My m-43 came today and I could not be happier with it.
Fittings: Brass
Handle: Wood
Over all length (tip to center of the butt cap): 18 1/4 inch
Weight:28-30 oz
Blade length: 12 1/2
Spline thickness: 7/16
Handle diameter: 5 1/2
Bolster to Cho: 3/4
Kami: Durba (?) Two right triangle flags
It is said that the Kukri will find you. I got to say this is every thing I wanted in a M-43.
The fit and Finnish is a strong 9.5 out of 10 and only if I nit pick the work.
The blade shape and form is even and flows very nice in to a sharp point. The spine is straight and the peak is well centered with only the slightest wiggle. If you hold the sides just right and tip it you can see the hammer marks in the reflection but you have to look for them. The grind lines are better than many "Production ' knifes I own and much better than the biggest sized name brand knifes I have seen.
The Kami did as well with a fire pit and a crude anvil than the knife industry standard using the latest CNC tooling.
The handle is just a little fatter than perfect so I can slim it to fit. To me that is 'out of the box' perfect. I did a very quick test chop on a 7-8 inch (dead) tree I have been saving for it and found no 'hot spots', but suspect extended use would rub a spot at the top point of the butt. A very simple shape and polish with 220 sand paper will fix that in 5-10 minuets.
The bolster is a little over sized at the blade and the butt cap has 2 dings from peening it on, But the exposed tang is fit very well and the extra La La is almost none. The grain in the wood is .....'Alive' and time was taken to align it with the flow of the handle so it flows with the flair of the butt and very slight curve of the handle.
This blade was formed by a craftsman/ artist. I am truly pleased with the effort that went in to its creation.
The edge was sharp, not 'Hair popping, paper cutting" sharp, but usable and even the length of the blade. It has a flat grind with no convex. I etched with vinegar to see the Harmon. I was pleased to see it starts 2 1/2 inch from the forward edge of the cho and runs a uniform 3/8 inch all the way to the tip with a swell to 13/16 thick at the belly. I find I use the tip of a chopper a lot for smaller cuts like limbing. This knife was made for me!
The sheath is well made and other than needing a little edge dressing (die)around the karda and chakmak and the edges of the frog every bit as nice as the blade it is for. The fit is probably lose for some but I like it. Turned upside down it will hold but the blade will drop 1/2 out if shook. The karda and Chakmak fit snug and will not drop.
I was cleaning the wood line of the yard when the postman got here so after a 'very' quick inspection it was time to chop. I started with a few low limbs and worked up. There was a slight learning curve to get use to the blade shape. (bad pun intended?) It contacts sooner than I was ready for at first. Once I figured the swing/timing out it was not safe for any thing up to about 2 inches including free hanging vines. Yup, it slices, lets see how it chops.
The chop test was a 7-8 inch standing hard wood. Dry and seasoned hard. It did not stand a chance. The flat grind stuck just a little on the deepest cuts, more a hesitation than a stick. Even with the learning curve it bit a solid 1/2-5/8 deep, equal to my Eastwing hatchet that weighs 8 oz more and is much sharper. It did have a tendency to twist in the hand when the swing was off a little but I think that taking a little round out of the handle and more familiarization that will pass.
I saw no loss of edge when I was done even though the wood felt like I was cutting rock.
At almost 2 lbs. it was still very lively and quick in the hand and hit with authority. A little practice, slim and egg shape the handle and a convex edge and this will be as close to perfect as a M-43 gets.
Thank you Yangdu this is truly a fine tool. Again HI has out done my expectations.
Fittings: Brass
Handle: Wood
Over all length (tip to center of the butt cap): 18 1/4 inch
Weight:28-30 oz
Blade length: 12 1/2
Spline thickness: 7/16
Handle diameter: 5 1/2
Bolster to Cho: 3/4
Kami: Durba (?) Two right triangle flags
It is said that the Kukri will find you. I got to say this is every thing I wanted in a M-43.
The fit and Finnish is a strong 9.5 out of 10 and only if I nit pick the work.
The blade shape and form is even and flows very nice in to a sharp point. The spine is straight and the peak is well centered with only the slightest wiggle. If you hold the sides just right and tip it you can see the hammer marks in the reflection but you have to look for them. The grind lines are better than many "Production ' knifes I own and much better than the biggest sized name brand knifes I have seen.
The Kami did as well with a fire pit and a crude anvil than the knife industry standard using the latest CNC tooling.
The handle is just a little fatter than perfect so I can slim it to fit. To me that is 'out of the box' perfect. I did a very quick test chop on a 7-8 inch (dead) tree I have been saving for it and found no 'hot spots', but suspect extended use would rub a spot at the top point of the butt. A very simple shape and polish with 220 sand paper will fix that in 5-10 minuets.
The bolster is a little over sized at the blade and the butt cap has 2 dings from peening it on, But the exposed tang is fit very well and the extra La La is almost none. The grain in the wood is .....'Alive' and time was taken to align it with the flow of the handle so it flows with the flair of the butt and very slight curve of the handle.
This blade was formed by a craftsman/ artist. I am truly pleased with the effort that went in to its creation.
The edge was sharp, not 'Hair popping, paper cutting" sharp, but usable and even the length of the blade. It has a flat grind with no convex. I etched with vinegar to see the Harmon. I was pleased to see it starts 2 1/2 inch from the forward edge of the cho and runs a uniform 3/8 inch all the way to the tip with a swell to 13/16 thick at the belly. I find I use the tip of a chopper a lot for smaller cuts like limbing. This knife was made for me!
The sheath is well made and other than needing a little edge dressing (die)around the karda and chakmak and the edges of the frog every bit as nice as the blade it is for. The fit is probably lose for some but I like it. Turned upside down it will hold but the blade will drop 1/2 out if shook. The karda and Chakmak fit snug and will not drop.
I was cleaning the wood line of the yard when the postman got here so after a 'very' quick inspection it was time to chop. I started with a few low limbs and worked up. There was a slight learning curve to get use to the blade shape. (bad pun intended?) It contacts sooner than I was ready for at first. Once I figured the swing/timing out it was not safe for any thing up to about 2 inches including free hanging vines. Yup, it slices, lets see how it chops.
The chop test was a 7-8 inch standing hard wood. Dry and seasoned hard. It did not stand a chance. The flat grind stuck just a little on the deepest cuts, more a hesitation than a stick. Even with the learning curve it bit a solid 1/2-5/8 deep, equal to my Eastwing hatchet that weighs 8 oz more and is much sharper. It did have a tendency to twist in the hand when the swing was off a little but I think that taking a little round out of the handle and more familiarization that will pass.
I saw no loss of edge when I was done even though the wood felt like I was cutting rock.
At almost 2 lbs. it was still very lively and quick in the hand and hit with authority. A little practice, slim and egg shape the handle and a convex edge and this will be as close to perfect as a M-43 gets.
Thank you Yangdu this is truly a fine tool. Again HI has out done my expectations.
