YCS update

arbiter

arbiter

Joined
Jun 4, 2011
Messages
468
Greetings all-Several days after receiving the Koa YCS that I purchased on the DOTD,I noticed a fault running nearly parallel to the cutting edge on the left side of the knife. It appeared at first to be too deep to be a mere scratch,so I contacted Ms.Yangdu and explained the situation.With her customary graciousness she offered to replace the knife if I would return it.After the e-mail correspondence,I decided to continue to examine the fault in hope that it was nothing serious as I really want to keep it. Being time to fish or cut bait, I took the knife out to the garage where I have a stack of seasoned hardwood for the fireplace,and I locked onto the piece of wood that was to be used to test the mettle of this blade-a 4" round of hard maple.I set up and began chopping with full power strokes,the blade sticking on more than a few.The wood was quickly halved and upon close inspection the edge showed only faint light reflection with absolutely no chipping,or folding,and the fault had not changed in the least.Conclusion-I am now of the opinion that the fault is a deep scratch that was buffed over during the finishing process at the factory and that this blade made by Lachhu Kami is of the highest possible quality and I would not hesitate to bet my life on it.Thank you so much Ms.Yangdu,I am a very happy customer.:D
 
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arbiter said:
Conclusion-I am now of the opinion that the fault is a deep scratch that was buffed over during the finishing process at the factory and that this blade made by Lacchu Kami is of the highest possible quality and I would not hesitate to bet my life on it...
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I have found in my long life and most recently with Himalayan Import products that handmade things almost always have something wrong with them, usually cosmetic. And almost every time that problem is small and doesn't effect it use.

Most modern folk are used to factory made products that are identical and have the same performance every time. These products are very good of course. But to me what is really special about handmade items is that you can get, let's say a sword and when you use that Williams & Williams' made sword it is alive in the hand and beautifully finished except for a slight blemish on the guard. Then if you buy that Cold Steel copy of the Williams & Williams sword it cuts well and swings well and although it looks perfect something feel amiss. The factory products lack the, whats the word, they lack the gravitas that is in a human created item.
HI_Bonecutter_14in_Murali.JPG
The Bonecutter by smoke-n-mirrors

Another thing to note with handmade items from kamis, carpenters, monster truck builders, etc. is that of their skill. Get a 15 year vet who when he puts his name on something that's his reputation on the line, your good. But if you get a 2 year rookie who's kind of lazy and makes his apprentices do most of the work then you might get a lemon.
Kukri Store by Berkley IKRHS.jpg
Kukri Store Photo by Berkley (IKRHS)
 
sweetcostarica said:
Get a 15 year vet who when he puts his name on something that's his reputation on the line, your good. But if you get a 2 year rookie who's kind of lazy and makes his apprentices do most of the work then you might get a lemon.
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Kukri Store Photo by Berkley (IKRHS)
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That's what happened with my Tirtha Bowie knife. If Tirtha allowed such subpar "lemon" in his crafting as he did with this knife of mine, it's harder to trust him since he did not uphold such quality that people are giving him attention for.
 
Yeah, I read your review "The Tiny Bowie: A Tirtha Bowie Review {image heavy}" a while back and was a little surprised at the quality of that handmade Bowie. On one hand you get a nicely crafted Chitlangi by Tirtha which you said was cheaper and on the other hand you get a sub-par Bowie that he made :confused:. In my collection I have that very nice 15" Tirtha Sirupate that makes me glad his name's on it. But I won't by a Bowie from him now.

By the way excellent, really excellent Tirtha Bowie Review OldeWolf :thumbup:.
 
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I am glad the YCS made it OK, Thank you for sharing
 
sweetcostarica said:
Yeah, I read your review "The Tiny Bowie: A Tirtha Bowie Review {image heavy}" a while back and was a little surprised at the quality of that handmade Bowie. On one hand you get a nicely crafted Chitlangi by Tirtha which you said was cheaper and on the other hand you get a sub-par Bowie that he made :confused:. In my collection I have that very nice 15" Tirtha Sirupate that makes me glad his name's on it. But I won't by a Bowie from him now.

By the way excellent, really excellent Tirtha Bowie Review OldeWolf :thumbup:.
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Actually, someone else has the Tirtha Chitlangi. I have nothing of Tirtha except that bowie and I will make sure I have nothing of his work in my possession unless convinced that it's one of his most top work ever, then I'll give in. ;)

I have Baulau or something that looks like bow and arrows for both the CAK and Chitlangi. Very nice knives. Will do more reviews using those two when the weather gets better. :)
 
OldeWolf said:
Actually, someone else has the Tirtha Chitlangi. I have nothing of Tirtha except that bowie and I will make sure I have nothing of his work in my possession unless convinced that it's one of his most top work ever, then I'll give in. ;)

I have Baulau or something that looks like bow and arrows for both the CAK and Chitlangi. Very nice knives. Will do more reviews using those two when the weather gets better. :)
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That Kami it Bhatka, he does really great work.

I have the chitlangi you were talking about. I don't know what happened with your bowie but that chitlangi's blade is flawless.
 
I did confirm today that the fault in the blade was a deep scratch-very carefully polished it out with a dremel and emery wheel,followed by cotton buff and red compound + 1600 grit paper. BTW-The Koa looks much better now that it's been cleaned,lightly sanded,polished and waxed.The wavy grain is beautiful.
 
arbiter said:
...The Koa looks much better now that it's been cleaned,lightly sanded,polished and waxed.The wavy grain is beautiful.
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Here's the "before" photo. Is there an "after" photo?

3-09-12%20001.jpg
 
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