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Post by sweetcostarica on Aug 21, 2013 8:18:43 GMT
+1 Exactly.
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Post by Timberwolf on Aug 21, 2013 14:05:42 GMT
SCR said: --------------------------------- I'd forgotten to comment on these. Now, that first one is just absolutely true and very funny at the same time. Living in a crappy area is not good, leave if you can. And far too many people get into trouble because they are being stupid and mean with the wrong person! :lol: The second observation is just plain truth! :lol: Thanks, man.
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Post by Nilfgaardian on Aug 21, 2013 15:05:51 GMT
The area in which I live is almost completely safe, but there has been a few break-ins. In fact, someone broke into our garage recently, using an axe at that. The burglars, obviously, only try to break in when they think no one is at home, but there was an incident some years ago in my area when they actually entered a house despite it's residents being at home at the time.
I heard that they had threatened to bash the homeowners head in with a crowbar :shock: , then preceded to take everything they could carry. I think a kukri or other big knives could work ok in situations like these, at least were I live, since these are not really the worst kind of criminals, more like a bunch of confused junkies, who would rather run if faced with opposition, than attack and thus risking more severe charges.
If the situation is different and you encounter a home invasion of a more sinister sort (highly unlikely) you should use a gun. Getting a licence for a handgun is not exactly easy in Sweden, but there are a lot of hunting rifles and shotguns. I don't have a licence, but if I was ever faced with a lethal situation in my home, I'd reach for my 47 inch greatsword of war, mere sight of that coming at you will deter most attackers :twisted: .
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hhmoore
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Post by hhmoore on Aug 22, 2013 16:02:06 GMT
McCurdy "NeoClassic"/"Modern" kukri Blade: (measured from center at grip, to tip) 11" Handle: (including "pommel" end) 5" Handle material: bone weight: 789g (27.83 oz, or 1.74 lb) quite sharp I'm a little out of sorts today, but I think I rather like it. Seems rather smallish, though; probably because I've been wielding machetes more than anything else, of late. Attachments:
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Post by sweetcostarica on Aug 22, 2013 18:25:22 GMT
In your home that's different, it's a life or death situation. You have the right to use whatever is close at hand and gets the job done. Nilfgaardian is right we a less likely to be invaded at home but it can happen so why not be ready? A sword, a Kukri, a big can of Fox Mean Green Pepper Spray, or the ultimate defense (IMO): the shotgun. But whatever works for you at home goes because you know your home better than anyone. Make a home defense plan with the whole family. Practice it and stick to it. While I type in my study/living room I have within reach an expanding baton, slightly father a Gladius short sword sits, in the next room (bedroom) is a handgun with a full magazine of whop ... So be ready and be safe.
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Post by randomnobody on Aug 22, 2013 18:33:50 GMT
[/attachment] 002.JPG[/attachment][/quote]
Only 11" and almost 800g? How thick is that thing?
Neat looking knife, at any rate. For some reason, I can't seem to take a kukri shape seriously wihout the cho, which I had to Google and one source informs me is also called a kaudi. That said, I've seen some nice kuks with ugly cho that turned me off in a hurry...
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hhmoore
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Sneaking around once in a while
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Post by hhmoore on Aug 22, 2013 18:51:49 GMT
Well, it's about 16 inches, total. The ad indicated that it was approx 3/8 of an inch thick, at the spine. As far as the cho - different strokes. I chose this model specifically because it doesn't have one. There's no real basis for it; but I don't like them. (Yes, that became an issue was I was looking at various kukri.)
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Talon
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Post by Talon on Aug 22, 2013 19:00:04 GMT
Never did see much point in the Cho.i ground mine out,mine now makes for a handy striker for a fire steel.This is my Tora british service kukri.It's seen a fair bit of use in the woods but i wouldn't be without it,tough as old boots and takes a lovely edge. I do have a soft spot for the Kukri, they're tremendously versatile knives. Attachments:
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Post by randomnobody on Aug 22, 2013 19:31:34 GMT
I dunno, it's just kind of an identity thing to me. Like a katana without a hamon, sure it's still just as practical, but it's just a two-handed saber in the shape of a katana. Kuks need a cho because kuks have cho and that's why their kuks. :?
I won't get into the highly-debated (I don't even believe it, myself) "blood drip" argument, but it's just the mark that makes a recurved blade a kukri in my eyes.
That said, still blown away by the weight. :shock:
Talon: That Tora's not half bad, any idea what the engraving is/says? Looks silly to me without the cho; if I were to get rid of the middle I'd likely blend in the rest. Leaving the half-moon there is a bit odd to my eyes, but if it suits your needs, cool.
