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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
The 15" and 20" Sirupati arrived today.
- Thread starter p1445
- Start date
Let's start with the 20" Sirupati.
My first impression is, damn that's huge. Blade length is 15" which probably puts it into the short sword class. Really it's so large you can't call it a knife. Weight is probably 2lbs or so. Blade width runs from 1.125" to 1.5" at the widest point. The handle is made of polished horn and is quite attractive, however it is a little too slick for my tastes.
The karda and chakmak are about 5.5" long with 2.75" blades. Fit and finish on these isn't real great, but they are usable. I've stated this before, I'd be willing to pay extra to have high quality tools.
The scabard is really nice! Fit and finish is excellent, and features top grain leather(I know this because some hairs are still on the scabard.). The frog is made of .125" thick leather and should be very durable.
Overall I would rate this "knife" as a good buy.
More later.
p1445
My first impression is, damn that's huge. Blade length is 15" which probably puts it into the short sword class. Really it's so large you can't call it a knife. Weight is probably 2lbs or so. Blade width runs from 1.125" to 1.5" at the widest point. The handle is made of polished horn and is quite attractive, however it is a little too slick for my tastes.
The karda and chakmak are about 5.5" long with 2.75" blades. Fit and finish on these isn't real great, but they are usable. I've stated this before, I'd be willing to pay extra to have high quality tools.
The scabard is really nice! Fit and finish is excellent, and features top grain leather(I know this because some hairs are still on the scabard.). The frog is made of .125" thick leather and should be very durable.
Overall I would rate this "knife" as a good buy.
More later.
p1445
- Joined
- Apr 27, 1999
- Messages
- 620
Hey P1445,
You're gonna take some pics aren't you? They sure would look good up there with the pics of the Mini-Jungle.
One suggestion if you do. In at least one pic of each, have someone holding it in their hand so we can get an idea of the relative size of these babies.
Blackdog
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Visit the GH Forum Photo gallery at: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=104694&a=890558
See a quick view of the Gurkha House Line-up http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=104694&a=896858
You're gonna take some pics aren't you? They sure would look good up there with the pics of the Mini-Jungle.
One suggestion if you do. In at least one pic of each, have someone holding it in their hand so we can get an idea of the relative size of these babies.
Blackdog
------------------
Visit the GH Forum Photo gallery at: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=104694&a=890558
See a quick view of the Gurkha House Line-up http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=104694&a=896858
- Joined
- Mar 8, 1999
- Messages
- 1,760
P1445:
As usual, you are on the money. I hope you liked the new and improved frog - I've gotten complaints about the thin leather of the early models, and this just goes to show that even though I'm not living in Nepal, Lalit has a firm grip on quality control.
You are also right about the chakma and karda. That's next on the "please improve" list. They are, as you said, rough but usable. My goal is to get them as pretty as the rest of the package.
I think it was sing who recommended that someday the chakma/karda be sent with brass buttcaps of their own - a nifty idea that we'll have to consider.
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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
As usual, you are on the money. I hope you liked the new and improved frog - I've gotten complaints about the thin leather of the early models, and this just goes to show that even though I'm not living in Nepal, Lalit has a firm grip on quality control.
You are also right about the chakma and karda. That's next on the "please improve" list. They are, as you said, rough but usable. My goal is to get them as pretty as the rest of the package.
I think it was sing who recommended that someday the chakma/karda be sent with brass buttcaps of their own - a nifty idea that we'll have to consider.
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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
Craig,
The sheath is really first rate, if you can improve the chakmak and karda like the sheath was improved it would be outstanding.
The sheath for the 15" sirupati is kind of cheesy when compared to the 20" sheath.
On the subject of the 15" sirupati, I chopped up a 2x4 with it and was very impressed. I went into the garage and chopped up a 2x4 with my 15" sirupati, CS trail master and the 20" sirupati. Both the Trailmaster and the 20" sirupati bit into the wood deeply, but didn't remove big chunks, but the 15" sirupati was flinging chunks all over the garage. I was really supprised by this, as I thought the Trailmaster and the 20" sirupati would have out performed the 15". It must have something to do with the blade geometry. On a side note, I found the 20" sirupati to be very tiring to swing, I can't imagine using it for heavy brush cutting.
more one the 15" tommorow.
p1445
The sheath is really first rate, if you can improve the chakmak and karda like the sheath was improved it would be outstanding.
The sheath for the 15" sirupati is kind of cheesy when compared to the 20" sheath.
On the subject of the 15" sirupati, I chopped up a 2x4 with it and was very impressed. I went into the garage and chopped up a 2x4 with my 15" sirupati, CS trail master and the 20" sirupati. Both the Trailmaster and the 20" sirupati bit into the wood deeply, but didn't remove big chunks, but the 15" sirupati was flinging chunks all over the garage. I was really supprised by this, as I thought the Trailmaster and the 20" sirupati would have out performed the 15". It must have something to do with the blade geometry. On a side note, I found the 20" sirupati to be very tiring to swing, I can't imagine using it for heavy brush cutting.
more one the 15" tommorow.
p1445
- Joined
- Mar 8, 1999
- Messages
- 1,760
You are a girley man! I am so large that my muscles require their own weather system to keep them irrigated! (I am a hans and franz fan, not an egotist)
.
I like to picture the "chunks flying."
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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
I like to picture the "chunks flying."
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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
- Joined
- Feb 11, 1999
- Messages
- 568
P1445,
Take three pix of the sirupatis: one of each by themselves so we can enjoy each in all their glory; and one with you holding one in each hand and a crazed, "I'm gonna cut off your head and sh*t down your throat" look
Oh, but try not to scare the sh*t out of your neighors. They might be sheeple like mine are. Mine haven't been the same since I used a 20" chainpuri to clear out the remains of my veggie garden a while back
Dave.
Take three pix of the sirupatis: one of each by themselves so we can enjoy each in all their glory; and one with you holding one in each hand and a crazed, "I'm gonna cut off your head and sh*t down your throat" look
Oh, but try not to scare the sh*t out of your neighors. They might be sheeple like mine are. Mine haven't been the same since I used a 20" chainpuri to clear out the remains of my veggie garden a while back
Dave.