which company?

C

cheftothestars

Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Messages
296
So Im very interested in a Kukri.

Now what is the difference between the product Himalayan imports makes and the Kukri house?

There is a big price difference between the blades and I realise it could come down to a few factors but could you explain what they are.

Thanks
 
I loaned JayGoliath my Murali HI Bonecutter, Murali HI Chiruwa And Khola, Khukri House Tin Chirra. And he has his Murali HI Salyan and Murali HI Amar Singh Thapa. He'll be posting a review soon of a chop out session he had to test out these khuks.

FYI, the smallest is the HI Bonecutter and the biggest is the KH Tin Chirra. In between the HI Salyan and the HI CAK are the same size I think. The ASTK is longest but the Tin Chirra is much much heavier.

To answer to your question lets see how these lighter and smaller HI khuks fare against a heavy and huge KH khuk in a chopping competition. Should be unfair right :)

PS: Too lazy and fat too test my khuks myself, had to outsource to JayGoliath :)
 
Ok im looking forward to the review.

Ive seen the KH kukuri im looking at which is the Iraq campaign military one for $56 plus shipping, but it seems very cheap?
 
Clue is in the fact it is very cheap :)

Buyer beware :)

I do not know how to explain this but HI khuks are better. I own KH, HI and McCurdys. And HI (at least the ones I own by Murali) were splendid.

For now guys, try to guess which is the best chopper. I do not know the result but which would it be? Let's guess which is the best to the worst.

By order of size from lightest to the heaviest

HI Bonecutter
HI Salyan
HI Chiruwa Ang Khola
HI Amar Singh Thapa
HI Tin Chirra (more than 2 times Bonecutter's weight by my feel, maybe 3 times)

Can't remember the length or the weight. Maybe Jay can provide them. He has my babies after all...
 
chef,

The difference between KH and HI is mostly in the business model. "Uncle" Bill Martino thought that khukuri could sell in the US and be a benefit to the kamis, who in Nepal are in the lowest social caste. Pala liked his idea and formed HI. Originally HI was scouring villages looking for high quality made khuks to sell here. They then tried contracting with a maker to supply to their specs. They finally opened their own shop(s) which became known as BirGorkha. The shops brought in improvements from electric hair dryers for the forges and safety glasses supplied at the shops, to electric generators to keep the shops running during recent electric cutbacks in Nepal. At these shops they would bring in willing kamis and check that they could make the quality desired and then were paid for each piece according to its quality. The pay received at BirGorkha is many times higher than a kami would normally make. In addition to their pay, some of the shop kamis had lodging available above the shops. HI also is concerned with the education of their workers children. They also attend to health needs of their workers.

With HI products, if it is in stock, you'll normally have it in a matter of days as opposed to about 4 weeks coming from Nepal. HI products come with a lifetime guarantee, and at the online store the price includes shipping. Please check the "HI Links Library" Sticky for complete information on the warranties and shipping. Also, be sure to read the Safety Sticky.

In summation, with HI you are getting the best high quality khukuris in the world with a representative here in the states that you can talk with about which one you should get, orders or questions after purchase. On a moral, "feel good" level, purchasing from HI helps these craftsmen and their families that are considered "bottom of the heap" in their country. If you look at the post "Letter from Dr. Ram" in the Cantina, you'll see the letter that Yangdu shared with the forum from the son of a kami that the forumites and HI put through medical school. A testament to HI's vision and practice, and of the members of this forum and all purchasers of the HI product.

Peace

Rick

PS-If I haven't said it before, Welcome to the forum. And if I did say it before, Welcome again.
 
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First off, welcome to the forum Chef and I'm glad to see you're interested in khukris - they're amazing, versatile tools that you'll just fall in love with once you pick one up.

Here's my take on the issue of which company to go with:

From what I've read, the quality of KH khuks is more or less just as good as the those offered by HI (though I'm sure we'll hear others say to the contrary). Personally though, I only own HI khukris. Why? Because of the amazing customer service, the lifetime warranty, and the great people that make up the HI community (members, mods, and of course - Auntie Yangdu).

