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My Young Sher Kobra: My First HI Khukuri
- Thread starter jayinhk
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jayinhk, do what we all do and go with your gut. Sounds like you've got available khuks close at hand and are satisfied with their performance. More power to you. Please, check in here and don't hesitate to impart your understanding. Personally, I don't do the martial stuff but questions seem to come up regularly regarding khuk use for martial arts and its good to have experienced opinions. Thanks for your input and impressions.
Rick
Rick
Thanks Rick! Yup, I've got the HI Kobra less than two feet away and the KH Sirupate a foot away. There's no doubt in my mind that they would both make formidable weapons, but I'd go with the Sirupate first due to the lighter weight. IMO a 15-18" (overall) Sirupate is the ideal weapon for me. I just bought a 20" Sirupate from KH to compare to the Kobra.
The khukuri with it's inward curving blade is a very efficient chopper (as we all know), but it can also make a great slasher if sharpened up a little, and they take great edges nice and quickly. They can also make good stabbers if need be. I was happy with the point on the Kobra, but the extra pointy Sirupate I had made takes the cake.
The khukuri with it's inward curving blade is a very efficient chopper (as we all know), but it can also make a great slasher if sharpened up a little, and they take great edges nice and quickly. They can also make good stabbers if need be. I was happy with the point on the Kobra, but the extra pointy Sirupate I had made takes the cake.
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Sorry to hear your first HI wasn't as spectacular as many of ours were, Jay. Possible that maybe in light of the Kamis that left, and Bura being ill, that they may not be quite all up to snuff of late. If you ever feel like giving HI a second chance down the road, you might either try emailing Yangdu directly with specific requests as per fit, finish, weight, size and shape, or you could try to get one on the cheap from an HI user that has to get rid of one who can vouch for its feel and usability.
Yangdu was great and replied promptly, so I may give HI another shot down the line. The Kobra does feel good in the hand, although I believe the 20" Kobra/Sirupate may be a little too heavy for the kind of techniques we use in my system. The main thing that would stop me from ordering a custom from HI is the price and also the fact they have to be shipped halfway across the world and back again--seems like a bit of a waste, although I appreciate that Yangdu wants to give them her seal of approval.
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Yup, the scabbard. Thanks. Still think I'm a shill for KH?Most of my posts on here are about balisongs. I really was just stating my honest opinion.
I never called you that... please don't put words into my mouth. I do a fine job of :foot: all by myself.
I merely said that you started out to be unhappy and in light of this you got what you were after. We have yet to see the promised pix as well... perhaps you forgot them in all the hoo haw? I still want to see all the damage / problems the knife had and want to know if it was what had been told was the trouble in the ad or something new and unknown.
Balisongs aren't my thing. Of course that should be taken as a mere statement of fact. Only one I have ever had was a Cold Steel Arc Angle double edged spear point. Never felt I could "flip" it safely so it just sat until one day it was suddenly worth $250 and I sold it. :thumbup:
Karda: "I've pondered this a bit and it seems that this thread Is/has become not so much a review of an H.I. product, but an advertisement for Khukuri House. In that light i am moving it to the Cantina."
"would have to agree, and a shameless one at that"
Sorry, I guess I thought you guys were implying I had some kind of vested interest in KH. I'm just another customer.
I'll take some pics later today: I've been working late and training every night this week. I've posted on this thread from my phone during my commute several times too. I might even be able to take an HD video tonight so I can compare the two of 'em.
I've been flipping balisongs since I was 16 or 17, so that's a good 12 to 13 years. Never had anything as nice as an Arc Angel until this year (got myself several Benchmades). I bought two FHMs in Manila and the balisong fever came right back. I have 24 balisongs now.
I have to give props to the OP for being very polite and reasonable through this thread, more so than some of the "regulars".
