What time is it?

[Guyon]

Yep, that's right. It's Khadka time.

Look, they're both smiling...

But now they're a little more serious...

 

[OldPhysics]

I've never owned one of these. I don't understand the balance/torque/moment of inertia characteristics. Are they really that comfortable to chop with? I would imagine they would transfer a lot of shock into the handle if used improperly.

I admit it. It's a definite hole in my 'knife knowledge.' Any experience you'd like to share would be appreciated.

 

[Guyon]

OP, balance is heavily weight forward on these khukuris. They are really thick blades (CAK is around .340 and Samsher is about .425 at thickest points), and the thickness doesn't diminish much as you move toward the tip. To put it another way, the blades have considerable "backbone" from handle to tip.

So you're accelerating considerable mass, and once you get it going, the very thin edge profiles tend to bite into the wood with a great deal of authority. In my estimation, khuks are some of the best chopping knives out there. Once you find the sweet spot and get used to handling the knife, they chop as good or better than a small hatchet/axe.

Go for a CAK (chiruwa ang khola) next time you see one you like. "Chiruwa" basically means full tang, which I think gives the knife greater overall strength than the rat-tail shaped tangs. Yangdu is a pleasure to do business with, and each knife you buy helps support some local Nepalese craftsmen, who make these knives out of old car springs and other scavenged steel.

The two above were made by Sgt. Khadka, who isn't an Himilayan Imports kami. Yangdu still stocks and sells his blades on a fairly regular basis, however.

 

[OldPhysics]

My thanks for the expert tutorial! A great way to learn a lot in a short time.

I've spent a bit of time on the HI sub-forum and have been impressed by the folks who lurk and post there. I'll keep my eyes open for the blade you suggest. It's about time I added a kukri to my collection -- it can join a fair number of hand-made swords (mostly Western, a few katanas).

Again, thanks! If I end up 'whacking' myself, I shan't blame you.

 

[cybrok]

It's weird to see Einstein's face as an avatar and "I don't understand those physics things" next to each others.

Hope to get my hands on one of Sgt's CAK one day too.

 

[OldPhysics]

It's weird to see Einstein's face as an avatar and "I don't understand those physics things" next to each others.

Hope to get my hands on one of Sgt's CAK one day too.

Ah, but I DO understand those physics things! The design of these khukris is fairly peculiar -- and rather than attempt a numerical estimation of its moment of inertia and dynamic behaviors, I felt it was much better to simply ask someone with real experience.

Frankly, even when you've done all the math, you don't always understand or appreciate all the implications. By approximately 1937, all the essential mathematics underlying basic quantum mechanics was published -- but we still do not understand all the implications.

As for the great Albert, he will always be my idol. He was a magnificent field theorist, but it was his creativity and willingness to question authority (even need to do so) that made him a pivotal historical figure. Other men were equally or nearly equally as brilliant (Heisenberg, Schroedinger, Born, among many others), but only he was able to make a complete break with the past.

Life is funny. He spent the first half of his professional career essentially inventing quantum mechanics and quantum theory. He spent the second half resisting many of its implications and sparring with many of its practitioners.

There are many myths about Albert. People often tell me how poor a student he was. This is nonsense. Young Mr. Einstein was an absolutely outstanding student with an enormous grasp of mathematics. However, he frequently got into trouble with school authorities because he constantly questioned their dogma. This is how he ended up as a patent clerk in his first professional position -- his old professors were still annoyed with him and they very probably 'torpedoed' his academic aspirations.

Sorry for the ranting. As my icon hints, I am an Einstein fan and I can seldom pass by the opportunity to talk about him.

 

[Wolf_1989]

Ah, but I DO understand those physics things! The design of these khukris is fairly peculiar -- and rather than attempt a numerical estimation of its moment of inertia and dynamic behaviors, I felt it was much better to simply ask someone with real experience.

IMO, much of the strength in the khukuri's design is because of the shape - it's a double arch; the form of the back of the blade being a differently shaped arch than the form of the edge's arch. Then there are the complex arches on the flat of the blade - the expertly sculpted fullers seen in the cross section. When you get one to examine in real life, you will observe that yes the blade's spin is thick, but it flows to the edge in a graceful double convex cross section. The entire form is a double arch with numerous smaller arches on the sides.

Perhaps when you get one, you could take some measurements and compare it to some of Pythagorus' formulae? After all, the khukuri is an ancient design which dates back to the days when mathematics were important in determining sacred geometry.

 

[Guyon]

IMO, much of the strength in the khukuri's design is because of the shape - it's a double arch; the form of the back of the blade being a differently shaped arch than the form of the edge's arch. Then there are the complex arches on the flat of the blade - the expertly sculpted fullers seen in the cross section. When you get one to examine in real life, you will observe that yes the blade's spin is thick, but it flows to the edge in a graceful double convex cross section. The entire form is a double arch with numerous smaller arches on the sides.

The "arches" can be better seen in these pics, especially the bottom pic (top knife). It's almost like a double saber grind, in some respects.

 

[Guyon]

And here's a Bura CAK with horn handles.

 

[kronckew]

the geometry of the kukhri results in a target being always struck with the edge at an angle, resulting in a slicing action as well as by direct wedging of the edge into the target, in both the chopping and slicing modes the force is applied over a smaller area due to the curvature and thus increases the efficiency, the difference is like chopping a tomato with a chinese straight edged chopper or slicing one with a razor. same reason that a guillotine blade is angled to ensure a clean cut every time. a draw cut is made inevitable.

 

[Bladite]

And here's a Bura CAK with horn handles.

well and truly hooked now

bladite

 

[Yangdu]

Great pictures, thank you