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Post by Nilfgaardian on Oct 10, 2013 20:27:38 GMT
A few weeks ago I ordered a custom knife from a member of the British blades forum, who goes by the name bones61. When the knife arrives I'll be sure to post my review of it. Here is a pick of the blade blank, just as a teaser for the upcoming review: This is an old pic, the knife is nearly finished now but it will be a week or two until I finally get it. Only then will you get to see it in all it's glory :lol: . You can probably see what type of knife it is. Judging from what I've seen of the nearly finished knife it's going to be a good one. Attachments:
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Post by randomnobody on Oct 10, 2013 20:45:56 GMT
Yep, that looks like a knife. Should be a good one, looking forward to the review.
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Oct 10, 2013 21:20:38 GMT
I like the looks of that. Can't wait to see it finished.
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Post by demonskull on Oct 10, 2013 22:32:53 GMT
Is the false edge going to be sharpened ?
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Post by Nilfgaardian on Oct 10, 2013 23:19:35 GMT
Yes.
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Post by sweetcostarica on Oct 11, 2013 8:31:12 GMT
I'm sure this man would be proud of you Nilfgaardian.
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Post by Nilfgaardian on Oct 21, 2013 17:01:13 GMT
Well now the knife is finished, but the sheath won't be ready until Thursday this week. After that it will take a couple of days before I get the knife delivered to me. I think it will be arriving just about the same time as the Tora blades kukris I've been waiting on a while now.
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Post by Nilfgaardian on Oct 30, 2013 19:31:55 GMT
Look what showed up at my place today! All three arrived on the same day. A Tora blades BSI, a Tora blades GAK (big one ), and my custom bones61 stag handled bowie, which is the most beautiful knife I have ever handled. Possibly the most beautiful knife I've ever seen too, the picture does not do this knife justice. Sorry for the picture quality, when I review these in the future there will be some better pictures. Attachments:
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Post by randomnobody on Oct 30, 2013 19:46:24 GMT
Not bad. The bowie is quite nice. I'm can't say I care for the BSI, the blade just looks like it's fallen ill and given up on life...but that GAK calls to me. I was telling somebody not long ago that I was growing disappointed with how few kuk makers were putting out the curved grips, lamenting that nobody has a hanshee style, which is the Ultimate Kukri that I, personally, want. I see your Toras are curved, and that's neat, but I wonder if they aren't too curved...they look almost like pistol grips. I'd have to get one in-hand to know how it really feels, though. Anyway, neat knives. I'm looking forward to the review.
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Post by William Swiger on Oct 30, 2013 19:49:02 GMT
Nice knives.
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Post by Nilfgaardian on Oct 30, 2013 19:57:51 GMT
Well, I'm no fan of the BSI blade shape either, but it is a very practical kukri. Easy to carry and a bit more politically correct than the GAK. It is still big but it I think it would draw that much attention to itself. The Goorkha Army Kukri is just ridiculously big, it hardly fits in my backpack. I choose the BSI for being useful and the GAK for being badass and cool looking. It's the zombie apocalypse kukri . I'll use that one for cutting exercises.
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Post by randomnobody on Oct 30, 2013 20:05:52 GMT
What are the (approximate) measurements on these things, anyway? Or did I miss them? :oops:
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Post by Nilfgaardian on Oct 30, 2013 20:15:26 GMT
Well I haven't measured them but the BSI has a blade of about 11.5 inches, the bowie has a 10 inch blade and the GAK blade 14.7 inches.
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Post by randomnobody on Oct 30, 2013 20:18:02 GMT
I glanced through the Tora site shortly after my last post and did a rough translation of the metric measurements; came to about that. Not too shabby. 11.5" is a good size for that bowie.
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Post by sweetcostarica on Oct 31, 2013 1:12:09 GMT
Tora Blades likes curved handles on Kukris which is historical. Check out General Jagat Rana's khukuri in the National museum of Nepal. This handle type isn't for everybody. In my experience (I have both straight & curved handled Kukris): Straight handles are good for food prep because you want a less angled blade for this. They are good for many camp tasks too that a less of an angled blade would work better. Curved handles give more power to a cut/chop in that it allows a greater angle to the blade. That increased angle makes for extra slicing to the stroke. This means a more effective stroke and this means less effort/work. Another benefit of the curve is a better grip. A curved handle sits much more securely in your hand. That makes for a good combat blade for soldiers. I like both curved & straight Kukri handles. Both have they place it just depends on what you need/want the knife for (IMO).
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Post by randomnobody on Oct 31, 2013 1:19:44 GMT
Both of my kuks are the straighter types and they seem to do all right, but a while back I found this fellow: oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=5418First time I'd seen that style, and I instantly needed to have it. Shame I can't. Haven't seen many new kuks with curved grips or I'd have snatched one up to have a go at it. I can't justify paying Tora's prices and waiting for [time] to see anything for it, but there's a seller on eBay that has a few that I just found while looking for second-hand Toras. Anyway, deviating. Hurry up and tell us more, Nilf.
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Post by sweetcostarica on Oct 31, 2013 2:02:13 GMT
$800 USD is a lot of money for a Kukri you can't use. But $200 USD is not too bad for a Tora when you look at it. Gas for two weeks - $200 Food for two wks - $200 Dinners w/females for 2 wks - $200 Cigarettes for two wks - $200 (two packs a day) So don't drive, eat, date, or chain smoke for two weeks and you got the Kukri (either real antique or Tora Blades one). The Tora Goorkhali Kukri cost about $200 USD and is the type you might like. Check it out: torablades.com/shop/index.php?_a=product&product_id=179From the website: The Tora Military Chhetri (based on the early issued kukri that were used in the Indian Mutiny by the British Run Goorkhas) kukri generally has a 34cm long blade and weighs approximately 640 grams. It has a traditional partial tang wooden handle (that used to be used both with a single or double handed cut) and comes with a military scabbard and military frogs. These early Chhetri styled kukri were primarily a back up weapon to the musket, rather than a utility blade, but could easily be used in a light to meduim utility fashion.
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Post by randomnobody on Oct 31, 2013 2:08:17 GMT
You clearly live in a very different world than I do if those are your budgets. :shock: In two weeks, between gas, food, total lack of social life, and no smoking...my target/goal budget is $50 combined. $200 will get me a very spoiled month. Thus, I can't justify $200 for a knife very often...and when I do, it won't be small. That Goorkhali's not bad, though. I can't say I'm immediately taken with it, but it may be the kind to grow on me. We now return to our regular programming. :oops:
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Post by sweetcostarica on Oct 31, 2013 2:21:04 GMT
Good answer randomnobody. I live in Alaska and in the village those prices are low for food, gas, dating, & cigarettes. But I was just having fun with you. Hope you can get a Kukri you like as soon as possible. Above: Old village. Ninilchik, Alaska, USA Yes, let's see Nilfgaardian review soon on his new Toras.
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Post by randomnobody on Oct 31, 2013 2:26:31 GMT
One last time, promise! -- Yeah, okay, Alaska. Say no more. Ouch. Well, at least it's pretty. And of course I knew you were just teasing, but I thought I'd fire back from a slightly different angle. I do actually quite like both kuks I currently have, especially the 15" sirupate, which is also a favorite of everybody who's ever seen and held it. I'd like to try Tora some day, but maybe I'll settle for someone else's? :oops: Nilfgaardian: wake up, we need reviews. :mrgreen:
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