Various questions

D

Darteres

Joined
Feb 4, 2008
Messages
380
I snagged the YCS that was listed on the DOTD a few days back, can't wait to get it! As I was browsing through the forum, I noticed a review on a Ganga Ram. The blade looks really similar to the YCS. Is the only difference the handle? Or the two kardas and the awl on the YCS versus the standard set-up?

I'm looking at making the YCS my carry blade for camping/hiking/yard work. What is the general view on doing this? I REALLY like how the carvings on the handle look. I think back to the olden days, when you had a knife, and it was YOUR knife and you kept it for life or you didn't have a life. Wouldn't you want a unique knife? The handles really look like they are going to set this one apart from the others I have (18 in M-43, 16 in AK, 12 in AK). Honestly though, am I an idiot to use a knife with handles that nice? To take it in the woods hunting, fishing, camping? Be honest. Say "Brian, don't do it, you're an idiot, use the M-43" or something like that.

That brings me to my next question. Who has a YCS? How does it compare to what else you have? Chopping, digging, whatever you put it through?

Finally, how do YOU carry your blades? I've seen these quick draw baldric-style sheathes, and they just blow my mind. I would LOVE something like that, but I know I don't have the skills to make one. Still, that would probably be idea, with one of the kardas on the flat of the blade part and the other at chest level on the baldric strap. Something like that. So how do you carry your standard scabbard blades? My M-43 sometimes rides on my hip on the belt through my pants, but honestly, it weights my pants down. Maybe a secondary belt, a la gunslinger style pistol belt? Currently I strap it to the side of my day-pack if I'm going out long enough to bring one. Can just reach over my shoulder and slide it out. It sticks up kind of like an arrow out of a quiver.
 
Also, this one has a wood handle, while all my others are horn. The M-43 horn has shrunk a bit, so the tang is raised. I'm going to have that sanded out eventually, but I use gloves a lot so it isn't such a problem. Do the wood handles shrink any? Do you think the carvings would cause blisters to develop if I used it without gloves? Most of the time that I use one for more than 5 min, I'm moving brush, so I already have gloves. Just curious.
 
I used to have a YCS.

I have several Ganga Rams.

The YCS I had weighed nearly 2 lbs and the handle was super big. Also it was top heavy and would not hang down on my belt.

The blade shape on the Ganga Ram is difft than the YCS.

I like the blade shape on the YCS probably the best of any khuk but too heavy.

I'd dearly love it if they made a 17" YCS that was in the 23 to 27 oz range.

On the other hand most of the Ganga are 23 to 25oz and 17" and the handles are not too wide for my hands.

My YCS was a tremendous chopper though. About like an axe. But I like a khuk that I can carry on my belt in the woods so for me about 27 oz is tops. Most YCS's are 30 oz or above.
 
Darteres said:
I snagged the YCS that was listed on the DOTD a few days back, can't wait to get it!
Click to expand...
Thanks. You saved me from spending money I don't have.

Darteres said:
I'm looking at making the YCS my carry blade for camping/hiking/yard work. What is the general view on doing this? I REALLY like how the carvings on the handle look. I think back to the olden days, when you had a knife, and it was YOUR knife and you kept it for life or you didn't have a life. Wouldn't you want a unique knife?. . .Honestly though, am I an idiot to use a knife with handles that nice?
Click to expand...
Nope, go ahead and use it. I've got a few HI knives with carved handles, some even nicer than those if you can believe it, and I use the hell out of them. I think these blades (or at least their Kamis) would be insulted if you kept them under glass.

Darteres said:
Finally, how do YOU carry your blades? I've seen these quick draw baldric-style sheathes, and they just blow my mind.
Click to expand...
Well, when I get back to work and get some money, I'm planning on sending my 20" CAK (my goto Kukri) to ilbruche for a quickdraw sheath.
Right now I carry the standard scabbard on a long rifle sling baldric-style. Carried baldricstyle, even at a little over 3.5 pounds, I hardly notice the weight, whereas on a belt, it feels like a ton of lead trying to drag the belt around my ankles (this is a GI pistol belt, it's way too heavy for a standard pants belt). I don't use the karda as even my largest I can only get two fingers on and it's just too small for me. I carry a second knife on another sheath, either an HI R-10 or a BRKT Aurora, depending on my mood.
 
Cpl Punishment said:
I don't use the karda as even my largest I can only get two fingers on and it's just too small for me. I carry a second knife on another sheath, either an HI R-10 or a BRKT Aurora, depending on my mood.
Click to expand...

I believe I read that the kardas are between 7.5 - 8 inches, so I'm hoping they are going to be really useful. I went by the hardware store looking for a belt grinder earlier today, and snagged a tool belt that I'm going to try with my M-43 tomorrow when I clear some saplings from the yard.
 
I had a carved YCS for a bit. It was massive. There was no way I could wield it effectively. It was 20", 51 ounces and half an inch thick. The karda and chakma were carved and very nice.

My only complaint was the blunt awl. I guess they got a mock up that had the tip broken off....and ever since they have made triangular awls with no tip. Maybe Yangdu can take care of that for us while she is in Nepal.

If that awl was sharp it would be an awesome tool.

I can make you a rig for your khuk. I just finished this one today for a BGRS that I put a stacked leather handle on.

IMG_6508.jpg
 
Might have to take you up on that sheath option. I'm hoping the blade is manageable for me. It's the same size/weight as my m-43, so I'm really hoping this is just going to be a step-up in the handle dept. There will be a compare/contrast review to be sure.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top