12" AK or 15" Siru

Triquetra

Triquetra

Joined
Mar 7, 2002
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759
I was wondering which one would be preferable or the best for a hiking, camping, survival, or backcountry knife. I have both and like both but don't have a lot of hands on or outdoor experience with them. The AK seems more compact, seems like it would make a better overall knife or skinner in a pinch, seems like it would be less offensive to the "sheepelish" people that you might encounter. The Siru would probably be a better chopper because of the added length, but not necessarily, would probably be better in a defensive mode against 2 or 4 legged creatures, how much of an advantage I don't really know, maybe less advantageous for prying. Any opinions or comments.

And yes I know the 16.5" Chiruwa AK would probably be superior in a lot of ways or the 18", 28 oz WWII but I am just looking for pro and cons comparing these 2 blades.
 
You've pretty much nailed it yourself. If a Cougar jumped me I'd feel better with the 15" knife, of course. Ask yourself how much chopping you'll realistically need. Know too that the weight difference between the two probably will not make the 15" that much more of a burden, unless you got a real heavy Sirup and a real light AK. The little 12" AK aint going to be chopping much, but it could gnaw on a few things. And which feels best to you in the hand.



munk
 
One time Yangdu and Uncle Bill accidentally sent me a 15" Siru along with my deal.

I wasn't sure so I asked them if it was some sort of a added bonus or what and if not I'd send it back.

Bill said it was a mistake, but to "keep it and think well of us" ;) Which I did and still do:thumbup:

I ended up giving it to my God daughters husband because I felt the best thing to do when somebody gives you grace is to do the same for somebody else:D , but we did use it and I can tell you it will beat a 12" AK hands down, although I've seen a FEW fairly heavy 12" AK's most performance wise are about like Munk describes. The 15" Siru was ok to stuff about 4" in diam.
 
Wouldn't the AK be better at something like skinning and general chores. I haven't skinned anything since I was about 7 so you have to understand my ignorance but the way things are going in this world you never know when you might be living off the land again. I guess the point would be mute since I alway have something like a Mora or a Helle along but you never know what hand that you will be dealt.
 
yeah, i wouldn't go with the worst case, but the worst probable case;) I would rather skin with a mora or my Sarge/KPH or even my SAK before my khuk. As I ALWAYS have one of them on me (usually 2 or 3), then i can pick a khuk to chop or split. I really like the look of the 15" siru. I have never handled one, but have kept my eyes open for a DOTD. I guess if i had to pick a camp/hiking knife, then i would go with the AK. When I go out an about i tend to do more small cuts, slices, and pokes than full on chops. I have no doubt that the siru would out chop the AK. I had a little AK (plan on getting another one day), but my PK just out worked it too much to keep it. It went off to live with someone.
Now, to throw more gas on the fire. Have you looked at the Yangdu Special? I bought one on a whim and I have to say...I'm impressed. At 13" it has more heft than a 12" AK or my Salyan. It kind of strikes me as a love child between a siru and maybe an M43. Thin and pointy, but with a full continuous forward curve. It's very beautiful, but it can work:) 13" and 13oz. Not a bad "little" knife to pack around on light camping trips:thumbup:

Jake
 
Well, yes; the 12" would be better at all around skinning. But the 15" Sirup is going to have a karda of working size, and that can skin little things and tighter spots. But if you're working yourself over to the AK, let me know. I've got years of these kind of cross debates in my head for firearms, and I can easily apply my sociopathic knowledge and elevate your 12" AK. If that's the one you want, let me know and I'll go to work.

It'll never really chop, but so many knowledgable knife folks, like Sarge and others, have said what an all around tough useful knife the little AK really is.



munk
 
Almost any 3-6 inch sheath knife would be better for skinning than an 12in AK would be.

The 12in is too long for convenience, and not angled to facilitate separating skin from flesh. It is an OK blade for major slicing of flesh, but, again, makes disjointing a deer, for instance, a little problematic because of its size and angle.

However, the two used in conjunction should handle any short term camping uses you might have. Rarely are you in the position to be cutting trees or hewing large logs on a camping trip. Mostly smaller wood is used.

At least this is my experience.
 
I have to try and get one of the new 15" sirus the next time one comes along. There were a couple of pretty ones the last few weeks I think. I had a pair of them by Amtrak, but sold them off a few months ago to get $ for the Uncle Bill Memorial Salyans. I still have sizes 18" to 30", but the 15" models are a good size and fill a niche.

Can't quite remember my logic in getting rid of both of them, let alone a matched set, but I saw an antler salyan and wasn't quite thinking straight at the time. :D

Norm
 
I'd think the 12" AK actually better for skinning or meat preparedness than a 15". And I'd think the angle less of a problem at that size. The 15 is big. I've never tried a khuk for big game. The 12" seems more possible to me.

I got tired of hunting. When my oldest starts insisting, I'll start it up again.

You can do big game with a pocket knife. But some folks use large knives. To each his own. The 15" AK would have a usable Karda.


munk
 
I've never been a big fan of the thinner bladed models, but I liked the 15 siru.

It was good for stuff up to about 4" and like Kismet said you usually don't cut stuff much bigger for a campfire or something.
 