I have had handle fit and finish issues with every Young Sher Khukuri that's passed through my hands. It's only three, but the handle quality of the Vim and Bura blades I own is significantly better. And two of the Young Sher Khuks were not DOTD, while all of my Vim and Bura blades were... I think I've said it before, but I don't buy Young Sher blades anymore, and until I hear otherwise about the handles I won't. He makes a great blade, but so does Vim, and I like Vim's handles better. And the fact that people are still mentioning it nine months after I bought my first one worries me...
Nor I don't think it's helpful to HI for people to sing praises they don't really feel because they don't want to not fit in to the group, or because they don't want to look a fool for spending so much money on something of "superior quality". If I ran a business, I would want them to sing praises because my product deserved it. Letting the Kamis know their short fallings, and asking them for improvement will not only get new customers involved on a more than one-time basis, it will also keep old customers coming back. Shouting down issues, or justifying them by saying that it's hand-forged etc., is getting old and really doesn't show much class.
But obviously now that it's shamelessly hidden in the less visited sub-forum, it will go away right? I still have a great deal of respect for Yangdu and HI, and I love my khuks, but I've been finding less and less reason to read the forum much less participate in it.
The kamis are going through a rough transitioning time, but maybe the truth is that they do need to step up, because it's entirely possible that KH stepped it up and is working to put out a better product. Never having owned KH I don't know, but to discount it and bury it seems foolish at best.
I have had handle fit and finish issues with every Young Sher Khukuri that's passed through my hands. It's only three, but the handle quality of the Vim and Bura blades I own is significantly better. And two of the Young Sher Khuks were not DOTD, while all of my Vim and Bura blades were... I think I've said it before, but I don't buy Young Sher blades anymore, and until I hear otherwise about the handles I won't. He makes a great blade, but so does Vim, and I like Vim's handles better. And the fact that people are still mentioning it nine months after I bought my first one worries me...
Nor I don't think it's helpful to HI for people to sing praises they don't really feel because they don't want to not fit in to the group, or because they don't want to look a fool for spending so much money on something of "superior quality". If I ran a business, I would want them to sing praises because my product deserved it. Letting the Kamis know their short fallings, and asking them for improvement will not only get new customers involved on a more than one-time basis, it will also keep old customers coming back. Shouting down issues, or justifying them by saying that it's hand-forged etc., is getting old and really doesn't show much class.
But obviously now that it's shamelessly hidden in the less visited sub-forum, it will go away right? I still have a great deal of respect for Yangdu and HI, and I love my khuks, but I've been finding less and less reason to read the forum much less participate in it.
The kamis are going through a rough transitioning time, but maybe the truth is that they do need to step up, because it's entirely possible that KH stepped it up and is working to put out a better product. Never having owned KH I don't know, but to discount it and bury it seems foolish at best.
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Duzzy, no one is HIDING this thread. Karda is simply following protocol.
Once upon a time during the heyday of HI when we had all of our friends long past, the HI boards were bustling at such a pace that we were eating up a lot of Spark's bandwidth.
Instead of making us STOP talking about off topic things, Spark gave us the Cantina. Now, if this thread had stayed on topic about what was wrong with the Kobra and not how super fantastic the KH products are (I've never found them to be that great, but to each his own).
If there is a concern with an HI product, Yangdu will not shy away from it. However, she doesn't have to put up with glowing reviews of a competing product in her sales forum when it has clearly moved into off topic territory.
Long story short, we Mods are not perfect. Even through we DO get our very generous BFC pensions when we reach the age of 65 (that's a joke folks
), we are simply doing the best we can with what we have to work with.
I will say this right here and right now. Karda is probably the most diligent hardworking and thoughtful mod we have had since Uncle Bill and Rusty. That's not a ding against all the other guys that have picked up the reigns. Every one of them have done an outstanding job (excluding myself). However, I haven't seen someone utterly attack this job with such devotion as Karda. We are are EXTREMELY lucky to have him, and I think it is disingenuous and unfair to peg this charge on him.
Just my $.02 and YMMV.
Once upon a time during the heyday of HI when we had all of our friends long past, the HI boards were bustling at such a pace that we were eating up a lot of Spark's bandwidth.
