New Falo design! Fresh for 2024

Kailash Blades

Kailash Blades

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Nov 21, 2015
Messages
1,025
Check it out!

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The Falo is one of our longest running offerings and most popular offerings but it has often struggled to distinguish itself from other knives we offer or really capture what's so unique about these rough and raw blacksmith's blades.
On Andrew's last trip to Nepal he had the chance to interact with a few new examples of these working blades and combined the best elements of a few of them into a new falo design for the website.
The blade is shaped entirely through the forging process. The profile, taper and even traditional rooftop spine are all hammered in and left untouched, with only the final edge seeing contact with a grinder allowing for a super detailed and gorgeous forge finish.

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It also receives a new handle shape that is deceptively simple. Despite the lack of ornamentation and rough finish this has a unique size specific handle design that is as tightly controlled as that of our modern blades. It's extremely comfortable and gentle in hand but makes use of flaring at front and rear to keep the hand secure with low effort.
Now available in 4 sizes from 8" through to 14" this redesign is going to be able to offer exactly what a lot of people need in a traditional hard working blade.
Check it out on our website today!

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It's an interesting design change. It looks like it'd be more intuitive for those of us more familiar with western fixed blades than khukuri geometry. I've used a few recurve blades, the curvature really acts as a multipling factor when cutting and slicing.

I'm curious about the tapered handle. The way it flares out toward the bolster, is that similar in proportion to the flare of the MK-1 grip? It's a really interesting element.
 
Thanks for the kind words guys :)
C Crusty_Otter I think if you were to look at the curviest khukuris vs the straightest khukuris you'd find that it's quite polarising and does tend to split the community into two. The most curved blades are often beloved by collectors and those with an interest in history or martial arts while the straighter blades are more popular with the utilitarian crowd and general knife enthusiasts. The smiths and I both agree that straighter blades are a little more intuitive and controllable in fine carving, however I think that high curvature only really becomes an impedment in extreme cases.

The flare towards the front of the bolster is mk1 adjacent but is actually based on some examples from broad 19th century blades. On these blades the bolster flares almost as much as the buttcap itself, with a very rearward handle ring that keeps the hand towards the back of the blade. I'm of the belief that the unusable, flared space this creates at the bolster is intended to help retain the hand from sliding forward in addition to the original handle ring. A more modern example of something similar is on the mk3 which has symmetrical flare at front and rear.

Take care,
Andrew and the team at Kailash
 
Glad you like it! It's great that we now have a design that properly leverages the uniqueness of the forging processes in Nepal. I think that to many in the west it's a big draw card but there's so little that looks like it wasn't made by stock removal.
 
Are there pictures anywhere of what the falo tang looks like? Any difference in tang based on micarta wrap vs wood?
 
No photos sorry! Micarta and wood get the same tang. Stacked leather gets beefed up just a touch vs regular tangs as the handle material is less structural.
 
I've been thinking of getting khukuri for general outdoors use, clearing paths, de-limbing trees, possibly removing saplings up to 2- 3 inches. Would the 12 inch, micarta handle version of this be suitable for this work? I live in northern michigan with a mixture of hard and soft wood. I really like the rough finish of this model.
 
Hey there Brent!
The 12 inch falo will be very well suited to the kind of jobs you're describing. It'll feel great with micarta and will be a very tough and characterful workhorse. It has a very commanding chop without being ungainly. You'll be fine in both hardwood and softwood. I'd recommend the performance grind for a little extra bite into hardwood- just be careful swinging near rocks and steel fences.

As some slightly related alternatives:
-If you were looking at something a little lighter to carry and handier for finer work the 10" would also be pretty capable for your chopping needs, though I would suggest a non micarta handle to help with weight distribution on the shorter blade.
-If long periods of lighter machete style brush clearing are a priority more than deep chopping performance then something lighter and longer could be good. 12/14" mutiny or sirupate. If you check this thread here you'll see some recent pics of a raw sirupate.

Don't let me suggesting alternatives dissuade you from the 12" falo- these are just options where you may see some performance improvement for the specific use cases I have suggested. The 12" falo with micarta pretty much nails the original brief as written.

Take care,
Andrew and the team at Kailash
 
I LOVE my Falo!!!! Got it out to break down an apple tree we needed to remove. Big limbs? No problem! Small twigs? It sings right through them! The wood handle is super comfortable and secure and the blade cuts and chops with glee😁

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Glad you love it! I think on my next trip to Nepal one might be making it back to australia in my hand luggage. For design reference of course...
Would you mind if we put that quote on the product description for this knife? It's a newie so we don't have a lot of customer feedback on it yet.
 
Done! Linked to your instagram in the quote too- hopefully it sends a couple big knife enthusiasts your way :)
 
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