The First HI Chitlangi Bowie

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davidf99

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I just received this horn-handled Chitlangi Bowie by Kumar Kami, which I won at auction. It's 15" OAL, 24.5 oz, and absolutely beautiful, as you can see in the pictures. I've always thought that the Chitlangi Bowie is the most beautiful of all HI regular models, certainly one of the most beautiful.

The seller says that this was the very first Chitlangi Bowie made by HI -- in 2006. The seller seems knowledgeable and I have no reason to disbelieve him. However, it would be nice to get confirmation about that. I wouldn't expect people to remember this particular blade, but does anyone remember if 2006 was the first year for this HI model?

You can get an idea of the depth of the fullers from the second picture. By the way, the "white" at the tip of the blade in the first picture is just a reflection of the white material to the left of the blade.

ChitlangiBowie15in-Kumar24.5oz-horn-for-Dave-01.jpg ChitlangiBowie15in-Kumar24.5oz-horn-for-Dave-03.jpg
 
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A thread from March 2006 with the Chitlangi Bowie design (photoshopped by forumite "lefthandblack":
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/391757-Blade-Ideas

From an August 2006 post, says it took 4 months from initial concept to completion by HI. A link to the original DOTD is listed.

lefthandblack said:
The Chitlangi Bowie was a design that I came up with a few months ago, here is the original thread which started everything,

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=391757&highlight=ideas

Here is the original concept image that I created in photoshop,

chit_companion1.jpg


It took about 4 months from concept to completion for HI to make the blade. I was lucky enough to snag the prototype model that was posted in a DOTD. I was'nt even notified that they had made the blade yet! Here is the link to the deal of the day,

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=412746&highlight=prototypes

Nobody is sure when more will be created, but there seems to be a demand. Maybe try and contact Yangdu, as she would be able to give you more info.

Good luck, and it really is a sweet blade!
Click to expand...
 
Man that is nice. I always liked them Regular Chits. I bid on that one too. Hope I didnt run it up to hi for ya:rolleyes: Glad you got it tho. I already have a horn Chitlangi just like it but being the first one made I couldnt pass it up:thumbup:
 
Grand Meister Tall. I'm writing this down.

Do we have to bow or genuflect or anything when we address thee? I'd curtsy but I'm not out of the closet yet.
 
ndoghouse said:
Man that is nice. I always liked them Regular Chits. I bid on that one too. Hope I didnt run it up to hi for ya:rolleyes: Glad you got it tho. I already have a horn Chitlangi just like it but being the first one made I couldnt pass it up:thumbup:
Click to expand...

I guess it's true that great minds think alike. I also have another Chit Bowie, and I also wanted this one mainly because it's the first. You did run the price up, but I will have the knife for many years and I've already almost forgotten the price.

My other Chit Bowie is by Sher, with a satisal handle. It's 15.5" OAL and 28 oz, a little heavier than the horn handled blade. The Sher handle has a larger bell and the sheath is thick brown leather. But why am I describing it in words, when a couple of pictures will do better:

ChitlangiBowie15.5-Sher28-for-Dave-06.jpg ChitlangiBowie15.5-Sher28-for-Dave-09.jpg
 
Thanks to Steve Tall for the historical information. I just changed the title of this thread from "The First HI Chitlangi Bowie?" to "The First HI Chitlangi Bowie" without the question mark.
 
They're both beautiful. I'm also very happy it went to an HI member whom appreciates the particular history of it. I watched it as well, although I did not bid. I've been working on a deal with a long time HI member for a couple of khukuris with similar back stories. Perhaps not as relevant as yours but interesting none the less. They have a long way to travel but, I will post them when they arrive. Congratulations for scoring such an historic piece.
 
Glad that I didn't bid up any of the beautiful HI work! I'm glad it stays in the HI family.

Gorgeous. The Chitlangi Bowie is outstanding. I can only imagine the heft and balance of the full tang.

Sher and Kumar are tops!
 
Thanks fir sharing, ive only been here 3+ years, and dont remember ever seeing a chiti bowie. This is on my list!


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davidf99 said:
I guess it's true that great minds think alike. I also have another Chit Bowie, and I also wanted this one mainly because it's the first. You did run the price up, but I will have the knife for many years and I've already almost forgotten the price.

My other Chit Bowie is by Sher, with a satisal handle. It's 15.5" OAL and 28 oz, a little heavier than the horn handled blade. The Sher handle has a larger bell and the sheath is thick brown leather. But why am I describing it in words, when a couple of pictures will do better:

View attachment 668274 View attachment 668275
Click to expand...

If it makes ya feel any better I bailed way early so someone else really wanted it too and that wasnt me. I really like the wood handled ones too. I had two Giant chits and a horn regular chit so I decided to pass my wood Chit on to a fellow amigo here so its still in the HI family:thumbup:

94f8e151d3d674cdd0c7f908dbf7bdcf


Now I have a set of horn Chits im happy with.
Uh no pic tho. Guess i need to do that.
 
ndoghouse said:
If it makes ya feel any better I bailed way early so someone else really wanted it too and that wasnt me. I really like the wood handled ones too. I had two Giant chits and a horn regular chit so I decided to pass my wood Chit on to a fellow amigo here so its still in the HI family:thumbup:

94f8e151d3d674cdd0c7f908dbf7bdcf


Now I have a set of horn Chits im happy with.
Uh no pic tho. Guess i need to do that.
Click to expand...

You're a good man dog! Or is it you're a good dog, dog? Such things confuse me. Bottom line is you have a long and a short chit with horns?
 
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Anyone after the "Sarge" from the same location? Just a heads up, I have one already by Bura with a combo horn/antler handle I got from Gehazi. It's pretty worn, but I'll bow out if another is interested.
 
On a related note, I thought I'd look up "The First HI Giant Chitlangi Bowie" (since one is on its way to me now), and it looks like the first one was made by Kumar almost exactly 10 years ago. It made quite a splash. Some of the comments about it:

holy cow!
Holy guacamole!
Holy Mother of God.
That could very well be the most beautiful blade that Himalayan Imports has ever made!
I hope they make more. Please, pretty please Yangdu, tell them to make more!!
...

from http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/439519-Giant-Chitlangi-Bowie
 
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