Himalayan Imports Sirupati 18'' Kukri
Jun 13, 2010 3:19:49 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2010 3:19:49 GMT
[glow=red,2,300]Himalayan Imports Sirupati 18'' Kukri review[/glow]
by
Sébastien Bilodeau, Montréal, Québec
Beeing a big chopping swords and knives fan, I always liked the Kukri. Simple, tough as nails, useful both as working tools and as weapons of war. Plus, these big knives have a big cultural background, coming from Nepal and having a big place in that country's culture.
I have been eyeing a few Kukris sellers for a long time, feeling like my old Windlass Kukri wasn't ''authentic'' enough. I often heard about Himalayan Imports, a Texas-based seller which offers authentic made in Nepal Kukris. The fact that they have a very solid reputation (great customer service, high quality products, great prices) made me want to buy one of their product (see their website here : yhst-7333098713883.stores.yahoo.net/index.html ). I decided to take the plunge when a fellow forumnite decided to sell his own HI Kukri for an impossible-to-resist price, I quickly sent him a private message and bough his kukri. I owe him one for giving me this opportunity and keeping his price low, even if he had to loose some profit by sending this knife to my country.
On a side-note, I chose to not put this review in the ''Other weapons'' sub-forum because I felt like Himalayan Imports deserve a full-fledged review, in a frequently visited part of this forum. Also, I felt that the line between a large knife and a short sword is very blurry, at 18'' long... So, here goes ...
First impressions
I was very happy about this knife the first time I held it in my hand, and felt so ever since. The scabbard felt like a made-to-be-used-and-abused one and not a cheap, half-hearted attempt of a scabbard like my Windlass Kukri one. The knife itself felt like a serious, sturdy tool of work or war. This didn't felt like a tacticool production-grade knife.
Overall lenght : 18''
Blade lenght : 12 ''
Handle lenght : 6 ''
Weight : Between 20 and 24 oz (from Himalayan Imports website)
Fittings
The blade has the distinctive, angled-forward shape of a Kukri. Compared to other, commonly-known production Kukris (for example, the Cold Steel-made ones.. which are a far cry from traditionnal Kukris), this model has a rather long, almost-straight and slender blade rather than a bellied, stout-looking one. The edge is sharp, but it can't cut paper. Because this is a second hand, used blade, it is very likely that the edge was resharpened. Although it seems quite able to chop wood (or flesh ...), I do not know how well it will fare against water bottles and tatamis (at the time of this writting, I haven't done any backyard cutting with this Kukri, yet). The back of the blade is quite thick ; 5/16'', it also has a slight ridge. One side of the blade has delicate engravings (which include the letters ''L.B.'' and a few Sanskrit-looking writting), both sides have a line of esthetical engravings, along the first 5 1/2'' of the blade.
The engravings and lines aren't completely straight. To me, it gives this knife the distinct charm of an handmade product built with a minimal number of tools.
The handle is made of a very-dark brown material, which is either horn or wood. It gives a comfortable grip. The pommel and the hilt are made of a bronze-colored metal (zinc ?). A few lines are engraved in the handle. Like those on the blade's sides, they aren't perfectly straight, although this as no effect on the handling of this knife.
This scabbard is made of hard black leather around a small wooden core. It is quite rigid, comes with a belt loop and can countain quite securely its Kukri (it won't fall if held upside-down unless I give it a good shake). The scabbard also contains two small knives made for the maintenance of this blade. One if dull-edged and made for sharpening, the other is sharp and made for small, delicate tasks.
Handling and test cutting
The blade has a very respectable presence, it is a bit heavy and its balance is quite choping-friendly (i.e. top heavy, but in a good way, in my opinion). When swung properly, one can feel the great amount of power and momentum this blade can deliver. I have a lot of fun just holding this Kukri and swinging it around (which I try to do without beeing a public danger nor looking like a fool).
Unfortunately, at the time this review is written, I haven't done any cutting session with this knife. However, I will try to do so ASAP and will update this review once this is done. You can expect a cutting video, too.
Conclusion
Pros
-Quality, sturdy fittings
-Very choping-friendly handling quirks
-Comes with a strong, quality scabbard
Cons
-Is the edge bottle-cutting ready ?
-Some manufacturing imperfections (might be a pro for some, a con for others)
-Top-heavy handling, not for the swashbuckling, fencing people
I bough this Kukri for about half its current, sold as new, price (which is 135 $). Considering the great qualities of this knife, I wouldn't mind paying the full price ; this weapon is worth every penny of its price, in my honest opinion. One has to hold it in hand to appreciate it's rugged, primal charms. Whatever you are a blades collector or user, a martial artist or someone looking for a working machete, I think this knife would make a fine addition to your collection.
by
Sébastien Bilodeau, Montréal, Québec
Beeing a big chopping swords and knives fan, I always liked the Kukri. Simple, tough as nails, useful both as working tools and as weapons of war. Plus, these big knives have a big cultural background, coming from Nepal and having a big place in that country's culture.
