Which Kami makes the strongest blade?

M

Matt B

Joined
Oct 16, 2000
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118
Hi Fellas,

Ok, so, we know that every HI piece is composed of 5160 steel (which is really the best stuff for big, thick blades) but as we know, the tempering and forging process has just as much (if not more) to do with blade performance. All the Kamis do a good job,we know that, but who, in your honest opinion, comes closest to the quintessential blade that is unbreakable, very stubborn to nick, and takes a terrific edge?

I guess the only people who can answer this are Bill and those who have seen several kamis blades under hard use. The only thing I can mention is that I once had a Kumar piece that took couple nicks under less stress than would be expected for a khuk...

As much as I love Durba, I have this virtual feeling that Bura probably makes the strongest blades...in fact Bill has mentioned that Bura routinely employs various techniques and tricks that no other kamis use.

what do you guys think?

regards
Matt
 
Sher. This is simply because he made the most massive khukuris around. The khukuris from BirGorkha are already overbuilt by design, but Sher took things to another level. If I remember correctly the average weight for an 18" AK was two pounds, but Sher's 18" AKs regularly came in at around three pounds. That's 50% heavier!!!:eek:
 
Yes, Sher paid his dues by making hundreds (?) of the tiny kagas katnes when first hired.

Not only the indignity of that, but afterwards being in a situation with unlimited steel available to him, left him able to indulge his wishes to beef things up a bit here and there.

Having said that, I'd take a Sher blade for those times sheer muscle was needed. And keep it in the barn or woodshed for those times. Since I don't have a barn or a woodshed...

On the other hand, if you are going to carry a three pound khuk, give me the 3 pounds in a 20" or 22" long one that uses the powers of physics in addition to sheer weight to go above and beyond what any 18" can do.

Finally, my dad and my best friend's dad made some stuff together and they both did things the same way. If it had their names on it, it wasn't going to break Imagine a Volkswagen made to Peterbilt standards. Now you get the idea. So since Sher reminds me of them, his khuks will always hold a place in my heart. But then the Sirupatis coming out of Birghorka do so as well.
 
I'll agree. Sher made the strongest knives simply because they were overkill. I have never seen a kami before or since make knives as thick and heavy as Sher.

But, who makes the strongest blades? I think today they are all just about equal.
 
Being fascetious, you could run anything from Birgorka over with a tank, but why would you want to hurt the tank?

Thanks to whomever said it first.
 
Matt,

Thats a difficult question as a terrific edge sometimes decreases nick resistance and toughness. Also, most of us do not have similar profiled khukuri's to compare performance with i.e. a WWII from Sher, Bura, Durba, etc.

For toughness and nick resistence I would go with Sher. The thicker edge profile will not cut as well though.

If the blades were to be similar profiled I would go with Sher still.

Will
 
Hi All, The qualities of any knife blade are always a compromise. If you want a hair popping sharp edge, Then it would have to be harder and would be more prone to nicking or even chipping. Soften the edge a bit, it will be tougher but not hold an edge as long. It alwasys comes down to what qualities are the most imporyant for the tasks that you want the blade to perform. Have a good one.
 
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