I need info on Ghurka knives
- Thread starter akluvr
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Kjay
Member
Try this http://www.himalayan-imports.com/
These are great knives, and I have purchased at least 10 of them from HI.
"Uncle Bill" Martino, the head American representative of HI, recently passed away. His wife, Yangdu, is currently in Nepal, but she should be back soon. (Just an FYI- if you order from the site you may not notice any difference in service.)
You can also check here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=739
(HI forum at Bladeforums.com).
John
"Uncle Bill" Martino, the head American representative of HI, recently passed away. His wife, Yangdu, is currently in Nepal, but she should be back soon. (Just an FYI- if you order from the site you may not notice any difference in service.)
You can also check here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=739
(HI forum at Bladeforums.com).
John
rwc
Member
You know, oddly enough- or maybe not- the modern factory- produced kuk-like knives usually don't work as well as the ones beat out by hand on forges by Nepalese. Really.
I've owned a CS kuk, as well as an Ed Sandberg (EDMF) version, and while Ed makes wonderful knives, you're going to have a hard time beating an HI kukuri.
John
I've owned a CS kuk, as well as an Ed Sandberg (EDMF) version, and while Ed makes wonderful knives, you're going to have a hard time beating an HI kukuri.
John
rwc
Member
Get up early, mow the yard, whack the weeds, fold the laundry, then make her pancakes and serve them to her in bed after she has slept in.
Works for me.
akluvr, you can check out this site as well... http://www.thekhukurihouse.com/
HI makes excellent khuks, but so do these folks and at half the price. I believe that these khuks are made the same way as the HI khuks are. I would check both sites out thoroughly. The pic below is of the KhukuriHouse blade I have my eye on. I like it because it has a riveted handle, and the blade is full tang construction for strength. Which ever way you go you should be very happy...
HI makes excellent khuks, but so do these folks and at half the price. I believe that these khuks are made the same way as the HI khuks are. I would check both sites out thoroughly. The pic below is of the KhukuriHouse blade I have my eye on. I like it because it has a riveted handle, and the blade is full tang construction for strength. Which ever way you go you should be very happy...
If I remember correctly, you have to pay for shipping from Nepal for Kukuri House. When you factor that in, I don't think there's much difference in price (HI prices include shipping to the cont. US). I have heard mostly positive things about Kukuri House, though.
John
John
John, your right about the shipping, but if you look at the prices of the khurks on the HI you will see quite a difference in price. A bare bones HI(which is still quite a nice blade) is about a hundred bucks, with the prices going up from there rather quickly. The blade that I posted a thumbnail of is 40 bucks + about 35 bucks in shipping at KhukriHouse.
While I didn't see an exact equivalent of that knife on the HI site, I would hazard a guess that the HI price would be well over a $100 for such a blade. Even with shipping included, there is certainly money to be saved by going with a KhukriHouse product instead. When I buy my blade I will only have about 75 bucks invested in it.
It is a given that HI makes great blades, but KhukriHouse blades are handmade the same exact way, with the same kind of materials... and at a substantial savings. I keep telling my wife that I really need this KhukriHouse blade for 'yardwork', but she has heard this excuse before so she is making me wait until my birthday.
I think a buyer would be happy with blades from either company, they would just save some cash going with one over the other. My opinion, of course, is worth what you paid for it.
Michael in Sheridan
While I didn't see an exact equivalent of that knife on the HI site, I would hazard a guess that the HI price would be well over a $100 for such a blade. Even with shipping included, there is certainly money to be saved by going with a KhukriHouse product instead. When I buy my blade I will only have about 75 bucks invested in it.
It is a given that HI makes great blades, but KhukriHouse blades are handmade the same exact way, with the same kind of materials... and at a substantial savings. I keep telling my wife that I really need this KhukriHouse blade for 'yardwork', but she has heard this excuse before so she is making me wait until my birthday.
I think a buyer would be happy with blades from either company, they would just save some cash going with one over the other. My opinion, of course, is worth what you paid for it.
Michael in Sheridan
If your library has copies of John Masters's autobiography, you may want to read it. He was an officer in the 2/4th Prince of Wales's Own Ghurka Rifles un til 1947, when he emigrated to the USA to become a bestselling novelist.
He does mention khukri use, and his illustrations show the knives in use. He explains how a big khukri was used to behead a buffalo at Ghurka religious ceremonies.
He fought on the NW Frontier of colonial India, and in WW II in Iraq and in Burma, where he was promoted to Brevet Brigadier, and commanded the British stronghold codenamed, "Blackpool", where many a Jap met his Maker.
The autobio is in two volumes. Pre-war India is, "Bugles and a Tiger". Then, "The Road Past Mandalay". Quite interesting. Oh: Masters was awarded, among other medals, the Distinguished Service Order, just below the Victoria Cross. (This role is now filled, for battle honors, by the newer Queen's Cross For Gallantry.)