Instead of making us STOP talking about off topic things, Spark gave us the Cantina. Now, if this thread had stayed on topic about what was wrong with the Kobra and not how super fantastic the KH products are (I've never found them to be that great, but to each his own).
If there is a concern with an HI product, Yangdu will not shy away from it. However, she doesn't have to put up with glowing reviews of a competing product in her sales forum when it has clearly moved into off topic territory.
Long story short, we Mods are not perfect. Even through we DO get our very generous BFC pensions when we reach the age of 65 (that's a joke folks
), we are simply doing the best we can with what we have to work with. I will say this right here and right now. Karda is probably the most diligent hardworking and thoughtful mod we have had since Uncle Bill and Rusty. That's not a ding against all the other guys that have picked up the reigns. Every one of them have done an outstanding job (excluding myself). However, I haven't seen someone utterly attack this job with such devotion as Karda. We are are EXTREMELY lucky to have him, and I think it is disingenuous and unfair to peg this charge on him.
Just my $.02 and YMMV.
Well thank you, jake.
My devotion to this company and forum, is only because i understand the hard work Auntie, Uncle and Pala have put into it. As my finances at the moment wont allow me to participate in the sales end of things, i can only give what i have, my time, my hard work and my devotion. I think that for all their hard work they desreve no less from me.
Duzzy,
The thread was moved here for content. Jayinhk could've aired his grievances without even mentioning KH, he chose not to do so. He could've emailed Auntie first to state his disatisfaction and allow her a chance.. Instead he chose to sing KH's praises and treat H.I. and those who've replied with a different view in a somewhat unfair manner. He bought a blem at a bargain price, considering what they go for and decided to compare it to a competitors Non- blem product. If you check his posts he has admittedly had issues in the past with KH product, but he still buys from them and sings their praises and then comes here, as you have, to publicly besmirch H.I. in its own forum. What is really classless is those posting their grievances here without first contacting Yangdu about their specific problem and giving her the chance to rectify it. What is really classless is people claiming to have respect, but taking whatever chance they get to stir the pot.
My devotion to this company and forum, is only because i understand the hard work Auntie, Uncle and Pala have put into it. As my finances at the moment wont allow me to participate in the sales end of things, i can only give what i have, my time, my hard work and my devotion. I think that for all their hard work they desreve no less from me.
Duzzy,
The thread was moved here for content. Jayinhk could've aired his grievances without even mentioning KH, he chose not to do so. He could've emailed Auntie first to state his disatisfaction and allow her a chance.. Instead he chose to sing KH's praises and treat H.I. and those who've replied with a different view in a somewhat unfair manner. He bought a blem at a bargain price, considering what they go for and decided to compare it to a competitors Non- blem product. If you check his posts he has admittedly had issues in the past with KH product, but he still buys from them and sings their praises and then comes here, as you have, to publicly besmirch H.I. in its own forum. What is really classless is those posting their grievances here without first contacting Yangdu about their specific problem and giving her the chance to rectify it. What is really classless is people claiming to have respect, but taking whatever chance they get to stir the pot.
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I respectfully disagree with you and Karda. I am not, nor will I belittle his work or his efforts. I appreciate what I have seen him do, and I'm sure he does so much more than I can or will ever know.
However, my view is that the OP was looking for justification. He was disappointed in his purchase, and was looking to the Cantina folks to tell him why he should do Option A when he's been more satisfied in the past with Option B. I don't completely agree with what the OP has done or how he went about it. I think that when Yangdu goes through the trouble of listing a length and weight you shouldn't be surprised by either. (I went and found something similar in weight to the ATSK that I wanted and used that as a judge, I looked at a tape measure as well.) However, I think that on a whole he has been remarkably well spoken, and I found nothing blatant about his posts in terms of advertising or otherwise. I assume he used KH because that is what he knows, and what he can compare with.
