very light, fast blade

H

hawk3/21

Joined
Aug 6, 2014
Messages
179
OK guys, im looking for a light, fast, manueverable blade. Partially because my hand is partially numb from typing here, spine damage.......and generally getting old. 10-12" blade, under 500gr (17.6 oz) prefered or close. I thought the sirupati was it, but mine is so long its hard to say. The 20" must be 1 or 2 lbs

Is the siru that much lighter in a 10" blade or do you have to get it from certain kami's? Im a lefty and the sharp point on the butt digs into my hand, not so when I hold it with my right. I noticed the butt isn't centered with the blade but off to one side. This allows the point glide over my right hand, but digs into my left. Its not attached wrong or twisted, it seems to be designed to maximize comfort and grip. Also the pinky and ring finger sit more comfortably with the right. As if there are subtle differences in the shape leftto right. Well, hope I dedescribed it good enough.

Of course the other designs dont have this pointy butt, so maybe a non issue with them.

http:// [URL=http://s28.photobucket.com/user/jcashell67/media/20140815_113030_zpsqtefo2yq.jpg.html][/URL]
 
 
Ps, I love this beast from the east. Been using it for therapy, arms and shoulders. Just holding it and tapping a ball on a string is already challenging with its weight. ROM doing circular motions with the shoulder, etc.

I was surprised it didnt sharpen fast. I did have a bunch of blades to work on, just came home from visiting parents. So I didnt work on it too long. Still, I expected the edge to start popping with the first belt....a well worn 220 grit.

Well, ill start a forum search on sharpening and see what I can find. Any links would be appreciated. ......can anyone tell im proud of this blade, my first hand made, hand forged.
 
That looks like Kami brothers Kumar and Sher. They are excellent kamis, and were with HI from early on, left to pursue other interests, and have recently come back to HI. Due to the UB mark, this looks like the work they've done recently.

A 20" Sirupate would be heavy and unwieldy, due to your described physical limitations.

Light fast blade for slashing vines and such? or for self defensive purposes?

A 15" blade would have more balance, and feel more neutral in hand. A 15" Sirupate is a good choice, but I would also consider the Kumar Kobra, Gelbu Special, Bashpati (doesn't have the bell at the end of the handle, nothing to "dig" into your hand)

I personally have a 18" Bashpati by Rajkumar in my nightstand, near my bed, and it is a very fast blade, and very easy to control. I do not have the largest hands, nor the strongest hands, wrist, or arm, but I have full control of my Bashpati, and I feel sorry for anyone on the other side of my blade while I am in control of it.

Actual pic of my Bashpati:
 
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hawk3/21 said:
Well, ill start a forum search on sharpening and see what I can find. Any links would be appreciated. ......can anyone tell im proud of this blade, my first hand made, hand forged.
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I am sure some more seasoned veterans of this forum will be along, and give you their secrets to sharpening a khukuri.

I just use my chakma (or is it karda?) to keep a working edge on my khukuris and they perform just fine.
 
All of the Khukuris that I have gotten that were made by Kumar and Sher have the six-pointed star, and the small sun with a single ray in each of the four directions, just like yours does.

P.S. for a fast blade, you might consider one of the smaller chainpuris - some of them are very light and fast blades. And my recently acquired Yek Chirra by Thamar, while a much larger blade at 18", only weights 21.1 ounces and is also very fast.
 
That is such a beautiful blade. Fastest blade I can think of would be a Kumar Kobra. Also, what is that gold colored stuff in the carvings? I have some of it on my BVCAK and have been wondering what it is.
 
CubeLW said:
That is such a beautiful blade. Fastest blade I can think of would be a Kumar Kobra. Also, what is that gold colored stuff in the carvings? I have some of it on my BVCAK and have been wondering what it is.
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I believe it is brass inlay.

I am sure others will be along to verify my claims, or disagree.
 
I have mixed luck sharpening. I use a ken onion worksharp to keep a convex edge. But I still have to free hand this larger blades. It also mars the finish when using the guides. Wouldnt the karda remove the convex edge? Or due they all have a secondary flat bevel off the conv ex? Hmmmm

I love the 18" bashpati, its a beautiful piece. Im surprised its so nimble being 18". The kobra looks interesting too, but I need to build a comparison chart. Ill try and find the others. Are they just forged thinner? Is there any chart or link where you see weights and handle lengths?

Well, hands are numb, I 'll g y more later
 
My 21 inch Chitlangi has these same kami marks so I guess that it was made by Kumar and Sher as moparsbob said but I still don't know if one kami made the blade and another did the handle or what, it would be nice to have some more information on these markings and know for sure. The web site says that the 18 inch Kobra weighs about 18 ounces so you could maybe order one with a shorter blade for a very light and fast blade.
 
I have found that sometimes, even though a blade may be listed lighter than another, it may feel heavier or even feel forward heavier, due to the shape, and how much steel is in the handle (traditional vs full tang (CAK)) to counterbalance the wieght.

In other words, 2 - 15" inch 17oz AK, but one with the traditional handle, and one full tang, will feel different in the hand, because the weight distribution will be different, the balance point will shift toward the handle usually with the full tang. Not always the case, because these kamis can do some miraculous things.
 
Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. I definitely need a lighter blade too. I planned on one heavy and one light. It looks like the 20" sirupati will just visit for a while. I may save it for my nephew.

