Need help making a decision...Which one to get

Blinker,

While handle mods probably won't be much of a problem for you, it is easier to to make a handle thinner than it is to make it thicker.

The Gelbu, Kobra and often sirupati seem to have more slender handles. My 18" Gelbu has a handle circumference of 3 3/4" at the fattest part near the bolster.

On the other hand, the UBE that you mention, seems to always have the largest fattest handles. Mine is 4 1/2" circumference at the fattest part near the bolster. The upswept tip does mean a wider mouth to the scabbard, and it's not the easiest knife to re-sheath. Unique balance though. If you like this style, search this forum for "movie model".:eek:

The large bell-shaped pommels of the Chitlangi and Chainpuri are kinda interesting, too.

Good luck deciding...;) myself, I think fullers are fun!!:eek:
 
Originally posted by firkin ......the UBE....... Unique balance though. If you like this style, search this forum for "movie model".
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Can you say more aboout "unique balance"?
 
Gonzo,
Just signed up for the Pass around---should be cool! You are the weapon agree 100% but a surgeon needs good instruments:>
 
UBE balance:

OK, a caveat--My UBE is made by Bura, and it's 26 oz, and pretty relatively thin with a wide bevel. A UBE from Sher may well be totally different.

This UBE many not be quite as "snappy" as my 23 oz Gelbu, but it feels lighter and less fatiguing to use. When held horizontal, it feels pretty much like another khuk of the same weight. But as you start to tilt it towards vertical, it feels lighter and lighter-more than a regular khuk does. I think that's because the upswept tip lets the weight move into a vetical line earlier. It seems to make it less fatiguing to use and easier to intiate the swing. Then the power builds up as momentum and gravity take over and the weight swings out as the chop is finished.

Of course it is less pronounced when slicing horizontally, but it still seems like it is easier to get a swing started, especially if a slight draw motion is used just at the start of the swing before rotating the blade.

Maybe think of it like sort of a cam action??

Probably makes litle sense, it's sorta hard to describe.

The sweet spot seems bigger too.
 
Looking for an really effective fighter. One stroke decapitation Etc that is not too big for belt carry...

Hmmm, any khuk 15" or bigger will take a fellow's head off if swung right. That presents a pretty wide open field. Considering the second part of your parameters, i.e. "belt carry", I'm thinking an eighteen inch or larger khuk is going to feel like you're packing a short sword. My two cents (1.20 cents after taxes)would have you ordering a 16.5" WWII. Not as quick as a Siru/Gelbu/Chit, but not as heavy as an AK/Ganga Ram, the 16.5" WWII packs fair punch in a size/weight that won't drown you if you fall in the creek. My khukuri "combat knife" of choice is a 15" Siru, a quick and deadly cut and thrust weapon. No disrepect intended, but IMHO going about decapitating folks is unnecessarily flashy.:D

Sarge

Not as gallant as a Gelbu, or as sexy as a Sirupati, but them that like 'em love 'em:D
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I have found that for my tastes, the Gelbu Special is one of the finest weapon grade khuks out there. Not as fragile as the Kobra and not quite as heavy as an equally sized Sirupati. The 18" GS seems to most perfectly scream weapon. The deep fuller lightens the blade while making it stronger at the same time. I have this perfect 18"GS made by Kesar. It is light and fast, yet it chops very well. It is my favorite khuk for any weapon related use. Next would be one of my 21" Chitlangi. Twin deep fullers. Very strong blade. Slower that the GS but far more power in the stroke though. The Sirupatis are awesome also. Even a little 15" Siru is a heck of a blade. A 20" Siru is a heck of an all around Weapon/Tool. Have fun searching for Your special one. That is half of the fun.
BTW, I love your big bowies, and some of those new recurve fighters you are making are the BOMB!!:cool:
 
Originally posted by Sylvrfalcn
Looking for an really effective fighter. One stroke decapitation Etc that is not too big for belt carry...

Hmmm, any khuk 15" or bigger will take a fellow's head off if swung right. That presents a pretty wide open field. Considering the second part of your parameters, i.e. "belt carry", I'm thinking an eighteen inch or larger khuk is going to feel like you're packing a short sword. My two cents (1.20 cents after taxes)would have you ordering a 16.5" WWII. Not as quick as a Siru/Gelbu/Chit, but not as heavy as an AK/Ganga Ram, the 16.5" WWII packs fair punch in a size/weight that won't drown you if you fall in the creek. My khukuri "combat knife" of choice is a 15" Siru, a quick and deadly cut and thrust weapon. No disrepect intended, but IMHO going about decapitating folks is unnecessarily flashy.:D

Sarge

Not as gallant as a Gelbu, or as sexy as a Sirupati, but them that like 'em love 'em:D
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That's a very elegant-looking 16.5" WWII. Do most of them look like that? The ones on the website look fairly "spatula" shaped, ie, not as attractive as the one above.

