Villager vs Others

EricTheRedBeard

EricTheRedBeard

Joined
May 17, 2018
Messages
969
Hi,

My name is Eric. I just recently found out about the khukri (& the Gorkhas). What is the main difference between a villager utility knife and other HI models?
 
My understanding is that villiager knives are finished in a more utilitarian manor. Not to say they are lacking in any functional way shape or form just less polished and refined.
 
Exactly. Often time villagers have the black forging scale left on. Not highly polished. More like what one would find in a village in Nepal. Many prefer them.

Many who have lots of Khukri's have a villager as a go to utility blade.

Excellent way to start out and see if a khuk is right for a person

I know when I grow up I want to be a Gurka!
 
Villagers have not been polished like the finer ones but form and function is the same. If your new to Khuks and want to check them out on a budget then you cant beat villagers. Villagers becasue thats the way the local villagers in Nepal make and use them. The finely polished ones are made for fancy show and to please westerners. Some are polish to satin finish but some are even sporting a cool looking black forging scale where you can still see the hammer marks etc. Villagers usually can be found without the Chakma and Karda depending on style and some even come without the sheath. Hard to beat these deals especially if you make your own sheaths etc. Dont let the looks fool you tho. They are every bit as strong and made to be used for generations as all the rest of the family.
94f8e151d3d674cdd0c7f908dbf7bdcf


Here's a couple villager Giant Chitlangi Bowies.

8257e583de1deca9e9e81c3c9914a567


One with the forging scale still intact. These are some awesome finishes. Talk about tough! This stuff will stand the test of time for sure! I love the look of it personally. I did kill Kenny btw :D.

Its all a personal matter so dont think your getting less of a product by any means. They are awesome!
 
Thanks for the info. Seems like the villager is perfect for me. I will definitely let you all know what I think after I get them.
 
EricTheRedBeard said:
Hi,

My name is Eric. I just recently found out about the khukri (& the Gorkhas). What is the main difference between a villager utility knife and other HI models?
Click to expand...

Hi, Eric:

The term "villager" has been used by HI for a long time to refer to any khukuri, regardless of model, that does not have a polished blade. Some people prefer the satin finish of a villager version. In that usage, villager knives are not necessarily less expensive or less perfect, just not polished.

A few years ago the "villager utility knife" or VUK was introduced. First it was the Keshar Lal Villager Utility Knife (KLVUK), named after Keshar Lal, who was the first HI kami to make them. More recently this model is made by other kamis as well. Here's a link to a thread with pictures of some of the early KLVUKs: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/keshar-lal-returns-to-hi.994146/

The VUK is more of a "true villager" in that it is closer to what a farmer in Nepal might use for daily work. It is significantly less expensive than other comparably sized HI blades, because it takes less labor to make. As others have noted, the forging scales are left on. The hammer marks are often more visible, especially if you remove the forging scales. This is surprisingly difficult, but soaking in vinegar does the job. In general, the VUK is a utilitarian blade with no frills, but just as strong and reliable as its more expensive cousins.

I'm not sure what other model to compare it to, maybe a BAS. The VUK is an all-around blade, not a heavy chopper. I think they usually run 15-17" overall length, and maybe 18-24 oz in weight. Other than chopping down trees it can pretty much do it all, and you don't have to worry about messing up the finish, because there isn't any.
 
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Thanks for the link. I love looking at the pictures. Yangdu is sending me a 15" and 18" villager. I can't wait to post some pictures of my own.
 
I do not like the black forging scale compared to either highly polished or lighter polished. To me it is always better to pay a little more for the polishing and sheath.
 
conan11 said:
I do not like the black forging scale compared to either highly polished or lighter polished. To me it is always better to pay a little more for the polishing and sheath.
Click to expand...
OTOH, if you are actually going to carry it a lot and bash it around in the forest, a plain blade and modern (kydex?) sheath would be nice :thumbsup:

Doug
 
Nice indeed! I have seen @least 2 sheathmakers on this forum that I would enjoy having sheaths made by them.
 
a
ndoghouse said:
Villagers have not been polished like the finer ones but form and function is the same. If your new to Khuks and want to check them out on a budget then you cant beat villagers. Villagers becasue thats the way the local villagers in Nepal make and use them. The finely polished ones are made for fancy show and to please westerners. Some are polish to satin finish but some are even sporting a cool looking black forging scale where you can still see the hammer marks etc. Villagers usually can be found without the Chakma and Karda depending on style and some even come without the sheath. Hard to beat these deals especially if you make your own sheaths etc. Dont let the looks fool you tho. They are every bit as strong and made to be used for generations as all the rest of the family.
94f8e151d3d674cdd0c7f908dbf7bdcf


Here's a couple villager Giant Chitlangi Bowies.

8257e583de1deca9e9e81c3c9914a567


One with the forging scale still intact. These are some awesome finishes. Talk about tough! This stuff will stand the test of time for sure! I love the look of it personally. I did kill Kenny btw :D.

Its all a personal matter so dont think your getting less of a product by any means. They are awesome!
Click to expand...
awesome pic! Awesome villager, I love that finish! Forge-finish is gorgeous - that CAK above is a LOOKER!
 
conan11 said:
I do not like the black forging scale compared to either highly polished or lighter polished. To me it is always better to pay a little more for the polishing and sheath.
Click to expand...
I always love the sheaths and wish I had sheaths for all of my knives HI or not.
 
I received the 15" and 18" villagers today. I ordered them with sheaths, chakma, and kardas. I am in love. I will post pictures in a bit.
 
stwm said:
our resident kydex maker is simplegrind and pugs does leather.
there may be others. (wildmannh?? comes to mind but I haven't seen him)
Click to expand...

I'm still here. Just don't post much since getting a full time job and getting married. Got to get the shop setup and finish some sheaths.
 
stwm said:
our resident kydex maker is simplegrind and pugs does leather.
there may be others. (wildmannh?? comes to mind but I haven't seen him)
Click to expand...

Singlegrind just had shoulder surgery, so he's unavailable for a bit.
 
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