|
Post by randomnobody on Dec 18, 2020 5:23:26 GMT
Sacrificial blades come in various sizes based on what they'll be sacrificing. Takes a bigger knife to kill a buffalo than a goat, but the buffalo knife would be overkill on the goat. Speaking of buffalo, I've been wanting KHHI's "Buff Head" for years: www.thekhukurihouse.com/buff-head-the-largest
|
|
|
Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Dec 18, 2020 6:18:02 GMT
Those blades in pictures of real use always look like a simply oversized kukri with the usual blade-grip proportions. That makes the grip veeery thick. Here mine: (the grip band makes it even a bit thicker but the handling is better and more secure) And my XXL hand on a normal (too long but not too thick) swordgrip:
|
|
|
Post by cearball on Jan 1, 2021 23:07:12 GMT
i guess this may count.
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Jan 2, 2021 18:40:35 GMT
I’ve been trying to learn the secrets of both kukris I got from ACC. With both I seem to be making tip cuts more often then I want. The BhojPure is a delight to handle being fast, light, and agile. However it’s the Longleaf that attracts me but I’ve been having trouble making cuts, or rather good cuts, due to torquing. The BhojPure has a tendency to do this to some degree but nothing like the Longleaf. I’ll make the initial cut into the side of a jug only to have the blade twist counter clockwise to come out of the true bottom playing havoc with the cutting stand. I find with a leather gauntlet I can eliminate the issue but I prefer not to have to hunt up and put on the glove before cutting. So this morning I tried taping the forward portion of the Longleaf’s grip with friction tape and that seems to help greatly. I also realized that I wasn’t working my fingers, especially the pinky, as I should have been and this also improved the cutting power. These two kurkis have renewed my kukri interest.
I also have a theory regarding the chakmak, the sharpening tool resembling a knife. Perhaps in the old days when the kukris were of softer metal they had an importance that is minimized today with the harder, better steels and is sometimes included with a kukri I think out of tradition although I find use for the karda, the small knife. I’ve been using the chakmak on these two kukris and the edge appears that it might be holding up longer. My theory is that after use although the edge appears in good shape it may have a small roll of deformation still too small to be detected. Using the chakmak at this point will realign the metal. I’ve started using it on my bowie as well and will see how that goes. I’ve been using all three and found they are still shaving sharp. In fact the Longleaf bit me after a cutting session this morning. I had sprayed with WD-40 and was wiping the blade down and forgot about the oversize belly which was hidden by the towel and wiped as if a straighter blade. My mistake. When I got around to dressing it I found a piece of skin hanging that I removed. It’s nothing serious, just a temporary inconvenience.
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Jan 3, 2021 18:25:34 GMT
I was out early this morning picking up from where I left off yesterday with the Longleaf. Not as many targets due to yesterday’s cutting but my usual; drink cans, litro carton, and 1.8 L plastic jugs. All had the same result; the top half hit the deck and the lower half remained on the stand as if nothing had happened. And not the slightest sign of torquing. Such a good session always makes me feel good and this was a great way to start the day, marred only by a computer crash but after an hour I was up and running again, so all in all a great day. I discovered that I had space for another tape wrap between the raiser and butt and applied. The big difference was I found the sweet spot yesterday and proved it today. It’s in the photo. Being that close to the grip, 3½”, feels strange and I have to force myself to use it, but today it was easier. The tip cuts mentioned earlier aren’t as bad as they may sound. They varied in depth but >2” would be a good representative figure. That’s enough to disembowel amongst other things. And at nearly a kilo and as sharp as it is that blade wants to keep going. I lucked out on this knife. As for the finger, I had plenty of time to dress it while working on the computer this morning. No sign of infection and a small piece is clearly missing. 40 HRC doesn’t sound all that good but with the soft targets and using the chakmak after each session it’s retaining a shaving edge, so far. I would not dare cut wood or such with it.
