New Chakmak design - What do you think?

C

Craig Gottlieb

Joined
Mar 8, 1999
Messages
1,760
Okay, so many of you were unhappy with the chakmak/karda quality. Well, I spoke with Lalit and TB and I think we have the answer. It came in the form of the chakmak that was included in the Hanuman Khukuri that TB gave me as a gift:

chakmak.jpg


Not the best picture, but do take note of the "cho-looking" cutout on the lower portion. This actually has a function, as I watched TB use this very chakmak to sharpen the khukuri used in the forumite puja. The new style is also thicker and more highly polished. Look for this model chakmak (and matching karda) on khukuris that ship starting around July (got to get through my inventory of older models first). However, for those of you who can't wait - I'll be offering them as replacement sets for $5.00 plus $2.00 shipping. I think you'll find that they increase the curb appeal of ANY khukuri. They'll appear on all models EXCEPT the SN1, which is undergoing a "back to basics" transformation.

What do you all think of the new chakmak?



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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
That's a very nice piece of work, though it's probably more accurate to say it's a traditional design rather than new. The plain-jane accessory knives we've become accustomed to are post-WWII designs. Older khukuris had much more functional and elaborate accessories, as shown in George Cameron Stone's Glossary of Arms and Armor.
In any case, put me down for three sets and let me know when they arrive, I'll shoot you a check right away
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[This message has been edited by Berkley (edited 05-16-2000).]
 
Berk: Roger that. And you are correct. The hanuman from whence this chakmak came is a recreation of a museum piece - so I'm told.

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
Craig,

You said the new SN-1 won't come with the new style tools, but will the replacement sets you're getting fit in existing SN-1s'? If they'll work OK, put me down for 2 sets when they come in.

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Blackdog
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Blackdog: Yes, they certainly should fit. And believe me, after I saw TB use the above-pictured chakmak on the puja khukuri, I was sold!
 
Hi Craig,

Please put me down for two sets! Worse case I can make a little neck knife out of it.
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Thanks.
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Ray 'md2020'

ATKI member #A001042
 
Hi Ray
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How you been ?

Is it true you're giving up your regular job and starting your own business making custom knife handles
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Actually it's just wishful thinking. In any event, it's good to see your smiling face.

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Blackdog
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Guys: What I'll do is create a slot in our on-line store for ordering these babies. That'll make it real easy. I'll post a note when they come in along with a link to the page.

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
That Chakma looks really nice! But even more important would be the enhanced function.

I'd especially like the accompanying Karda to have a somewhat larger blunt notch which could be used for gripping with the index finger for better (mini-)blade control - that would even be useful for martial artists with Nepali-sized hands!
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... but do take note of the "cho-looking" cutout on the lower portion. This actually has a function, as I watched TB use this very chakmak to sharpen the khukuri used in the forumite puja.
Click to expand...

How about giving us a little "How to"?
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Best wishes,
kai
 
In the video, TB is shown sharpening the puja khukuri with the very chakamk pictured above. He used small swift motions (probably 10 or 12 to traverse the 18 inch blade on the particular khukuri). There's also footage on the video of Ram Bahadur using the chakmak to light a cigarette! (Ram is one of the older bishwakarmas).

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
The video will be interesting. Still catching up with all those threads (and improved Chakmak spelling ;o)...
 
My morning communication with Lalit confirmed that new chakmak/karda sets will indeed be arriving with the coming shipment. Hooray!

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
Are any of those sets WB horn handled? I love to have a set to go with my Bohjpure(sp?). Marcus
 
Craig, the new design is great. Will the "after-market" sets be all the same size or will there be a couple of different sizes to accommodate the wide range of khuk sizes? A 16" khuk and a 20" khuk, for example, usually come with different sizes of chakma/kardas.
 
For now, guys, there will be both wood and horn sets, and they'll be only one size - big enough to fit, probably, the 20 inch sirupati. Of course, if you think about it, the size of the chakmak and karda don't necessarily have to correspond with the size of the khukuri - I rather prefer my chakmak and karda small. Thoughts?

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
Of course, in the future, ALL of our khukuris will come with appropriately sized chakmaks and kardas in the new design.

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
I prefer my "companion knives" to be of a size usable for the intended use. Most can be longer, but there are constraints on handle fit. The leather could be stretched, but shrinking would be more difficult. The SN-1 or BAS is pretty standard. The rest vary considerably. Will the new SN-1 be the new issue?
 
The new SN1 will be a "back to basics" issue, as dicated by TB. In other words, the "NEPAL" and "2000" (or whatever year) will go back on the blade, and the chakmak and karda will be standard - as issued to the various police and military units that Khukuri House supplies.

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
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