[bigjim]

But hey so is everybodies right?

If you are a knife lover and have not taken advantage of the offerings from Himalayan Imports:
http://www.himalayan-imports.com/
You are missing out. These knives not only really hold up to the worst but they are DIRT CHEAP and very nice. The cool factor is off the charts.
Best of all you get to support a company that really takes care of some talented craftsmen that would be hurting other wise.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=30493&d=1130553041
HUGE 20 inch 31 OZ chopper. Made by Bura Royal Kami of Nepal
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=30494&d=1130553051
The huge Bura chopper again with a super small fast little fighter
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=30495&d=1130553058
Various choppers

[hso]

Bigjim,

HI kuks are already a favorite around here for the past couple of years thanks to John Shirley who swears by them.

[bigjim]

I know HSO..... as is I am sure very clear to everyone...... I am BRAGGING!!
:D

[ecos]

ooo niiice :D

im definitely going to be ordering some stuff. looks good and i really like the idea of helping out the kamis. hmm maybe ill suggest some khuks as christmas presents for me from my family :D they dont like buying me knifemaking stuff because its "no fun" well they gotta think really big knives r fun!

[losangeles]

Thanks for the nice pics! I'm a convert to the khukuris myself!

My first was a 15" Ang Khola from Himalayan Imports and within 24 hours got a 18" Malla from the HI Deal of the Day. Now I'm waiting on the mail for an 18" Kobra from HI, a 12" Chitlange also from HI, and a 16" Dhakute from a different maker. Also for a little variety of sources, I'm planning on getting a 15" Sirapatu from Khukuri House.

Great knives to collect! And use for chopping!

[redneck]

I'm still needing (ok wanting :rolleyes: ) to get a khukuri.
You guys can't even begin to completely appreciate them until you've seen how they are made. Those guys have the most basic of tools, it makes my little knife shop look like it was equipped by NASA. I complain all the time about not having a better anvil, and spent all kinds of time getting it set at just the right height and all that. The guys forging khukuries use a little 6" square hunk of steel, and sqaut down on the ground to use it. My back and knees would probably give out before I even finished one blade, and these guys go at it well into old age. Pretty amazing to see.

[GunGoBoom]

Nice. So what's the official explanation as to the reason for the forward-slant design of the kukhuri? In what way is it supposedly superior to a knife/machete of the same length & thickness but with a straight blade?

[bigjim]

Nice. So what's the official explanation as to the reason for the forward-slant design of the kukhuri? In what way is it supposedly superior to a knife/machete of the same length & thickness but with a straight blade?

Well these knives are often 7/16ths if a inch thick at the spine. A machete that thick would be a hoot.

I can't speak to the physics of why the khuks chop so well. But they do.

To me its a package deal:

I like the:
the price
the look
the human pay off ( Support the Kamis!)
the utility
the cool factor
the shock and awe from blissninnies
the bomb proof construction

Have not found another knife that provides all these things as well.

[JShirley]

GGB:

The forward angling means the blade is optimized for chopping. It's more than just a forward angle, though: there is usually more metal towards the end of the
kuk than towards the hilt.

[losangeles]

The weight in front gives the blade extra momentum when you're in swinging mode. Not necessarily a good thing if you can't control it, but with just a little practice at control, you get heavier, deeper cuts.

Also, because the way the blade is shaped, you only get so much linear space at the point of contact, as opposed to a larger length on a straight blade. So the point of focus is narrow, allowing for the weight of the swing to transfer on a smaller area, resulting in more force at the point of contact and thusly, deeper a deeper cut. As the point of contact penetrates, more blade follows.

[Dionysusigma]

Because, after 5,000 years, it still looks cool. :D

I made mention of this company to a knife conniseur (sp?) who frequents Outdoor America. He said that even though the blades are tough, and will sharpen to a dang good edge, they won't hold an edge for a great deal of time. I wasn't sure what to say in reply, as I've never heard of this problem. :confused:

I still want one, though. :)

[bigjim]

they won't hold an edge for a great deal of time. I wasn't sure what to say in reply, as I've never heard of this problem. :confused:

Full of crap would have been a good reply. High carbon steel to hardend to dang near 60 at the sweet spot.....that is about as good as it gets.

[hso]

It's all in the heat treat. If he's only familiar with poorly heat treated carbon steel blades then I'd expect that opinion. The HI kuks are properly heat treated and should not have that problem.