Large Fierce Mammal

Me and my Chitlange Khukuri, together in our Natural habitat with a salute to the Fine Craftsmen of Kailash Blades! . (Mrs. LFM photo — Click image to enbiggen)

The blade is but the tooth and claw
That Nature never gave,
So Man no longer hides in trees,
Nor cowers in a cave.

Why scrabble for what lives beneath
The rocks and rotting logs?
Take blade, go forth with Comrades bold,
And Trusty Hunting Dogs!

~ Tooth and Claw ~
(Excerpt)

If you’ve ever spent any time watching a butcher converting parts of an animal into meat for consumption, or a fishmonger doing the same with a denizen of the deep, you’ll immediately realize how little effort is being expended in the undertaking …

So, the power of the blade lies, and has always lain, in the keenness of its point and edge, demanding nothing of its wielder beyond the physicality required to grip its handle, and the mentality to guide its point and edge with skill and sensitivity. This is really as simple as simple gets, and I see many similarities to interactions between a skilled Dog Handler and his or her working Dog. Every generation though, seems hell bent on reinventing the basics as though those old ways couldn’t possibly represent any kind of complete and reality tested methodology that shouldn’t be rebuilt from zero in this age of enlightenment, or even tossed out wholesale as irrelevantly unworthy of study.

In considering such conceit, my mind returns first to the words of David Tresemer, in this case on the subject of hand mowing with that most perfect implement, the scythe: “… for every ‘rule’ or tradition I have for scythe design and technique, somebody someplace else did it a little differently and got the grass cut.” 

It all comes down, you see, to a melding of Tool design with the technique required to employ it in accomplishing a goal, all with an understanding that the curves defining outcome versus energy expenditure have to find that perfect crossing point, and the more work that can be accomplished by savvy melding of implement design with method of application, the better. ~ ~ A Long Winter’s Night — Ascent to Spring Edition: Of Form and Function

Today in this here learned journal o’ mine, we’ll start talking about Tools I choose to cut and pierce the kinds of matter that my personal lifestyle has a propensity to both commonly, and now and again uncommonly, present.

When one has his garniture set up right, getting through the day is as effortless as driving a standard shift through city traffic. The mind geography of capabilities and physical placement  enhance any action demanding of a farce multiplier with effortless grace so that, to an onlooker, the deployment, use, and replacement of the tool may almost pass unnoticed mid-conversation. At the same time, while the fundamental realities of Life are undeniably objective, what it takes to thrive in the face of those that veer toward the negative are, to a degree subjective, based on positioning.

Case in point is my most recent acquisition of a Chitlange (pronunciation to be discussed anon) from the highly recommended Kailash Blades, and part of which is visible in the photo adorning the top of this piece. If you know anything of the traditional knife of the Gurkhas, the Khukuri, you will  recognize what I’m holding as a variety drawn from the plethora of historical cultural and regional styles indigenous to the nation of Nepal.

As described by Kailash Blades:

Chitlanges are an interesting style of khukuri. A subset of particularly ornamental sirupate that was originally intended for trade with India, the form developed a reputation for its beauty, swiftness and cutting performance that saw it broadly absorbed back into Nepal’s blade culture and into the international spotlight in the hands of many modern gurkhas.

Identifying features of this khukuri style are a gorgeous main fuller and straighter blade style with less tip drop to reduce weight for a more lively feel. The bevel is also steeper than many modern sirupate which allows for outstanding cutting performance. It features a rather straight, slender handle that allows for fine angling, rotation and adjustment.

Having been in possession of my own example since late last August, I can personally attest to its being a thing of beauty to behold, carry, and wield.

When next we convene, the Chitlange will lead the discussion in some directions sure to be informative and entertaining.

Now off to butter some toast.