Lone Star
He does mention khukri use, and his illustrations show the knives in use. He explains how a big khukri was used to behead a buffalo at Ghurka religious ceremonies.
He fought on the NW Frontier of colonial India, and in WW II in Iraq and in Burma, where he was promoted to Brevet Brigadier, and commanded the British stronghold codenamed, "Blackpool", where many a Jap met his Maker.
The autobio is in two volumes. Pre-war India is, "Bugles and a Tiger". Then, "The Road Past Mandalay". Quite interesting. Oh: Masters was awarded, among other medals, the Distinguished Service Order, just below the Victoria Cross. (This role is now filled, for battle honors, by the newer Queen's Cross For Gallantry.)
Lone Star
Michael,
There may indeed still be some price difference. I suppose part of my eagerness to use HI first, is that I *know* how they take care of the people that work for them, with safety gear (rare in Nepal), and food if they are injured while working, and can't work for a while. I suppose it's possible Kuk House does likewise, but I don't know that.
The knife in the pic you posted does have a beautiful shape, though!
John
There may indeed still be some price difference. I suppose part of my eagerness to use HI first, is that I *know* how they take care of the people that work for them, with safety gear (rare in Nepal), and food if they are injured while working, and can't work for a while. I suppose it's possible Kuk House does likewise, but I don't know that.
The knife in the pic you posted does have a beautiful shape, though!
John
Wow, you guys are great!
I appreciate all the feedback! Being a history buff, the reading will be great also. Since we're on the subject- I saw a small "letter opener", if I remember correctly the blade was about 6". Does anyone know of a carry model that would be approximately the same size? Might be just the ticket for carrying on the weak side to compliment the CCW. I'm thinking an IWB or high ride style sheath. Not for all social situations, but might be handy for some. Again, all feedback is appreciated greatly.
I appreciate all the feedback! Being a history buff, the reading will be great also. Since we're on the subject- I saw a small "letter opener", if I remember correctly the blade was about 6". Does anyone know of a carry model that would be approximately the same size? Might be just the ticket for carrying on the weak side to compliment the CCW. I'm thinking an IWB or high ride style sheath. Not for all social situations, but might be handy for some. Again, all feedback is appreciated greatly.
That blade DOES flow well, doesn't it John! BTW, The folks at HI really are excellent, and its nice to know that there is a least one company in Nepal that tries to treat its workers the right way. I would never run down HI's products, but viable alternatives to their company should be shown as well. I really like Khurks of all flavors but I admit I have never trusted how the blade is normally joined to the handle. That little rattail of a tang doesn't inspire confidence in me. Full tang blades and a more traditionally 'western'-shaped handle sounds very strong to me, especially with the handle riveted, and not hot glued to the blade. I wish that HI would put out a blade like the one I'm interested in, I think it would be a big seller, especially in the US.
Michael in Sheridan
Michael in Sheridan
AK-
Kagas katne. Little bitty thing, but still hammer forged.
Michael, did you see my recent thread about the Kuk I had Dan Koster modify for me? I plan on doing a magazine article on it.
John
Kagas katne. Little bitty thing, but still hammer forged.
Michael, did you see my recent thread about the Kuk I had Dan Koster modify for me? I plan on doing a magazine article on it.
John
Now THAT, is a beautiful Khurkri! Nice lines, good working length, and a gorgeous custom handle that not only compliments the blade, but improves on already overall nice knife. You should be very pleased with it, I would think.
Michael in Sheridan
Michael in Sheridan
Yeah, you can't really tell from those pics, but the blade is "extra stout", too, even thicker than most HI 16.5"ers. Haven't had a chance to test the subhilt out yet, to see how the dynamics will have changed...
J
J
Texian Pistolero
member
rub her feet.
If You want the full width tang..look at the H.I. Ang-Kohla .http://store.yahoo.com/yhst-7333098713883/changkh.html.
A less expensive HI is the village model.They are not real pretty,but definatly work knives.I like my 15" village and Sirupati.
A less expensive HI is the village model.They are not real pretty,but definatly work knives.I like my 15" village and Sirupati.
I'm a big supporter of HI products and have a few myself. Only problem with them is I always buy them to use but then they turn out to be so purty, I have to put them on a sword stand.
Was going to give KukuriHouse a try but have been reading that their edges and blades are a little softer than the HI stuff. Granted it was from HI supporters, so take it for what it's worth.
Either way, I think the Khukuri is an under rated blade. Heck they have been carried by the troops of Alexander the Great till now. Hell of a "battle test" if you ask me.
Was going to give KukuriHouse a try but have been reading that their edges and blades are a little softer than the HI stuff. Granted it was from HI supporters, so take it for what it's worth.
Either way, I think the Khukuri is an under rated blade. Heck they have been carried by the troops of Alexander the Great till now. Hell of a "battle test" if you ask me.
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