If he had merely said, "My Kobra sucks and I'd rather buy something from KH" I would consider that trolling, advertising, or whatever. Unless I completely misread it, he didn't. He asked a question, and used a comparison to question the value. I do believe he was/maybe still is colored by his disappointment. But if the best answer to the question, "Why should I choose HI when I can get this, this and this from someplace else with a better fit and finish?" is that the person is spamming another company; then to me there is a problem.
Also, I assume, as Karda is viewing this thread while I type that he will have a response as well. Again, I'm not belittling anyone and I appreciate the work the Moderators do (whether you choose to believe it or not is up to you). I do however feel the decision that was made was wrong, and that this whole thing has been handled with less grace than it should have been; and as such I am saying so.
However, my view is that the OP was looking for justification. He was disappointed in his purchase, and was looking to the Cantina folks to tell him why he should do Option A when he's been more satisfied in the past with Option B. I don't completely agree with what the OP has done or how he went about it. I think that when Yangdu goes through the trouble of listing a length and weight you shouldn't be surprised by either. (I went and found something similar in weight to the ATSK that I wanted and used that as a judge, I looked at a tape measure as well.) However, I think that on a whole he has been remarkably well spoken, and I found nothing blatant about his posts in terms of advertising or otherwise. I assume he used KH because that is what he knows, and what he can compare with.
If he had merely said, "My Kobra sucks and I'd rather buy something from KH" I would consider that trolling, advertising, or whatever. Unless I completely misread it, he didn't. He asked a question, and used a comparison to question the value. I do believe he was/maybe still is colored by his disappointment. But if the best answer to the question, "Why should I choose HI when I can get this, this and this from someplace else with a better fit and finish?" is that the person is spamming another company; then to me there is a problem.
Also, I assume, as Karda is viewing this thread while I type that he will have a response as well. Again, I'm not belittling anyone and I appreciate the work the Moderators do (whether you choose to believe it or not is up to you). I do however feel the decision that was made was wrong, and that this whole thing has been handled with less grace than it should have been; and as such I am saying so.
Please read what I just wrote. Please pay special attention to the last paragraph. How defensive you choose to get is your own choice. This is the internet, communication is ineffective at best and I don't really feel like getting upset is a good use of my energy. I'd actually rather be taking a walk through the zoo right now.
How I choose to support HI is my choice, the fact that I still support HI is also my choice; and in essence should say something about the company. The fact that I don't support your choice as a Moderator has nothing to do with HI, Aunty, or anything else really; and if you choose to extrapolate that then there isn't really anything I can do. I freely admit I threw the same stones that were tossed at the OP, and in that I was wrong, and if you feel the need for an apology I'd be more than happy to oblige. But if those stones bother you so much, then maybe they shouldn't have been allowed to be thrown in the first place?
I stand by what I said, including the part about not meaning to belittle anyone, because I'm being honest; and I honestly do not think this thread was handled as well as it could have been.
Ahem...this thread is the first one you see at the top of the forum homepage under Cantiina, above all the rest. Doesn't seem too "hidden" to me.
Please refer to this:
Also, based on my experiences (which is the only gauge I can honestly use) the Cantina has significantly less activity than the actual HI Forum itself. Now, I am off to the zoo.
Well i guess i will put everyone here on notice right now.
Discussions of H.I. product are for the main forum. It is the Showroom floor, so to speak. Any discussions/comparisons to any other company belong in the Cantina. Before airing your grievances with the product or service in this forum at all, you had better, darn well have given Auntie every opportunity to rectify the problem to your satisfaction.
Discussions of H.I. product are for the main forum. It is the Showroom floor, so to speak. Any discussions/comparisons to any other company belong in the Cantina. Before airing your grievances with the product or service in this forum at all, you had better, darn well have given Auntie every opportunity to rectify the problem to your satisfaction.
As long as the policy is enforced evenly (be it a company like KH that is direct competition, or a company like Busse) it doesn't really matter to me. It's not the choice I would make, but then again I'm not the Moderator.
I will be moving forward without animosity towards anyone; as none was present before, I feel none should be present after. YMMV
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