The 30 inch Kumar "King" Kobra. Pix. Anybody want one?

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The 30 inch version will look pretty much like this, however, there will be some variations.

Most important of these, perhaps, is the 30 inch version will be made from a recycled leaf spring -- 5160 -- and not a worn out file. There is a chance the handle will be wood because there may be a problem finding horn long and straight enough for a 30 inch blade.

My guess is the knife will weigh a bit less than two pounds. Kumar has been hitting less than an ounce per inch of length on all his stuff so far. I don't want to stick him with thickness and width specs. I want him to make it his way and see what happens.

We have three takers on a run of five -- so far. If anybody is interested in getting a 30 inch King Kobra email or sign up here. We can increase the run for more than five but I won't go over ten. This is a first attempt and I'm not sure what Kumar will do with it. We may want to ask for revisions after we see the first run. However, so far he has done it just about the way we want it.

It's a go.

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
http://members.aol.com/himimp/index.html
 
A traditional khukuri is so overbuilt that the cho causes no concerns in terms of strength reduction. Kumar may be pushing the limits of his materials with this one, and it is possible that an eye-of-the-dove cho would significantly reduce the strength of the blade.

What do you all think? What kind of cho would have the least effect of the strength of the blade? I think a shallow cow's-footprint cho might be stronger.

I'm not trying to usurp Kumar's prerogative to chose materials and designs. I am interested in the thoughts of the forumites on this question.


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Howard Wallace
Khukuri FAQ

 
Jim March

Jim March

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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I share Howard's concern here. We're really headed away from "Khukuri" and further into "pure sword" territority with this sort of thing. We may be seeing "pure engineering problems" that the overbuilt Khukuris have shrugged off but that may conflict with "tradition" in this venue.

Jim
 
I also share Howard's concern. In this instance, I think the smaller the cho, the better.
 
This is too tempting Uncle Bill.

I go almost a month without buying a khukuri and now this.

Do you have a price on this one yet Uncle?

And can you promise the kamis won't stamp them "KKK" for Kumar King Kobra?

I am probably doomed to purchase one of these as well. I suppose one could have worse addictions, anyway.

Yours,

-Dave

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"I'm not a complete idiot; some parts are missing."


 
Pakcik Bill.

I checked my Khukuris Ordering Log - it seems I have logged my name for what previously named as 18" + Kumar Bishwakarma Special. If I,m not wrong - it is some sort of a long version of Balance @ Baraba Khukuri.
  • How is it going on with that model?
  • Is it the same model with what as currently called as Kumar Fighter @ Kumar Kobra?
1st of all, please clear my confusion Pakcik Bill - then only I'll decide whether to log my name for this KKK model!
 
First, let's don't call this the KKK for obvious reasons. We could call it the KKKK if you like -- Kumar King Kobra Khukuri.

Mohd, you are on the wait list for a 20 incher. If you would prefer the 30 incher let me know.

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
http://members.aol.com/himimp/index.html
 
Pakcik Bill.
TQ for your confirmation - in this case I think I prefer the 20 incher + Parewa Ki Aka Cho! My other Khukuris are those with Kowdi Cho. The point is I love variation of blade shapes, handle shapes & materials and Cho types in my collection. TQ again & again ...
 
Bill,
No doubt this is getting into sword territory. Then again, the original topic was "H.I.Sword." Kumar's thin, light work has probably come closest to what American makers have interpreted the Khukuri to be,in the context of a fighter,primarily. Since this young man's work may already be considered a radical departure from tradition,why even worry about the Cho, unless it would cause offense to omit it. Let Kumar have maximum freedom to use his materials the way he sees fit.Most of us can probably see that a long thin blade will bend or break before a 20"AK. Rather than get into a bunch of ABS style theory, I would just as soon hang this thing on the wall where I can admire the skill of Kumar. Don't even bother trying to engrave a name. After sobriety sets in(meaning our butt is thouroghly chewed for buying another knife)anything with a "K" will probably look as bad as most SUV monikers. If it is beautiful, we will know who the maker is. With or without a Cho, the question of strengh won't really be answered until the UPS man knocks on the door a couple'a months from now. A pleasure always, Leo
 
Well, it *has* to have a Cho. There's religious aspects to that, it would insult Kumar to ask for a Khukuri sans Cho. If it was something *other than* a Khukuri, going no-Cho is OK, and possibly preferred.

Let's just keep it as small as possible and the resulting "stresspoint" as far from blade center as possible. One answer might be to "bulge" the blade slightly at the Cho point so that the Cho doesn't actually enter the "main structural body of the blade".

Jim
 
The cho is probably O.K. if the blade is properly heat treated.

The cho in the picture does not extend past the bevel. There is probably more metal remaining above the cho than in the tapered tang.

Will
 
Kumar is not necessarily getting into non-traditional form yet.

My 17" 14oz. Village Chainpuri is less than an ounce per inch, And just guessing, my 20" HI Chainpuri feels as light or lighter than a standard 20oz BAS. This means we've got precedent in traditonal design for the ounce an inch.

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' ...and on the Eighth Day, God said: "Murphy, you take over... " '
 
Kumar has sent stuff that came in at less than 1 ounce per inch. At 30 inches I am not sure he can do it and accommodate the length for the strength he wants. It will be interesting to see what he does.

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ



[This message has been edited by Bill Martino (edited 15 November 1999).]
 
Uncle,
This is close enough to what I had in mind that I'm about ready to ask you to log me in for one. A few questions first...

In the HI sword thread Julian had suggested a handle length of 8" w/OAL of 30". Do you believe this is doable? I don't think I would want to go with a handle less than 7" on a piece of this size.

Also, I really liked the way that big Chainpuri-handled Sirupati fit my hand. Since it is likely that the handle will be wood, would Kumar be willing/able to make a Chainpuri handle? If not, what about simply a larger swell at the butt than is common w/Sirupatis? IMO, it would allow for more secure weapon retention w/a somewhat more relaxed grip.

Finally, do you have any other takers on this yet? If so, estimated delivery & cost? TIA.


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Cheers,

--+Brian+--

I may be goin' to hell in a bucket, Babe, but at least I'm enjoyin' the ride.


 
Hi Brian:

I better not start sticking in special orders before Kuman gets settled in on his first run. I find the fewer specs I require the better they do on first efforts. Let's see what he does with this first run of 5 or so pieces and then start adjusting.

I am guessing that the handle will be about 8 inches or so but this is a step away from the standard khukuri so I'll just wait and see what he does. He could have a 10 inch handle on this for all I know.

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
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