Rail Common ?

[Phillip]

Okay in light of the problems with the sales of the brass handled "rail common" AK and BAS styles in another thread, I must ask this question. Are the RC (Rail Common) blades as durable as the HI blades, or is it a matter of cosmetics, and tradition that go along with HI models?
If Pala hand selects a village model, it must be pretty good (I would think). So the RC models that are coming in must be a pretty good value for those of us who want a good quality Khukuri, but can't afford them.
I read in the other thread that the brass handles were a detriment to the design, as far as using them for serious work, but would a horn or wood handle RC knife hold up to some serious use?

 

[Kami Sherpa]

Namaste Phillipji:

To be absolutely honest there is no khukuri that can match the HI khukuri in strength and durability except an occasional village model. Tests done right here in the US have proven this.

I always found it interesting to observe the tourists in Kathmandu who buy khukuris. They will shun a village model which is an excellent khukuri and select instead a khukuri of considerable lesser quality that is prettier. The Newari people take great advantage of this unusal preference. These Newaris make a khukuri that we laugh at in Nepal. It will cut nothing but butter and tender meat but it is highly decorated and very beautiful. They sell thousands of these. The kamis joke about these khukuris and call the Newari kamis who make them "jewelers" rather than kamis.

I would not buy a brass handled khukuri for my own use and I do not know many Nepalis who would. Wood or horn is much more sensible.

------------------
Pala (Kami Sherpa)
Owner, Himalayan Imports
http://members.aol.com/himimp/index.html

 

[Phillip]

Namaste Palaji. Thank you for the explanation, and for your answer.


[This message has been edited by Phillip (edited 25 September 1999).]