I agree with everything that's been said. :p I'd like to hear Sarge's thoughts on the subject. If I remember, he is fond of the 15" siru. I'm not much of an outdoorsman anymore, but have been in the past. I really like the 15" siru. It just feels right to me. But that's totally subjective. It's long enough to be usefull, but light and easy to handle.

Steve
 
I have had both. The 12" AK is cute, but it has a liliputian handle; I have no idea what the heck it is good for. I gave it to my younger boy when he was 13, now his hands are too big for it too. The fifteen inch siru is a good back alley knife, but it doesn't chop all that well (I think Rio Jim has it now). As far as prying it is every bit as stout as a 12" AK. I don't have a BAS but it would probably be a better choice for a lighter kuk. I wouldn't want to use any of them to butcher game, the blade to handle angle sucks for this and the thick spine and geometry just isn't right for the job. A $10 Mora will out perform it 100 to one. Up to the 15" length, I really prefer a straight bladed camp knife. YMMV, of course.

stevo
 
I don't have a 15" Sirupati so can't comment on it.
The 12" AK is a great little carving knife for roughing out handles for many different items and I imagine would be good for roughing out a small bow as well.
The nice thing is that it is small enough that it doesn't bite really deep and therefore is easy to control.
 
Since neither of the two are serious choppers, I'd go with the one that's better suited for clearing brush, etc., and that's the sirupati. The little AK fills the niche of a light belt axe for hunters, and, as Yvsa pointed out, a useful tool for traditional woodworkers (used mine once on a campout to rough out a wooden spoon that I used to eat stew with that evening).

The 15" siru, as has been noted, has a more generous handle, coupled with greater reach and faster swing. This lets it chop as well, or better, than the 12" AK, while adding the dimension of acting as a small machete for clearing underbrush, vines, et cetera. The siru is also better suited as a cut and thrust weapon (IMHO the 15 inchers are much under rated in this role) in an emergency situatioin.

Some quick observations; First, as a weapon, the knife is probably better suited to offense than it is to defense. If you sincerely feel that threat levels dictate a need for defensive weapons, a gun is a better choice. Second, as Kis has pointed out, khukuris are very useful and versatile, but no single tool can be expected to do everything. That's why for many years now the "holy trinity" of backwoods tools has been a good slipjoint folder, a fixed blade belt knife with a blade between 4 & 6 inches, and a good hatchet. Think of your khukuri as a "hatchet plus" and supplement it accordingly. And last, regarding "sheeple" being apprehensive in the presence of a khukuri, what you want to do with a field khuk is tone it down. Seriously, you don't have to go tactical, just let the brass tarnish, use a green scrubby pad everytime you clean the blade to cultivate a satiny finish, even think about graying the blade with lemon juice, etc., to cut the eye catching shine. It's easier to sell the notion that your khukuri is a tool when it has the well used appearance of one. Polished brass and "magic stone" finished blade ain't what you want out in the field. Besides, if you use it much, you're going to be faced with the decision of polishing out all them little scratches, or just leaving 'em there. ;)

Sarge
 
Good stuff! There is not much to add here. I am on record as big fan of the 12" and 15" sirupatis. I think "un-polishng" is a very good suggestion. I never thought of it making a khukri less tactical looking, but it sure does. Fine steel wool will make a horn handle not only less threatening, but better to grip as well.
As far as chopping goes, a sirupati will outclass a machete, but it ain't a double-bit axe.:D
 
Thanks for lots of good opinions and comments, but I would like to clarify a little. I know that the Khuk is not best for a lot of the chores that I asked about. When I go on even short hikes, I always a least have a Swiss Army Knife (pack), a pocket folder (usually my Benchmade), my Helle Odel (pack)(although I am looking to buy one of those cheap Moras), and sometimes my Becker Crewman or modified Air Force Survival knife (pack). I've been keeping this one special 12" AK on my belt. If I am every lucky enough to be able to start going on some of these really outdoor adventures, I will take my special light 15" Chiruwa AK by Bura. I just like to look at "what if's" and listen to all of the good advice.
I did like the part about Yvsa and Sylvrfalcn doing the carving with the AK, especially the spoon. Lots of folks on the survival forum act like you are limited with the larger knives and can't do something like carve a spoon unless you have something like a Mora.
 
Sounds like you could carry one one day and the other the next. Also sounds like if you have the small knife role covered, I'd take the larger 15" Sirupate because it provides a better defense and the true start of chopping wood ability.



munk
 
No khuk is sheeple friendly, IMO. Therefore, take the 15! :)
Can't add much to the general utility comments - SAK, Helle, or mora are all good supplemental blades. I'll have to scare up one of them Kostner Kardas one of these days....

Pat
 
Looking back through this thread, I had to stop and kind of chuckle at myself. As a boy, I roamed the fields and forests far and wide, went on many a hunting, fishing, camping excursion, and all with nothing more than an old barlow knife in my pocket. It skinned many a squirrel/rabbit, gutted many a fish, and whittled many a hot dog stick in it's time. It wasn't just my "go to" knife, it was my only knife, and I honestly had no idea that I needed more knife than that. Funny how we change.

Sarge
 
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