Questions about The BirGorkha Bowie

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bilestoad

Joined
Jan 28, 2002
Messages
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I'm intrigued by The BirGorkha Bowie recently posted in here in the forums. I hadn't paid much attention to it before, but these new pictures have made the knife more interesting to me.

I have a few questions:

1. What are the handles made of?

2. It looks like horn, could wood be substituted?

2. (a) Is the clip point sharpened?
(b) If it isn't, can it be sharpened at the factory?

Thank-you...:D
 
Originally posted by bilestoad
I'm intrigued by The BirGorkha Bowie recently posted in here in the forums. I hadn't paid much attention to it before, but these new pictures have made the knife more interesting to me.

I have a few questions:

1. What are the handles made of?

2. It looks like horn, could wood be substituted?

2. (a) Is the clip point sharpened?
(b) If it isn't, can it be sharpened at the factory?

Thank-you...:D
Click to expand...

1. Horn.

2. Yes, wood could be substituted if you can talk HI into it.

2 (a) No.
(b) It could be, but again you would have to talk HI into it,
would be easier to do yourself.:D

You're welcome...:D
 
The clip point is very thick, you'd need a grinder or a lot of patience to put a false edge on it. At least on the one I have.
The handle is horn. I wish it had a ring like the khukuris do. It never slipped out of my hand, but I have a blister. Mine was modified though, so YMMV.
It's as solid as knives I own that cost 2x as much or more. Try one!
 
Yvsa and Stripey357

Many thanks for your answers, and suggestions. From the pictures on the website, the clip looked very thick. I suspect that for me, it would be better to come from the factory with the clip ground for sharpening...:D
 
Cobalt's design. Was originally supposed to have a 1/2" thick spine but got thinned to 7/16's inch.

For me the handle tang and slabs needed reshaping. Between files and sandpaper it only took a month, working couple times a week as I felt the urge until it felt right.

If I can put a edge 7 1/2 inches long edge on all 3 sides of a triangular file you can sharpen a false edge into a swedge.

Couple slabs of oosik ( walrus penile bone ) or stag isn't that expensive when you amortize it over 20-30 years. A chisel will take the horn off quite shortly.

When you do the job yourself, it gets done right. And it feels very very right as a result. It's no longer just the kami's work but your own added as well.

The minor cuts you sustain make sure that it's steel stays in your blood and that your blood stays in it's steel.

Besides, if you keep your " HI Bird and Trout " by your bedside, if you ever have to use it you can always tell the cops that you used it rather than a big khuk or short sword cause you... "didn't want to hurt the assailant too much!"
:D :D :D
 
Are the bowies not differentially hardened like the Khuk's (would imagine they are made like to HI spec like the Khuk's) - if this is the case, wouldn't the spine be a lot softer than the edge and not hold up very well ??

:confused:
 
Originally posted by Rusty

Besides, if you keep your " HI Bird and Trout " by your bedside, if you ever have to use it you can always tell the cops that you used it rather than a big khuk or short sword cause you... "didn't want to hurt the assailant too much!"
:D :D :D
Click to expand...

That could be a problem. I only own two HI Kuks, both Kobras. One at 30" and one at 25"...:p
 
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