We've had plenty of debate here on what makes a "good" khukuri.
One of the primary debates has been one of HI khukuris being overbuilt and too heavy.
The term and idea are really entirely subjective and only relative to the stature and fitness of the user and his preferences....with consideration as to what the user will plan to use the khukuri for as it's primary function..
Which means that a user who is smaller in stature and lighter in weight will not prefer or even be able to wield the same size khukuri that a much taller and heavier user will be able to. A 5'-120lb user will find that a 20"-35+oz khukuri will likely be hard to use and possibly dangerously uncontrollable. He will not be able to swing that khukuri properly on target with proper technique.
Give that same khukuri to a person whom is 6+'-220lbs who works out and he will may find it to be a pleasure to use.
It is up to the buyer to know his limitations, ask questions and try to match his purchase as closely as possible to his preferences, plans for usage and physical abilities.
Then we come to the subject of the khukuri itself.....
I'd be willing to bet that while our kamis are making these larger heavier thick spined khukuris, they are wondering just what us crazy americans think we are doing? Why don't we just use a hatchet or axe as they were meant to be used, instead of trying to process lumber with a khukuri?
A lighter khukuri that is easy to pack while trekking does not make that khukuri a better chopper. You may be able to carry it easier. You may be able to swing it easier. But the lack of mass and lack of spine thickness will almost always mean that you will need 2-3 times as many strikes to achieve the same chopping ability as a heavily built chopper.
I can guarantee you that if you put the 5'-120lb guy with a 17"-25oz khukuri up against the 6'-220lb guy with a 18"-35oz khukuri, the larger guy will always win....not just because of the size difference in user or length, but because the mass of the khukuri will allow him to more effectively chop with fewer strikes than the lighter guy with the lighter khukuri.
Batoning is a separate issue, but also must follow the same general rules of physics that by nature, everything must follow.
A more heavily built khukuri with it's thicker spine and more wedge like shape will likely baton better than a lighter less wedge shaped khukuri. A heavier built khukuri with it's thicker spine will also likely hold up better to the practice of batoning just because it is more durably built.
Then come the variety of different styles of khukuri you see from different districts in Nepal.
First one must understand that the Nepali people never designed this knife with the intention of it ever being used as you would a hatchet or axe. To the ghorka, this is a weapon, and was designed with that sole purpose as it's primary function.
The sirupate especially was designed as a weapon, even HI's own, somewhat overbuilt sirupate is not meant for chopping wood. That is why it is not warranted for such usage.
The difference in styles from different districts is mostly the cosmetic treatment of the blade, but can also be attributed to the difference in styles of usage. A ghorka border patrol sentry will likely prefer a light sirupate style and weighted khukuri, whereas a farmer or butcher using the khukuri in a different manner for a different purpose may prefer a heavier khukuri to his liking and suitability for the task.
So, Einstein;
Before condemning heavier khukuri and condemning Himalayan Imports for producing them. Please consider the above and be honest about your physical limitations as well as your understanding of the sometimes not-quite-so-simple laws of natural physics.
Please understand that we are all different, therefore the khukuri produced will all be different.
What works for you as a smaller person will usually not work well for a larger person....and vice versa.
All things being subjective and honest, it is up to you, the end user to match the khukuri to your abilities and ideal usage.
Himalayan Imports only strives to produce khukuri of different sizes, shapes and weights to accommodate the likewise variation in the differences of our customers.
One of the primary debates has been one of HI khukuris being overbuilt and too heavy.
The term and idea are really entirely subjective and only relative to the stature and fitness of the user and his preferences....with consideration as to what the user will plan to use the khukuri for as it's primary function..
Which means that a user who is smaller in stature and lighter in weight will not prefer or even be able to wield the same size khukuri that a much taller and heavier user will be able to. A 5'-120lb user will find that a 20"-35+oz khukuri will likely be hard to use and possibly dangerously uncontrollable. He will not be able to swing that khukuri properly on target with proper technique.
Give that same khukuri to a person whom is 6+'-220lbs who works out and he will may find it to be a pleasure to use.
It is up to the buyer to know his limitations, ask questions and try to match his purchase as closely as possible to his preferences, plans for usage and physical abilities.
Then we come to the subject of the khukuri itself.....
I'd be willing to bet that while our kamis are making these larger heavier thick spined khukuris, they are wondering just what us crazy americans think we are doing? Why don't we just use a hatchet or axe as they were meant to be used, instead of trying to process lumber with a khukuri?
A lighter khukuri that is easy to pack while trekking does not make that khukuri a better chopper. You may be able to carry it easier. You may be able to swing it easier. But the lack of mass and lack of spine thickness will almost always mean that you will need 2-3 times as many strikes to achieve the same chopping ability as a heavily built chopper.
I can guarantee you that if you put the 5'-120lb guy with a 17"-25oz khukuri up against the 6'-220lb guy with a 18"-35oz khukuri, the larger guy will always win....not just because of the size difference in user or length, but because the mass of the khukuri will allow him to more effectively chop with fewer strikes than the lighter guy with the lighter khukuri.
Batoning is a separate issue, but also must follow the same general rules of physics that by nature, everything must follow.
A more heavily built khukuri with it's thicker spine and more wedge like shape will likely baton better than a lighter less wedge shaped khukuri. A heavier built khukuri with it's thicker spine will also likely hold up better to the practice of batoning just because it is more durably built.
Then come the variety of different styles of khukuri you see from different districts in Nepal.
First one must understand that the Nepali people never designed this knife with the intention of it ever being used as you would a hatchet or axe. To the ghorka, this is a weapon, and was designed with that sole purpose as it's primary function.
The sirupate especially was designed as a weapon, even HI's own, somewhat overbuilt sirupate is not meant for chopping wood. That is why it is not warranted for such usage.
The difference in styles from different districts is mostly the cosmetic treatment of the blade, but can also be attributed to the difference in styles of usage. A ghorka border patrol sentry will likely prefer a light sirupate style and weighted khukuri, whereas a farmer or butcher using the khukuri in a different manner for a different purpose may prefer a heavier khukuri to his liking and suitability for the task.
So, Einstein;
Before condemning heavier khukuri and condemning Himalayan Imports for producing them. Please consider the above and be honest about your physical limitations as well as your understanding of the sometimes not-quite-so-simple laws of natural physics.
Please understand that we are all different, therefore the khukuri produced will all be different.
What works for you as a smaller person will usually not work well for a larger person....and vice versa.
All things being subjective and honest, it is up to you, the end user to match the khukuri to your abilities and ideal usage.
Himalayan Imports only strives to produce khukuri of different sizes, shapes and weights to accommodate the likewise variation in the differences of our customers.
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, I do enjoy my KVLUKs for brush work , and the bigger blades for soft woods, and hopefully I can buy a HI axe one day 
