Questions, questions & more questions...!

Orion

Orion

Joined
Oct 4, 1998
Messages
529
I am in the market for a set of khukuris.
My first question is what is the main differences in the sirupatis and the kobras?
I want a set of at least 2 (maybe 3) and it would be nice if the set was a matching set (I want a 30" model such as the sirupati or kobra) but am not sure of the chopping ability of the smaller versions of these models.
The one that will get the most use will be a 15"-18" and I am considering either an ang khola, WW2 or British Service model (chopping mostly). If the sirupatis or kobras are good choppers (weight) I will go with either of those.
I am looking at maybe a set of 2 (18" utility/tool/chopper & a 30" sword) or a set of 3 (15", 20" and the 30").Also any info on pricing would be appreciated.

Thanks-
Orion
 
Hey Forumites, help stop this poor wretch from buying the biggest and having to buy smaller and smaller stuff.

Start small and work your way up slowlyl

------------------
John Moses designed it, I trust it, and that settles it.


Himalayan Imports Website
 
Orion, I highly recommend starting with the WW II. It is a good all-around khuk. It's a decent chopper, yet nimble. And it will serve as a good point of reference for selecting your next khuk.
 
Orion
The AngKhola is the best and strongest chopper in any size.
The Sirupati can be heavy or light,though narrow can chop well.
The Kobra is more narrow and most times thiner,made for speed,but like all khukuris can chop.
The B.A.S. is most times short over all,15" a WWII is longer 16" to 18",the Gelbu Special can be to 19",all of these are great all around blades for most field use,a good balance between,good wieght for chopping but light for all day carry.
Now that I said all that,why rack your brain just make a list number them from 1 to 200 then start your life with the rest of us and place your order.
Ya just can't have one.
Welcome to the club.

------------------
Ray

[This message has been edited by RayC (edited 06-30-2000).]
 
Orion,

I'm in the process of writing up a review on a Kumar Kobra. It's 18.5 inches overall and made out of a file. Weighs around 17 oz. I find this one in my hand around the garden and such. If not that one a 15 inch WW2.

I find the Ang Kholas a tad too heavy for general work. Great if you're going to chop down a tree or something thick because of the weight behind it.

For an all around khukuri I'd recomend a 15-16.5 inch WW2 and maybe or a 20 inch Sirupati. The Sirupatis tend to balance more toward the blade in that length. I'd lean more towards the WW2 tho.

Easier to carry, use and handle. If you want speeed and can find a light Kobra go with that. Because of the shape of the blade and the speed you can generate it almost does the work of a heavier blade. Almost.

Looking back on this, it sounds kinda confusing. I'd stay with the mid-size khukuris.
biggrin.gif


Vince


------------------
Stay sharp and be Safe!
------- ---- ---------
That which does not kill us only makes us stronger.
F.W. Nietzche

[This message has been edited by V.Oller (edited 06-30-2000).]
 
As you can see, sanity is optional on this forum. A sense of humor, though, is mandatory.

------------------
John Moses designed it, I trust it, and that settles it.


Himalayan Imports Website
 
OK.... I just read my initial post and it was a little "choppy" (pardon the pun) because I wrote it pretty late last night.... I'll try again.

I want a set of khukuris. I'm either looking at a set of 2 (16"-18" and a 30") or a set of 3 (15", 20" and a 30"). Those specs are not in stone, but somewhat close...
I want the smaller one to be a workhorse utility tool. It needs to be a good chopper in order to build shelters and such. The medium sized one needs to be light and will get much use as a "machete" type tool. If I get the 2 pc. set, the smaller one will have to serve the purpose of both of the aforementioned. I want the 30" one just because it's so damn cool (and just in case I'm attacked by ninjas or rogue samurais on any outings I will have a sword!!!
wink.gif
)!!!!!!
I have a plethora of khukuris (some GH and almost ALL of the popular production models by CS, Ontario, etc... I want a MATCHING set. That was the main reason for asking the differences in the models. I am thinking that the AK, WW2 or BAS will be the best for the smaller model but for the 20" and 30" I need either the Kobra or Sirupati. I need to know the basic defferences between these 2 models. Also, if the 15"-18" sizes in either of these models will have enough weight to make a decent chopper, I will get all 3 in the same model, therefore having my perfect matching set. I am just a little unsure because I am under the impression that sirupatis and kobras are very light (thinner blades) and the smaller ones may not tend to lend themselves to heavy duty chopping as well as the AK, BAS or WW2.
So basically, what is the main differences between the 30" sirupati and the 30" King Kobra? Do the 15" and 18" versions of these models have enough "a$$" to do heavy duty chopping or will I be better off opting for the AK, WW2 or BAS in this size?

