Should I be concerned?

[dirtypaulie]

edit: After going over to the archives & doing some research I will not become worried because of those little cracks.
They seem to happen often & don't cause a problem. The Late great Uncle Bill encourages people to go ahead & try to break it.
I have nothing but the utmost confidence in My new beloved ASTK. Thanks for your input gentleman


I just wanted to ask the community. I have added a pic below.
Here's my question. When you look at the cho there is mark that looks like a little crack to me. Its noticeable on the left side of the cho in the pic. Should I be worried about this?

Edit: In this pic you can see inside of the cho & understand what i'm talking about a little more

 

[soldbyjim]

I doubt that is actually a crack, but it's hard to tell from the picture. I would file/buff/polish the "crack" to determine if it is really just a tooling scratch. If it is a crack, send it back to Yangdu for replacement.

Jim

 

[Karda]

As it doesnt look like it goes all the way to the other side, it should not be much of a problem on an 18" ASTK. But.... If it was going to fail at all, it would probably fail there.
Auntie tries very hard to screen khukuri, to avoid things like this. If it should fail during normal use, it would likely be replaced. Please Email Auntie with the picture and a closer one if you can get it. Her email is HIMIMP@aol.com

 

[dirtypaulie]

Thank you for the input gentleman, will do its very small but it does show on the other side of the cho. I'll take some better pics

 

[stickfred]

Way to go paulie!! Your first khukuri and you get one of the highly collectible "cracked cho" ones. Of course I am kidding...I guess I could have said "Your first khukuri and you broke it already?"

This came up years ago, I think I read about it in the Archives, with concern on all sides. I can't remember what the cause may have been but all that owned one were encouraged to take it out and give it Uncle Bill's high-powered whack test. In addition to carefully chopping with it, take it to a large tree and carefully whack it hard on the spine and both sides of the blade. Whack it as hard as you can and often. Carefully means to think in advance where the blade may go if it breaks during testing and don't be there. Uncle Bill would also put the blade in the hole of a large cable spool and put his weight on the handle as part of his test. If there is a part of the blade that is going to fail, it should do it during this. To the best of my memory there were no real problems with the crack from the cho. The only real problems surfaced on blades that were made approaching Dasein(sp?). The kamis got into a rush prior to the celebration and accidentally got water on the tang when they were hardening the edge. The brittle tang would later break when used and leave the blade flying around.

Test it and let us know but I'm sure your blade is fine and will outlast you and probably your children.

 

[dirtypaulie]

Thank you very Much stickfred its appreciated. I'm honestly not bothered/ worried about it. Hence the thread title. I simply just wanted to get input from people such as yourself. I look thru the archives & stuff but i'm new here. You just gave me an idea to research it in the archives too. Thank you. I'm more concerned with which will be my next Khukuri & getting sheaths to support the Kami medical fund.

 

[Yangdu]

I am sorry to hear about the crack cho ASTK, send it back to HI for replacement.

Himalayan Imports
3495 Lakeside Dr.
PMB 69
Reno, NV

 

[Steely_Gunz]

Just going to chime in and say that it looks OK to me. The cho is intrinsically a weak point on any khuk (weak being a relative term) as it is a removal of steel that does not have to be there (function wise).

However, I think you'll be fine. My first khuk was a villager model by Kumar. It has some fold lines and cracks on the spine. I emailed Uncle Bill about it. He said, "Use it, and if it breaks I'll send you a new one." Nearly NINE years later, not a bit of trouble.

The cracks MAY become a problem for your great-great grandkids, just keep that in mind for, ya know, full disclosure

Oops: And Yangdu chimes in with her typical customer service as I type Fantastic as always.

 

[dirtypaulie]

I am sorry to hear about the crack cho ASTK, send it back to HI for replacement.

Himalayan Imports
3495 Lakeside Dr.
PMB 69
Reno, NV

As I stated in my edit i'm not worried about it & after reading through the archives this subject has come up more than a few times. I have the utmost confidence in this product Yangdu & will hold onto it. If the blade should happen to fail during normal use I'll worry about sending it in then. If that's alright with you.

Just going to chime in and say that it looks OK to me. The cho is intrinsically a weak point on any khuk (weak being a relative term) as it is a removal of steel that does not have to be there (function wise).

