Time to shrink another knife?

R

Radrunner

Joined
Mar 6, 2006
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234
Given how awesome the UBE turned out when it was shrunk from it's lovely sword-like state to a twelve inch knife of awesomeness, i thought it might be an idea to try shrinking another awesome knife: The Cherokee rose.

Most of the sales i've seen of this beauty put it around 20 inches... which is roughly the size of a machete. While making it awesome for chopping, brush clearing and be-heading zombies, I personally enjoy knives a touch smaller and more manageable unless I am actually looking for a... well... sword.

Now, rather than shrink the Cherokee rose to nine inches, or even 12, I was thinking of shrinking it to somewhere between 12 and 15 inches in order to make it more along the size lines of a traditional bowie knife.

Anyone have any thoughts?
 
Agree. The current 20" plus size is way too big for me. Smaller ones should be more practical and useful.

Ted
 
I would agree with a 15"-17" test run.

I would in no way suggest to stop the 18"-20" standard though! Style in spades!
 
Radrunner said:
Most of the sales i've seen of this beauty put it around 20 inches... which is roughly the size of a machete. While making it awesome for chopping, brush clearing and be-heading zombies, I personally enjoy knives a touch smaller and more manageable unless I am actually looking for a... well... sword.

Now, rather than shrink the Cherokee rose to nine inches, or even 12, I was thinking of shrinking it to somewhere between 12 and 15 inches in order to make it more along the size lines of a traditional bowie knife.
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When I was a lad, 50+ years ago, I liked to hang out at the G.A.R. Hall. That's Grand Army of the Republic, dudes. The vets were all dead, but the Hall had a fine military museum with a dozen Civil War bowie knives. The Cherokee Rose would have been average-sized in that collection: the biggest ones had 14"–15" blades and "D" ring hand guards. In that tradition, the only outsized thing on the Rose is its long handle, which moves the balance point back toward your hand. (A big "D" ring guard would do the same thing, but not as gracefully.)

A Civil War bowie knife was a short sword that could be used, in a pinch, for camp chores. It was designed for beheading sentries, and for fighting hand-to-hand in trenches and deep brush where a musket and bayonet would get hung up. Look at that hand guard! Why would you want that on a camping knife? This is a weapon for someone who knows the rudiments of fencing with a broadsword or saber. And about as practical nowadays as a rapier or a wheellock pistol . . . but gee, ain't it pretty? I never thought I'd be able to afford one.

I'd like to see a variety of sizes, 17"–18" and 22"–23" too. Would people buy them? Would it be a money-making proposition for HI? That's another question.

If you need a large clip-point utility knife, I think you'd do better with a Bura bowie.
 
What a Great idea, RR!
Sign me up for a "shrunken" one...
How about a 6 inch blade...
Sounds Superb to me!!!
Doc
 
Piso Mojado said:
If you need a large clip-point utility knife, I think you'd do better with a Bura bowie.
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I think you're missing the point. (Hahaha.. Knife... point! Get it?.. Sorry)

I'm fully aware that the current CR is too big for a "clip point utility knife", at least as it stands. Thus the logic that you shrink it down to say... 12, 15 inches and suddenly it fits the roll rather well. It follows, then, that you would use it in place of a Bura Bowie.

I mean, we have WWII's, BAS, AK's, all relatively similar (Simmer down die hards, stay with me ;) ). They all have subtle differences, but all perform relatively similar roles and application (yes, the balance and weight of one may make it slightly more suited to brush clearing versus tree-felling, again, bear with me). But if we have no problem with such similarities with our khukri's, with subtle differences separating them, why can we not have the same with bowie-style / utility sized knives?
 
I would like to see a Medium Chitlangi Bowie with a 12inch blade and 3/8ths spine at about 30 ounces ...somewhere between the Standard and Giant models for ordinary use by those having 'ordinary' sized hands and arms. ;) :D
 
I'd like the Kami's to shrink the Kerambit to about 6 or 7 inches and make the ring lower on the underside of the handle to make it more comfortable and true to a real kerambit.
I think these modifications would make it the perfect EDC for personal protection.
 
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I agree with Karda on the Kerambit idea. I noticed that as well - that the loop is too in-line with the handle to actually be able to comfortably put a finger through it like a true kerambit. The blade size is a little long for a true kerambit, i agree. That said, I love my kerambit as it is and wouldn't change a thing about it as it is of a perfect size and weight for a utility knife - if i only take one knife with me hiking, it's my kerambit.

That said, as Karda said, a smaller, more true "kerambit" would definitely be aswesome as well.
 
IRON HEAD said:
Would anyone object to a chirwa version of the shrunkin rose?
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I have no idea what a chiruwa handle would do to the Rose's balance. I supposed it would make it arguably stronger. I do remember reading years ago how Yvsa worked and worked to get the balance just right on the standard 20" model.

I have to say, mine balances like a sabre. It's a handful, but it does not feel its weight. I prefer the Rose just how she is at present. However, that is not to say that there is no room for a smaller version should demand be there. I do think that the 12" UBE improved the design several times over:):thumbup:
 
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