What is a Chitlangi and that hole?

M

munk

Joined
Mar 22, 2002
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OK. I went on search. I read. But I don't really understand what a Chitlangi is, and what the hole design in the blade signifies.

Another name for this thread could be; "Oh Boy! I've ordered a Chitlangi! What's a Chitlangi?"


munk
 
As I understand it (and the last khuk I got was a chitlangi by Bura), it's just another style. Relatively narrow blade with two fullers, making it relatively lightweight and agile.

Handle is shaped somewhat differently than other khuks, with a very large, rounded pommel (that I find both very attractive and very comfortable -- helping move the balance point back toward the handle. This latter point, especially, makes the chitlangi more of a weapon and less of a chopper, though it certainly will chop well enough.

Also, either the karda or the chakma (can't recall which at the moment) has a handle that's different from the other tool -- some carving/checkering on the end -- and that makes it very easy to tell the two apart when they're in the scabbard. I don't understand why all khuk styles don't use different handles on their auxiliary tools, except probably that's the way they've always done them.
 
Munk,
You wont be let down. I have a 21" Chit by Bura...absolutely beautiful and wonderfully balanced blade. "The little hole" you speak of is the Cho, they make'em different for some styles.

You will love it, trust me.:)
 
I know I'm going to love it. I'm afraid I won't use it because it'll be too pretty. The WWll chopped a tree nicely, but I felt the balance for me could be improved. Some day I might try a 20" AK. I know the caption says only for serious wood and the physically fit...I'm no marine...but the WWll felt short and not enough. There was an optimum leverage potential between me and these tools and I am going to find it, one for heavier work, one for carry and less abuse. The BAS almost seems a toy now, until I remember what a Ghurka could do with one.

The Kukris like the Chitlangi are better movers in the arm, I'm sure.

munk
 
I was wondering about any less strength in the blade because of the hole design. I'd guess if there is any, it would take a hydrolic press to measure, well over anyone's ability to swing the Chitlangi.

munk
 
I stuck mine in a fork of a tree and flexed the blade sideways. The front of the blade was more likely to flex than the part with the cho. I think I managed to deflect the blade about an inch or so left and right.

So, theoretically the blade is weaker than a blade with no cho. But it may not really make a difference if the most likely place to bend is nearer to the tip. :o
 
Impossible question, dumber than the ones my five year old tosses out: If the Chitlangi was yours, would you hang or use it?

Do you use yours?

I wonder how many of us use the better blades?

How many of us have 4WD syndrome; styled, tinted, lifted and piped, but not going anywhere near the great outdoors.

munk
 
I like the one I have but it's a little too big to carry around. I find that a 15" AK or BAS is a good size for me.

You can cut deeper with it but it is also slower. Depends on what you really want to use it for. It would probably be my choice for sacrificing goats, but I don't sacrifice goats. :)
 
All the HI blades are users, but those who use them fall into all kinds of categories (usually non-arrestable:)). I've used my Chitlangi to the extent that I think I know what it is capable of doing (removing), and then let it go back to being pretty. Yvsa, on the other hand, likes to take his YCS into the woods (cutting a different path each time) and says the scratches give it character.

The Chitlangi and the GS both have the "eye of the dove" cho (hold the blade point up, and it makes sense), but several of the others remain nameless, like the Malla, and Bura's "crazy cho". The "cow's hoof" cho is the most common but I don't know if that is our name for it, or theirs.
 
Impossible question. My fluff-off answer is "the one I have in my hand". More seriously, the 15" Sirupati is very natural. The Malla and 18" GS are almost perfect, with the GS taking a slight edge. The "most natural, most fitting" Khukuri, to me, is a 17" blade by Bura (one he "just made") that is closest to a BAS, in pattern, heavier than any of the above, except the Malla, but so well balanced it almost moves on it's own. I would not part with the GS or this blade, under any circumstances, and I guess I just put that to the test. The ones I just sold were very sorely missed, but these two were "mine". As for favorite knife, it is still out there, somewhere in the realm of Bowies that are priced like small cars. The two Khuks so far outshadow anything any Bowie is capable of that I don't think I will bother to work up a tear, though. Ther best EDC I've ever owned is the Dozier Arkansas Toothpick. It is just larger than a good Karda, comfortable to carry, verrrry fast to hand, hard as a banker's heart and SHARP!
 
