15" Ang Khola as a Trap Line Tool

I only go trapping occasionally, and when I do, there is only an occasional bit of brush to cut. All I might want to do is make a small 'barrier' of brush on a trail, or remove some brush so that the animal won't tangle. So the shorter khuk of any type would generally suffice.

If I had serious scrub-cutting to do, I would only use my precious khukuri as a last resort. I might be cutting regrowth scrub on a roadway where it is essential to cut it near the ground with as 'flat' a cut as possible to help ensure that the cut stump isn't going to act like a caltrop to penetrate feet and tyres. We often use a chainsaw for this, but occasionally we'd use something more primitive.

I would prefer to use a light slasher (bill-hook?), or maybe even a grubber (mattock?). I don't mind if these tools hit rock and have to have a heap of sharpening. This is what these tools are made for. But to use a khukuri for such work would upset me. These are relatively expensive, precision blades and it wouldn't seem right to abuse them in this way.

But this doesn't mean that I don't want a big khukuri capable of clearing acres of scrub.
 
Coote, you are on a similar path I've taken. I started out with a 15"AK, then got a 12"AK then a 17"Foxy Folly.
The 15"AK is still my favorite & is used on 75% of my excursions. I'll cut some poles & brush to make blinds, chop limbs from the trail, make some firewood to heat my lunch, clear a spot to set a beaver trap. I found a good quality paring knife that fit the kharda loop but since I always have a SAK in my pocket, I think I'll make a firesteel & carry that & the chakma in the scabbard.
The 12" rides in the saddlebag of my motorcycle & on my belt when I'm carrying a rifle, shotgun or flyrod. I've modified the scabbard to eliminate the space for kharda & chakma, now the khuk rides snugger to my hip & is convenient to carry either on the right or left side.
The Foxy Folly goes when there's sure to be serious chopping on the agenda. I've felled 6" diameter maples with it. Only mod so far is to dull the chape to spare the calf of my leg from getting gored.
I've been enjoying your threads. My daughter & I have talked about someday going to your part of the world & trying the legendary trout fishing.
Regards,
Uplander
 
Good stuff Uplander.

Never bothered with trout fishing myself....it costs money for a licence, whereas we can fish in the sea for free (but have to observe size and bag limits).

I must do a search for 'Foxy Folly'. Maybe she's the one....

I had to file the brass at the bottom of my scabbard too. No big deal though.
 
Coote,
regarding the salt water; do you fish the surf, lagoons, or the open sea? What species?
Uplander
 
I must do a search for 'Foxy Folly'. Maybe she's the one....

You might be interested in the JW Foxy Folly pics on page seven of the Himalayan Imports Picture Thread, as its got a longer-than usual handle which might give you a few more handling options. I prefer the look of the traditional handled ones myself, but I've tried neither so...
 
Ah....thanks for that Foxy Folly reference. Very nice blade...but like you say the handle seems almost 'wrong' after growing used to the tradtional ones. Nevertheless, it looks like it could really remove wood in a hurry.

Uplander.... I will make a post about fishing in the 'cantina' off-topic forum so that I don't upset our moderators too much. Don't get excited though...it is all fairly ordinary.
 
My Fox has the traditional handle, fortunately it's comfortable to my hand. The blade is about 5/16'' thick so it's lighter & quicker than it looks. Now to the Cantina....
Uplander
 
Hi Coote - yeah I haven't trapped after possum for ages.The AK is good value eh! I took to a Possum on the last hunt with my Chitlangi - not much left of it at the end.I also found my 15 inch AK great for cutting up wallabies for meat.
For those of you who don't live in NZ the possum here is incredible numbers and they really decimate the forest.Had one scurrying over the roof the other night - won't be doing that for a second time and that's for sure!The skin price dropped a few years back and my brother and I got out of the game - but I still wack em when ever I get the chance.See you got a red/brown - down here they usually silver greys.
OK Coote -got to go - take care eh!
 
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