Newbie and first HI Knife

cmegovert

cmegovert

Joined
Nov 29, 2012
Messages
45
I just recieved my first HI knife from Yangdu and I like it alot. I was wondering if their is any Traditional ways to recieve a new knife into your life? I mean.... I cant help but feel attached to this blade already at a spirutual level. I know my question sounds silly but after reading about all the blessings and heart the Kami's put into the knifes when they make them I was just wondering what is the proper way if any to recieve them into your possession. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Chris
 
Hi cmegovert,
I had lived in Japan for many years (little more than 9 years) and the Japanese believe that way too. That is there's a spiritual aspect between them, their sword, their country, and their god. Some of my friends have had their families Katana and Wakizashi for many, many generations. As a Christian of course my faith is placed elsewhere but your attachment and observations about your Kukri are interesting and I think widely held.

Personally, I view the Katana and Kukuri as well made tools that do become friends after use. Their power to build (tool) and destroy (weapon) is awesome. You must respect them or you will get bit by them.
Katana1.jpg Nepalese Kukri - 1880's.jpg
Left Ojiisan with his katana, Kyushu, Japan. Right Nepalese Kukri - 1880's (love this photo)

Note: The Katana is mainly used as a weapon.
 
I think it's pretty much a tradition to get cut by accident while fondling a new HI blade. Therefore the new baptism takes place.
 
My view is to take it out and beat on it. Get to know it. I received an 18 inch Ang Khola as a birthday present, and I had to take it out and use it to appreciate what an amazing tool it is an to accept it into my life as such.
 
If you put it to good use, you will "bond" with it.
Uncle Bill himself suggested a certain ritual to perform with a new khukuri. It's called the "whack test":

stickfred said:
...take it out and give it Uncle Bill's high-powered whack test. In addition to carefully chopping with it, take it to a large tree and carefully whack it hard on the spine and both sides of the blade. Whack it as hard as you can and often. Carefully means to think in advance where the blade may go if it breaks during testing and don't be there. Uncle Bill would also put the blade in the hole of a large cable spool and put his weight on the handle as part of his test. If there is a part of the blade that is going to fail, it should do it during this...
Click to expand...

I admit I couldn't bring myself to do this 100% on any of my new khuks, that is until I got a blem "Ugly Villager" (the predecessor to the KVLUK) and it seemed a little thin and the handle looked less sturdy than usual. I had some doubts about it, so I decided to settle the matter once and for all with a full-blown whack test, as described above (although I used a log round instead of a live tree). Man, I was impressed to see what that knife could put up with. All doubts vanished. Some knives I could see myself eventually trading or gifting, but not this one. I know that it won't let me down when I need it.

Be forewarned, putting your weight sideways on the handle as described can flex the bolster/blade connection and potentially affect the fit (some laha got squeezed out of mine, and it made a little gap), but it shouldn't break anything. For me it was worth it for the peace of mind and the new respect I got for the knife's capabilities.
 
Welcome Chris!
The biggest ritual for welcoming an H.I. Khukuri into your life is much ogling and fondling. :)
Listen to your khukuri and it will tell you what it needs. It can also guide you as to it's use.
These khukuri are blessed with a puja that they are protectors of their owners, but never to be drawn in anger.
Please be sure to read the Safety Sticky at the top of the forum and the warranty in the Link Library.
 
What model? If its a chopper go out and use it for sure. Go slow and don't get tired if you do you might lose your grip.
 
Welcome! Which knife/blade did you get?

Please read the Safety thread Sticky at the top of the forum. . . One of the other stickies should also talk about standard testing of Khukris. Tis better to test the blades at home and learn to use them there, then wind up with problems in the field. Either from an infrequent problem or human error. Also remember to have fun!!

Pics if you get the chance.
 
They brought me lots of good luck and blessings. No joke.

I walk around shaking them.. sounds weird..
but this is weirder.
when i do that, i yell like a wild man too.

go figure.
 
Thanks to all who responded to my post, it means alot. The knife is an 18.5" Sirupati that I ordered as a knife to use. I have WWII on order which I should recieve in Jan. Today I finished the blade with leather and polished it a bit. I cant stop admiring the quality of the knife. I have yet to take it out in the field and wak test it but I am looking forward to that here soon. I apprecieate the safety tips as this knife is so very sharp. I just like holding it. I think Im hooked and have found something I really would like to collect. Everyone on the forum seems pretty chill too. I will post a pic as soon as I figure that part out....seems I am unable to post pics. Or you could see it on Yangdu's Christmas sale posted 12/12/12
 
12-12-12005.jpg
I'm not much for full-tang Sirupates because their blade is so thin placing more weight in the back handle doesn't seem logical. That being said your Sirupate is in the foreground right, well that is one nice knife and I think will be a good Kukri for you. Oh yes, the quality of the knife it easily seen. Good job.

Steve Tall mentioned Uncle Bill's "whack test". Go forth and try it. Your new Sirupate looks tough enough to break the tree it hits :eek:.
 
Related, but a little different: One of my coworkers is of Slovak heritage. According to him, you need to give a gift of money to someone before giving them a blade. It may be some totally figurative ritual amount, a penny even, but the exchange needs to be made or you will fight with the person. At least that is what he says.

Otherwise, I agree with the physical rituals: handle you blade to bond with it. You will know if you were meant for each other real quick. Show it respect by polishing and maintaining before it needs to be done and it will serve you well.

On that note, I have one blade I am not exactly afraid of, but I do not trust. I have an old Ka-Bar tat has some type of bad karma attached to it. This was a found knife, so I know nothing of it's provenance. I take care of it and it tolerates me, but I do not trust it. Not at all like my Sirupate. We have a real bond.
 
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