My UBE

M

munk

Joined
Mar 22, 2002
Messages
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I got back here and in all the excitement went into debt immediately over a UBE. 18.5" and about 29 oz Yangdu sent it fast, I'll tell you. It was here in 3 days.

When I was new to Khukuris I looked them over and read the web page, and gulped down all the data on them I could. I still remember getting my first Khuk, a BAS by Knn in a blem deal. Right after I confirmed purchase I posted: "I got a BAS!! What's a BAS?

I liked traditional most of all. I thought the UBE among the most ridiculous blades I'd ever seen. There could be no earthly reason for it.

Last summer before I took sabatical my wife surprised me by getting a Movie Model I'd wanted desperately. How I came from WWll's and AK's to the Movie I will never know. Perhaps my eye tired of the standard forms. I like to think some of the humor and joy Bura communicated with his Movie Model stuck with me.

There could be no Movie Model without the UBE paving the way. The blades could be from the same family tree.

The balance of the UBE is wonderful. Lest some think it only martial-this blade cuts wood. I don't think it cuts as well as a similarly weighted blade with a more traditional curve down, rather than up at the tip as the UBE does. I could be wrong about that impression as the difference is not great.

But the UBE is both fighter and wood hawker. The upturned end gives it a straight thrust.

It will be accompanying me on many a hike. I read one poster talk of the 23 minutes it took him to pull the UBE from the sheath without damage but I must be lucky. My UBE kersniks right in and out.
And it's strange looks? Why, the thing is beautiful, of course. Who could think otherwise?

It sits by the computer while I write this, a place its had since arrival.



munk
 
Sounds great Munk. I think it will high on my list of "must have". Since I have most of the more traditional, my last couple have been more on the different side and less on the practical user side.;)
 
Another UBE convert :)
I love the UBE, mine is by Bura. Excellent balance, very light for its size, and a monster recurve blade... it's one of my favorite knives of all. A super chopper, and the upswept tip makes slicing easy.
 
I had a hard time deciding between the ube and the ak bowie.
the only deciding factor was that i am a Texan.
 
I've a friend named Danny from Texas. He turned me on to German Eye knives. How many Dannies you all got there in Texas, anyway?





munk
 
I read one poster talk of the 23 minutes it took him to pull the UBE from the sheath without damage
Click to expand...
It wasn't the pulling, but the re-sheathing. I'm probably just clumsy. Regardless, the UBE is one of my favorites. Especially after I had the quick-draw sheath made for it. (Thanks, Terry). Definitely a chopper.
 
I'm still carefull, Ardvark. This khuk is a natural for a Terry Sisco quick draw though. Light enough to carry around,good chopper, and if needed, probably an excellent martial blade.

You know, I really like the thing. It is unique.


munk
 
Yep, I think that's one of the only HI dui chirras I haven't owned of fondled. Love that fullering!

Keith
 
Dang, Ferrous, I forgot to post who made it- Kumar. Thick horn handle, excellent blade, and the not quite straight, not quite convex edge.

The chakma and Karda both have engraved ends, and the chakma has a real point to the handle- I guess so you can tell the difference between it and karda in the dark.




munk
 
Thanks for the review, Munk. I've really grown partial to kardas and chamkahs with distinctly different shapes to the handles because it allows a rapid tactile distinction between the two without having to look to make sure.
--Josh
 
I am an old UBE disciple. I have one by Bura and one by Sanu, both chiruwas, that are so close in size & shape that they appear to be a matched set. shrunken handle slabs and too much brass affected the balance and prompted me to remove them. I will make handle slabs out of stabilized cocobolo or bocote and then send them to Kenny Rowe for some leather clothes. This should be quite an heirloom when I'm finished, but it may take a couple more years.

I have a MM also and am crazy about it too. Some of the best khuk styles to ever come out of Nepal are HI exclusives. Uncle has a lot to be proud of.
 
The UBE got this reaction from a friend of mine: "It looks meaner than the rest."

Now, I don't proscribe to that...none of mine look 'mean' to me. Nor should they to any good guy. My blades are well behaved. Even when given opportunity they've been kind to myself and family.

HI khukuris are wonderful. Beautiful tools first. The UBE rivals the 18" WWll for all around use.


munk
 
Hey Munk, how's the UBE holding up? I just got one in a trade, pretty cool design. What all have you chopped/cut with yours? Do you think it will handle Brush as good as the WWII's? Oh yeah and how do you like the thick handle?

Thanks,

Heber
 
The thick handle is excellent. I don't understand folks with average hands who can't 'handle' larger grips. It's ok in a magnum revolver, right? But not in a large chopping blade you want to hang on to? I am so average I can take small and large grips.

I don't recall ofhand what the weight is, but remember it very similar to a Sirupati of the same length. Not all sirupats's go as heavy, but many do. So I figure it chops about like one of those.


The upturned end does change the impact style, and I dont' think for instance it could compete with an AK or WWll of the same weight.


I'm glad I have it.

That and the movie model are from the same family tree. I hear them talking together sometimes.


munk

edit- gee- helps to refer to the Top- weight 29oz.
 
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