However, I think you'll be fine. My first khuk was a villager model by Kumar. It has some fold lines and cracks on the spine. I emailed Uncle Bill about it. He said, "Use it, and if it breaks I'll send you a new one." Nearly NINE years later, not a bit of trouble.

The cracks MAY become a problem for your great-great grandkids, just keep that in mind for, ya know, full disclosure

Oops: And Yangdu chimes in with her typical customer service as I type Fantastic as always.

Yangdu's customer service is excellent. Thank you for chiming in Steely_Gunz I agree with what you have said. I've done extensive reading prior to even deciding on where to purchase my 1st Khukuri from. I understand that the cho' being a weak point from having the steel removed. I hadn't however read up about cracks in the cho' until Mr. Stickfred mentioned it. This company has been around & is noted for its warranty & customer service. In the archives this has come up alot & I have faith that it will not be a problem. By the end of the week I should be sending payment for my 2nd Khukuri which i haven't decided on 100% yet but am leaning towards a sirupati.

Thank you very Much Yangdu i look forward to making more purchases from H.i.

Sincerely,
Paul Davidson

 

[Howard Wallace]

...This came up years ago, I think I read about it in the Archives, with concern on all sides. I can't remember what the cause may have been but all that owned one were encouraged to take it out and give it Uncle Bill's high-powered whack test. In addition to carefully chopping with it, take it to a large tree and carefully whack it hard on the spine and both sides of the blade. Whack it as hard as you can and often. Carefully means to think in advance where the blade may go if it breaks during testing and don't be there. Uncle Bill would also put the blade in the hole of a large cable spool and put his weight on the handle as part of his test. If there is a part of the blade that is going to fail, it should do it during this. To the best of my memory there were no real problems with the crack from the cho. The only real problems surfaced on blades that were made approaching Dasein(sp?). The kamis got into a rush prior to the celebration and accidentally got water on the tang when they were hardening the edge. The brittle tang would later break when used and leave the blade flying around.

Test it and let us know but I'm sure your blade is fine and will outlast you and probably your children.

This is very good advice.

Some khukuris look great and won't pass this test. Some appear to have flaws but will pass this test with flying colors and do work for decades without a single problem.

 

[dirtypaulie]

Thank you Mr. Wallace. Another will respected forumite making me feel even better about my decision. I'm holding onto Mr Singh & am not worried. I'll give him the whack test, as long as it wont void the warranty. I mean the ASTK in warranted for field use. I have been in contact with Auntie, she said if the crack get bigger send it to her for exchange. I'm going to send Mr. Singh to Brian at Okuden for a custom kydex sheath. i'm thinking I should do the whack test before I ship it.

 

[GregS]

I am sorry to hear about the crack cho ASTK, send it back to HI for replacement.

Himalayan Imports
3495 Lakeside Dr.
PMB 69
Reno, NV

As I stated in my edit i'm not worried about it & after reading through the archives this subject has come up more than a few times. I have the utmost confidence in this product Yangdu & will hold onto it. If the blade should happen to fail during normal use I'll worry about sending it in then. If that's alright with you.

If Yangdu offered you a replacement blade then she is obviously concerned. I would be concerned as well. Why you wouldn't want a replacement blade is beyond me...

Edit to add: If that thing lets loose on a backswing it could seriously injure yourself or anyone around you. Hence my concern...

 

[dirtypaulie]

If Yangdu offered you a replacement blade then she is obviously concerned. I would be concerned as well. Why you wouldn't want a replacement blade is beyond me...

Edit to add: If that thing lets loose on a backswing it could seriously injure yourself or anyone around you. Hence my concern...

Thanks for the concern, its appreciated. Yangdu's main concern is her customers being happy & that is something that I am. I spoke to her & she encouraged me to do the whack test.

Read what Uncle Bill (R.i.p.) says about hairline cracks in the cho' here when referring to the 18" 35 oz 1/2" thick spine ganga ram special

I have faith in this ASTK & H.i.'s products after all the research i've done prior to deciding to purchase from them. That Sir is why i'm not worried about sending it in for replacement & instead will do a whack test. On top of what the gentleman below stated.

Some khukuris look great and won't pass this test. Some appear to have flaws but will pass this test with flying colors and do work for decades without a single problem.

Have you read the H.i. underwater torture test by Howard Wallace. He also agree's I should do the whack test as well. I'll let you all know how it goes & once again my sincere Thank you for your concern GregS.

Sincerely,
Paul Davidson