Three Big 18 Inch Khukuris

Daniel Koster

Daniel Koster

www.kosterknives.com
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 18, 2001
Messages
20,978
Here's the overall photo. Analysis to follow.

From the top...

Hanuman
WWII
YCS

3-18inchers.jpg


I'm sure you all can already see where I'm going with this one, and maybe you'll beat me to it?

;)

:p
 
and it's going to take 1000 words for me to complete my analysis...:p
 
actually, it's not a reflection, it's a bruise...

:p :p :eek: :D
 
..and a little demystification. I'm one of those who can't help but like explanations. Sometimes that's good but sometimes it's a kind of cheat- someonelse doing the thinking for me. If there'd been a, Handbook On Life, with operating instructions I'd probably own it.

But back to knives, I'm fascinated why one model per subjective opinion seems to 'cut better," than another with nearly equal or slightly different dimensions.

munk
 
From Top to Bottom:

- Hanuman
- WWII
- YCS

Here they are against a white background:


18-1.jpg





Now, with the colors applied, placed on a level, and lines added.

18-2.jpg




Hopefully, you're already started to see the differences.

To help, we'll remove the knives, leaving a void.

Look at the individual pieces of blue and red colors. The colored blocks are all exactly the same size.

18-3.jpg




First thing I noticed: the handle of the YCS is the longest of the bunch - something I hadn't noticed from merely handling all 3 knives.

When I got the Hanuman, I thought it was more similar to the YCS, but here it looks closer to the WWII in size, shape and bend.

The 1st set of arrows (from L to R) illustrate the terminal bend angle of the blade. The Hanuman and WWII are more "aggressive" while the YCS is more relaxed.

The 2nd set of arrows shows the difference in belly size, the WWII being the most narrow, the Hanuman a close second, and the YCS having the largest belly.

The 3rd set of arrows shows the location of the cho relative to the handle (demarked by the angled lines). The Hanuman's cho is farther out than the other two.

The 4th arrow (farthest R) is pointing out the rise in the underside of the handle of the Hanuman. Look at the "negative space" below the handle (the amount of blue). Now look at the amount of red above the handle. The Hanuman handle is more "straight" and less bent compared to the other two.

18-4.jpg


So why is it that my first impression of the Hanuman was that it felt more like my YCS?

I think that even though it has a smaller belly, the blade is effectively longer (shorter handle). That makes them closer in blade weight or "swing weight". The WWII is clearly the easiest "swinger", of the group because of this. However, you will get as much swing weight out of the Hanuman as you would with the YCS. Plus the balance is about the same in the hand.

More analysis to come...
 
:o **blushing** :o

....slight hiccup in making the post...

Sure have been a lot of those lately...:eek:
 
The YCS makes up in belly (?) what it doesn't have in curve. If this is true, then if you had a straight blade with a lot of metal on the end, would it swing and strike like a khukuri? I think, no. The angle adds physical/dynamic properties.

munk
 
Think about it this way:

The effective strike angle of all three knives is about the same. The YCS just has more blade behind the strike area.

It's a longer wedge.
 
Good stuff. Every time I post a pix now I end up getting the "web site not responding" notice but sometimes my post gets up anyway.
 
I just got back from an overnight camping trip at the C&O Canal in Potomac, MD (Great Falls area).

I had a chance to put the YCS to a good test. I couldn't take all three with me, unfortunately.

I tried carrying it on my belt but I had put on my "baggy, loose" shorts and they kept sliding down...:eek: :eek: :eek: (*yikes!*)

I think I'll make a leather belt just for carrying the khuks around - sort of a heavy duty utility belt - batman style...:D

Because I also carry my Victorinox Champ XLT as my EDC.

Don't tell my wife though, because she'll want me to make a "quick-release-diaper-pouch" to go with it! :p ;)
 
Pen, I'm not an engineer. I know some engineers, and may ask. Yes, the YCS makes up less angle with more metal added to the end of the blade, effectively putting the cutting surface at the same point in 'space' as the other blades. However, are you absolutely sure the absence of the angle does not translate into other qualities? What are the blow characteristics, the shock? I wonder if swung with equal force the steeper angled khuks don't deliver more pounds per square inch of force per weight of the khuk than the YCS.

This is why I'm not an engineer. I see if you filled in the other Khukuris with metal they would have less angle too. They would be heavier though.

Ahh Pen. I'm the guy who underneath the truck staring at a bolt has to say, "Rightly tighty lefty lucy."
I gave up early gunsmithing tasks once I killed a few good guns.

munk
 
Aren't pants that fall down the style nowadays?

Can't wait for the test results. :)

I figure the YCS will work best for brush while the heaviest one will be the best for chopping the harder stuff. Just my theories. I don't wield anything over 16.5 very well. :(
 
Originally posted by munk
Ahh Pen. I'm the guy who underneath the truck staring at a bolt has to say, "Rightly tighty lefty lucy."
Click to expand...

I did the same until I was about 14. :D I still have to think "which hand do I usually pick up the ratchet with?" :p

The joys of ambidexerity. :rolleyes:
 
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