Khuks- Himalayan vs Nepalese

[Blueduck]

Been looking at the Himalayan Imports site for awhile trying to pick one out but recently ran across the Nepalese Khukuri website showing what also looked like some nice models at about half the price.

Big difference between the two companies work and/or service???



PS- If I really get into these knives with all the model and place names will I ever learn to spell well enough to make an intelligible post about them?

 

[Bill Hook]

HI controls the production of their Khuks (look at their website and see the names and background of their Kamis, or knifesmiths), whereas the others are bought from various makers in Nepal by a distributor. Perhaps this changed, but I doubt it. HI has a forum on bladeforums.com and you can ask what you want there and get replies from the users and Bill Martino.

 

[clipse]

What website did you find for the ones in Nepal. I have two from the Khukuri House in Nepal. One Sirupate with a wood handle and one British Service No. 1 with horn handle. The Khukuri house in Nepal are the same ones actually issued to the Ghurkas. I absolutely love mine and they are of the upmost quality.

Here is their website .

My British Sevice No. 1

My Sirupate.

Close up of etchings on Sirupate.

clipse

 

[Bill Hook]

http://www.himalayan-imports.com/

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=739



I'm sure you can do the research at bladeforums as to which are better.

 

[Blueduck]

Thanks,

Yeah it was the "Khukuri House in Nepal" website I was looking at in addition to HI's wares.

Looking for more tool than art, didn't know if the KHN's were cheaper because of finish and minor stuff or if the HI's were really that much better a product.

 

[Bill Hook]

HI seems to have better quality. If you want a tool, HI sells blems. These of course aren't guaranteed to be in stock, since they just "happen.," and it's cheaper to sell them than ship them back.

 

[Jim March]

The other way to get a lower-cost HI is via the "visiting Kami program"...they sometimes let other bladesmiths in to do a few pieces, to exchange techniques and let these guys make a bit of change even though they don't have room to hire 'em on a permanent basis.

I have such a critter, a 21" (overall) "skinny Sirupati" type. GOOD piece (HI's staff Kamis do final QC on such). Paid $125 .

Not sure they're still doing that, but...basically, EMail Bill on what you're generally looking for and that you're looking for a deal (blem, visiting Kami piece or a really good Villager-made) and he'll hook you up.

 

[Kestrel]

What's the quality like with these Himilayan Kukris? How durable are they as tools?

(Are they worth $125 as compared to a $20 GI type machete?)

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Jim March]

The quality of the HI pieces are just unreal.

Grip ergonomics are a 10. Blade strength is off-scale - 5160 auto leaf spring steel heat-treated to perfection...don't laugh, 5160 has a GOOD rep for big blades.

But there's more to it than even that.

You can match the above with a Cold Steel Khukuri. What you don't get is a peculiar "shock absorber effect" on heavy hard chopping.

The handle on a properly build khuk is a wooden tube. The blade tang runs through it and gets anchored at the pommel after the rest of the handle is filled with a slightly flexible "gorilla snot" epoxy. On impact, it has some "give" to it.

It's a brilliant design worked out literally over millenia - they got the basic blade pattern about 2,300 years ago but have been tweaking it ever since.

 

[Bill Hook]

You can get full tang versions. I have a WWII pattern w/ a full tang.

The work on some parts of the knife is a little crude, but I have no doubt the blade will last for a long time. The blade is finished far better than the things like the handle, etc. It is nearly 1/2" thick at the spine. I trust the Nepalese to know how to make a good khuk and HI gets its pick of the best Kamis in Nepal.

 

[Zak Smith]

Himalayan Imports - Chiruwa Ang Khola 16.5"

 

[Kestrel]

I've been looking for an excuse to get one of these for a while. Which model would be a good, heavy-duty tool? I'm not looking for any kind of ceremonial engraved type or anything - just something rock-solid.

Thanks again,
Steve

 

[Bill Hook]

Ang Khola is the most HD and useful for work, but I like the WWII, as that is like Gurkha issue.

 

[JShirley]

For an all-around good camp knife, a 16.5" WWII is my favorite. I've also logged a goodly number of hours clearing brush, limbing, and even felling small trees in October and November with my 18" Chitlangi.

First thing to do is dictate your goals. Do you want a chopper? Brush clearer? Fighter? Knowing what you want to do with it will give you a good starting point, but many kuk users would say that a 16.5 or 18" WWII HI kuk is the best combination of tool and weapon you can find.

John, looking at the 4 HI kuks in the room!

 

[Jim March]

For REAL historical accuracy, a Sirupati or similar "skinnier" type of between 21" and 25" overall (grip included) are functionally VERY similar to the original Greek short-sword brought over by Alexander and company about 350 BC (if memory serves).

Mine is 21" overall and I *love* that thing. Not as efficient a wood-chopper as an Ang Khola or similar but better at both combat and "machete tasks" yet CAN chop wood if required...and much lighter for the overall length, which can matter to the backpacker.

Would make a superb self defense tool against California cougars .

 

[JShirley]

I don't like the sirupatis, Jim. Dunno if it's the angle, or what...they just feel "wrong" to me.

Being HI, they're still quality, of course- I just don't like 'em.

 

[JShirley]

You may find this helpful.

http://www.himalayan-imports.com/faq/physics/Khukuri_Dynamics.html

Again, Blade Forums Himalayan Imports Forum is an excellent source for kukuri-specific info.

 

[Tracy Hightower]

Not a fan of these knives, however I did notice in the latest issue of "The Gun List" There is a full page add offering to sell some original knives of this type made in the 1880's and some from WW1 & WW2. Prices ranged from $49 to $159.

 

[Bill Hook]

Perhaps they are, or they might be Pak/Indian-made repros.

I'm sure that the current crop are better, due to the better equipment used and the quality of Mercedes truck springs.

 

[Retread]

I don't know anything about them, but check out
Atlanta Cutlery. They claim to be selling surplus
real stuff.