Why Dui Chirra? Why Teen Chirra? Why Fullerd Blade?

mohd

mohd

Joined
Jun 3, 1999
Messages
1,989
Pakcik Bill & Forumites.

I have never seen any other knife that have false spine/s as Khukuri has ie. Dui Chirra and Teen Chirra! Not even a fullerd blade such as what I have seen in GS Khukuri!! What did Kamis say about it? Why they come out with that design? Is there any historical lips to lips story behind it?

NEPAL HO!

[This message has been edited by mohd (edited 06-13-2000).]
 
Mohd, that's a good question. All I know is the fullered blade has been around for quite some time. There is a fine example of a dui chirra in the Royal Armoury in the UK, ivory handle and all, that was made about 1850 so it is certainly nothing new.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
I have a massive dui chirra blade that has been dated from the late 18th c and the V&A Museum has a small tin chirra that is earlier than that. (Bill, you saw my knife. It's the one Pala said was 10,000 years old). Anyone want to see a picture?

Knowing the strength of the kami's personality, perhaps this incredible craftsmanship was the best way to show who was the best around?

Maybe you guys who use knives daily can tell us if there may be some kind of strength advantage because it sure cuts down on what a flat blade would weigh.

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JP
 
mohd
There could be many reasons;one could be to show off a skill.I know that waves were put in armor to increase its strength and that in a chopping blade that would have to split logs the waves in the blade will become a bearing surface only coming in contact with the wood in small spots on the blade unlike a flat sided blade that make contact with the whole side of the blade creating more drag.
What do ya think?Thats my guess any way.

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Ray
 
I definitely agree with Ray's comments about "drag". My UBE has two fullers, and it seems to have much better penetration than other flat blades that I have used (WWII for example). I know that weight definitely plays into things, but if you just think about the difference in friction between a flat blade and one with fullers, it definitely makes a difference. I think this may be why the UBE does better than my Sirupati in many chores. Although the Siru is a less massive blade, with a thinner belly than the UBE, only the "ridges" touch the wood when you swing the UBE, whereas on the Sirupati, the entire blade is binding in the wood. Oh well, there's my two cents as well!


Rob
 
Pakcik Bill, John, Ray, Rob, Forumites!

After seeing the pict of JP’s Tin Chira & it’s specs in:
http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum53/HTML/000409.html

I guess I have seen one of the reasons behind the design of a blade with multiple false spines.

According to JP, his Tin Chira is:
… a big bruiser with a weight of 1.5 lbs and an o/a length of 19" …
Click to expand...
Just imagine what JP call as a big bruiser of a 19 incher but with a weight of 1.5 lbs only! … meaning with a relatively thin spine (I guess it is about ¼” to 3/8” thick) you have a long lightweight Khukuri which is strengthen by 2 false spines! I guess it performs better than a flat sided blade Khukuri of the same length, same width and the same weight but of course with thicker spine! Even ... it might perform better than a heavier flat sided Khukuri of the same length, same width and thicker spine!!!

I agree with Ray’s opinion when he mentioned that:
… the waves in the blade will become a bearing surface only coming in contact with the wood in small spots on the blade unlike a flat sided blade that make contact with the whole side of the blade creating more drag …
Click to expand...
... also to what Rob mentioned in his post:
… the difference in friction between a flat blade and one with fullers, it definitely makes a difference …
Click to expand...
In the example of:
  1. A Tin Chira (2 false spines) 19" OAL wighted 1.5 lbs.
  2. A flat sided blade Khukuri 19" OAL weighted also 1.5 lbs.[/list=a]... which Khukuri do you think is stronger? The Tin Chira one or the flat sided blade one?

    NEPAL HO!

    [This message has been edited by mohd (edited 06-19-2000).]
 
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