Kukri House has their khuks built in Nepal and then shipped directly to you - that means that you have to wait perhaps a month to get your kukri as well as cover the cost of shipping from Nepal. Should you have any issues with your khuk, this just means more hassle to get a replacement as well as having to deal with potentially off-putting shipping costs. I've heard a couple of stories of people getting KH "duds" and being told that they were SoL.

HI on the other hand, has a different system: Auntie Yangdu has a batch of khuks shipped to her from Nepal on a regular basis and also has many in storage. These kukris are then what are sold to us via DotDs. That means that you only have to wait about 2-3 days to get your kukri, don't have to deal with shipping from Nepal, and have someone within the US to deal with should you have an issue with your khukri. And boy howdy - is she ever the the most pleasant person to deal with! If you have any sort of issue, she practically does everything humanly possible to make sure you are happy with having dealt with HI :thumbup:
 
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Moving this to the Cantina............

One of the biggest differences is that H.I. khukuri are overbuilt. The "field use" khukuris are made specifically for chopping wood and doing heavy work. The tangs are made beefier and the blades are heavy duty with special care and attention paid to heat treating them.
 
I guess I focused mostly on the difference in service between the companies (which is only a small portion of the reason behind my choosing HI). Stickfred is completely correct about HI's business ethics: you just can't help but feel good for buying HI! Uncle Bill founded Himalayan Imports to help out the poor people of Nepal by giving them good paying jobs and the chance to craft high quality items that they could be proud of. Uncle Bill has since passed, but the ethical groundwork and great business model that he set up hasn't changed one bit :)
 
killa_concept said:
I guess I focused mostly on the difference in service between the companies (which is only a small portion of the reason behind my choosing HI). Stickfred is completely correct about HI's business ethics: you just can't help but feel good for buying HI! Uncle Bill founded Himalayan Imports to help out the poor people of Nepal by giving them good paying jobs and the chance to craft high quality items that they could be proud of. Uncle Bill has since passed, but the ethical groundwork and great business model that he set up hasn't changed one bit :)
Click to expand...


It can be summed up here, in Uncle Bills own words. We try very hard to keep his dream and Philosophy alive and to keep walking the Dharma Path in his footsteps.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2607854&postcount=1

When you buy an H.I. khukuri, you not only get a fine blade worthy of passing on to your children and grandchildren.....You get a legacy of friendship and goodwill that this company was founded on and still cherishes.
You become Family....
 
cheftothestars said:
Ive seen the KH kukuri im looking at which is the Iraq campaign military one for $56 plus shipping, but it seems very cheap?
Click to expand...

That "plus shipping" is a HUGE consideration. When I added a single $49 khuk to my cart the shipping came out to $60. :eek:

I own both HI and KH, the KH ~20" Siru is spectacular very well made, and the Jungle Panwal is pretty good. The blade is microscopically out of true, but no biggie. My HI AK (DOTD) is very well made, perfectly true, but not as nicely finished as the Siru. So, all in all, I don't think you'll go wrong with either from a quality standpoint. Some are better than others. If you do find something amiss though, with HI you have "local" support. If you have a problem with your KH, although I've heard their CS is very good, the shipping is so prohibitive that it's not worth it to send it back.

If I were going to buy a lot at one fell swoop, (I ordered 4 last time) I would consider KH. If you're only going to be buying a single blade I would definitely go with HI. The support is better and the cost is going to wind up the same.

That's, of course, not taking into account the business model or community values here. You'll have to decide on those factors for yourself.
 
stickfred said:
chef,

The difference between KH and HI is mostly in the business model. "Uncle" Bill Martino thought that khukuri could sell in the US and be a benefit to the kamis, who in Nepal are in the lowest social caste. Pala liked his idea and formed HI. Originally HI was scouring villages looking for high quality made khuks to sell here. They then tried contracting with a maker to supply to their specs. They finally opened their own shop(s) which became known as BirGorkha. The shops brought in improvements from electric hair dryers for the forges and safety glasses supplied at the shops, to electric generators to keep the shops running during recent electric cutbacks in Nepal. At these shops they would bring in willing kamis and check that they could make the quality desired and then were paid for each piece according to its quality. The pay received at BirGorkha is many times higher than a kami would normally make. In addition to their pay, some of the shop kamis had lodging available above the shops. HI also is concerned with the education of their workers children. They also attend to health needs of their workers.

