12" Sirupati weight forward advantage/comparison

Triquetra

Triquetra

Joined
Mar 7, 2002
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I am have been considering a 12" Sirupati for a lightweight hiking/outdoor defense knife for the summer. I know one of the things that makes the Khukuri so effective is the forward balance and weight of the knife which accounts for it's exceptional cutting/chopping ability. This considered, with the small size (figuratively speaking) does a Khukuri of this size really have a advantage over a regular Cold Steel Tanto or Kabar or any general knife when it comes to slicing, chopping, and defense.
 
I think Rusty has used a 12 in. sirupati quite a bit. Sarge has too, but I think Sarge is in Iraq somewhere by now.

The one 12" knife that I can tell you about is the 12 in AK. They are nothing like that 15" models but there is enough weight at the sweet spot on the little AK that in a fight you would come awful close to taking an arm off with it. The biggest thing about a khuk that I can seen that gives it an advantage over most knives is the angle that the real business part of the knife hits the target. Kind of like a chop and slice at the same time.

Yes, I would put up an HI khuk against any like size and weight knife. The khuk will do more damage with less work than any knife I know of. That 12" Siru. looks like it would be a pretty good stabbing weapon too. If you have handled the heavier khuks. Be prepared to get a surprise. The 15 incher that I have was a shock to me at first.
Good luck on whatever choice you make. HI blades are good enough that you can't hardly make a bad choice.



:) :)
 
I dunno, I seem to think my 12" siruputi is more knifier than my 12" AK which is more khuky?:eek: :rolleyes: :p :footinmou
 
Uncle sent a 12" AK in the last batch. I can only get three fingers on the handle/guard. The blade at it's widest is still narrower than a Kabar.

Hope that helps on the sizing.

S/F, Mike
 
khuks...My AK at least, has 3/8ths inch thick spine. Doubt that either of your alternatives can match it. VERY handy when using a baton to cut. The heavier forward weight of the AK (in my opinion) makes it a better chopper for a 12 in than the Siru.


But then, Pappy and I are both kinda partial to the 12 in AK format. As Fed says, the Siru is more knife-like. (but I've never had one, make your own evalution.)

Defense? Dunno. No longer in my world. But...you pull a 12 in ANYTHING and any human threat is going to re-evaluate the dialog.

If you are planning to drop from trees on lions and tigers and bears, you may need addtional advice.

good luck. Look carefully at Pendentive's comparisons.
 
I'm paying attention here (for purely academic reasons of course).;)

Mike, glad you mentioned the handle.

As I find a 18" GS fits my hand alot better than the 15"AK. Where would a 12" handle fit in there or does it depend on maker?

Shirley
 
I handled some 12" sirus at the khonvention, and my khonvention dhankuta is about the same size (if I remember correctly).

My impression is that a 12" khuk would out-chop a straight knife of similar size and weight, but the difference wouldn't be all that much. I wouldn't want to have to regularly attack anything much bigger than an inch or two, and if it was dead and dry it would be faster to break under-foot. As far as baton cuts, I would think it might be slightly easier with a straight blade, but it depends on how much blade bend you have. Maybe just what I'm used to.
If my primary purpose was chopping, I'd probably go for something a little longer, maybe a 15" siru, or a Pen Knife. The Pen is nice and compact, but has a little better weight for chopping.

A 12" khuk would make an awesome slashing defensive weapon. You could definitely remove a limb if you hit in the right place, but it would be difficult to go through major bones. For defense, though, the edge probably goes to whatever you're used to using.

YMMV
 
I had a 12" Siru, which I returned to Bill because I could only get 3 fingers on the handle. For most average-sized males in the West, I think that the handles on the HI 12"ers are going to be on the small side.

The handle length seems to vary by model. The Balance that I just got from Bill has a short, light blade - comparable to the 12" Siru. But, its handle is as long as those typically found on an 18" HI khuk. In other words, it's a small khuk that I can use.

If you're looking for a short, light khuk to carry while hiking, the Balance might be a good choice for you.

S.
 
The balance is a great little khuk. I think it would take a bit of practice and familariy with the blade to get maximum performance. The bend seemed pretty extreme, at least for the Ghopte that I looked at. Weight and size are excellent for your expressed purpose.
 
To me the one 12" Sirupati reminds my of a Doberman bitch with an attitude, a toothache, and hemmorhoids. It's got it's fangs out and it about begs for any excuse.

The others: dhankuta, heavy almost balance, light AK's, and 1/2" spine pocket battleship - each are what they are.

If you get the chance,raid the warehouse to find what calls to you. Like the line-up at the guest ranch when they call "Company, Girls!", your choice may not be at all what you expected going in the gate.( Just repeating what I've been told, of course. ) :o :eek: :p :cool: :D :D
 
I dunno I likey me the small grip. One finger fits over the ferrule, dont mind, feel like it adds support. Who says you have to have your hand only on the horn part. Feels nice and tight for controlled precision usage. Though, thats on my 12" AK, the 12" siru is even smaller. So I guess its the size varies with kami thingy.
 
At 5'3" and size 8 shoes and gloves, the small handles fit me fine. In fact for the 12" sirupatis, the undersize ones make for extra quick shifts in hold.

I had Pala stand up next to me and height, hand size etc, he was pretty much my twin except for my bigger belly.

As far as tooled scabbards the sarkis who did that either left a step ahead of the military, or got caught for ties with the Maoists.
 
I appreciate all of the advice. First time that I've been on since the down time and really like the hands on opinions. I think that one of these would fit me great because I am similiar in size to Rusty's description of himself and Pala.
 
I don't know who made the 12" AK that has a belly narrower than a K-bar. Like Kis says, there is no way that a K-bar will come close in thickness and the belly on mine is definitly wider that a K-bar. The belly of my 12" AK measures just over 1 & 5/8ths I don't think a K-bar will quite make that.

I wouldn't mind having a 12" Siru. but, till I can afford one I'll sure make due with this one. I can do a lot with it. I know if I ever had to use it as a defensive weapon it will sure do some damage.:)
 
cucharadedragon, try to get your hands on a PEN knife. They are sweet.:D
 
but after reading this thread, and then trying to imagine a situation, seems to me that I would be aiming at the opponents hand, wrist and blade...while most tantos, kabars would predispose the user to aim at my torso. So, in effect, he would be extending my target (his arm, hand, etc) to me, while having to render himself more vulnerable to the hacking cut of a khuk in an attempt to stab or slash.


sheer speculation.
 
Originally posted by Kismet
but after reading this thread, and then trying to imagine a situation, seems to me that I would be aiming at the opponents hand, wrist and blade...while most tantos, kabars would predispose the user to aim at my torso. So, in effect, he would be extending my target (his arm, hand, etc) to me, while having to render himself more vulnerable to the hacking cut of a khuk in an attempt to stab or slash.
sheer speculation.
Click to expand...
For someone who claims not to know much about formal knife defense, Kis you have just described the essence of trained vs un-trained knife-fighting. The guy who stays tight, and un-exposed is that guy who isnt greedy (looking for the hollywood one super finishing cut), but is instead out there to live.
 
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