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Kukris
Nov 17, 2010 16:53:33 GMT
Post by LittleJP on Nov 17, 2010 16:53:33 GMT
Hi, I'm getting an interest in this short sword/dagger, and I'm wondering if any of you on here know any decent retailers for these pieces, because as far as I know, most of the companies I'm familiar with don't really carry around a noteworthy line (CAS, Cold Steel, etc) I know windlass carries a model, but it doesn't seem like anything spectacular.
There is a company based in Nepal, called Himalayan Imports that carry Kukris, though I'm somewhat wary of trusting unknown sellers.
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Kukris
Nov 17, 2010 17:12:50 GMT
Post by N Schiff on Nov 17, 2010 17:12:50 GMT
Windlass is actually the contractor for the standard Indian Army issue Kukri, which is the one they sell as their basic kukri. It's available at KoA, but the cheapest I've found it is at BudK (not my first choice most of the time, but cheaper than others for some things)...it's not labeled as a Windlass, but it is the same knife.
I don't have any experience with Himalayan Imports, but I've heard good things about them. I believe that Hanwei also has a kukri, but haven't seen or heard anything about it other than pictures.
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Sébastien
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Posts: 2,967
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Kukris
Nov 17, 2010 18:01:23 GMT
Post by Sébastien on Nov 17, 2010 18:01:23 GMT
I have one Himalayan Imports kukri and it is a very nice blade IMHO. This seller has a very good reputation on the 'net and are highly recommended in all knife forums I visited.
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Kukris
Nov 17, 2010 18:23:55 GMT
Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Nov 17, 2010 18:23:55 GMT
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Kukris
Nov 17, 2010 18:32:06 GMT
Post by randomnobody on Nov 17, 2010 18:32:06 GMT
Himalayan Imports is probably the top-of-the-line, traditional kukri maker. You'll get good stuff from them, but you'll pay a bit for it. There are other places, like the Khukuri House which have less expensive pieces, without much loss in quality, based on what I've heard. I'm sort of worried if Windlass is, in fact, the official supplier to the modern ghurka, since I've heard very few good things about their kuk. Then again, everybody selling a kukri claims the same thing, so who knows? All I can offer on kukris in first-hand experience is this: Sorry the picture sucks, can't find my bloody camera, and the software on my phone is lacking. Not to mention the terrible lighting my bedroom gets blah blah anyway. Forum informs me that Sean beat me to posting KH. So be it. That's a wicked looking kuk, I like.
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Kukris
Nov 18, 2010 5:12:04 GMT
Post by N Schiff on Nov 18, 2010 5:12:04 GMT
I actually own the Windlass one (again, they don't come marked, but I'm pretty sure it's from them) and, while the finish is about what you'd expect for $20, everything is nice and tight, feels great in the hand, and the blade is awesome...the steel was actually complemented by the person I had sharpen it, who's been in the knife-sharpening business for almost 50 years. While chopping through a branch several inches thick, I accidentally hit the concrete, and it took a big chunk out of this, while the edge was left with only a couple of minor nicks, and is still completely usable.
Just my 2 cents, and you'll obviously want to go with one of the others if you care much about the finish and fittings. For example, the knife sits fairly loosely in the sheath, and the accessory knives are pretty much useless pot metal.
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Kukris
Nov 18, 2010 5:21:52 GMT
Post by LittleJP on Nov 18, 2010 5:21:52 GMT
I mostly want a nice, strong beater that I can take through hell, a zombie invasion, and a nuclear holocast and back.
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Kukris
Nov 18, 2010 8:28:01 GMT
Post by randomnobody on Nov 18, 2010 8:28:01 GMT
Then you'll want a big knife from HI. You'll also want to prepare to pay upwards of $2-300 for the knife itself, plus $30-50 for shipping. Though even with HI this is the high end.
As for the Windlass, well, if you're "sure" it's the "same one" then I suppose the "minor" flaws are er...yeah who am I kidding, that sounds pretty lousy. "Useless pot metal" "accessories" are enough to keep me back, nevermind the loose sheath. Shoot, all my kuks sit way too tight in theirs...but I'd prefer tight to loose any day. At least my "accessory" knives aren't "useless pot metal" and heck, I only got the "standard" kuk for $30 at a gun show. The big'un cost me $45 from a member here, and the little fellow was $10. Pretty sure all are Khukuri House distribution, but only one has a definite history that I have forgotten.
