Hi,
This is my first post. Its a long one, but I appreciate all responses.
A. Need advice about tool usage.
B. Need advice about bluing
c. Need advice about martial arts and the Khukuri
About me:
I am planning to build a house and the brush at my housing spot is in the way.
I needed a tool for clearing some thumb sized to wrist sized trees on my land and Ang Khola 16.5 inch was an obvious choice and the check is in the mail. The stuff that neither a chain saw or a heavy wheeled weed trimmer will help with.
Now I have several other uses and I am considering getting another 1 or 2 Khukuris. I am a short stocky 31 yr old man who doesn't get too much exercise so efficient tools like this will save me some grief. I am 5" 8" with a long torso and short arms and legs. I have small hands with thick fingers and cannot fit my hand around most large caliber handguns. I have a lot of upper body strength but not too much stamina ( this will get better)
A. Tool usage:
1. I need to clear A LOT of kudzu and trim my grape vines.
2. I have a lot of 2 inch thick boxwoods(very soft wood with a sticky sap) and river cane(as thick as your thumb) to cut.
3. I need to clear a path through very thick blackberry briars and ragweeds.
4. I plan to carry the AK for the heavy stuff, but since it is heavier and has a shorter reach I will tire fast and have to bend over a lot, this seems inefficient.
- So I need a somewhat lightweight knife that will be able to have a long reach and is tough as nails. I would like to have something that will not tire me too much with a full 8 hours of swinging. ( I have a lot of weeds and kudzu in the way) I break or dull most tools I have pretty quicly, its not through carelessness, but through hard use.
I have read the entire site twice, the FAQ 3 times and read a lot of the posts on this board first. But I still cannot make up my mind which length and which model to get. It seems like the Sirupati is a good one but due to the length I might need I am wondering if a Kobra would be better since I need to keep from passing out of exhaustion.
B. Blueing
I have done cold blueing before when I bought a .50 cal black powder rifle kit and it was pretty easy. But that is not my biggest concern.
1. I will be cutting through a lot of sappy weeds and small trees. I expect the ragweeds and boxwoods will cause the most staining. I would rather keep these tools in tip top shape and keep them looking good.
2. My biggest concern is rust and staining. I think that blueing will protect the metal from the inevitable corrosion. I will also buy museum wax which I will apply each time I am done with work and a thorough cleaning with (I think) diswashing soap.
3. Another concern is that blueing will affect the long term value of these knives. From what I have read its crafted by experts you will not find in this country. So that means these items will be very valuable for a long time due to their unique creation. I don't yet have children, but when I do I would like this to be an heirloom.
C. Martial arts.
As a coincidence I have been interested in training for martial arts for an education and for physical fitness and flexibility training.
- Are there any specific martial arts discilines which train sword/knife usage of a blade of this nature. I will be swinging it a lot so I will be most comfortable with this style of knife/sword.
- second part is for my build and size, what length kukuri and style would probably be better for me?
I will only be able to make a couple more purchases in the next year due to budgeting, but I WILL have a Kothimoda, and a Hanuman AK before 3 years have passed. I just love the fact that purchasing these knives will support the families and possibly continue the tradition of excellence in Nepal.
This is my first post. Its a long one, but I appreciate all responses.
A. Need advice about tool usage.
B. Need advice about bluing
c. Need advice about martial arts and the Khukuri
About me:
I am planning to build a house and the brush at my housing spot is in the way.
I needed a tool for clearing some thumb sized to wrist sized trees on my land and Ang Khola 16.5 inch was an obvious choice and the check is in the mail. The stuff that neither a chain saw or a heavy wheeled weed trimmer will help with.
Now I have several other uses and I am considering getting another 1 or 2 Khukuris. I am a short stocky 31 yr old man who doesn't get too much exercise so efficient tools like this will save me some grief. I am 5" 8" with a long torso and short arms and legs. I have small hands with thick fingers and cannot fit my hand around most large caliber handguns. I have a lot of upper body strength but not too much stamina ( this will get better)
A. Tool usage:
1. I need to clear A LOT of kudzu and trim my grape vines.
2. I have a lot of 2 inch thick boxwoods(very soft wood with a sticky sap) and river cane(as thick as your thumb) to cut.
3. I need to clear a path through very thick blackberry briars and ragweeds.
4. I plan to carry the AK for the heavy stuff, but since it is heavier and has a shorter reach I will tire fast and have to bend over a lot, this seems inefficient.
- So I need a somewhat lightweight knife that will be able to have a long reach and is tough as nails. I would like to have something that will not tire me too much with a full 8 hours of swinging. ( I have a lot of weeds and kudzu in the way) I break or dull most tools I have pretty quicly, its not through carelessness, but through hard use.
I have read the entire site twice, the FAQ 3 times and read a lot of the posts on this board first. But I still cannot make up my mind which length and which model to get. It seems like the Sirupati is a good one but due to the length I might need I am wondering if a Kobra would be better since I need to keep from passing out of exhaustion.
B. Blueing
I have done cold blueing before when I bought a .50 cal black powder rifle kit and it was pretty easy. But that is not my biggest concern.
1. I will be cutting through a lot of sappy weeds and small trees. I expect the ragweeds and boxwoods will cause the most staining. I would rather keep these tools in tip top shape and keep them looking good.
2. My biggest concern is rust and staining. I think that blueing will protect the metal from the inevitable corrosion. I will also buy museum wax which I will apply each time I am done with work and a thorough cleaning with (I think) diswashing soap.
3. Another concern is that blueing will affect the long term value of these knives. From what I have read its crafted by experts you will not find in this country. So that means these items will be very valuable for a long time due to their unique creation. I don't yet have children, but when I do I would like this to be an heirloom.
C. Martial arts.
As a coincidence I have been interested in training for martial arts for an education and for physical fitness and flexibility training.
- Are there any specific martial arts discilines which train sword/knife usage of a blade of this nature. I will be swinging it a lot so I will be most comfortable with this style of knife/sword.
- second part is for my build and size, what length kukuri and style would probably be better for me?
I will only be able to make a couple more purchases in the next year due to budgeting, but I WILL have a Kothimoda, and a Hanuman AK before 3 years have passed. I just love the fact that purchasing these knives will support the families and possibly continue the tradition of excellence in Nepal.
. As far as Martial arts go, you could check into Bando, Ecscrima, or Kali. Those all have major stick/knife/short sword skills. What part of the country are you in maybe someone can give you a better idea on where to look. Hope this helps. Mark