Gorgeous Khuk. Maybe I should get one of those too.

Don
 
Gorgeous Khuk. Maybe I should get one of those too.
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Purty ain't it? Sure don't look like a THIRTY DOLLAR KNIFE!:eek:

Don, the 16.5" WWIIs tend to be a bit sleeker than the 18" versions, some of which can be real hosses (ask Pappy). There's also considerable variation amongst the different kami's interpretation of the style. The one I have pictured looks sleeker than normal because I reground the blade a bit to take out some edge damage unfortuneately experienced by it's previous owner when chopping a mysterious block of "fire hardened" wood (how I was able to pick it up for thirty bucks, thanks again Uncle Bill).:D

Sarge
 
Last week I got a 16.5" (actually 17" even) WWII and was expecting the spatula profile, but the one I got looks exactly like Sarge's. Bura made it, so it was done on purpose - weighs 1.25 lbs too. This thing feels like a whittling knife and hangs on the belt like it isn't there.
 
Pretty cool thread so far...
Decapiting is necessarily flashy thats the point:D!
Quick way to end a conflict when all else has failed!
 
The Kobra is fragile?! What are you smoking? My 18" Kobra is beside me as I write and it's as thick as my pinky at the bolster. The distal taper doesn't just lighten the knife it strengthens it too.

This is one serious fighting knife!

As for decapitating in one stroke. This is not a Vorpal Blade my beamish boy. You wont get it to go snicker snack.
However, check this out

http://atomfilms.shockwave.com/af/content/atom_1363
 
I second that. Khuks have a well-deserved reputation for being general purpose tools. The Kobra is simply a khuk that has been designed for one purpose only - to cut flesh. It was not meant to cut down trees nor to be used as a make-shift lever - although it could, in a pinch. It is a weapon first and foremost, hence the thinner, more slender profile. Would you take a katana and use it to hack down an oak tree? A sword is a specialized tool, and specialized tools don't usually perform well outside their parameters. Same goes for a Kobra.
 
Hello all,

I used an Atlanta cutlery WWII model a few years ago to cut through wara that VERY closely approximated the human vertabrae(bamboo core). This particular knife has a very keen convex edge, polished to a mirror finish.
I have been studying Japanese Swordfighting actively for over four years, and feel that the WWII in a 16.5" profile is a winner for a battle blade. I do not own a Gelbu or Kobra, simply because I do not like the way that they look. I do have an 18" M43, a BAS, a Kothimoda (thank you, Nick), a 17" model from Nepal made in the 1970's, and a Vince Evans custom. My Shankar WWII 16.5" is VERY nice. Truly excellent balance of tool and weapon. I went with wood handles and recommend all do the same if it is to be a user, buffalo can be far too fragile, it chips much easier. It will remove a head easily with the right technique, and is easy to draw, which really can be the difference between dying, or standing trial.

Regards,

Steven
 
Originally posted by Red
The Kobra is fragile?! What are you smoking? My 18" Kobra is beside me as I write and it's as thick as my pinky at the bolster. The distal taper doesn't just lighten the knife it strengthens it too.

This is one serious fighting knife!

As for decapitating in one stroke. This is not a Vorpal Blade my beamish boy. You wont get it to go snicker snack.
However, check this out

http://atomfilms.shockwave.com/af/content/atom_1363
Click to expand...

Hey, Red;

Assuming similar steels and similar heat treats, a typical 18" long knife weighing 18-oz or so is going to be "more fragile" than 18-oz of steel in a 15" package or 20-32 oz of steel in an 18" package.

My 18" Chitlangi is an awesome Khuk, even at only 18-oz, but there is no doubt in my former military mind and current blade-guy kinda mind, that it is not going to take the same amount of punishment as my 20-21 oz BAS's or my 20-oz Gelbu Special.

The spines might be about the same thickness, but look at the amount of material in the blade as you travel down from spine to edge.

This isn't a slam against Kobras - it's merely the nature of the beast when comparing thicker metal versus thinner metal or more of it versus less of it.

But who knows, maybe you've got one of the steroid-taking Kobras (grin).

By the way, I've got a 20" Kobra inbound. Can't wait to see that critter.

Don
 
http://atomfilms.shockwave.com/af/content/atom_1363
Click to expand...

Dude! That was totally frumious!

I second the nomination of the 18" Gelbu Special as a fine fighting knife. However, if decapitation were the issue, I'd definitely opt for the 21" Gelbu.
 
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