Yangdu / Himalayan Imports I apologize..

[Battle Creek Knives]

Yangdu /Himalayan Imports/ and the HI community in general..

I have a confession to make, I field tested one of my HI's against some other tools that yielded nothing in size and must say I was really disappointed with the performance of the knife considering its size and bulk..

Perhaps my expectations were to high, regardless I've been on the fence ever since concerning your knives..

I was considering selling all my HI stuff since that field comparison, and expressed to others just how disappointed I was in the knife..

With that said I'd like to publicly apologize as I truly like your knives, they may not be that practical but they sure are cool and have personalized history behind each piece..

After deep contemplation have decided to keep my knives and look forward to buying more someday.

Thanks Yangdu and HI for putting your heart behind your art..

Rob

 

[hollowdweller]

Are you trolling?

Or at the very least "damning with faint praise"

If not lets hear a report. What tools what you did etc.

A post like that without any specifics seems like it's just designed to stir up stuff.

Lets hear what you did and maybe we can get a good thread out of it:thumbup:

 

[tedwca]

You did snap your wrist when chopping with it, right? There is a technique to using a khukuri that is different from other knives/tools. There are a couple of threads describing it. In my experience, when there is a lack of performance from a khukuri it is usually solved by modifying your technique. Sometimes though it's just not the best tool for you. I'm glad you are keeping them though.

 

[hollowdweller]

You did snap your wrist when chopping with it, right? There is a technique to using a khukuri that is different from other knives/tools. There are a couple of threads describing it. In my experience, when there is a lack of performance from a khukuri it is usually solved by modifying your technique. Sometimes though it's just not the best tool for you. I'm glad you are keeping them though.

True. I think pound for pound an hatchet will usually out chop a khuk. Now of course a heavier khuk will outchop a lighter axe.

I also think a machete will out brush cut all but the lightest khuk.

To me the Khuk is sort of a multi purpose tool.

 

[Karda]

This would be the thread in question.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=776888

All i'm going to say is:

Using a khukuri properly takes knowledge and practice.
Once you find the right khukuri and the right combination of sharpness and proper technique, I'm sure you will find just how practical khukuri really are and both your opinion and review will change.

 

[sams]

I am curious. What model khukuri were you using, and what was your material you were trying to "chop". A 18 AK will chop better than a BAS.

Jim

 

[Battle Creek Knives]

This would be the thread in question.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=776888

All i'm going to say is:

Using a khukuri properly takes knowledge and practice.
Once you find the right khukuri and the right combination of sharpness and proper technique, I'm sure you will find just how practical khukuri really are and both your opinion and review will change.

thanks Karda,

I feel I have decent technique and enough skill to impress a hamster.. I used that same Foxy couple weeks ago when my chainsaw threw the chain and its definitely got capabilities..

question though, are Nepalese hands so huge they fit the grip on my AKB?? HI handles are huge!! on khuks its one thing but I just wished on my bowie it would have a smaller handle..

 

[Battle Creek Knives]

Are you trolling?

Or at the very least "damning with faint praise"

If not lets hear a report. What tools what you did etc.

A post like that without any specifics seems like it's just designed to stir up stuff.

Lets hear what you did and maybe we can get a good thread out of it:thumbup:

naa if I was here to stir the pot I'd come up with something much better then this

 

[7rip13a]

I remember reading your thread when you first did the review TLD. Different strokes I suppose, I really quite like my Foxy Folly, which is virtually the same specs as yours. I agree that khuks are kinda jack-of-all-trades, but it doesn't mean it's a master of none. Perhaps it's an issue with the sharpness or technique? I'm pretty sure swinging a khuk like a machete isn't the ideal way to make the most of the blade shape.

I fully expect a saw to outperform any bladed tool in terms of efficiency. The machetes, possibly, simply because the thinness of the spine allows for easier and deeper cuts. There's the binding problem though, and you can't deny that a khuk will outlast a machete.

Again, different strokes. No need to apologise I think. What I find most curious is why you chose to make this thread now, when the review was done some months ago?

 

[Howard Wallace]

Yangdu /Himalayan Imports/ and the HI community in general..

I have a confession to make, ...

With that said I'd like to publicly apologize ...

Rob

Interesting apology Rob. I don't think it is necessary as most of the "khuks" here already understand that they are way out on the tail of the bell curve with their preferred tools.

Glad you found what works for you. I often carry lighter tools when on long hikes myself.

 

[Battle Creek Knives]

7rip,

I made the thread now because it took me that long to really weigh out what I like best about them, again they may not be the most practical but they're cool.

Every time I'd pop in here I felt like a trader in a sense as I truly was done with the hype of the HI.. Just a little conviction is all, I think I didn't give it a fair chance and wanted to come clean..

I'd do the same for any manufacturer, but HI pours their heart into the product and is their livelihood and that alone made me feel worse..