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Post by stickem on Aug 23, 2013 3:25:38 GMT
Sweetcostarica ~ This is the one I use for camping applications: Suggest you snatch one up if you can find it for a reasonable $. I've chopped down a tree as big around as my thigh with it... It took quite a while to do mind you, but it can be used for this sort of thing despite being light. Stats: It also is fast enough for use in combat application. So I sleep with it in the nightstand next to the bed, as well as under the pillow when camping. In my opinion, folks who think they are going to swing a 3' long katana or Euro in their bedroom/in a tent at an intruder are fooling themselves unless their house is a lot bigger than mine. I'd probably just end up destroying the furniture/the ceiling rather than a 'bad' guy with a 2-hander :lol: On the other hand, I can swing this kukri in the house and it will land pretty much exactly where I want it to go (rather than turning the ceiling fan into kindling) I get that some folks like firearms... not my thing. Guarantee I can take 99% of the home invaders/ninja/boogymen with this kuk and not have to worry about accidentally going Pistorius on the wife with it :? :cry: :roll: I first heard of these when I met Dr. Gyi (maybe 15 years ago?). He recommended these CS versions. Here's Dr. Gyi in action with a kukri - Enjoy!
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Talon
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Post by Talon on Aug 23, 2013 3:53:16 GMT
As far as i know it's just the signature of the Kami who made it.I wont get into the Cho debate either,from what i've read the exact significance of it is lost in time. I can understand why it looks silly to you Random,i don't have any use for a Cho but if its a Kukri then traditionally it should have one there.Mines just a bit more practical for me this way
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Post by randomnobody on Aug 23, 2013 7:16:16 GMT
Understandable. I'm a big time traditionalist, or maybe a classicalist? Either way, I've always thought if one sought to replicate an old design, one should maintain all aspects of the same as much as possible, provided they don't directly detract from the intended function. Whatever the cho is, it's not really in the way, doesn't hurt anything, and is something that pretty much every kukri ever has always had. In my mind, at least, it's only a "kukri-inspired knife" without a cho, but I'm also inclined to say the same for the "modern" kuks' lack of karda and chakmak. Those are essential kukri accessories in my view, but I can see others finding them in the way. They do have purpose, though, and one of their uses just happens to be what you destroyed your cho for. Whatever, as long as we all agree that the kukri design is one that makes a great knife for a wide range of duties, as any good knife should be, and can each appreciate them in our own way, it's not like any of us are wrong. Some of us just have bad taste I MEAN UH...different expectations.
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Post by sweetcostarica on Aug 23, 2013 8:00:24 GMT
I've never seen this Cold Steel (CS) Kukri before. I will look around for one on eBay and other places. I like it's looks and dimensions very much for hiking/camping with family and friends.
Also, I think your choice to use it as a home defense weapon is a good one. The Cold Steel Mini Gurkha Light Kukri looks very capable in fighting, I agree with you stickem.
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Post by Timberwolf on Aug 23, 2013 13:11:58 GMT
Hi, Harald! Yeah, that McCurdy looks great, I like the way it all blends together. Talon, That Tora also looks like fun, I like the idea of having at least a couple of lighter khuks in the 10"-14" range. Mine will be Sirus, though. I can't see having a thin khuk, myself. I'll take the weight out of the blade width. Guys, the cho has been around on khukuris since they started making them, of course. But it's all your preference. If you don't want one on yours, don't have one. Here's some interesting info behind that design, though. Real significance, not the stories and myths. This comes from my research, and there's a lot more than this: There's lots of spiritual significance to the cho. One thing is that it represents a cow hoof, and we all know that cattle are sacred in Hindu societies. The other is that it is a fertility symbol, as well. You can see both in the design of it. So Harald, your khuk was kinda "born without one". Kinda sad. But Talon, you cut the cho off your khuk! :lol: That's just ... Jus' givin' y'all a hard time, OK? I really prefer to have a cho on all my khuks, it's a mark of authenticity, tradition, and I think it looks cool. But I can't fault anyone for eliminating the thing. I've been using this 14.5" Sirupana for 2 months now, and I hate that traditional handle, so they are a no-go. To me, they suck. And I DO know how to properly grip and use these khuks. I have decades of experience with similar tools/weapons. I just think it's an inferior design and that the Nepalese continue to use it only because of long and deep tradition. So all of the khuks I'll order will have Western style grips, like McCurdy's designs.
