 so thats bout right (according to the site info)... mine is 3/8ths... getting worried here :(
 
One whole 1/16" isn't gonna matter, esp. when you're talking the difference between 3/8" and 7/16". The knife will be fine, stop stressing about it and just use it. Then you'll see we're all right. ;)
 
yah... i know yall are prob right... im not quite obsessive compulsive... but i do obsess and compulse about lil things from time to time... i think what i really needed was self assuring and confirmation that it was ok...
 
Originally posted by Snarlin Stef ...... Im sure i can put some kind of fuller or cotton or something to make it a bit more snug... i think of something...
Click to expand...
#1 Search scabbard/adjust in the HI forums.

#2 Use a -thin- bit of leather (or wood, whatever) to shim the throat of the scabbard.
Little touch of glue to hold it.
Try it before you glue it.
 
You have nothing to worry about Stef. My Gelbu Special by Kesar fluctuates between .380 and .410 depending where on the spine you measure it. I have tested and used this blade HARD!! You can ask Uncle Bill, I can be hard on a blade and tend to be sometimes overly picky to boot. Your GS should give you years of flawless service. My GS is my favorite weapons grade Khuk. It is fast beyond description and the deeply fullered blade tends to make it stronger than you would expect. Picture an "I" beam cross section and you will get my meaning. I have lopped off 3" oak limbs with one swipe and the blade didn't even seem to slow down. Mind you, if I have heavy chopping to do I will use a 18 or 20 inch AK. For average chopping and limbing the GS is a pleasure to use. It is light,fast and nimble in the hand. Use the heck out of it and don't look back!!;) :D :cool:
 
Outside of HI, 1/4" is considered very thick, with 5/16" and 3/8" being mad overkill. I'm glad HI khuk's are made extra thick, but what I mean is... don't fret over a 1/16" or an RCH as we used to call em on the construction site. 3/8" is plenty thick steel.

Can you take a photo? Let's see this beauty.
I'm wavering on buying a GS now or waiting a li'l while... I have 10 khuks now and I don't wanna buy too many too soon ;)
 
stripey
im telling you its beautiful to look at so much moreso than a picture shows... i dont have a digi camera yet... BUT... it looks exactly like the 18 incher on the order form... cept with a prettier handle.

ddean...
thnx much
 
quote:
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Originally posted by Snarlin Stef ...... Im sure i can put some kind of fuller or cotton or something to make it a bit more snug... i think of something...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And here's a bit more detail at:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=193861
including something that did not work.

Also see:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=125819
And, somewhat related:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=126111
And last, here's a bit of scabbard info you may find useful.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=125869
 
My 21" GS is by Kumar and and it measures exactly 7/16". I see nothing unusual about the 18" blade being a bit thinner than the 21".:) :)
 
Hey snarlin

If ya figure out a way to break one of these blades, let me know. I haven't.
 
Snarlin,

Measured my GS's and found most were right about 7/16". The results are as follows with fractions not converted because I just got in and am tired.

18" GS by Kumar: .4" at bend, .41" at bolster
18" GS by Sher: .44" at bend, .45" at bolster
21" GS by Kumar: .43" at bend(7/16), .45" at bolster
21" GS by Kumar: .45" at bend, .48" at bolster
21" GS by Durba: .39" at bend, .43" at bolster

The one by Durba has the Deepest fullers of the bunch. All are great.
Don't think you'll have any problems as all HI khuks are "over engineered". Just picked up the "finger groove" Chiruwa from the other days deals. It is by Kumar and is half the thickness of the other Chiruwa (9/16") (my first HI) which is also by Kumar. The finger groove one is only 3/8" thick. I'm sure it carries the same HI guarantee as the thick one. Bend or break one (doubt it) get two free! Enjoy.:D
 
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