Why do the Bando players prefer the WWII model?

A

Ad

Joined
Mar 9, 2000
Messages
752
I was wondering if Uncle Bill (or anyone else, for that matter) could share some of the reasons given to him by Bando players who purchase the HI khuks. Is there a reason why they go for the jack-of-all- trades style khuk over the lighter models? Do they prefer the wood or horn grips? Also, do they ever purchase other styles that may be lighter and faster? Thank you.
 
Bando people often buy several khukuris of various size and style but the favorite is the WWII -- usually wood handle. I think this is because it fits the Bando drill and exercise requirements better than most other models.

The current president of the ABA, Dr. Duvon Winborne, is a ten year customer and nephew and the WWII model is his favorite and the one he requires his students to use. He may be dropping by the Cantina in October for a visit.
 
Jim, I'd have to check the records to make sure (which I'm too lazy to do) but I think Duvon uses the 18 inchers.
 
Uncle,

Didn't you tell me one time that the UBE was a favorite of the president?
 
I don't do bando, but I have been a longtime martial artist.

My favorite knife- since I bought it from a forum member perhaps a year ago- has been a 16.5" WW II model that does not appear to have a maker's mark. I have since handled a long and a short sirupati, and an 18" WW II, but my 16.5 feels best, so far.

To me, the sirupatis just felt...wrong. The WW II feels right. I don't know how else to describe it.
 
You did just fine, Spectre - We all know exactly what you mean - All of our favorite Khuks feel "just right" :D
 
I was reading a Cold Steel catalog that said their khuks are prefered by the ABA and it said they were chosen over H.I. and a couple other makers! I found this very hard to beleve!! I've read the tests and HI always came out on top but CS blades do have that symbol of the 2 blades crossing? I'll take my HI please!!!;)
 
Apparently there is Bando and then there is Bando. The Cold steel association, I have read, is via Dr. Moung Gyi, who has taught at Ft. Benning and Bragg. His skills are apparently good enough to impress our military, but his credentials have a few leaks. The university from which he claims his PhD has no record of him. The Marine unit, to which he was attached as a "Gurkha" during the Korean war, was never mobilised to Korea (3rd Marines ?). Damn few Marine units had Gurkha assistance, in my feeble memory. We were guests of a Brit unit for a few days which had both Gurkha and Singalese troops, but no PhDs among them. I would wager that Uncle Bill's Dr. Winborne would stand up to the same type of investigation much taller than the gentleman Cold Steel has entered into an arrangement with. It appears Lynn was taken in, but then, so was the U.S. Army.
 
Jim: this sounds like a project for the HI "researcher"! Determine exactly which khukuri Bando practitioners prefer and why. Of course, you'll need a few "test subjects"; a 16.5" WWII, an 18" WWII and maybe a Gelbu Special and a Kumar Kobra thrown in as a "control group", all Durba's, of course. :D And it won't have anything to do with the ridiculous "HIKV" nonsense, either. Just a simple researcher doing reasonable research. ;) :p At least that'll be a good cover story to tell the others!

Spectre and the rest, I know what you mean about a favourite khuk just feeling right. My personal favourite is a 19" 18th Century model. It just balances superbly and the handle is exactly the right size and shape. I think that's a bit more knife than either WWII, but I tend to think there are times when overkill and pragmatism are synonimous.:D
 
Ok Wal! I thought it was a little suspicious! So it's not the same Asso. even though it has the same abreeveaton?
 
Skag, I honestly don't know. By "association" I meant that Cold Steel's involvement with Bando is through this Dr. Gyi. I did several searches on several engines on "Bando", most of which resulted in news reports of the Brewers firing Sal Bando. When I finally hit some MA sites having to do with the subject, there were several which took exception to Dr. Gyi's claims. My post only showed the two which seemed most easily checked, but there were others which rang hollow - his claims to have been a Gurkha (in several places, with several units) when he is neither of Nepali birth or extraction. He just "enlisted in the Gurkhas". With strong competition among the young men of Nepal, in excess of what the units needed at the time (or now), it is very improbable that they accepted "walk ins". He has also claimed participation in events which, using the birthdate he provided, would have made him the only 4-5 year old soldier in those actions. Authors of two seperate sites lamented the arrangement between Cold Steel (which they respect) and the Dr. Go figure????:confused:
 
Matt,
That would be an interesting project! Info would have to come from Bando Pract.I've been in MA for quite awhile, but don't know any
Bando Pract. I would like to know what they like & why!Glad to see you no longer believe in that "HIKV CRAP"!:D
jim
 
Maung Gyi is old and has become of late increasingly controversial. If the ABA has replaced him for whatever reason with a less controverial president I'd have to regret the controversy, but applaud action to put it firmly in the past.

I am given to understand that Gyi's MA skills and training were never in question, but rather his choice of experience and academics. I'd remind all that hyperbole is far from unknown in the martial arts OR elsewhere. Then again I've been wrong before and know only the very superficial aspects of the matter. It would be a kindness if one of the bando people could email Uncle Bill privately with background information for him to relate to us given his demonstrated disctretion.
 
Since day 1 almost 15 years ago HI has always had a healthy number of Bando people buying and using our khukuris. When Dr. Gyi endorsed the Cold Steel khukuri I found no difference in the number of Bando customers before or after the endorsement.

I have never met Dr. Gyi and don't know anything about him so I can only say this. If he's done what he says he has done then he is a bonafide hero. If he has not done what he said then he is the worst kind of phoney. I just don't know so cannot and will not pass judgment.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top