As an update the smaller khukuris definately have better edge holding than the Ontario knives. This I expected as they are the same forged steel in my well used Ang Khola. Besides the better quality steel and tempering, I think the convex grind definately helps in heavy chopping. The khukuris also have better handles.
I sharpened up both Bowies and did about an hours worth of chopping with each ranging from light bush cutting to heavy chopping (clearing deadfall). At the end of the two hours neither Bowie could be used to slice with the part that I had chopped with. I tried steeling them but they did not respond overly well to that. I tried about 10-15 light strokes per side with little effect. I then used about 5 hard strokes (this is basically filing the edge) and achieved a sort of saw. I could detect the edge being rough and uneven with my thumbnail. I just used my x-coarse dmt to put an edge back on. The steel grinds easy so its not a problem. With the same amount of chopping the khukuris are easily brought back to speed with some light work with a chakma and a stroke or two with a ceramic rod.
The handles are the biggest problems with both. The Ontario handles are very abrasive because of the ridges and that hook at the butt digs into your hand once your grips starts to loosen from fatigue. I think you can get around the abrasion if you maybe cordwrapped the handle. I think I will try this later on. If you then used some high friction tape you might be able to keep your grip tight even when fatigued which would solve the problem of the troublesome pommel. The khukuri handle is small but its not abrasive. The only problem is the corner of the butt cap can dig on occasion into my palm. If the khukuri was mine I would simply round it a little.
On raw chopping speed I would estimate that it goes like 15" Sirupati, Marine Raider, 12" Sirupati, Survival Bowie. These are crude estimates just going by feel. I will do more precise ones once the rest of the knives get here on a bunch of similar wood.
The biggest problem with the Bowies is that they tend to stick, this is just a grind problem. How much of a problem this is depends on your use, while it does make heavy chopping a bit difficult, on really hard wood its not a problem as penetration is low there anyway, and plus it does make brush cutting easy and it will probably make for a good slicer. On slicing the thinner grinds of the Bowies should pull them ahead of the khukuris but the curvature of the khukuris should help make up for the thicker grind.
Personally sticking is a bit problem for me as I do a fair amount of heavy chopping -and- pet peeve - I can't do any left / right simultanous chopping. With the 15" Sirupati in my left and the 12" in my right I can get a nice rhythm going and tear through deadfall nicely. If I try that with the Bowies they stick inthe wood and I have to be really carefull not to bang them together.
I can't wait for my 18" Salyan. With that in my right and the 20" Ang Khola in my left hand, move over axe, I will be almost up to chain saw speed. I wish I had an extra hand to manuver the wood.
-Cliff