Russ,

The khukuri I have that old Ganga Ram made has differing handles on the karda and chakma so they can easily be distinguished.

GangaRamKhuk3.jpg


Another by the old master.

GangaRamkhuk2.jpg



I think this is a sign of a well thought out design, and it is not a new idea to Nepalese craftsmen. It is of course easier and cheaper to design similar handles, and some users may prefer them that way.

One of my Birgorkha knives has a streak of grey through the handle of the chakma, and pure black handle for the karda. Works well to distinguish them in the light. Old Ganga went with differing shapes and light or darkness makes no difference.
 
Impossible question, dumber than the ones my five year old tosses out: If the Chitlangi was yours, would you hang or use it?
Click to expand...

I have a Chitlangi by Bura(21"). I haven't used it yet. Probably will but I'm not sure. Its just so darn pretty, and all my others are users so maybe this one'll stay pretty:D

It depends on how you feel about scratches. When I got my first one (2+yrs ago) I was very scratch-conscious, but now I don't care as much on my user khuks. If you want a khuk to show off that's perfect and really shiny don't use it. Or if you have access to a buffer and know what you're doing (unlike me--thought of learing to buff steel with 15-16" of razor sharp blade makes my queesy:eek: ) you can bring it back again.

Hope this helps a little:)
 
Mauirob,
You know, I'm used to talking direct to people. I'm sure there are rules here I'm not aware of and stepping over. Here's one; how many Kukris do you own?


I have three, two in shipping, one coming, one for repair, and a BAS in hand. I want to use them all!! WAAuughhhh.


munk
 
You know, I'm used to talking direct to people. I'm sure there are rules here I'm not aware of and stepping over. Here's one; how many Kukris do you own
Click to expand...

So am I:) Nope no rule like that that I know of. I have 10 khukuris so far (with a Cherokee Rose in production) when my business starts to pick up this number will likely get quite a bit higher:D I have:

12",15",20" Sirupatis
15"Chiruwa AK,18"AK, 20"AK
Malla
villager 15"
Kobra 20"
Chitlangi 21"

In case you're curious, the order I bought these in (if I recall correctly) was: 20"AK, 20" Sirupati, 15 +12" sirupati's together, 15" chiruwa AK, 18" AK, Villager, Kobra, Chitlangi and Malla.

I never have a problem answering questions (unless I don't know the answers:D, which is fairly often) you can always email me too:)

The ones I use the most for chopping chores? 15Chiruwa AK,18"AK, 20AK and 20" Sirupati.

For as long as I been hanging around with this bunch its a small collection for sure;)
 
Ten seems like a lot to me. Some day I hope to have more.

Thanks so much for the thoughtfullness of putting in the order of purchase. I don't know how you thought to do that but it seems facinating to me...I can guess at what was going through your mind, or what just came up for sale.

You bought the 20" AK early on. How is it? Is it too heavy to lug backpaking? Yeah, and day hikes too I'd guess.


munk
 
Without putting anyone on the spot, any ideas how many Kukris are owned by one person? Ten might be a good average, or?
Does anyone own a hundred Kukris?

munk
 
You bought the 20" AK early on. How is it? Is it too heavy to lug backpaking? Yeah, and day hikes too I'd guess.
Click to expand...

It was my first:) Ahh, I remember it like it was yesterday....:D

Yeah its a heavy one alright. 3.09 lbs. I don't think that's exceptionally heavy for 20"AK's (especially if Sher made it, not the "I got you babe" one;)). But its pretty heavy for any extended hikes or especially backpacking.

Wasn't much rhyme or reason to the order. The first one I actually thought I'd only buy one(its okay to laugh) so I decided to buy the biggest and the best first. Well, that didn't work. All it did was give me one hellava HIKV dose all at once!!:D
 
I have a 21in Chitlangi by Durba and I use the heck out of it. It won't hurt it, just adds character. And if you want to pretty it back up, all it would take is some sand paper and elbow grease. It's steel, after all. ;) Mine has become my favorite user as a matter of fact; I use it to clear brush and recently to split wood. I was amazed at it's splitting abilities. You should try out your khuks; no sense buying the best-built khuks out of Nepal if you aren't going to use them.:p I have a problem with the people I've given khuks to not wanting to use them because they are afraid they will 'mess them up'. I doubt it is within their physical capabilities to do so! The true value of the gift I have given them will never be understood unless they put them to work. :(

Pat Mc
 
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