 

[Karda]

question though, are Nepalese hands so huge they fit the grip on my AKB?? HI handles are huge!! on khuks its one thing but I just wished on my bowie it would have a smaller handle..

No, most Nepalese peoples hands are smaller, and most of their khukuri have smaller handles. H.I. makes it khukuri with larger handles to accommodate western hands and tastes. Sometimes i wonder if the kami's think we are all ham handed.:foot:

 

[hollowdweller]

naa if I was here to stir the pot I'd come up with something much better then this

My apologies. I didn't know about your thread.

I can't comment on it for sure since the pics are blocked for me.

It doesn't suprise me that a saw would beat them. But I'm really suprised the khuk didn't outchop the Esee.

 

[hollowdweller]

Glad you found what works for you. I often carry lighter tools when on long hikes myself.

I almost never carry a khuk backpacking because an axe or like you say a saw delivers the same cutting power with less weight.

In my woods though trail clearing the khuk is my favorite.

 

[PayetteRucker]

I dunno... HI doesn't make just Khuks, and there is such a huge variation amongst khukris alone that until you get your hands on a wide range of blades, it's difficult to generalize. I have a Sirupati and a Tamang that I'd consider extremely high performance for a large blade, yet compare in overall weight to most factory choppers. The Bahadur, Jungle Knife and Annapurna Bowie are all superb large blades that also compare in size and weight to many contemporary knives. I think it's just a matter of finding one's niche with them. I thought for a few brief moments of letting my WWII go, but the thing is just so utilitarian there's no way I could ever part with it-even for a much more ornate specimen. So far, of the WWII, Garud Ang Khola, short Sirupati, Tamang, Bahadur, Annapurna and Jungle Knife, I firmly believe I've got my money's worth out of all of them. And I'm a tightwad when it comes to money and a stickler on performance, so that's saying something.

 

[bennyjenkins]

No, most Nepalese peoples hands are smaller, and most of their khukuri have smaller handles. H.I. makes it khukuri with larger handles to accommodate western hands and tastes. Sometimes i wonder if the kami's think we are all ham handed.:foot:

It does seem to me like HI khuks of late have leaned toward being overbuilt when you compare them to the ealier stuff. Perhaps this overbuiltness has an adverse affect on the capability of the particular design..??

 

[Bladite]

It doesn't suprise me that a saw would beat them. But I'm really suprised the khuk didn't outchop the Esee.

a saw like that might lose steam on a thicker log... try it, more resistance due to binding. still, good bang for the buck (saw) as it were.

on the flip side, with good technique, i cannot believe that the khuk couldn't easily beat most of those, esp the Esee and the Becker (just not the best model for chopping and as i recall, you weren't completely thrilled with that one either)

given that the bolo is in the same size class as the khuk, assuming that both were reasonably sharp, would do about the same amount of work (and did, as shown in the review). looks like the khuk bites pretty deep in the photo as well.

faint praise indeed.


Bladite

 

[tyr_shadowblade]

No, most Nepalese peoples hands are smaller, and most of their khukuri have smaller handles. H.I. makes it khukuri with larger handles to accommodate western hands and tastes. Sometimes i wonder if the kami's think we are all ham handed.:foot:

I acquired a pair of Bura Movie Models with grips that were so thick it was not possible for me to grip them comfortably. One had a wood handle, the other horn. I sent these off to a fellow forumite to be refurbished and he sanded down and smoothed both handles nicely. They both fit my hand perfectly now.

I would like to see various grip sizes as options.

 

[Karda]

It does seem to me like HI khuks of late have leaned toward being overbuilt when you compare them to the ealier stuff. Perhaps this overbuiltness has an adverse affect on the capability of the particular design..??

Possibly....but i would surmise it has just as much or more of an effect on the capability of the user.

Many of the older pieces are definately thinner and lighter, depending on the kami. This whole overbuilt thing came about because of the same reasons that the warranty was changed. People were intentionally (maybe even mistakenly) abusing the heck outta H.I. products with the expectation of replacement and IIRC, Bura made the statement that thick khukuri cannot be broken by normal usage and it was apparently taken to heart.

 

[JayGoliath]

Many of the older pieces are definately thinner and lighter, depending on the kami. This whole overbuilt thing came about because of the same reasons that the warranty was changed. People were intentionally (maybe even mistakenly) abusing the heck outta H.I. products with the expectation of replacement and IIRC, Bura made the statement that thick khukuri cannot be broken by normal usage and it was apparently taken to heart.

Hard truth but it's sad to know people out there taking khuks to chop steel, dinged it,claimed it's not made well.

I believed many heavy duty models like Samsher or Ghopte are made to last but too expensive for Auntie to replace because of people's destructive nature.

Karda, thanks for speaking out.