In summation, with HI you are getting the best high quality khukuris in the world with a representative here in the states that you can talk with about which one you should get, orders or questions after purchase. On a moral, "feel good" level, purchasing from HI helps these craftsmen and their families that are considered "bottom of the heap" in their country. If you look at the post "Letter from Dr. Ram" in the Cantina, you'll see the letter that Yangdu shared with the forum from the son of a kami that the forumites and HI put through medical school. A testament to HI's vision and practice, and of the members of this forum and all purchasers of the HI product.
Click to expand...

This is exactly why I stopped looking at other places once I found HI.
 
Stickfred, Killa concept, Karda, Bushflyr, Khuku'nut

Thanks very much for the information and the welcome.

I am a great believer in people/communities being paid well and looked after by the companies that make the big bucks.
I love the whole Idea about helping out the craftsman who make these amazing blades.
It does nobody any harm to have a quality blade and a good feeling when purchasing.

Now regarding the kukris I am looking for a blade that would be a good chopper, im thinking bush, branches, etc as well a defence tool.

which one from HI would be recommended for a first time handler of a Kukri in this regard, im looking for function over form.

Im originally from the UK and the history between the Ghurkas and the British armed forces is one made in combat.

Im looking forward to choosing my first blade and look forward to joining this forum!
 
And he has his Murali HI Salyan and Murali HI Amar Singh Thapa.
Click to expand...

Cotherion,the Salyan is Sher-made.:D

One of the biggest differences is that H.I. khukuri are overbuilt. The "field use" khukuris are made specifically for chopping wood and doing heavy work. The tangs are made beefier and the blades are heavy duty with special care and attention paid to heat treating them.
Click to expand...

My 12 1/4" Sher-made Salyan has the same thickness as my 18+" Murali-made ASTK at a jaw-dropping 1/2" thick!

I will get the reviews up ASAP. Will chuck some woods later with Sal and Singh.

:)
 
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Together with the khukri loving gal? Which one is suitable for a lady of her size?

Methinks the Bonecutter should fit her well.
 
cheftothestars said:
Ok im looking forward to the review.

Ive seen the KH kukuri im looking at which is the Iraq campaign military one for $56 plus shipping, but it seems very cheap?
Click to expand...

Yes - but did you go through and see what the shipping was? From Nepal to Canada, it's probably around $60 tacked onto that cost... and remember that if you get a dud, you'll probably have to pay that cost AGAIN to send it back to Nepal to get a replacement (if you can get a replacement).

With HI, the shipping is from the USA to Canada (which is significantly less), and should you have any issues with the item, it's covered by a lifetime warranty and you'll have Auntie Yangdu to take care of you and make everything right (she's seriously one of the nicest people I've ever have the pleasure of dealing with. I honestly cannot see her ever leaving a customer unhappy with their purchase :thumbup:)

cheftothestars said:
Stickfred, Killa concept, Karda, Bushflyr, Khuku'nut

Thanks very much for the information and the welcome.

I am a great believer in people/communities being paid well and looked after by the companies that make the big bucks.
I love the whole Idea about helping out the craftsman who make these amazing blades.
It does nobody any harm to have a quality blade and a good feeling when purchasing.

Now regarding the kukris I am looking for a blade that would be a good chopper, im thinking bush, branches, etc as well a defence tool.

which one from HI would be recommended for a first time handler of a Kukri in this regard, im looking for function over form.

Im originally from the UK and the history between the Ghurkas and the British armed forces is one made in combat.

Im looking forward to choosing my first blade and look forward to joining this forum!
Click to expand...