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Kukris
Nov 18, 2010 14:49:03 GMT
Post by SPQR on Nov 18, 2010 14:49:03 GMT
Khukris, oh my god, the addiction that never ends. My beater is a Khukri House World War model. Heavy and VERY stout, with nice wood and brass work and better than any Windlass khukri that ever left the factory. You can chop small trees down with it; I have done so, and with less effort than you might imagine. There's a technique to using a khuk that take practice, a snap of the wrist at just the right time increases the chop by a magnitude of force. My "dress" khuk is a Ghopte Balance fighting khukri from Himalayan Imports. It's not very big, and it's matte finished to a satin sheen for metal and a nice smooth but not polished horn handle. It's wickedly curved, incredibly sharp, hand engraved on the blade and signed by the "beer mug" Kami. Buy from HI with confidence; Mama Yangdu runs a tight ship and customer service is job one with her. Drop on over to BladeForums HI forum www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=739 and see for yourself. She offers "blem" specials for some really great prices, there too. I also just had to have one of the antique Khukris from the Atlanta Cutlery hoard, which is...Awesome. The blade is as long as my forearm, has great balance and the whole thing simply reeks of strength. I can easily see this thing lopping off an arm or a head; it has that kind of presence. Hint: watch ebay. Decent Khukris show up there pretty frequently.
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Kukris
Nov 18, 2010 15:24:28 GMT
Post by LittleJP on Nov 18, 2010 15:24:28 GMT
What size of blade would you recommend?
I'm somewhat tempted by those about shortsword length, ie 18'
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Kukris
Nov 18, 2010 18:19:24 GMT
Post by randomnobody on Nov 18, 2010 18:19:24 GMT
The "average" kuk size is about 10-12", but if you want a big one, by all means, get one. The biggest I have is 15" long and a good half-inch thick. It's a serious blade, but handles well for it.
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Kukris
Nov 19, 2010 10:09:39 GMT
Post by vince on Nov 19, 2010 10:09:39 GMT
Curse you guys, looks like I will have to add more Khukris' to my collection. I already looked at the sites that have been posted and will buy a couple when I get home.
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Kukris
Nov 21, 2010 8:48:41 GMT
Post by MOK on Nov 21, 2010 8:48:41 GMT
For something you'd carry into a Zombie Holocaust? A typical size general purpose blade, 10-12" depending on your taste and the particular model, would be best IMO. Remember, these things are heavier and hit a lot harder than their mere size implies at first glance. (The largest ones, often called buff-head kukhri or something similar, are actually not intended for use as tools or fighting weapons, but for beheading animal sacrifices.)
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Sébastien
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Retired Moderator
Posts: 2,967
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Kukris
Nov 21, 2010 22:18:09 GMT
Post by Sébastien on Nov 21, 2010 22:18:09 GMT
I have a 18'' blade kukri, it is wieldable, usable as a tool or weapon, but the blade is slender compared to other types of kukri. It's this one ; yhst-7333098713883.stores.yahoo. ... upati.html IMHO a kukri with the same lenght but a larger, wider blade, would be too heavy and cumbersome.
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Kukris
Nov 22, 2010 0:49:15 GMT
Post by vince on Nov 22, 2010 0:49:15 GMT
I think that I am going to get the Salyani (Immortal) I Like the 18" Panawal (No Mercy) 2300 Grams
any thoughts?
I am NOT liking the $50.00 shipping though
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Kukris
Nov 22, 2010 5:35:50 GMT
Post by randomnobody on Nov 22, 2010 5:35:50 GMT
I like the look of the Salyani, myself (this one, right: www.thekhukurihouse.com/catalog/ ... 3434fc5113 ?) but the Panawal is a MONSTER ( www.thekhukurihouse.com/catalog/ ... 13533fecc3 ) and I'd not mind it, either...though my 15" uh...well, shoot, I forget which one it is...sirupate, I think ( www.thekhukurihouse.com/catalog/ ... 13735f1676 ) is plenty big enough. As for $50.00 shipping...well, yeah, it's coming from Nepal, after all. :geek: You might try one of the domestic vendors, they charge a bit more for each knife, but shipping is less...so it either balances or better, but I forget who resells them...there are at least two places, though, for KH stuff.
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Kukris
Nov 22, 2010 22:11:08 GMT
Post by vince on Nov 22, 2010 22:11:08 GMT
If you can find the link, I would appreciate it. As long as it is KH
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Kukris
Nov 23, 2010 2:45:49 GMT
Post by randomnobody on Nov 23, 2010 2:45:49 GMT
I was thinking of this fellow, introduced to us on the old forum by charlz in his review of another knife: www.knivesbyhand.com/Home_Page.htmlHe's a reseller/vendor/thingy for KH, but I don't know if he does their full line or just a few pieces... There are likely others, but I'll have to look later, as now is bedtime. Twas a crazy day, and it'll be an early morning, but I'll try to remember to look around when I get home from work.
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Kukris
Nov 23, 2010 9:50:50 GMT
Post by vince on Nov 23, 2010 9:50:50 GMT
It is work time for me. I checked out the site and he does say that he can order from KH (just e-mail him). But I am digging some of the knives that he has on the site. Nice prices for KH.
Thanks for the link, save to my favorites
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Kukris
Nov 23, 2010 16:38:32 GMT
Post by randomnobody on Nov 23, 2010 16:38:32 GMT
He makes some wicked knives. I believe it was his Bowie that charlz reviewed quite favorably.
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