non-khukuri H.I. product question

Mark Nelson

Mark Nelson

Joined
Feb 21, 2003
Messages
1,487
I hope not to get slammed for this. First let me say that I am very pleased with my first khukuri, the first of many I have to say. I could not have asked for something nicer or better made. My question is about some of the special items offered. Things like the different swords and the bowie style knives. Are they as well made and as duarable as the khukuri? I ask because I know the kami make hundreds and hundreds of khukuri and the they may be asked to make something that is strange to them in design. The heat treatment for the Ang Khola Bowie for example must be different then the treatment for a khukuri. If for no other reason that it would be a different amount of water poured at a different rate on different parts of the blade to get the same great results. I think I know the answer to this but has anyone had any problems with the items like the bowies and swords. My gut feeling is no. Mainly because I do not think that they would be sold if they were not as high of quality as the khukuri. That and judging by the khukuri that I just got more skill then just having done it alot went into the blade (I hope that makes sense). Like I said I hope that everyone understands that I ask this only to know for sure and in no way mean to question the kami or Himalayan Imports. Sorry to be so long. I just wanted to explain a little on why I asked the question that I did. Thanks to all.
 
but it's a wicked little blade. Very stout but takes a mean edge. I'm not even that good at sharpening (and it was a newer kami that made it) but it still push cuts paper like it wasn't there. Very impressive. If Uncle says it's good, it's good.

Frank
 
Feth, that's a fair question. From what I've read and experienced, the other non-khuk HI blades are made with the same level of quality as the khukuris. Ask anyone who's tested a Tarwar. :)

I hold the same expectations of my HI swords and knives as I do the HI khuks. Having said that, I also know that none of them are indestructible. If they are used appropriately they will do the job and last a lifetime or two. And as with the khukuris, once in awhile, for whatever reason, one of them may fail under ordinary circumstances. That's where the HI guarantee comes into play.
 
I have one of the HI AK Bowies, and it is made with the same quality as any of the khuks. This is the one that some of us call the "HI Bird & Trout" knife.

Uncle's products are all top knotch.

--Mike L.
 
The Kobra's are NOT khukuris.

They are KLO ( khukuri like objects ). They are too lightweight and will thus fail if abused, and using one in the same way as a khukuri does constitute abuse.

That's why the waranty for them is different that the khuks. Same with the swords. Yes they are tough, but they don't have the overbuilt factor the khuks do.

The Kumar Karda and JKM-I are obviously not meant to be used as khuks. Nor are the swords The AK Bowie, on the other hand is made to do the work of a khuk if needed.

They are all forged and hardened ( but not tempered ) the same way. They are hardened by pouring water on them, and the heat from the rest of the blade is allowed to creep back slowly, thus disembrittling the edge a bit.
 
I in no way mean to imply that I think that all of the products should perform or be as tough as a full on khukuri. That would be unfair on many levels. I don't expect a truck to handle like a formula one car. I just wanted the opinions of everyone that if all things are equal that the bowies, Kobras, swords are well made. As I said I thought that they would be great and perform above and beyond what a similar item from others would do. For example I give great odds that my 18' AK would out perform and out last a cold steel khukuri (does not even seem fair to be honest). Likewise I bet that the Bowie would beat out alot of similar blades that are available. Believe me I am more then impressed with H.I. products and the treatment that Uncle Bill gives everyone. :)
 
feth, I just noticed your location; were you at the Blade show last month by any chance? Sorry to get off topic. I only own khuks, but from reading information on the HI website I get the feeling the kamis are like Old West blacksmiths; they are trained to make all sorts of tools including small knives and, of course, khukuris. There have been a few hiccups along the road with some of the new models, resulting in the much-mourned death of the YCS. The edge was much thinner than standard khukuris on this model and there were too many instances of under and over hardening so it was dropped. I got a blem with a soft edge; it's really too bad it had to be dropped because the design and execution were superb, except for the soft edge of course. Such is life I suppose. No need to fear getting a bad anything from HI of course. Uncle Bill will make it right if there is a problem because he's just that kind of guy.
 
Roadrunner

I took note of you being at Ft. Gordon from a earlier thread. I live in Roswell but put Atlanta since more people know where it is. I figure close enough, about 100 feet.I did make it to Blade. I wish that I had taken better advantage of it while it was here spent more time meeting people and more time in general looking around at all of the suff. Did you make it to the show? Thanks for your responses everyone they are what I had hoped to hear.
 
feth, I was at the show; I was the guy who couldn't stop looking at all of the pretty knives on the tables ... no wait, that was everybody :D . I missed Pen too, we'll have to organize better next year so we can have a little HI konvention in Atlanta.
 
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