I'm considering a large, but not too heavy khukuri. I'd like it in the 20-25 inch range and am looking at the Kobra and Sirupati models. The Kobra appears to be lighter, although the reviews I've read indicate that they're still quite sturdy, so that's the way I'm leaning. I'd appreciate some insight into differences between Kobras and Sirupatis; they appear quite similar to me. I don't have a particular task in mind, but I find myself just wanting something in that niche -- I might even have to go full price as I haven't seen a long Kobra on the forum in a while.
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Request for comments: Kobra vs Sirupati
- Thread starter jnphares
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2001
- Messages
- 4,238
Think of a Kobra as a sword, meant for combat. I wouldn't chop anything over 1" or so with one, though they might handle it. A sirupati in the 20" range will be efficient for cutting 1" to 3" wood. (my opinion only) The sirupati is an often overlooked khukuri, and one of my favorites. 25" Sirupatis have been produced in a variety of weights. I have one that I originally thought was a kobra, as it is so light. I also have one that is an absolute beast, weighing much more. So you have options.
If you want something in the 20" overall length range, and don't want to fell trees, a Sirupati will make you a nice knife. Email Yangdu himimp@aol.com , and tell her what you're looking for, and she may have something heavier or lighter than the norm.
Or if you want something more as a weapon, a Kobra won't disappoint.
Steve
If you want something in the 20" overall length range, and don't want to fell trees, a Sirupati will make you a nice knife. Email Yangdu himimp@aol.com , and tell her what you're looking for, and she may have something heavier or lighter than the norm.
Or if you want something more as a weapon, a Kobra won't disappoint.
Steve
- Joined
- May 9, 2002
- Messages
- 12,685
What the others said
Personally, I love the Kobra. It's one of my favorite khukuris. I have a 20" and a 25" that are night and day difference where the 20" one weighs 20 oz and the 25" weighs 32oz
.
I use mine as sort of heavy/medium duty machetes. I take the 20" one on every camping trip for the light brush work that might crop up or the sectioning of kindling wood. Also, it will whip through the air almost as fast as my HI swords. It certainly does make you feel better if you're camping out in black bear or cougar country.
The 25" is my bedside beast. I don't think that I could use it effectively as a self defense tool inside my house, but I know for a fact that I could cut my way THROUGH the wall to get outside in the case of a fire (gotta love the drywall/2x4/vinyl siding construction). I have actually chopped quite a bit of bigger wood with mine. The weekend after I got it, I was at my mother's house visiting and a huge storm blew in knocking trees over. The ONLY way that I was going to be able to get out of there was if I chopped up the 7" or 8" limb that was blocking my path. All I had with me was the Kobra. It passed and didn't bend or break. It wasn't a fun chore. I would have much rather had a 22" GRS (as a matter of fact, I bought said GRS just to help clean the REST of the mess
), but the 25" Kobra did the trick.
HOWEVER Please keep in mind that the HI Kobra is NOT covered by the ironclad HI guarantee. Uncle Bill and Yangdu were having too many people (myself included) use their kobras as they would normal khuks bending them in the process. I have gotten so much use and life out of mine that if I ever bend them or break them, I will either repair them, refit them, or retire them with honor. HI owes me nothing. I have gotten more than what I have paid for out of them:thumbup:
Personally, I love the Kobra. It's one of my favorite khukuris. I have a 20" and a 25" that are night and day difference where the 20" one weighs 20 oz and the 25" weighs 32oz
. I use mine as sort of heavy/medium duty machetes. I take the 20" one on every camping trip for the light brush work that might crop up or the sectioning of kindling wood. Also, it will whip through the air almost as fast as my HI swords. It certainly does make you feel better if you're camping out in black bear or cougar country.
The 25" is my bedside beast. I don't think that I could use it effectively as a self defense tool inside my house, but I know for a fact that I could cut my way THROUGH the wall to get outside in the case of a fire (gotta love the drywall/2x4/vinyl siding construction). I have actually chopped quite a bit of bigger wood with mine. The weekend after I got it, I was at my mother's house visiting and a huge storm blew in knocking trees over. The ONLY way that I was going to be able to get out of there was if I chopped up the 7" or 8" limb that was blocking my path. All I had with me was the Kobra. It passed and didn't bend or break. It wasn't a fun chore. I would have much rather had a 22" GRS (as a matter of fact, I bought said GRS just to help clean the REST of the mess
), but the 25" Kobra did the trick.HOWEVER Please keep in mind that the HI Kobra is NOT covered by the ironclad HI guarantee. Uncle Bill and Yangdu were having too many people (myself included) use their kobras as they would normal khuks bending them in the process. I have gotten so much use and life out of mine that if I ever bend them or break them, I will either repair them, refit them, or retire them with honor. HI owes me nothing. I have gotten more than what I have paid for out of them:thumbup:
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2003
- Messages
- 5,594
Dude, duuuude, the point is: Buy one of everything, then you need not fret these details...
I just sent an email inquiry to Yangdu, asking what Sirupatis in the 20-30 inch range, preferably close to 25", are on-hand. My thanks to all who replied for their comments. The fact that Kobras are not fully guaranteed was a significant factor in my decision, although I doubt that I'd put enough hard use on it to matter.
5:30 PM EST: A 25 inch Sirupati described as having "perfect balance" in wood handle was available, so I ordered it. Thanks again.
5:30 PM EST: A 25 inch Sirupati described as having "perfect balance" in wood handle was available, so I ordered it. Thanks again.
