18" AKs Rock!!

Sylvrfalcn

Sylvrfalcn

Joined
Jun 4, 2002
Messages
3,930
A while back I was in the process of ordering a 15" AK blem, but Uncle, in his wisdom, determined that I'd find an 18 incher more suited to my size. He was right, and my 18", wood handled, Ang Khola (mysterious "mark of the trisul") that he picked out for me is one hell of a khukuri.

I've never before given it a proper test, and we've got a cold snap rolling through, so I took it out back where I've got some rock hard seasoned oak and absolutely wailed on it. Ridiculous. That thing did stuff no knife I've ever seen could do, heck, it did things some pretty good axes won't do, I'm telling you gang it was plumb scary.

An hour later there's a cheery fire blazing in the hearth, and I paused to examine this "wood witch's" blade. Not only was it still capable of shaving, I had to look hard to find any scratching of the "magic stone" finish!

A friend once told me there's no such thing as "supernatural", it's only nature that we don't understand. Well I don't understand how a guy half a world away can take hammer in hand, squat before a piece of red hot steel, and fashion a blade with magical properties.

Think I'm exaggerating? Get yourself an 18" AK, go out and wail on it, then you tell me if I'm full of beans.

Sarge
 
I 2 am a big fan of the 18" AK: Here's mine:
attachment.php


Keith
 
I Frank c.... Do hereby swear by my 18"AK FOR LIFE.:D ;) THAT KNIFE IS AN AWESOME KNIFE (A K)....;)It can cut almost anything. :cool: I have the horn handle.Great in the cold weather.:)Enjoy Sarge.
 
I just got one about two weeks ago. It looks like it may replace my old standby BAS as my regular use knife. It's a horn handled Bura and it is a bit on the light side for an AK but it swings great and won't wear you out too quick.
 
Just ordered 15" and 18" Ang Kholas, can't wait to test them out and see what they will do.:D
 
My favorite Khukuri so far is my 18" AK by Sher. It has a wood handle with a nice glossy tru oil finish, and I put a nice patina on the blade. If I could only have one khuk, it would by my AK.
--Josh
 
I dunno I dunno...better than a 18" WWll? Is Guiness better than St. Pauli Girl or just different? I have a 19" AK that is in Art S's words; "the best one handed chopper he's ever found." Because of its 2 lb weight I consider it a longer version 18" AK. It was a edge failure during the Maoist uprising that Bill sent to replace another edge failure. Statisical oddity, I had a couple failures. ARt's reground edge has never wavered. I can't break the blade. It's certain I'm not as strong as some of you military martial arts types, but I can swing a blade pretty hard. My standard test is to swing the blade past cutting usefullness and as if I was going to go through the log.



munk
 
Think I'm exaggerating? Get yourself an 18" AK, go out and wail on it, then you tell me if I'm full of beans.

Sarge
Click to expand...

I think the 18" AK is the best all around AK period!!!!:D
 
I have silently squirreled away an 18" wood-handled AK myself (Thanks Uncle Bill!).

It feels less lively than the 15", but holy cow does it chew through lumber! :cool:

I will post more than first impressions when I get a chance to use it more, but I sure catch your drift, Sarge.

Philthy
 
Philthy, do you play guitar? Yeah, I've brilliantly noticed your page logo. Raghorn plays bass in his band. I play the harp, (harmonica) if we ever got together, there should be enough here to form the HI Khukuri Band.


munk
 
I took that "Wood Witch" of an AK out to the boy scout camp today and squared away some wood for the old cast iron Franklin stove in the longhouse. She is an absolute terror. I treat all cutting tools with respect, but that one commands respect bordering on awe and reverance.

HI Khukuri band? Got room for some Celtic stuff played on the pennywhistle? Oh boy, oh boy, if Manoucher recruits the groupies this could be really good!

Greg
 
Sarge (Greg)-
I agree with your choice, but my 20" AK has had some company of late that holds her own with the big knife. Get Uncle to send you one of the Ganga Ram Specials. Mine is a Sher (I think) & it is one more bad mother. Handles as good as my 20" AK, but is a tad more forward weighted due, I guess, to the belly on her. First time I used her, it was amazing. It cuts a little different, but is truly an awesome chopper.......oak, dogwood, popular, ash, hickory makes no difference. Both will take a tree down before you can turn around. Keep thinking I need a new mule so I can carry 3 or 4 of them with me in the woods! Mine passed on a couple years ago after 37 years...never could get him out of the habit of trying to chew on the sheaths when I left them on him while i was working. Hope the kamis keep building those big ones!!!!!
 
My insurance company bought me an 18" AK to replace a cold steel LTC that was stolen in burglary. Three days after ordering from the website I had a beatiful 18" AK by Kumar. I was amazed by the size of it, and the finish was great. The edge was a little dull, but I split some wood anyway, figuring I could touch up the edge later. The Handle was great, the wood is so smooth it feels like plastic.

I went to sharpen and found the edge sooo thick it is going to take about a week to get the edge where I want it. As I drag the blade across the stone I can feel the differential hardness. The edge is much better, but it is not even scraping sharp yet. I will let you know when I get the edge up to par.

I also found the smaller knife (kharda,chakma?) was butterknife sharp, and is going to need epoxy to fill a crack in the handle. On Sat I spent 1/2 hour with a file trying the thin it down to the point where I could sharpen it. I hope to have that done later this week too.

I love my AK, and will buy another, smaller one for more portability, but it was definately not without some flaws.

pat
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top