Tin chirra

S

SIx Magpies

Joined
Sep 29, 2017
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Hello all. I have just received the 18" tin chirra from the black fridays sales start now thread. Its my first HI and its a big one:). I have used the search function and checked the website but can't find much info on this style or it's intended use. Its big and heavy (34oz) with a full tang but its not on the list of field use blades? Could somebody please fill in the gaps for me:) thank you in advance
 
It sounds a lot like one that I have and they function well for processing wood, especially splitting. My particular one didn't cut into wood the greatest as it tended to blast through it instead. It does a lot better cutting/splitting vertically due to the weight and can be tiresome to swing sideways. It did cut stuff on the ground better than trying to take down a tree.

My model is thick in the cheeks so it doesn't bite much but it doesn't stick into the wood either.

If I remember right, the tin chirra refers to 3 fullers. Mine is a char chirra with 4. It's 19in and 44oz so still a bit larger than your so it could be thinner and bit into wood better instead of the tendency to push halves of log apart.
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The TC isn't really a regular item from the standard HI catalogue. Only Auntie Yangdu can tell you about the field use but I don't doubt this blade is up to whatever task you may want to throw at it. I was quite bummed that I missed out on this one and hoped we would see more like it in the holiday sales.
 
Thank you both for your help. I had to wait a week for customs to clear it here. I was starting to panic there was going to be an issue receiving it. After paying a ridiculous customs fee I picked it up today.
It certainly seems like a big heavy duty chopper I think maybe I'll take it out and have a go to see how it handles. I've spent the last few weeks reading about CAK's and M43's and lot's of other blades with initials I'm trying to remember and working out what's best for what but there is not really anything on these. At 34oz its as heavy as I could go, I can't imagine a 44oz!
 
I think the extra fullers (3, 4, or 5) are more about good looks instead of a different function. It's a fancier blade option where the kami shows his skill. The fullers can reduce the weight (when compared to a similar-sized blade) while not giving up strength in proportion, due to the "I-beam" effect.
 
I agree with Steve that the extra fullers are mostly for looks. I have one of the recent char chirras, about the same length and weight as bikerector's. Much too heavy for me to use as a chopper, though I have no doubt it would chop well.

It's hard to compare these blades with the more common HI choppers because relatively few of the fancy blades are made and they are probably bought mostly for collections (like personal, low-budget museum pieces) rather than rough use. It's like trying to compare a fancy officer's sword with the ones issued to regular soldiers; the officer's blade might perform better, worse or the same as the regular issue blade, but it's less likely to be put to the test (in the days when soldiers actually used swords).

One more point: The chopping ability of an HI blade depends as much on the edge geometry as the length, weight, number of fullers or blade shape. Heavy choppers like the AKs and Bonecutters have a lot of meat behind the edge, more axe-like than a knife used mainly for slicing. The HI char chirras seem to have pretty robust edges, but I don't have the means to easily measure them.
 
It is the best kindling splitter I have, more so than even my M43. Lately I have been using the Gelbu Special for this because it is just so much fun!!! (Auntie Yangdu's Brothers Knife)

I think the I-Beam is great, but I even like the extreme height of the blade. It cuts differently. It's the same reason I've taken to liking wider pocket knives and fixed blades.

Another reason I love the Tin Chirra is it seems very traditional. The handle shape, blade shape, and decoration are excellent and show a great deal of skill. To me I feel like it has to be as good as an Ang Kola.
 
Thank you all again. So i guess the chirra's are a family of their own. I wondered whether they were a tiered/weight reduced version of one of the different styles/family's of blades. With the full tang and weight it seems closest to a CAK than anything else. But then I'll probably get a CAK one day and the blade will be a different geometry as pointed out.

As i acquire more knowledge and pick up more blades and styles I'm sure it will all fall into place and i'll work out where this style fits in the picture.

From reading the forum it looks like a lighter weight m43 should be the next one to look out for:)

Thanks for all your help
 
Thank you I've just had a read. it was helpful. I agree it does seem close to the Salyan and AK.
 
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fkctrjt121 said:
Thank you all again. So i guess the chirra's are a family of their own. I wondered whether they were a tiered/weight reduced version of one of the different styles/family's of blades. With the full tang and weight it seems closest to a CAK than anything else. But then I'll probably get a CAK one day and the blade will be a different geometry as pointed out.

As i acquire more knowledge and pick up more blades and styles I'm sure it will all fall into place and i'll work out where this style fits in the picture.

From reading the forum it looks like a lighter weight m43 should be the next one to look out for:)

Thanks for all your help
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I’ve got 2 18” M43’s weighing a little over 27 oz, made by Kumar and I TRULY love the feel and performance of such a large, lightweight blade. Until someone actually handles one, I can’t describe how good they feel compared to my heavyweights!
 
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George Azar said:
I’ve got 2 18” M43’s weighing a little over 27 oz, made by Kumar and I TRULY love the feel and performance of such a large, lightweight blade. Until someone actually handles one, I can’t describe how good they feel contours my heavyweights!
Click to expand...

Yes I'm very tempted by these at a lighter weight. I recently received a sirupati at 15" 14 oz which i really like so I'm confused again now:)
 
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