Ok fellers,who's got them?

S

stevomiller

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May 4, 2001
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Gelbu Specials of both lengths, and 12" Ang Khola, that is. I searched and couldn't find the weights for the GS's, can anyone help me out with this? Also, I have a 16.5" WWII, a 18" Kobra, and I bought a 18" Sirupati for a friend - so I've handled a few different khuks, but how would a 21" GS handle like? Seems like most people buy the 18". Last but not least, what is a 12" AK good for? Looks kinda cute and the price is right! Thanks for the help guys, stevomiller:)
 
I've got an 18 inch GS right here by the desk. It weighs 18 oz. This is a pretty light knife due to fullers. My guess is the 21 inchers will weigh aroung 22 to 24 oz. Weights vary due to different kamis. If Sher was still working he'd make an 18 inch GS that would weigh a couple of pounds.

I'll let the experts answer the handling characteristics. My own opinion is it handles about like a Sirupati of the same length.
 
No Gelbu's, too many other similar sized right now.

3 12" AKs. One is early, heavy half-inch stock. Two are heavily fullered 3/8 stock.

A thick Sirupati that can do what the thinner AKs do.

And of course there's my light 12" Sirupati Audrey which always wants to be fed - and right
NOW!

They are the 2" snubs of khuks. Nice to have tucked away for when you forgot a real khuk, and anyone your pull it on won't know the difference.
 
Keep the info coming if you would! It feeds the needs of the HIKV, and it's helping me decide on how to blow, I mean spend wisely, some money I found.:D
 
I have a 12 inch AK. Yes, by Khuk standards they are small, but if you are talking about fixed blade knife standards, they they fit nicely into mid-size range.

A 12 inch AK is going to outchop and out dig a Ka-Bar, SRK, SOG Bowie or similar type knife, the curve of the blade would lend itself nicely to skinning game and it could be used for general knife chores. Like all AK's it is a very strong knife-more so than other knives in the same size range.

All in all, a very suitable knife for carrying when going out for a days walking in the woods. The ultimate middie for general,outdoor use!
 
One caveat. The handle on the 12inch AK is quite small and may not be suitable for someone with large hands.
 
I have a 12" AK, 16" GS, and a 15" Sirupati. The GS and Sirupati handle rather simaller, but the GS is a little faster and lighter in my hand. I use my 12" AK as a camp/field knife when ever my short (9") Ka-Bar is to small. The 12" AK does have a small handle, almost to small for me. But that means, it should be just right for my sister or mom to use. :)

Also, the 12" AK conseals rather well in my belt at the small of my back. :)


Heber Ellsworth
 
I have a fairly early GS...made by Gelbu hisself, I do believe. It's a half-inch thick, 18 and three-eighths long, and weighs two lbs even. Sounds like it might be unwieldy...but it's not.
I consider the Gelbu Special the best choice in an all-around khukhri. It may not be as 'authentic' as the BAS or WWII, or as brute strong as an AK, or as weapon-like as the 20-inch Sirupati that I also own, but the GS is the 'perfect middle', IMO.
That said, I'd still like to own a smaller khuk...maybe a 12 Siru, for ordinary knife carry. Full sized khuks are a bit bulky for casual belt wear...you'd more likely tote one that way under the same circumstances that you'd wear a hatchet.(BTW, a pal of mine recently presented me with one of the little Gerber Backpaxes. Great steel, takes a fine edge and chops like a much bigger axe... almost as good as a khukhri!! I can even see some utility in it as a weapon.)
Ken
 
They are not made by Gelbu. He can't make a khukuri. The reason this knife is so named is because Gelbu ran across a village model he bought, brought back to BirGorkha and has copied. Because he found it he named it after himself -- the young tend to be somewhat egotistical.

I think the village was Udhaipur but I could be wrong and I think that Howard Wallace got the village model that served as the model but I could be wrong about that, too. My memory banks are getting overloaded after 68 years of heavy input.

Of course, every kami in BirGorkha thinks he can "improve" on any model he makes so you will see a little variation in this model as you do all models, depending on the kami who makes them. Just part of the deal when you have men making knives who all know they are the best kami in Nepal if not the world.
 
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