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Feb 17, 2021 20:05:47 GMT
I’m still learning about kukris and am fascinated and have been for some time with Gurka history, especially their combat techniques. A while back I received the second of two issue kukris and have posted earlier. What ACC is calling Longleaf, I believe more accurately is GMI (Gurka Military Issue) quickly became my favourite combat knife as well as an all time favourite. At first I had questioned it as it is heavy and the metal is soft around 40-42 HRC estimated. I did roll the edge once. It went through the target hitting the cutting board at a small angle. That was easily repaired with a chakmak. I decided at that time perhaps rolling is more common than I had thought, the roll being so small as to be undetectable but continues to grow to a point that I declared it rolled. This is not restricted to kukris. So now after each cutting session I break out a chakmak. I would much rather sharpen by realigning the edge rather than removing metal. I just returned from a cutting session, the subject of this post. That kukri has its original sharpening I did after receiving it and it will still take off hair, just tried it, but the chakmak came first. So maybe I’ve learned how to use a chakmak after all these years. It’s a horse at 960 g with a 15” blade just under 3” across and a ½” spine, and it’s a cutting trick but not what I’d call a GP knife. It’s clear this one was designed with combat in mind. I’ve been in touch with KHHI finalizing a kukri that I intend to order and presented the above in hopes that he could shed some more light on it. Timo gave it a good start. This is what my contact with KHHI had to say: “This kukri is an original issuance belonging to a soldier of RNA (Royal Nepalese Army) dating back to ca 1905-1920 during the reign of his highness PM Shree 3 Chandra Sumsher Rana. He actually started this system of engraving hence at the back what you see is his name. The numerics are the name of the company in which the soldier belonged to. Sadly I can't figure out which one it is. Then its followed by batch no. of the arsenal from which the kukri was given to him to keep stock track, and last is the name of the supreme commander of the army, the man himself. The kukri was the main weapon of the army that time. Its issued to the infantry division and was made in Kathmandu in one of the official army factories back then.” I thought it older but am fine with the date. With what appeared to be superior cutting abilities in mind I gave it a challenge to make what would be an abdominal cut, a favourite of the Gurkas but protected by a rug. I have only been able to cut through a rug on one occasion and that was with my Windlass M1860 and the jug received only a slight cut being about 2-3” long and shallow. And this issue is what made me a point fan although I believe it depends on the circumstance as to give point or cut. That kukri did it twice in two cuts, not failing once. I used two free standing filled plastic jugs behind a single rug. In the past a single jug and it would topple lessening the effect of the blade. I’ll go back and in time repeat with swords that failed in the past using two jugs. With the first cut I used a T shirt, not much protection but probably close to what an adversary may wear. That jug was old and had become brittle as seen around the cut. There were other breaks near the top and back due to the fall it took. That one toppled too. That being too easy I opted for the rug and that one did not fall. The results are below. That has wetted my appetite to check out its little brother with a 13” blade, also a GAI. But that’s for another day. That one is nimble, fast, and a delight to swing, but so far has not lived up to the cutting power of its big brother. Jug w/shirt T Shirt after cut Jug w/rug The wounded rug
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Feb 28, 2021 17:05:49 GMT
I gave the BhojPure a go with the set up as was with the Longleaf earlier omitting the T shirt. The results were the same except scaled down. My feeling as a result is that I’d be comfortable using either in a tight although more so with the Longleaf w/shield. I can see the reason for the BhojPure. A soldier will do just about anything to lighten his load. This Longleaf weighs 960 g to BhoPure’s 600 and the difference is noticeable. While the Longleaf’s combat performance is superior, the BhojPure’s is good enough, faster, easier to handle, and can be used as a GP knife. They both will still cut hair and I've only used a chakmak on them. I’m curious as how bone will affect them, but not enough to try it considering the HRC. I'm planning to try two rugs next as one is not enough of a challenge. A Comparison The Cuts (2) The Rug The Rug, Again
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Mar 8, 2021 18:37:44 GMT
I intended to try a thrust with the Longleaf. After making the same set up but substituting a ½ litre jug, my inventory is dwindling, and covering it with two rugs decided to go for a cut. I cut through both rugs mortally wounding the jug. I missed placed the photos but to tell the truth were so similar to the previous ones nothing is really lost. I previously noted the sweet spot and found this true when cutting bottles and such but with the rugs I found the sweet spot more to the tip with rugs and will try that with the swords in the future.
Later I was regretting having not given point. I went back with a well used and patched gallon jug and gave point using 2 rugs and failed. That was a learning experience I wasn’t expecting. I did it cold and thrust as I would with a sword and as my hand finalized the transition from a hammer grip to hand shake the heel of my hand passed over the flare at the end of the grip throwing the point off line. So while my thrust was unsuccessful it turned into a good lesson. The correction wasn’t difficult, I was just caught unprepared. Having said all of that I don’t know why I used that technique in the first place, too much sword practice perhaps. With the Kukri I’d give a #3 point or from 6 o'clock using a hammer grip.
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Apr 25, 2021 12:50:09 GMT
A bit messeresque, isn't it? It actually handles a lot like a forward-heavy longsword or messer, not bad at all. So does this one. In fact somewhere along this various inspectors that it passed through someone changed my description from knife or kukri, I can’t remember which I used, to espada (sword). With some effort I was able to get it changed to kukri. sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/64133/mk3-kukri-khhi-review?page=1&scrollTo=856967
|
|
|
Post by Simpleman on Jul 7, 2021 12:45:09 GMT
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Jul 7, 2021 13:01:27 GMT
Thanks for the post. I've only scanned it but will come back time permitting. I'm always looking for kukri information.
