- Joined
- Mar 27, 2008
- Messages
- 193
https://photos.app.goo.gl/KyvXmrzSsvmcHGFy1
I just received my Ang Khola Bowie yesterday and boy was I surprised! Let me preface this by saying that the AKB was never high on my list of HI knives to get. I think Bowie's are beautiful but have always come up short for me in the chopping department. Things like splitting fire wood for kindling, cutting brush or building shelters always seemed harder with my Trailmaster or Randall #1-8" than a khukuri. A CAK or Tin Chirra just felt easier to use and more practical. That might be an apples/oranges comparison but is my experience. However listening to a few of our well known members rave about how they love their AKB I took notice. There had to be a reason that they fell for the design so when a DOTD popped up I jumped on it and emailed Yangdu, as always she was right on it and Tuesday the postman dropped off my triangle box.
First thing I noticed was the balance...this does not feel like a Bowie at all, it feels way better! Forward heavy but not cumbersome, the 26 oz blade moves with authority and very nasty on a snap-cut. The handle is comfy, large and usable..kinda like an old Land Rover. It might not win any beauty contests but you fall in love with it's practicality and boy did Kumar do a really great job on the mirror polish and the fitting of the scales!
Next I went to the shop and touched up the edge a bit, shaving sharp is my personal preference and in very little time that was done. Making leather goods is a hobby so cobbling up a heavy duty leather sheath so that it would fit my gear was next, 10oz leather with copper rivets and a Sam Brown stud. The sheath that it came with was perfectly fine and very practical but being left handed I am use to making my own.
Then the AKB went out to our backyard (we live in town for the next few months) and helped me trim some Mulberry and Osage Orange trees. The tempering was perfect, no dings or dents and the edge stayed sharp. This blade really hits HARD, like almost Khukuri hard, biting deep into the hardwood, especially the green stuff. It is compact, comfortable and cuts like a dream. The design is growing on me more and more with use and my guess is that it's going to be in my kit for a while.
I just received my Ang Khola Bowie yesterday and boy was I surprised! Let me preface this by saying that the AKB was never high on my list of HI knives to get. I think Bowie's are beautiful but have always come up short for me in the chopping department. Things like splitting fire wood for kindling, cutting brush or building shelters always seemed harder with my Trailmaster or Randall #1-8" than a khukuri. A CAK or Tin Chirra just felt easier to use and more practical. That might be an apples/oranges comparison but is my experience. However listening to a few of our well known members rave about how they love their AKB I took notice. There had to be a reason that they fell for the design so when a DOTD popped up I jumped on it and emailed Yangdu, as always she was right on it and Tuesday the postman dropped off my triangle box.
First thing I noticed was the balance...this does not feel like a Bowie at all, it feels way better! Forward heavy but not cumbersome, the 26 oz blade moves with authority and very nasty on a snap-cut. The handle is comfy, large and usable..kinda like an old Land Rover. It might not win any beauty contests but you fall in love with it's practicality and boy did Kumar do a really great job on the mirror polish and the fitting of the scales!
Next I went to the shop and touched up the edge a bit, shaving sharp is my personal preference and in very little time that was done. Making leather goods is a hobby so cobbling up a heavy duty leather sheath so that it would fit my gear was next, 10oz leather with copper rivets and a Sam Brown stud. The sheath that it came with was perfectly fine and very practical but being left handed I am use to making my own.
Then the AKB went out to our backyard (we live in town for the next few months) and helped me trim some Mulberry and Osage Orange trees. The tempering was perfect, no dings or dents and the edge stayed sharp. This blade really hits HARD, like almost Khukuri hard, biting deep into the hardwood, especially the green stuff. It is compact, comfortable and cuts like a dream. The design is growing on me more and more with use and my guess is that it's going to be in my kit for a while.
