Sword questions/ potential 1st time buyer

C

CyrusArdain

Joined
Nov 23, 2006
Messages
18
Alrite heres the story

I camp every once and a while, and i always feel naked out in the wild without a good blade (as well as a bow). I would like a blade about 22 inches and i want it for defense, and possible a wood chopper and it to look like a sword.

Now, i am deeply entranced by the HI tarwar. It just looks perfect to me, but its functionality is in question.

How functional is the tarwar in chopping? or in other common tasks.

Also i just saw that picture of the sold custom extra long Bowie knife. Anyway to get another one of them made by HI?

Basically i really want the functionality of a large khuk in a swords body
will i get what i want?

Cyrus-
 
Welcome Cyrus,
I am by no means an expert but have an affection for short heavy swords and khukris that fall in that range. My suggestions (from my limited experience) would be to look at:

21"+ Chitlangi - A khukri but has short sword tendencies. Light enough to maneuver and a pointed tip for stabbing. Enough forward balance for light chopping.

Bhutan Sword or Patang - 21-22" and built solid as a rock. Long handle with swollen end might help in allowing you to grip at the far end for light chopping.

What makes a good sword and what makes a good chopper are often incompatible traits.

I have no experience with the Tarwar, but personally if I were to do some light chopping with a sword I would want one with a chiruwa style handle.

HI makes many swords and large knives that could meet your needs, it's largely a matter of preference.

I am sure others will give you a lot more help.

Lloyd

I just noticed you specified a blade of about 22 inches. HI products are listed by overall length and not blade length. A sword with a 22" blade may be a bit long for chopping unless it is very heavy. A long blade can be easily damaged by chopping unless it has the heft to support the length under abuse. Then it becomes quite a chore to carry. I see why you were interested in the giant chitlangi bowie that Yangdu offered today. Just consider if you want to deal with such a heavy blade while camping and think of the quickness you will give up. (Please ignore these comments if you are built like a mountain like some of the guys on this forum.)

Good luck with your search - There are a lot of great blades available here.
 
welcome to the HI forum cyrus!!!
i am by no means an expert at all with swords... so take what i say lightly :p
i do own a tarwar and though imho it can probably chop......
i wouldnt recommend it and my 18" ak would probably do a better job.

question is what do you plan on chopping? plan on clearing brush?
are you more concerned for self defense, chopping ability or "sword" appearance?

my choices...
chopping: 16-18" ang khola (cak/regular) or ganga rams (kinda heavy for SD but good choppers)
self defense: 16-18" gelbu special, chitlange, sirpuate
sword appearance: tarwar

thats just my 2cents... im sure others will chime in with more help :D
 
if you're willing to tolerate a bend, i'd like to add the 21" gelbu special to your list of potential blades. tough enough to use hard but still quick. honestly i think your tastes will change after exploring the him imp linup a little longer. you'll eventually want something with a sleek curve instead of a straight knife. m43? they descend from the WW2 model, which is supposedly the best compromise of weapon and tool you can get.
 
I've dropped trees with my tarwar. I believe at least a few others have done so as well. There was no damage. It's big and it's sturdy, but it's a sword and is not meant for heavy woodwork; I wouldn't make a habit out of such a thing. I wouldn't routinely chop anything heavier than saplings with any sword, including this one.

Remember that swords are weapons first and foremost and while they can be used for other things, they will not do them as well as the things that are meant for the task. Woodworking with a sword is improvisation at its best and abuse at its worst.

How important is it for your item to look like a sword? There are other things that would probably serve you better in this case.
 
wow thanks for all the quick feedback

I believe i will probably need something with light chopping ability.

Ive been building traditional bows for a while and im slowly branching into blades which i dont know that much about as of now.

but yea ive always just been entranced by short swords and the way they feel when you hold them. Im kind of leaning away from a khukuri probably due to just not having held one before.


Dave Rishar or anyone else owning a tarwar: is it a durable blade? how does hardened spring steel hold up to being out in the environment? (i.e. corrode readily?) any other just info or warnings about it?

Are the khukuris made out of same type of steel? how do they hold up?

i cant explain my attraction to the HI tarwar. it just looks better then everyhitng else ive seen made. simple and functional

Anyways, this is a good forum

Cyrus -
 
All of HI's swords and khuks are made of high carbon steel, which means that they can and will rust if left to the elements.

I don't own a tarwar (yet) but from what I've read, they're quite stout and durable. A little rust may be unsightly but won't faze it. A tarwar seems to be what you need, a sword that can do some light chopping if needed. It doesn't hurt that you like its looks either. ;)

Bob
 
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