i recall her saying once that she was riding a bus in nepal when someone started trouble. she pulled a 9in. khuk & it suddenly got peaceful again.
size doesn't matter, 9 inches is enough if you know how to use it.
That was a story Uncle Bill told in the biography section of the HI site. http://www.himalayan-imports.com/bio.html#mama-didi
Knowing how to use a blade makes so much difference. That reminds me, I need to sharpen my bilton.