Somebody tell me what I just bought...

Guyon

Guyon

Biscuit Whisperer
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Mar 15, 2000
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...off the Exchange. Can you say "impulse buy"?

Himalayan Imports Biltong by Sgt. Khadka, Brand New Never Used, 9" Blade, wood handle with fancy red velvet sheath, includes custom stand.
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Doesn't look like a big knife, but I thought it might be a fairly inexpensive way to get a look at one of these HI knives. So...

What is a Biltong? What might one do with a Biltong? Who is Sgt. Khadka? Why is he a Sgt.? Why do I need a custom stand?

Enquiring minds want to know.
 
A biltong is a small khukuri thats often used in the kitchen for food prep. Sgt. Khadka is a Sgt.in the Nepali Army who is also a kami and works some for HI. He makes khuks part time to raise money to support his son Ram, who is going to medical school in Latvia to be a doctor. You can see more details on this project in my signature line.

The red velvet sheaths are decorative "kothimoda" scabbards, but the knife is fully functional.



Steve
 
Also, the Sgt. has a very good reputation with many of the reglars here for the quality of his blades.
 
Its a very attractive little knife. The sheath is very good looking if its anything like mine (silver\white metal and red cloth). I've given a couple as gifts too. As noted above, it is a fully functional knife. It is not a chopper like you automatically think when someone says khukri.
 
Bilton good. Hi's small khuks are good knives. Sgt Khadka makes the nicest khuks IMO. Great snag. Now get a chopper.
 
Thanks for all the info, fellas.

Regarding a chopper... how about some recommendations as to blade lengths and makers?
 
The Ang Khola and Ganga Ram models are two of the best choppers in HI's line. Some will favor one or the other based on body type and preference. If you're a big strong guy, you'll probably like a longer, heavier blade; if you're a littler guy, a shorter, lighter blade might serve you better. Or you could be an oddball like me and prefer big blades even though you definitely fall into the little guy category. It's all a matter of taste. As to makers, everyone has their favorite for different reasons. Rest assured that all of HI's kamis make excellent blades, they just all balance slightly differently and have a little bit different takes on each design.
 
just for interest 'biltong' is an african verson of jerky, usually made with game, such as antelope. the smaller kukhris are popular in so.africa for cutting chunks of biltong off the main haunch, hence the name.
 
Guyon said:
Thanks for all the info, fellas.

Regarding a chopper... how about some recommendations as to blade lengths and makers?
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I've got an 18.5"/ 28oz WWII made by Kumar. It's beastly enough for me. If you're a big dude maybe a 20" AK. If you're an average sized joe, like me, look at any of the big belly 18 inchers. Uncle Bill used to say you don't pick the khuk, they pick you. Oh, and welcome.

Frank
 
6' 1" about 200 pounds. Where does that put me on the Khuk-o-meter? :D

Seriously, I've been getting into choppers more and more. I have a couple of big Busses, and since Camillus is headed downhill (tragic), I've been buying up big Beckers, including Ethan Becker's Machax.

On the recommendation of Bladite, I thought I'd give a real Khuk a try. The Biltong was just an impulse buy. I'd really like something that will make wood chips fly.
 
Many consider the Sgt the best Kami. He is not an HI kami, however, and does not have the HI guarentee. Yangdu distributes his stuff to help him and his son.

I don't know size matters all that much with khuks, but it does some. Know how some 'little' folks can tolerate the recoil of a Big Bore rifle, and some 'huge' shooters cannot? Same with khuks. You can't swing harder and get any more performance out of a blade anyway. Past a point, the khuk will not chop any better, and in fact be dangerous.

I like khuks in the 18" range, approx 28 ounces in weight. I'm 5' 11" and 180 pounds.

munk
 
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