OT-no HIs need apply

Berkley

Berkley

Joined
May 5, 1999
Messages
3,065
As the lucky/crafty winner of n2s' ugly kukri contest, I just received the Ontario First Edition prize kukri: "17" overall with a 12" black epoxy coated 1095 carbon steel blade. Weight 2 lbs."
Am going to try it against a similar (non-HI) village model, which is one of my favorites because of the aluminum handle, far superior IMHO to wood or horn, whether regular or chiruwa.
 

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Aluminum v. Kraton - neither one in the HI product line:
 

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The aluminium leaves me with very little interest in Khukuris....even the plastic looks better.

not that my opinion is worth anything. I'd like to see how the Ontario fares. I read of one failing miserably.

munk
 
The aluminum is "butt-ugly, or "ugly as a mud fence", but it feels better on the hand than any other substance when chopping really hard wood. Will be interesting to compare to modern synthetic rubber.
 
Good to know. Do you think there is any plastic compound that would work as well or better than aluminium?

munk
 
This is obviously very subjective, and the aluminum is all I have to compare with this form of plastic. Will post results ASAP - dark now, too dark for safe choppimg.
 
Berk:

Is it me, or does your villager look like it has a little Malla in its family tree?

S.
 
I generally don't like metal handles but I like that village model and a little sports tape around that handle would fix it up just fine.
 
I generally don't like metal handles but I like that village model and a little sports tape around that handle would fix it up just fine.
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Uncle, I have seriously considered dipping that aluminum handle in Loctite Color Guard, but since it has a folk art carved wooden scabbard it is a collector as well as a user.
Results of the comparison test on 1.75" seasoned hackberry: village model on left, Ontario on right, 30 chops each. Handles felt about equal, though I think the grooves on the Ontario would become a problem with extended use, and its rather square profile might also cause problems. Neither blade was damaged or lost any sharpness; scuff marks on the Ontario finish mostly disappeared after rubbing with mineral oil. Think I'll stick it under the back seat of the Jeep along with the Barteaux machete - if it ever comes under the scrutiny of a LEO, God forbid, it looks more "tool-like" than a real khukuri, and it seems at least as capable as the machete and my folding shovel.
BTW, if the pic doesn't show very much in the way of results for 30 chops, please factor in arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome
 
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