The first two HI Bancharos arrive. Pix and who gets them?

Bill Martino

Bill Martino

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Mar 5, 1999
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This is the HI Bancharo. The blade is about 4.5 inches high and about 5.5 inches across. Handle is about 15 inches overall length. I asked for two pounds. Number 1 weighs 32.5 ounces. Number two weighs 32.6 ounces. These two were made and marked by Sanu so I guess I don't need to say much about quality. He's got the edge hardened up to khukuri hardness -- around 58 Rc I'm guessing and the thing makes a nice ring when you run a file across the edge. Very good work by Sanu.

These first two look very much like something you would see in the village except the finish is considerably better on the HI version -- but not magic stone mirror like the khukuris. I don't especially like the handles and whoever gets these will probably want to make their own handle or secure these better than they are. I hate handles that don't hold what they are supposed to hold firmly and for years.

I can't locate our threads on bancharos so who do these first two go to? Oh, the price is $95 delivered to your door.

More are in the works.

I forgot the pix. Here it is:

View
 
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With the Bancharo it doesn't look like we wll need a 'Hawk model after all does it? :)

That should make a good thrower as well as I can tell from what I can guess about the edge geometry. The edges and blade doesn't appear to be overly thick where it counts to be a good thrower.
And 2 pounds is an excellent weight IMO.:)
 
This looks like a medieval implement to me. Uncle, any idea how old this design is? Were these ever used a weapons by the warrior caste? Or are they strictly a working man's agricultural tool?

I like this "hatchet/hawk" as much as any non-khukuri I have ever seen.



--Mike L.
 
We wierd and wacky woodchucks, or woodchuck wannabe's, would want one without wood. So that we may choose which wood we would want and have a weekend of whittleing while wondering of what to use our weee wittle wallets to order next.

(The letter for Wednsday is W) :D :D

Sorry guys, I needed a study break.
 
Nice use of alliteration Samuari. I agree, being a woodchuck myself, I would like a blade only and try my hand at producing a handle. It will have to get in line behind my bolo and a M43 though.
 
Unfortunately, these arrived immediately after vacation & right before an out-of-state family wedding. I'll have to pass for now but I will keep my eyes open for future deliveries.

I'd take one as is but, in addition to better handle fit, there are a few tweaks that I'd like to suggest. First, limit the height of the blade to <4" & end the points on the face sooner, as I've tried to depict below. IMO, this would allow for a better stick when thrown as well as give it better thrusting potential. With the weight thus saved, it might be possible to add a spike & still keep the weight in the 2 lb. range.
 

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Thanks for input. I know these two are gone but to whom?

I don't know how old this design is except that it is very old. And, I can't say the warriors ever used this as a standard weapon but if I had nothing else available I'd sure give it a try.
 
The head looks like it has the potential to be used as an ulu or fleshing/scraping tool when detached from the handle.
 
How wide is the head at the two points, where it returns back towards the handle. Pretty cool axe. TOO MANY TOYS. But I like'um!
 
I didn't read your text close enough you already answered my question. I've been out on the forge all day and its in the 90's, I'm a little spaced. But I do like her.
 
Wow -- that's a tomahawk handle! Is that a traditional Nepali design??? Or is it based on a model Yvsa or somebody made for them?

That kind of handle attachment is designed for easy removal, and it can't come off accidentally, but it can loosen on you. Fitting it so it doesn't loosen when you don't want it to but still comes off when you want can be a little tricky -- here's a link to a thread in the new tomahawk forum where Two Hawks explains how he does it: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=165879

I've never seen a tomahawk handle with ferrules at both ends before, only at the butt end.
 
Hi Uncle Bill,
I believe I was on the list. The first run looks pretty cool! Personally, I'd like the back to be hammer polled rather than the spike brian sugggests, for overall utility. Unfortunately, the blem I bought last week completely tapped me out. I have to wait for the next batch, I guess.

Patrick
 
I dunno if I'm on the list (doubt it), but I'd like one about 2x the size of these. I'll pay in advance, if needed. If that's not an option, (and the folk who were on the list pass) I'll take one of these.
 
I still can't find anything when I search for bancharos so I guess these two are up for grabs.

Call or email if you want one and when we find the old threads we'll take it from there.

As I said, don't blame me blame the search function.
 
Oh, Uncle? If I can get a larger one made, I'd appreciate it if Sanu made it, and you told I especially wanted him to make it.
 
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