The Yvsa/Powell Naming Conventions

Howard Wallace

Howard Wallace

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Here is John’s drawing showing the conventions he and Yvsa came up with.

PowellDrawing01.gif


John has also provided pictures and measurements (per above drawing) for a number of knives from his collection. I’ll be posting them in the FAQ soon.
 
Thanks for posting that Howard. I hope it helps with the questions regarding measurements.
As YVSA pointed out the overall length is determined by a straight line from blade tip to highest point on the buttcap.

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JP
 
:
The standards should make things easier for all of us.
A somewhat clear picture can be drawn from the measurements even if you haven't seen the khukuri!!
I just noticed the only measurement missing is the width of the blade at the bolster.
That would clutter up the drawing too much though. The important ones are there.

The pix of John's old khukuri's are something to behold!!

John, I meant to ask?
I noticed that the drop on the old ones are all pretty close to the same.
Have you see any where the drop was as much as 5 inches?
Three and 7/8" are the ones with the most drop that you have listed with 3 1/8" being the least.

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>>>>---¥vsa---->®

"Know your own bone, gnaw at it, bury it, unearth it again."

'Thoreau'

Khukuri FAQ
 
YVSA, I was pretty fascinated that with all those different knives the 'drop' measurements were so close. It goes along with your theory about 'drop'=handling. These kamis must have been amazing mechanical engineers.
Besides the "hanshees" in Bill's pix from the museum in Kathmandu, the only khukuri I have seen and handled that had more of a 'drop' was at the Royal Armoury. I am guessing that measured a good 4+ inches. These old ultra curved khukuris are harder to find especially with a sheath. I see them at auction occasionally.

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JP
 
Even the drawing has beautiful lines, and appropriate proportions. If I ever find that square of ivory...
 
Glad you like the lines on the drawing Rusty.
The knife I traced them from is a very well made dui chirra kothimora, silver furniture, rhino horn handle...but in miniature!
ol: 10 3/8"
drop: 2 1/8"
grip: 3 1/4"
blade: 7"
belly: 1 9/16"

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JP
 


I can't wait until this project really gets off the ground! The pics look very promising. I already want one and it doesn't exsist yet! Good luck, even though I don't think its neccesary.

- D
 
Kinda funny most of the sheathes on Terry's sakri page are on john's page. I love the leather caped one! gotta send him some work...


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"Clear a path for the Kukhri or it will clear one for itself"
 
John and Yvsa,
Many thanks for standardizing our measurement nomenclature. Would it be possible to add a LOA measurement (distance from knife tip to handle highest point) or include the angle of the b,d intersection (which I think would allow the length of the base of the triangle to be calculated if I remembered my geometry, which I don't
redface.gif
).
Berk
 
:
Bro. since most of the lod timers are usually a lt thinner I don't think we need a top view.
I have one for the prototype drawing, but it's probably too thick to actually duplicate an antique.
My apologies for not getting the copies made today, but I will do my bst to get them done somewhere tomorrow and get them off to Howard for posting.
I have a couple of other things that I need to pack and get them in the mail Tuesday.
The new belt sander from Grizzly Industrial will be a grat aid in helping make the prototype khukuri!!
That is if it ever gets here.
frown.gif

I guess the company has a hard time keeping them in stock.



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>>>>---¥vsa---->®

"Know your own bone, gnaw at it, bury it, unearth it again."

'Thoreau'

Khukuri FAQ
 
Thickness has to be part of the package. My recommendation would be at two places:
1. at the ricasso right below the bolster
2. at the line the belly depth is determined.
Berk, I think OAL is critical also...I just didn't indicate the line in the drawing.
Glad this seems to be working for everyone.
Now if my measuring partner YVSA will send off that micrometer...

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JP
 
Thickness has to be part of the package. My recommendation would be at two places:
1. at the ricasso right below the bolster
2. at the line the belly depth is determined.
Berk, I think OAL is critical also...I just didn't indicate the line in the drawing.
Glad this seems to be working for everyone.
Now if my measuring partner YVSA will send off that micrometer...

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JP
 
John,

You can pick up a plastic vernier quite cheaply. These have an accuracy of .001" which is quite adequate for kami tolerances.

One question. Could we measure drop on the inside curve of the blade? I think the inside curve contributes more to the khukuri's performance.


Will
 
Put ALL the measurements down. Just don't do it on the same template. Or more precisely, have 2 or 3 identical templates one above the other.

#1 - measurements/terms A, B, C, D
#2 - measurements/terms E, F, G, H
#3 - measurements/terms J, K, L, M
( No letter I used to avoid confusion of cap. I (eye) vs. num 1 (one).

Then go to other views as needed, i.e. top, rear, etc.
 
Yvsa and John, I wish to add my thanks. You guys did a great, and much-needed, job. Thanks, again.
 
Rusty,
I think simple is better.
5 basic measurements for general description take care of basic nomenclature.

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JP
 
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