I have been eyeing a few Kukris sellers for a long time, feeling like my old Windlass Kukri wasn't ''authentic'' enough. I often heard about Himalayan Imports, a Texas-based seller which offers authentic made in Nepal Kukris. The fact that they have a very solid reputation (great customer service, high quality products, great prices) made me want to buy one of their product (see their website here : yhst-7333098713883.stores.yahoo.net/index.html ). I decided to take the plunge when a fellow forumnite decided to sell his own HI Kukri for an impossible-to-resist price, I quickly sent him a private message and bough his kukri. I owe him one for giving me this opportunity and keeping his price low, even if he had to loose some profit by sending this knife to my country.
On a side-note, I chose to not put this review in the ''Other weapons'' sub-forum because I felt like Himalayan Imports deserve a full-fledged review, in a frequently visited part of this forum. Also, I felt that the line between a large knife and a short sword is very blurry, at 18'' long... So, here goes ...
First impressions
I was very happy about this knife the first time I held it in my hand, and felt so ever since. The scabbard felt like a made-to-be-used-and-abused one and not a cheap, half-hearted attempt of a scabbard like my Windlass Kukri one. The knife itself felt like a serious, sturdy tool of work or war. This didn't felt like a tacticool production-grade knife.
Overall lenght : 18''
Blade lenght : 12 ''
Handle lenght : 6 ''
Weight : Between 20 and 24 oz (from Himalayan Imports website)
Fittings
The blade has the distinctive, angled-forward shape of a Kukri. Compared to other, commonly-known production Kukris (for example, the Cold Steel-made ones.. which are a far cry from traditionnal Kukris), this model has a rather long, almost-straight and slender blade rather than a bellied, stout-looking one. The edge is sharp, but it can't cut paper. Because this is a second hand, used blade, it is very likely that the edge was resharpened. Although it seems quite able to chop wood (or flesh ...), I do not know how well it will fare against water bottles and tatamis (at the time of this writting, I haven't done any backyard cutting with this Kukri, yet). The back of the blade is quite thick ; 5/16'', it also has a slight ridge. One side of the blade has delicate engravings (which include the letters ''L.B.'' and a few Sanskrit-looking writting), both sides have a line of esthetical engravings, along the first 5 1/2'' of the blade.
The engravings and lines aren't completely straight. To me, it gives this knife the distinct charm of an handmade product built with a minimal number of tools.
The handle is made of a very-dark brown material, which is either horn or wood. It gives a comfortable grip. The pommel and the hilt are made of a bronze-colored metal (zinc ?). A few lines are engraved in the handle. Like those on the blade's sides, they aren't perfectly straight, although this as no effect on the handling of this knife.
This scabbard is made of hard black leather around a small wooden core. It is quite rigid, comes with a belt loop and can countain quite securely its Kukri (it won't fall if held upside-down unless I give it a good shake). The scabbard also contains two small knives made for the maintenance of this blade. One if dull-edged and made for sharpening, the other is sharp and made for small, delicate tasks.
Handling and test cutting
The blade has a very respectable presence, it is a bit heavy and its balance is quite choping-friendly (i.e. top heavy, but in a good way, in my opinion). When swung properly, one can feel the great amount of power and momentum this blade can deliver. I have a lot of fun just holding this Kukri and swinging it around (which I try to do without beeing a public danger nor looking like a fool).
Unfortunately, at the time this review is written, I haven't done any cutting session with this knife. However, I will try to do so ASAP and will update this review once this is done. You can expect a cutting video, too.
Conclusion
Pros
-Quality, sturdy fittings
-Very choping-friendly handling quirks
-Comes with a strong, quality scabbard
Cons
-Is the edge bottle-cutting ready ?
-Some manufacturing imperfections (might be a pro for some, a con for others)
-Top-heavy handling, not for the swashbuckling, fencing people
I bough this Kukri for about half its current, sold as new, price (which is 135 $). Considering the great qualities of this knife, I wouldn't mind paying the full price ; this weapon is worth every penny of its price, in my honest opinion. One has to hold it in hand to appreciate it's rugged, primal charms. Whatever you are a blades collector or user, a martial artist or someone looking for a working machete, I think this knife would make a fine addition to your collection.