One whole foot of flawless perfection

[Sylvrfalcn]

My very first khukuri from Himalayan Imports was a 12 inch Sirupati made by Kumar. That blade has long since parted ways, in the company of a young serviceman. However, in karma's usual twisty, turny, way, I've gotten "my little sirupati" back, but it looks much different than I remember it.

Ordered it off the 10/10 deals of the day, and got something worth considerably more than the shamefully small price I paid for it. I've always been a fan of young Kumar's work, the kid is a consistent performer, but this latest example truly reflects a "ripening" in the mastery of his craft over the past several years.

The blade is exquisite, absolutely epitomizes the sirupati form. The non-habaki, "old style" bolster, fits the esthetics of this compact khuk perfectly, lending a wonderful flow to the lines of the knife. And, the light, tough, satisaal handle, helps keep the overall weight down to a scary fast 9 ounces. No, you're right, it's not a chopper of any sort, this is a khukuri for "other things". Beautiful, comfortable (Kumar does IMHO the best handles), and capable, this is one little khukuri that won't have a chance to gather any dust. Thank you Yangdu, and once again, my sincere compliments to Kumar.

Sarge

 

[Svashtar]

Nice work! One of the very, very few standard bolsters I have seen from Kumar. It does add something, especially to a smaller knife. On some larger knives I think at times the habaki actually looks better, but this knife is a great example of how well it transitions the handle into the blade.

Great snag! Thanks for sharing.

Norm

P.S. I saw your title and was reminded again of my wifes comment on our wedding night, but won't go there...

 

[Hamon]

I've often thought of the 12" sirupati as one of the unsung heroes of the khuk world. It's small and more knife-ish, but you'd better believe that it can do a day's work without tiring.

This summer I was called on to do some pruning in a hazelnut orchard that my dad manages, and for the most part, I used a brush cutter for around the base of the trees, but I used a 12" sirupati for everything else. It would get through a lot with ease, and what did not get taken down right away was only a few chops from being severed. It worked up a nice patina, and was polished every night.

It's a dull gray now from many days of work, and I don't think it could be happier. For a big knife/little khuk, I love it. Light and easy to manouvre, but enough knife there to get the job done most of the time. Great little blade.

Mine's an R.R.

Travis

 

[Svashtar]

I've often thought of the 12" sirupati as one of the unsung heroes of the khuk world. It's small and more knife-ish, but you'd better believe that it can do a day's work without tiring.

This summer I was called on to do some pruning in a hazelnut orchard that my dad manages, and for the most part, I used a brush cutter for around the base of the trees, but I used a 12" sirupati for everything else. It would get through a lot with ease, and what did not get taken down right away was only a few chops from being severed. It worked up a nice patina, and was polished every night.

It's a dull gray now from many days of work, and I don't think it could be happier. For a big knife/little khuk, I love it. Light and easy to manouvre, but enough knife there to get the job done most of the time. Great little blade.

Mine's an R.R.

Travis

Cool. That's Amtrak by the way Travis. Funny, I just cleared out nearly a dozen Amtrak items in the last few weeks, including two 15" sirupatis. I still have a 12" Siru (also from him) though, and they are excellent knives but the handles are sometimes too small for me.

Thanks,

Norm

 

[Triquetra]

No, you're right, it's not a chopper of any sort, this is a khukuri for "other things".

How is a 12" Siru for "other things"? I've started to get one several times but have always changed my mind. It seems that the Khuk is the most advantageous with heavier blades for chopping. I've always wondered if if would really be ideal for other uses. I assumed that a straight blade or a curved one like a CS Tanto would be better at the moves or manuvers you would do when doing these "other things" (straight thrusts/slashes). Am I mistaken? I remember Rusty had one, I believe he called Audry, that he was very fond of.

 

[Sylvrfalcn]

I didn't mean to imply that 12" sirus won't chop at all, they'll handle light chopping quite well. Still, they won't chop anything like an Ang Khola or Pen Knife of the same size. However, the little siru does the "cut and thrust" bit quite nicely, as do it's larger brothers. Using well trained boar dogs, a friend of mine dispatched a rather large wild hog using, ta dah, a 12" sirupati. Said he was a bit skeptical, but in short order he, and the unfortunate hog, became believers.

Sarge

 

[Astrodada]

Sarge. Your sirupati has graceful lines, but looks scaringly sharp too. :thumbup:

Funny it looks longer than a 12 incher......looks more like a 15 ".

 

[Sylvrfalcn]

Funny it looks longer than a 12 incher......looks more like a 15 ".

It does look bigger than a 12" in the picture, I see what you mean. But, take my word for it, it's the one on the far right in this pic;

Sarge

 

[Astrodada]

I know. It must be the perfect proportion that the khuk has....... :thumbup:

 

[Hamon]

Cool. That's Amtrak by the way Travis. Funny, I just cleared out nearly a dozen Amtrak items in the last few weeks, inlcuding two 15" sirupatis. I still have a 12" Siru (also from him) though, and they are excellent knives but the handles are sometimes too small for me.

Thanks,

Norm

Thanks Norm. I was pretty sure that's who it was, but I wasn't sure if it was spelled Amtrack or Amtrak, so I just left it as the initials.

This one came rather dull actually, as did my other Amtrak khuk, but once they have a keen edge on them, they keep it well. I found the handle a little small, but it was still usable enough.

Travis

 

[Bri in Chi]

I've said this many times here, but if I can say it in support of Sarge, the 12" sirupati is the most under-appreciated HI khukri. In no way is it a small knife. I wish the tools that come with it were more useful sized, but that's not much of a quibble. I love the 12" sirupati!

 

[Sylvrfalcn]

I've said this many times here, but if I can say it in support of Sarge, the 12" sirupati is the most under-appreciated HI khukri. In no way is it a small knife. I wish the tools that come with it were more useful sized, but that's not much of a quibble. I love the 12" sirupati!

Wish the tools that come with it were more useful sized.............Hmmmm, send me your address in an e-mail or private message Bri. Pretty sure I've got some rusty old files and some Macassar Ebony lying around here somewhere. Federico told me long time ago about putting that nice, black, ebony wood to the power buffing wheel. He's absolutely right, shines up slick as glass, can't tell it apart from polished horn, short of breaking out a magnifying glass.

Already made my new siru a chakma with a rosewood handle, brass ferrule, and file blade, it's a dandy. Going to make a longer karda, and simply make a sheath insert to fit in the space where the old karda went. Plan is for the top of the karda sheath to be flush with the top of the khuk scabbard. Allows for a karda more the size of a good paring knife, and having the handle heights staggered makes for easy "identification by touch". Let me get finished tinkering with my set, and I'll get started on yours.

Sarge