Thanks-
Orion
 
Like the old candy stores, displaying each kind behind a glass fronted case, you can take you time and put your nose up against the glass partition while you agonize over the choices.

Forget ANY 30"er unless you work at the tower's beheading block and wear a black hood.
 
I can't honestly recommend the 30" Kobra as a sword-substitute.

I've done 10 hours + work on mine, changing the angle of handle to blade and altering the centre of balance, and now it would work in that category. As supplied by BirGorkha, in my opinion, as a weapon it's clumsy, sluggish and could be dangerous to the user. That's *not* to say it doesn't have other, equally valid applications as a utility tool.

If you're looking for a sword-type khuk, may I suggest that you check out the 25" Kobra. I won't state my reasons for the recommendation here, because everybody else on this forum has heard them before (many, many times...)

As for a shorter general purpose chopper, I'd recommend either a 20" village sirupati for lightness, speed and excellent cutting ability, or (if you want something a little heavier-duty) the HI full tang 20" sirupati.

As regards the BAS, it's very good indeed at the things it does well... But I find it's not quite as versatile as the slightly longer sirupatis.
 
Orion.

Please ... forget about Janawar Katne ... I guess that thing is invented to scare off another Alexander from coming near to the border of Nepal (or even ... Reno)! LOL!!!

IMHO you might need a set of:
  1. 15" Ang Khola,
  2. 20" Gangga Ram Special and
  3. 30" Light (thickness of 3/16" - 1/4") Kumar Kobra.[/list=a]What's your comment ... Rusty?

    NEPAL HO!
 
Let me just ask this to clear it up once and for all.What is the largest kukri?SIze and weight.Im not asking what the largest kuki i could handle is,i know better than to buy a 6 pound knife to chop firewood with
smile.gif
But theres a bare spot above my mantle that could use an interesting (and large) conversation piece
smile.gif
 
Basically, international air freight is limited to packages of one meter. Maybe 36 or 37 inches inside the package. That's the max Bill has gone.

Would he be willing to go land transport for longer items? Ask him.



------------------
John Moses designed it, I trust it, and that settles it.


Himalayan Imports Website
 
Thanks alot.Was just wondering about that.Those mega salyan things look pretty tempting
smile.gif


Kinda off topic,anyone know anything about a case fixed blade ,model m3f ssp.XX usa.Sorry for the off topic question,but im selling it to add money to my kukri fund.I have to be ready for uncle Bills 4th of july sale when he gets back.
smile.gif
 
Why not put in an order with Uncle Bill for a pair of Villagers with blades about equivalent to an 18" WW2?

The last batch were chainpuri handled wood, with lighter sirupati blades. If Bill matched two like that batch, they'd probably have about 20" blades. The next batch of villagers may be heavy AK type, in which case a pair of 16.5" blades might match WW2 balance and chopping. Or the batch could be a generic BAS/WW2 lot that a pair of 18" blades would work well with. That would get you a pair at a reasonable price, Uncle Bill could save a few bucks on shipping by sending both in the same package, etc.



------------------
John Moses designed it, I trust it, and that settles it.


Himalayan Imports Website
 
Gelbu Special (or WWII) 18-20 inches. Superb choppers and general use blades. They have more general use capabilities than the 15 inch Ang Khola.
At the larger end, a 25 inch Kobra is definitely an interesting piece. While a bit longer than a 20 inch Sirupati, it is lighter and faster. of course, it doesn't have quite the coppping power of a Sir, but certainly it will hold it's own. At first I wanted a 30 inch kobra as well, but after staring at pix for a while I thought it looked somewhat unbalanced. i'm glad to say the my suspicions were confirmed (by Tom Holt)before I got one,but I can also confirm Tom's praises of the 25 (even though I haven't used it in the field yet. The balance of this thing is, well, different since the "elbow" is exactly 1/3 of the way down the blade, instead of nearer the middle. The striking power of the edge must be incredible, though).

Tom
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top