Showing off my HI kuks; PIC HEAVY

[orca8589]

A couple of years ago, I ordered a Grand Baby Chitlangi from HI. Went through the regular channels, paid the regular way, but when I got the package, there was a note from Yangdu saying my card wouldn't go through, and to keep the knife as a Christmas present. I harangued the bank and Visa, and never did figure out what happened. (HI wasn't the only place where the bank/Visa messed up the transaction.) Finally ended up with a new card and all the hassle that goes with it.

Long story short, I accepted the knife as a gift, and I've used it a lot since when camping and doing outdoor work. I've since bought a much larger Kukri, a Chiruwa Ang Khola (18", 1/2" spine, 35oz. ) and the kids here love watching what the big one can do; I occasionally let them use the little one, and they love it. It's "Big Momma & the Baby" as one of them said.

So, that little Grand baby is a neat little Himalayan Ambassador for HI. Works hard, stays sharp, has a nice patina, and the kids love using it & cleaning it; and, they get to learn a lot about Nepal, too - although I still can't the little buggers to find Nepal on the world map. I'll keep trying.

Pics:
Hi large Chiruwa Ang Khola, Grand Baby Chitlangi, and Baby BAS

Blade & handle finishes, after the monthly oiling:

CAK blade fullers:

CAK pommel:

Topshots, blade spines:

Blade markings, Baby BAS [top] & GBC [bottom]:

GBC blade fullers:

More pics to follow in post #4

~Chris

 

[alexs]

Wow, I haven't seen a baby Chit yet! Then again, I am new here. Can't wait for the pics.

 

[warty]

What a cool gift!

you tease! the title says you are showing the thing of and then when you get into the thread you get "pix later"?

I am looking forward to seeing it too...

 

[orca8589]

Baby BAS:

Grand Baby Chitlangi:

Grand Baby Chitlangi pommel:

Baby BAS pommel:

Baby BAS sheath throat artwork:

Baby BAS sheath band artwork:

Baby BAS sheath chape artwork:

I'm buying a tripod tomorrow, so hopefully I'll be able to get a few better-focused pics tomorrow to replace some of these.

~Chris

 

[warty]

OUTSTANDING! It is almost comical how the CAK's chakmak and karda are nearly as big as the Grand Baby Chit and Baby BAS's main blades. The pix were worth the wait! :thumbup: Love the scabbard on the Baby BAS, is it covered with red felt? It looks great, you are taking good care of it for sure (and all of the others too for that matter)

I am going to have to be on the look out now for one of those nice Grand Baby Chitlangis since I was bitten by the Chit Bug. I would likely give it to my little nephew though so he cold be like his uncle (he likes that kind of stuff) Right now I am more wanting the bigger Chitlangis... heck, to be honest I don't really know exactly what I am wanting until Yangdu posts one that catches my eye balls.

Thanks a lot for the great pix Chris!! :thumbup::thumbup:

 

[orca8589]

warty - you're welcome!

Yeah, that little Baby BAS is cool, but it took a while to grow on me - very well made, but no fullers, really. The sheath is covered in felt, I believe, and gets a gentle brushing about once a month, and the aluminum (?) metal parts get rubbed down with a terry towel. It lives in a heavy duty plastic zip-loc, so the oil form the other blades doesn't mess it up.

My favorite part of the GBC & CAK is the fullers, by far. When I explain to local kids how they're made, they're just awed by the whole process. I'm currently working up handles for Camillus knife blanks, and when I show the boys how primitive the conditions are where these kuks are made, they get a whole new appreciation for other cultures.

~Chris