I was out of town last week and went by the office today were the Uncle Bill Especiale and Kumar Kobra were waiting on my desk. I have only had a chance to quickly examine them, but would like to comment.
One thing I'm really pleased with is that both have long handles. I have an HI 15" sirupati and a GH 15" No. 1 where the diamond shape buttcap likes to "dig" into my hand, but the UBE and KK have no such problems. Further, the KK is quite comfortable in a saber grip. The handle on the UBE is nicely "oversized", and I think I will find this comfortable (and secure!) on this thick, stout 18" blade. If this is part of a trend to "Americanize" the size of the handles, I like it.
The Kumar Kobra: neat. I really like the thin blade. Is it only this thin because it is made from a file? Else, I would be interested in other blade patterns around this thickness -- kind of less of a sharpened prybar. I also like the wood handle. The dynamics sure are different, even compared to the 15" Sirupati.
The Uncle Bill Especiale: my buddy and I probably gleefully chortled like Beavis and Butthead as we admired it. The looks grow on you from the online photo, but they are much more impressive in real life. I don't have an AK, so this is the biggest, heaviest "chopper" I've yet acquired. Experience is the best teacher, and I learned about the upswept tip the first time I sheathed it by slightly piercing the back of the scabbard. Doh! Where's the epoxy? Again, I really like the longer, oversized handle. My buddy is on a big knife kick (mostly Marbles, also a 1909 Bolo he reworked) and instantly said "this is what I have been looking for in a khukuri" meaning the "handle capacity". The accessories are well done, with the mimic of the main blade curve a nice touch. The double fullers are cool. As another thread suggested, your namesake model may be underappreciated.
Thanks again, and I look forward to continued "lurking" for your forum specials.
One thing I'm really pleased with is that both have long handles. I have an HI 15" sirupati and a GH 15" No. 1 where the diamond shape buttcap likes to "dig" into my hand, but the UBE and KK have no such problems. Further, the KK is quite comfortable in a saber grip. The handle on the UBE is nicely "oversized", and I think I will find this comfortable (and secure!) on this thick, stout 18" blade. If this is part of a trend to "Americanize" the size of the handles, I like it.
The Kumar Kobra: neat. I really like the thin blade. Is it only this thin because it is made from a file? Else, I would be interested in other blade patterns around this thickness -- kind of less of a sharpened prybar. I also like the wood handle. The dynamics sure are different, even compared to the 15" Sirupati.
The Uncle Bill Especiale: my buddy and I probably gleefully chortled like Beavis and Butthead as we admired it. The looks grow on you from the online photo, but they are much more impressive in real life. I don't have an AK, so this is the biggest, heaviest "chopper" I've yet acquired. Experience is the best teacher, and I learned about the upswept tip the first time I sheathed it by slightly piercing the back of the scabbard. Doh! Where's the epoxy? Again, I really like the longer, oversized handle. My buddy is on a big knife kick (mostly Marbles, also a 1909 Bolo he reworked) and instantly said "this is what I have been looking for in a khukuri" meaning the "handle capacity". The accessories are well done, with the mimic of the main blade curve a nice touch. The double fullers are cool. As another thread suggested, your namesake model may be underappreciated.
Thanks again, and I look forward to continued "lurking" for your forum specials.