|
|
|
Post by cearball on Jul 28, 2021 19:18:30 GMT
I was out early this morning picking up from where I left off yesterday with the Longleaf. Not as many targets due to yesterday’s cutting but my usual; drink cans, litro carton, and 1.8 L plastic jugs. All had the same result; the top half hit the deck and the lower half remained on the stand as if nothing had happened. And not the slightest sign of torquing. Such a good session always makes me feel good and this was a great way to start the day, marred only by a computer crash but after an hour I was up and running again, so all in all a great day. I discovered that I had space for another tape wrap between the raiser and butt and applied. The big difference was I found the sweet spot yesterday and proved it today. It’s in the photo. Being that close to the grip, 3½”, feels strange and I have to force myself to use it, but today it was easier. The tip cuts mentioned earlier aren’t as bad as they may sound. They varied in depth but >2” would be a good representative figure. That’s enough to disembowel amongst other things. And at nearly a kilo and as sharp as it is that blade wants to keep going. I lucked out on this knife. As for the finger, I had plenty of time to dress it while working on the computer this morning. No sign of infection and a small piece is clearly missing. 40 HRC doesn’t sound all that good but with the soft targets and using the chakmak after each session it’s retaining a shaving edge, so far. I would not dare cut wood or such with it. Maybe it's just me but surely this sweet spot is an anomaly? I would think the meat/wider part of the blade would be normal...
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Jul 28, 2021 21:09:56 GMT
I would think the meat/wider part of the blade would be normal... After more familiarity I’ve decided it depends on the target. With the backyard targets in front of the bend seems to work better. I believe because it allows more distance in which to slice. But when trying to cut gallons jugs protected by rug(s) that didn’t work as well as tip cuts. I believe the tip penetrated the rug allowing the rest of the blade to enter and then started cutting. That fat belly works well when the target is laying on an anvil. It appears that the Nepalese generally use the length of the blade from the inner curve to short of the belly. Below is a video, one in a series, on rural life in Nepal. The author has several videos on the subject. The one I’ve posted below involves a family and their daily life. The series is not very exciting but informative. In fact they show replacing the handle (field repair), cutting, using rocks to sharpen, etc. As I said it’s not all that exciting showing the humdrum of everyday life but educational.
|
|
|
Post by Simpleman on Oct 15, 2021 10:31:06 GMT
Ted Fitzwater that wrote this article passed away recently, let his life and work live on. He will be missed. IKRHS that he is referring to is still very much active but in a new shape and form. I am not sure I have seen his article posted so here it comes. So many of us are depending on people like him. www.oregonknifeclub.org/Kukri%20Articles.pdf
|
|
|
Post by kailashblades on Jan 18, 2023 8:01:14 GMT
Ted Fitzwater that wrote this article passed away recently, let his life and work live on. He will be missed. IKRHS that he is referring to is still very much active but in a new shape and form. I am not sure I have seen his article posted so here it comes. So many of us are depending on people like him. www.oregonknifeclub.org/Kukri%20Articles.pdf Thanks for sharing this article- I've not encountered it previously and it packs a lot of good information into quite a compact format. These Cache khukuris are something really special. I can't think of any other example where blades of such age and known prominence are so readily attainable. It'll be a true shame when the supply dries up and it becomes harder for people to gain the insights into construction and balance that they currently provide.
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Jan 18, 2023 12:29:29 GMT
I don’t know how I missed this. Thanks Simpleman.
|
|
|
Post by durinnmcfurren on Jan 24, 2023 4:45:26 GMT
I'm reminded of two things.
First, the Brit experience in WWI showed that hand to hand combat was still a thing, at least at that time, so it isn't surprising that they would want the Gurkhas to continue to have an effective hand to hand weapon.
Second, the story of a group of Gurkhas in Africa, who were told by their British commanding officer to stop inflating the number of casualties they claimed to have inflicted on the Germans when they would go on patrol. So the next night, they returned to him with a report and a bag. When he opened the bag, he found a collection of ears.
|
|
|
Post by simplerman on Jul 9, 2023 13:07:18 GMT
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Jul 9, 2023 15:18:24 GMT
Thanks. I enjoy learning about the everyday life of the Nepalese. I have gone through the previous serious which covered about two years of a family, plus a few more thrown in. I subscribed to this series as well.
|
|
|
Post by simplerman on Jul 9, 2023 18:26:38 GMT
I think we may be the 2 people that are appreciating these clips the most. Well hopefully it can spark interest not only in the khukuri to start with but also the use of it for others. Its really quite unique, so many blades are mostly around for those interested, lets say saex, sabers or katanas. Through texts and other sources recreating their use. Here we have a type of blade, the khukuri still very much used today. Not that much martial use documented on video but its still used towards humans when tempers flare, often with rather ugly injuries as a result. But thats the weaponside of the khukuri. I find the utilitary, everyday side much more interesting. And here is where the Rural videos come in, its really getting first hand knowledge from those that use them everyday, how are they carried, how do they look, to what are they used, how are they sharpened? And the most important, it gives insight how Nepalis live their life in the villages. What are their beliefs and customs (oh my this is a huge topic!)? How do they live their daily life? The people and the khukuri are so intertwined, you cannot appreciate one without the other. More bamboo work with khukuri.
|
|