Not a problem Chef! Glad to have some new blood on these forums. As for the kukri recommendation, you're going to get a bunch! Almost everyone on here has a different opinion and it's become a bit of a consensus that the right kukri picks you just as much as you do the kukri (as cheesy as that sounds :p). I would say that a good start would be to first limit yourself to a certain size. Personally, at 5'3 and 110lbs, I find a 15" to a great compromise between chopping power, finesse, and portability. However, I prefer 18"ers for strapping to my pack should I need to do heavier tasks, such as hacking up 6"+ diameter trees. I'm sure larger people tend to find the 18"ers to be the perfect size though.

However, since I don't like to leave my answers open ended, my recommendation (based on your needs) would be the m43. It's based off of the mk2 design, which was a kukri used by Gurkhas in WW2. It's full tang, usually 18" overall, generally 3/8" thick, and with a nice forward curve and a steep bevel. While a similarly sized AK would probably out-chop it, it wouldn't be by a large margin - it would also be quite a bit heavier (18" AKs are regularly 1/2" thick!), not slice through branches as well, and not be as combat-oriented. Really, I'd say that the m43 is great compromise between weapon and tool and really hits above it's weight class - probably just what you're looking for! :thumbup:
 
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The "first khukuri" question has been asked many times over the years. Take some time and research the various models. Having the Search available will enable you to read many reviews and see lots of photos. There will be one model that will be gnawing at you brain, kinda like saying "Pick me, pick me" (like killa concept was telling you). This is a good place to start. Any 18" khukuri is going to weigh in between 1 1/2 to 2 pounds and will be able to handle any limbing chores in addition to heavier chopping, including the slimmer models like the Sirupati, Chitlangi and the Chainpuri. As far a bush cutting goes, the heavier blades don't seem to work as well on springier material as the lighter, slimmer models. The weight of these blades come into play in the defense aspect, also. I would imagine that a blow landed by any 18" blade, even if struck with the spine or the flat, could be disarming, if not disabling. Earlier I mentioned "a good place to start". That's because you can't have "just one". You'll get your first khuk and then start to wonder how another model will feel in your hands or perform to a task.

Personal recommendations would be the "Baby" Ganga Ram Special (BGRS) for a wide blade khuk, and an excellent chopper, and the Gelbu Special (Uhdaipuri) for a more narrow blade model that also chops very well. In the end though, you will allow one to "choose" you. After you get it you'll be in love with it and become infected (HIKV). Welcome to our disease where there is no recovery, only recognition.
 
I've owned 4 KH khukuris and a dozen or so HIs. The KH are a quality item, there is no doubt about that, they're nothing like the first khuks I got from Atlanta Cutlery. HIs are on another quality altogether though. They have better fit and finish, and they are tougher in general. They also have better scabbards and kards and chakmas.
 
You might want to ask one of our Canadian regulars to expound on how shipping into Canada works (or doesn't). I don't he has much of an issue, but ya never know.

**Paging C.S. Graves. Mr. Graves, you have a phone call. Phone call, Mr. Graves**:D

Welcome:thumbup:
 
Steely_Gunz said:
You might want to ask one of our Canadian regulars to expound on how shipping into Canada works (or doesn't). I don't he has much of an issue, but ya never know.

**Paging C.S. Graves. Mr. Graves, you have a phone call. Phone call, Mr. Graves**:D

Welcome:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Whoops, been away for a while!

I don't have and KH khuks myself to comment on shipping, but I know that Yangdu's shipping costs to Canada have had to go up due to the fluctuating price of gasoline. What I wouldn't give to have been able to have gotten free shipping back in the day like my neighbours to the south!

Anyway, as such, I consider the shipping ($35 US I believe?) part of the cost, and simply buy a LITTLE less impulsively. :D

As per considering any non-HI khuks... since the OP isn't in the U.S. either, I'd probably consider Tora over KH... like HI, they're pricier wares before shipping, and the shipping ain't too much different in our part of the world... and their aesthetic is different from either of the other companies. Money permitting, of course, I'd say get at least one from each company. :D The spice of life, and all that!
 
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