Question about Gelbu Special blade.

B

bobwill

Joined
Feb 10, 2001
Messages
147
Thanks again for all the information and advice and patience everyone has had with me.
I have one more question about the Gelbu Special. Specifically about the tip of the blade.
I've seen several different pictures of GS khukuris. I was just wondering if the tip has changed through the blade's run or if the differences are just a matter of viewing angle.

Here's what I'm talking about
<img src = "http://members.aol.com/nepalkamis/pict64.jpg"> Here, the tip seems to start tapering rather early into the point.

Whereas here the blade seems to run parallel to a more squared off tip.
<img src = "http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1270007&a=10381963&p=37353890&Sequence=0&res=high">
And again here.
<img src = "http://www.zing.com/picture/p030a3b1b80757291550d6b7a47a52471/ff7a694d.jpg.orig.jpg">
You can easily tell that the khukuris are obviously at different angles, which leads me to ask the question, have the blades changed since their introduction or is it just an optical illusion caused by having the pictures taken at different angles?

Thanks for your time and troubles. Just think, one day I might be able to answer questions rather than just having a nonstop flood of them being asked.
smile.gif

Thanks again,
Hey Uncle Bill, here's an idea, VRML models of each of the knives.
biggrin.gif
Of course then you'd have to have a 3D artist come in, and the site would have minimum system requirements associated with it, it would take a lot of polygons to make it worth it.
smile.gif


Bob
 
Bob, Uncle Bill is the most qualified to answer this, but I can say with some level of confidence that even within the same model, the khukuris will vary slightly from kami to kami. Having said that, even amongst khukuris of the same model, made by the same kami, there will still be very slight variations in the thickness, edge profile, width, etc., and even subtle but noticeable deviations in the curvature (or lack thereof) of the spine. This is for the most part unavoidable since these are all hand forged, one at a time. Of course, this means that certain khukuris will have more appeal to you than others of the same model and maker, but this is what makes each one unique / one-of-a-kind, almost like people. And yes, they do seem to have a "spirit"--without trying to sound too mystic here--or some other intangible quality which you can somehow connect with, if you have the right khuk (you'll know it). It's kind of like the unspoken ties between lifelong friends or combat buddies.

But to tell the truth, these slight variations from khuk to khuk of the same model do not affect the khuk's performance as much as they do their aesthetics. In other words, all the Gelbu Specials in the pics you posted here, IF they are close to the same size and weight, will perform about the same in my experience. YMMV, but if they do perform differently, I don't think it would be a much noticeable difference.

Also, beyond specifying the model, the length, handle material, and which kami is to make it, it is difficult for Uncle Bill to be able to specify to the men at BirGorkha exactly how the edge should taper toward the tip, how much or how little of a belly it is to have, and details of that nature. And even if he could, the kamis, as good as they are, can not always exactly duplicate one of their earlier efforts. Uncle will correct me where I am wrong of add to this anything I have left out, but in the meantime this might answer your question somewhat until he has a chance to reply. Most of the guys here know more than I and can expand on this or correct.

 
Mine is more like the one in the bottom picture, and I got it in July of 2000. I may be wrong here, but I believe that the first picture you showed is of the Millenium Special. The Gelbu Special seems to be a variant of the Millenium Special, as you can see that they look very similar. I'd say you're more likely to get one with the blunter tip.
 
Mine also has the more "rounded" tip.
It's a great khukuri.
Hell, buy it, and if it doesn't suit you,
Uncle will exchange it. Uncle stands behind the merchandise.

--Mike L.



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What goes around...comes around.
 
Roadrunner, if I'm not mistaken I believe it's the other way around--that is, the Millenium Special is a variation of the Gelbu Special, the latter having come first. In fact, That first pic looks like Jaeger's GS which he bought from HI around '99, give or take a year. BTW, where is Jaeger? Haven't seen any posts from him in a while.

[This message has been edited by X-Head (edited 02-20-2001).]
 
Thanks for help, all. X has got it pretty much right. There are no two khukuris exactly alike. I have often said that after you have had your khukuri (no matter what model it might be) a year and know it well you can toss it into a pile of a thousand like models, mix them up, and you can step in and find your khukuri.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
Himalayan Imports Archives (33,000 + posts)
 
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