So, how is the full tang vs stick tang for work. Does it change the kukri from its natural balance and effectiveness?

Good to hear kami sher may have had a hand in mine. I read a great post about his work before i went with HI. The brass inlay is a nice touch.
 
Tang wise, it's mainly personal preference.

There is a belief, and probably true, that the traditional handles are just as good as the full tangs, there has never been a failure, as far as I know. The full tangs transmit vibrations from the blade when striking targets, and the traditional handles absorb them better, thus stalling hand fatigue from setting in when using a Khukuri, which is a good thing, because you do not want to swing a Khukuri when tired.

The traditional handles actually go all the way through the handle, and peened over on the end.

I personally like the traditional handles, and recently, I have found that the ones with a slight curved drop are very ergonomically comfortable.
 
hawk3/21 said:
Ill try and upload some pics if you guys could help with which markings which. Ie, is the star of David the makers mark, etc. Im sure its has another meaning in nepal.http:// [URL=http://s28.photobucket.com/user/jcashell67/media/20140815_112521_zpsgmxts3i1.jpg.html][/URL]http:// [URL=http://s28.photobucket.com/user/jcashell67/media/20140815_112800_zpsdgazcfeg.jpg.html][/URL]http:// [URL=http://s28.photobucket.com/user/jcashell67/media/20140815_112842_zpsuirhyaqu.jpg.html][/URL]http:// [URL=http://s28.photobucket.com/user/jcashell67/media/20140815_112508_zps6k23a4sg.jpg.html][/URL]
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Get the pro belt attachment for the work sharp :) you'll be shaving with all your khukuri in no time!!

Do not attempt sharpening khukuri with blame guide it comes with as it will not work for proper angle since khukuri is so thick.
hawk3/21 said:
I have mixed luck sharpening. I use a ken onion worksharp to keep a convex edge. But I still have to free hand this larger blades. It also mars the finish when using the guides. Wouldnt the karda remove the convex edge? Or due they all have a secondary flat bevel off the conv ex? Hmmmm

I love the 18" bashpati, its a beautiful piece. Im surprised its so nimble being 18". The kobra looks interesting too, but I need to build a comparison chart. Ill try and find the others. Are they just forged thinner? Is there any chart or link where you see weights and handle lengths?

Well, hands are numb, I 'll g y more later
Click to expand...
 
absolutely beautiful knife hawks-- supreme first example, love the small flourish symbols-- and I believe the current user of the 6 point star is young kumar-- sher's middle brother?
 
Great pix and post, thank you
 
I agree with everything you say, particularly that iv never read of the stick tang failing. The only problem im having is the handles are a bit cramped for my hand. I know I've read here of particular models with more western size handles, I wish I had noted them. But most were full tang designs....m43??? So it begs the question, will I lose the weight forward effect and to what extant. Or am I better off just reshaping the handles to fit me? I am loath to remove the raised ring in the wood, so it would have to be the butt area.

I have just received a package in the mail. More of a villager style, about 15 oal, with a 10-10 1/2" blade. I need a scale, it is not a siru style, but the weight is great. A very manageable size for me. It does have the elongated butt plate digging into my hand, but at $9 less than my Ontario sp50 I can easily sand it for my best fit and comfort.

The more curved handle is an interesting choice.....of coarse this means I may have quite a few in the end. I guess I can always trade the ones that dont fit.........lol, I doubt it. My gf was already on me this morning for having so many knives...probably my fault for insisting they all be on the coffee table so that I can admire them each day

cul4u01 said:
Tang wise, it's mainly personal preference.

There is a belief, and probably true, that the traditional handles are just as good as the full tangs, there has never been a failure, as far as I know. The full tangs transmit vibrations from the blade when striking targets, and the traditional handles absorb them better, thus stalling hand fatigue from setting in when using a Khukuri, which is a good thing, because you do not want to swing a Khukuri when tired.

The traditional handles actually go all the way through the handle, and peened over on the end.

I personally like the traditional handles, and recently, I have found that the ones with a slight curved drop are very ergonomically comfortable.
Click to expand...
 
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Truthfully, I am not sure, but I do not believe the traditional handles are a stick tang, or rat tail, I believe they are are much more substantial, but they just are not "sandwiched" between two scales like the chiruwa full tang handle (ses below):



Any filing or custom shaping you do to the handles, I doubt will effect the balance point very much, if not at all. Many of the members here customize their khukuris via filing, changing scales, sanding, adding paracord for girth increase, etc... I have never heard of any instance, where a member has stated that any modifications they've done affected the balance of the knife in general. Some people swing the khukuri differently with various grips, and modifying a handle to fit such styles is almost always needed.

You can always order a custom, and ask for a handle like below, or with a full tang "western" type handle. I really like the handle below with it's very slight drop. It actually helps the user to use the correct type of swing, grip, and technique correctly.





I hope that helps...
 
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I do like Thamars handle style on my Yek Chirra. That is one sweet blade. From what I have seen the M43's have a fairly long handles. It may just be an illusion since they dont have the ring. I doubt you will do anything noticeable to the balance point by just shaping the handle. I do feel the difference in the AK versus the CAK but i havent used my CAK enough yet to review it. Winters coming tho. Kumar sure makes a nice CAK!
 
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