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Post by Nilfgaardian on Aug 23, 2013 13:39:49 GMT
Here is another western handle kukri, a customized cold steel from British blades forum: Some nice work on that handle for sure . It looks a bit like the traditional handles, but also has features of western handles. Attachments:
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Post by Timberwolf on Aug 23, 2013 14:01:15 GMT
Well, just to let y'all know what type of heretic I am with the handles: Here's my design for one of my future khuks, a 5.5" 450g/1.0lb Panawal. Yeah, it's a heavy little thing for its size, but it'll be lightning fast if you needed to use it as a weapon, 'cuz it's still relatively light. And there are a lot of other knives that length and weight in the world. I think it's the perfect carry knife. One pound isn't much, and in the sheath, it'd look like 100 other knives. Oh, I guess someone could steal this design, but I "liberated" the grip from somewhere else, so it's kinda already been done! Well, the blade is totally my design, but the basis for it is a common Bhojpure/Angkhola profile. It's just that nobody makes a small khuk that has a blade like this. I overlaid this on some others, and mine dwarfs the rest. So just say that part is my property, for whatever that's worth. Probably nuthin'! Tell me what you think: (As usual, right click and "view" it.) So. About 3/8" / 9.5mm thick, full or hira niku cross section, 1.25" wide at the grip, and ... 2.00" wide at the belly! :lol: The angle on it is 30*, and the rear/front blade ratio is 2:3, or 40%. Khuks run from 12* to 30* on the angle, and I think the best looking ratios are from 3:5 or 37.5%, to 4:5 or 44.4%. Sirus, being thinner, should have a shallower angle the longer they get, and their ratio should be over 40%. Otherwise they look funny, out of balance, or just plain wrong. Like those long HI Sirupati! :lol: Just my opinion ...
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Post by Timberwolf on Aug 23, 2013 14:12:46 GMT
Hey, Nilfgaardian. That grip looks really nice, and it does have a little forward drop in it, just to help you keep your fingers intact! Because it's so short, that one I just posted didn't have a full steel guard. I drew that one, and it looked like it took away from that huge width at the belly of the khuk, so I just went for a curving drop. If I could figure out a way to make money designing khuks, that would be fun. But I'm not a John McCurdy. I'll just stick with doing it for my personal toys.
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Post by Timberwolf on Aug 23, 2013 14:55:14 GMT
Some interesting stuff about the spiritual aspects of khukuris, in addition to the cho: " The Aran:This is the charcoal oven where all of the steel is heated for shaping and the forging is accomplished. Made from local bricks and using a special type of mud for mortar, Kamis expertly construct these forges. This is considered a holy place, and this equipment is thought of as the mother of all the elements of the khukuri, both physical and spiritual. It is ritually worshipped every morning, before any work is undertaken. The Aran battles with fire and extreme heat for its entire life span, just as the Kami does, and they become one in their lifelong mission. " The Khukuri:In Nepal, the khukuri is much more than just a mere knife. It has significant religious, cultural, and historic meaning as well as being the symbol of Nepali honor and pride. It is regarded as the physical and spiritual protector of the possessor. There is a strong belief in Nepal that a khukuri will scare away demons, evil spirits, enemies, and adversaries, and always safeguard its owner. These convictions and beliefs are as strong as they have ever been, and we firmly believe that a khukuri definitely plays a role in clarifying, strengthening, and stabilizing the mind and mission of the carrier at all times."
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Post by stickem on Aug 23, 2013 15:11:14 GMT
I believe CS unfortunately discontinued these Mini Gurkha maybe a decade ago... perhaps people expect kukri to be heavier... and of course, typically they are. Thing is (for me anyway), in general a fast blade is more useful than a slow one because no one is going to sit still and wait for you to swipe at 'em... and when you are hiking, obviously every ounce in your pack counts If you can't find the CS Mini Gurkha, the HI sirupati are pretty light and agile as well: Himalayan Imports - Sirupatiand can be a lb or less. The short ones would make for a good camp knife, IMO. The long ones... well, they are just too heavy for me to take seriously using as a weapon. Sirupati don't have as big a belly though... and we all like belly The HI Ang Khola are pretty classic as well: HI - Ang Kholabut the AK generally run a bit heavier than the Mini Gurkha or sirupati. Mmmmm... belly. Me like
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Post by Timberwolf on Aug 23, 2013 15:31:05 GMT
Hiyas, Stickem. You should read my post back there on fighting weight and carry weight. I find my upper and lower weight limits, then compromise for an optimum. Speed and ease of carry vs. mass and effectiveness. My optimum is 1000g. I lose almost no measurable speed, and it's still light. But the extra weight can chop more or do more damage. A lot more. :twisted: I guess I just have more tolerance for carrying and swinging relatively heavy stuff, but you might find it interesting anyway. Besides, I can't understand how people can complain about hiking/exploring with a 2 pound khuk when their 2 liters of water weighs twice as much. :lol: I carry the 4.4 lbs of water in/on the pack, so I really feel that. The 2.3lbs overall weight of the 1.85lb khuk rides on my belt, balancing the .44 Mag, so I really don't notice that as much. :roll: Anyway, not arguing with ya, I just consider it all differently. Back to personal preferences. Like how I don't like Cold Steel KLOs. :lol:
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