Abear:
Sirupati = Jennifer Lopez - Great curves in just the right places.
Gelbu Special = Charlize Theron - Leaner, but I won't complain.
Kobra = Calista Flockhart - Somebody feed her, please!
Aesthetics aside, the more experienced Forumites could probably give you better info. Still, here are my impressions.
The Sirupati is a traditional khuk with a pronounced weight-forward design. It defititely is a combination of tool and weapon. Maybe it isn't the chopper that the AK is - I can't say. But I have no doubt that it's "capable of a hard day's work", as Bill puts it. I don't think the Sirupati is clunky. The 20" is easy to swing. But, I find it hard to change the direction of the blade once it's moving.
The Kobra is quick and easy to manuever. It is not a traditional design according to the FAQ site. It has a flat belly and sabre-like point You could use it to perform the same sorts of tasks as a machete. But you won't be taking down any trees with it. Still, it's in no way flimsy. The spine on mine is quite thick. Basically, I think this design was intended to be a weapon. Whatever it is, it won't win any beauty contests IMO. But, it's a great knife.
The Gelbu Special is somewhere in between. From Wal's comments, I gather that it's a traditional Nepali blade style. It certainly has the lines one expects from khuk. The 21" is about the same weight as the 20" Sirupati that I own. It moves similarly. Again, I think tool/weapon is the case here.
I hope this helps, Abear. Hopefully, some of the more seasoned khukoos will weigh-in.
S.
What! I just checked the forum half an hour ago, and it's gone already. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh