16.5 WWII or Chiruwa?

Welcome! :) There is another option, get a Chiruwa WWII in either size. I had one (can't remember the size) for a short time about 3 years ago. Wishing to this day that I had bought another one. Very sweet and Masize! :eek: :D :D

Heber
 
I don't know which you should get, but I have my first, an 18" WWII I got last week. I love that thing. I imagine the 16" would be a couple inches handier as a pack knife, if it does give up a little in chopping i imagine the speed gained would make it a better weapon.
 
munk said:
Don't listen to raghorn- he knows darn well I wanted that rare find- a heavy 16" WWll. It's almost a chiruwa, but probably doesn't have the same amount of weight forward.

Some fear broken tangs in the traditional design. Yvsa and others prefer the traditional design.
Get both and go forth happy.

munk

I just posted that to pull your chain, munk. ;)

I have used both and would recommend both for the task you describe. Start with the one that most appeals to you aesthetically. Before long you'll buy more anyway. <shrug>

And nice post, Jake!
 
Hey guys,
Thanks for the overwhelming response!! I'm now leaning towards the WWII. So, now the question is this: which is better all-around? The 18- or 16.5-inch WWII? Is the 18- clumsy at all? Is it worth the extra weight on a backpack? I probably would avoid too much chopping, unless something bad happens and it becomes necessary. For overall knife use, would the 16.5 be better?

Thanks again for the quick and numerous responses.
 
The 16.5" is humongous sized.

You can't conceive it until you actually hold it in your hand. There is something about the hand forged khuks that makes you imagine a spirit inside waiting for you to claim it.

If you can grab a Bura, do it. His are lighter than the ones made by Sher. I have 3 16.5" Bura's. I have one 16.5" Sher, and it fills any reason I might have to want an Ang Khola. I got the Sher by mistake, but couldn't bear to return it.

Go with the 18" WWII if you feel the need to dispatch a grizzly bear with a knife.



:eek: ;) :D
 
My 18.5" WWII is about 24 oz. and I think that it is the perfect weight for a knife that size. I think it is a bit lighter than normal for this size though.
 
please allow me to enlighten you on your dilemma.

AK 15" - beautiful knife, great all around work/utility knife. Great for the chopping, don't let it's small size fool you. It's a beautiful knife & fun just beating the hell out of it. It's got heft and a thick spine depending on who made it. So don't worry about breaking it! You have to handle one to know what I'm talking about. My personal choice as a first khukuri. I recommend a horn ('cuz it's a beautiful thing) one and maybe made by Sher. Something you can pound !

18" WWII - best all around carry, depending on your size preferences it can light enough to clear brush or do some light chopping. Intimidating knife. My close second choice. Go for a wood handled Kumar. nice and lighter but still good presence. Kinda long and awkward to be trudging through the forest... but it's the one I bring along on my hikes even though it's a little harder to carry. remove that spear point on the scabbard!

point is you need to get both. both are really different enough to give you a starter's understanding on the properties of khukuries. the longer bladed martial arts types are a totally different animal... we don't want to overwhelm you now ;)


Chiruwa... nice choice, but the full tang isn't that necessary (this is where i duck). get the two above and you'll do really well. Just my opinion! milleage may vary. personal pref's abound. hope this helps.
 
You see how life is different for all of us- I have no use for a 15" AK I don't think it chops very well at all. I like Sher and Horn too though.

How can so many people have so many different answers?

Life is fun.

munk
 
I really like the idea of the 18-inch WWII now! Thanks guys. Through your imput, I feel "called" by that knife. Any good knife nut knows what I mean. You just know. I don't think I'll be disappointed.
 
munk said:
You see how life is different for all of us- I have no use for a 15" AK I don't think it chops very well at all. I like Sher and Horn too though.

How can so many people have so many different answers?

Life is fun.

munk

Hrm! I love my 15" AK. Found alot of good campfire uses for it, great for limbing trees and isn't a bear to carry, and it's size makes it easy to handle too for things like cutting rope, prying stuff open, digging... yet enough heft to chop.
 
If I could only keep one, it would be the 15" AK, with the little 12" AK villager a very close second. Somehow, that 12" AK is my favorite, but not the one I would use the most. I guess the little wood handle and the less polished blade speak to me .

I really want to get more villagers!

Tom
 
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