YVSA's GRS Vs. ASH

SamuraiDave

SamuraiDave

Joined
Apr 6, 2001
Messages
2,632
The good thing that happened this past weekend was that I got to try out the GRS I bought from YVSA on a old ash that was around 12" in diameter.

I haven't used a kuk this size before so I had to learn, a bunch of my initial swings went wild and I smacked the side of the edge full force against the tree. It didnt really look all that bad so I continued until the tree fell.

To my suprise the blade still shaves. :eek: I touched it up with the chakuma to bring it back to scary sharp :eek: ...but not full body shiver.

Unbelievable knife, unbelievable edge.:D

Thanks YVSA!

I will be borrowing my room mates digital camera tonight to show yall some pics..it might be a day or two before they get posted.

Also, Jen has some pics with me and my GRS in action. But she is sick so they wont be up anytime soon. I guess this would be a good 'Get well soon" thread also. :)
 
I was very impressed with that GRS and its hardness. Dayumed good knife, the handle was just a little big for me and I didn't want to carve the carved rope ring off, actually just couldn't bring myself to do it.:)

"To my suprise the blade still shaves. I touched it up with the chakuma to bring it back to scary sharp ...but not full body shiver."

Taking into account that GRS's blade hardness I'm not surprised about this.
Actually it's the accumulation or bringing together several aspects of the finely made blade.
When you can get a great blade and edge geometry along with near perfect hardness and some good sharpening equipement this kind of edge could be commonplace.:)
One of the most important requirements of an edge like this is being able to get an excellent polish on the edge.
And when you have an edge polished like that, especially for chopping, it no doubt ain't gonna be worth flip for cuttin rope and other abrasive substances but it will chop wood and for a mighty long time!!!!:)

Get well Soon Jennifer!!!!

Did Dave send any flowers or at least a card?;)
Probably not since he had been playing around with large khukuris and instead of letting them go to his head he let it, or them, go to his feet instead.:rolleyes: ;)

Dave, it pleases me no end that you're pleased and happy with the GRS.
I know it will serve you, your children and grand children and, etc, etc, etc, ad nauseum.:D
 
I seem to recall Ganga Ram saying that he could make a magic blade -- the more you use it, the sharper it gets. This followed shortly by other kamis saying something like "Oh, a magic khukuri. Why didn't you say so? We can do that!" I have no Ganga Ram blades, so I don't know if they are really that magical, but it sounds like they might be.
 
I had to use a 2 hand grasp on it. I cant find the strength in myself to get rid of the rope design on the handle. The brass butt cap ate up my palm and fingers, but I found that the swinging of a Japanese Katana can be transferred to the use of a kuk.

As for magic, I believe'em. Some of those swings I made with the GRS were pathetic. But the more you use it, the more you learn about it. So as your learning curve increases...maybe with enough time it will become a thing of magic? All I know is that this one is a definate keeper.:D
 
Magic, that sounds good, especially since I just sent Uncle Bill a money order for a 22 inch Ganga Ram. He didn't say anything about magic, or I would have paid more! ;)

This sounds like a great blade, yes, pics please!
 
Is there any chance for old Ganga Ram to make one by himself again? I'd like to have one, though Bura's GRS has better finish and may be better in quality. I do believe in that kind of magic. Because...
well advanced technology AND technique look like magic!
 
You never know. Ganga Ram comes around once in awhile. I think my next trip to Nepal I'll try to get him to come up and visit and make a knife while I'm there. I'd like to get some pix of him doing the work. He may live to be 128 like the magical kami who made John Powell's pin.
 
Uncle,

In all seriousness, if I didn't have a family to worry about(and to worry about me:) ) I'd go to Birghorka and photograph the kamis as a self-photoassignment. It would be great to document their work, family life, religious lives etc...and photograph surrounding countryside. A project for the future....


Rob
 
I think part of the "magic" of these knives is how a bunch of poor people in a village with some old leaf springs, a hammer an a forge can make such beautiful and usable items.
 
That's certainly part of it. Rob, you're welcome to come along with camera but it's an expensive outing.
 
Dave,

Sounds like fun and you picked up a great knife. Bad impacts such as with the side of the blade subject the knife to much more abuse than a clean chop. I suspect that this causes some of the handles to crack. Having a knife that is undamaged from side blows is great.

Was the tree standing or lying down when you chopped through it?

Did you notice or have any problems with vibration with a two handed grip? In particular I found that my back hand would be subjected to painful vibration if I gripped tightly with two hands. My GRS was very comfortable to use with one hand. The other hand can be used to help aim and support the knife. Then the hand would not be subjected to severe vibration.

Will
 
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