All I'm saying is that some people love the M43 more than any model, for camp chores; I can hardly see one disappointed by the performance of a big M43. Of course, an AK or Bonecutter are the choppers "by excellence", while the M43 brings chopping ability into a weapon.
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18" Ang Khola/16.5" Chiruwa Ang Khola Questions.
- Thread starter CalmAsHinduCows
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I just sent Auntie an email inquiring about the available stock of her M43's. That seems like a great blade for what I'll be using it for. And 3/8" spine thickness is plenty sturdy enough for the chores I'll be asking it to do.
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I have a 16.5 CAK and it is amazing, I love that knife and I take it on all my hiking/camping trips. you won't be disappointed :thumbup:
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Ok, after considerable thought and asking my brother-in-law, who is a huge knife collector, his opinion, I'm going with the 16.5" CAK. 
:thumbup:
I'll probably be placing my order sometime tomorrow or Sunday.
:thumbup:I'll probably be placing my order sometime tomorrow or Sunday.
Last edited:
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Ok, after considerable thought and asking my brother-in-law, who is a huge knife collector, his opinion, I'm going with the 16.5" CAK.
I'll probably be placing my order sometime tomorrow or Sunday.
Calm,
I am just new to HI blades,ordered first knife time ago,CAK was also my option to go with and it is hell of a blade-YOU WONT BE DISAPOINTED I CAN GUARANTEE! Chiruwa Ang Khola is possibly most famous knife from Himalayan Imports and known to general knife comunity as an undestructable "world's strongest,toughest knife",according to many..... I am highly recommending to you to go for this model,however it is the only one i own so far and like allready many others from HI selection-especially M43, this will be hopefully soon my second order....Be in your place,i'd definitely go for 18"CAK out of two options you mentioned,but surely 16,5 must be a beatiful piece.These knifes will blow your mind,once you will lay your hands on them.
Ok, after considerable thought and asking my brother-in-law, who is a huge knife collector, his opinion, I'm going with the 16.5" CAK.
I'll probably be placing my order sometime tomorrow or Sunday.
I've been matching Khukuri to the users here with nary a complaint for several years now.
Does your brother in law know how much of a difference in size and chopping power an inch or two makes in a khukuri?
Many people assume that an inch or two doesn't make any difference in either. I can tell you from experience that nothing could be farther from the truth. It is however your decision in the end.
As the CAK is out of stock right now, please be patient if you order. It could be up to a month, maybe a bit longer for them to be made and shipped to Auntie from Nepal for sale.
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- Dec 26, 2014
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I would definitely get the 18 inch if I could. The only reason I went with the 16.5" is that I keep reading about the variances in the blade length. Some people ordered the 16.5" and it ends up coming out an inch or two longer anyway.
I'll be happy with any 16-18 inch CAK. 😃
I'll be happy with any 16-18 inch CAK. 😃
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Id say im 100% pleased with my HI purchases but It must be more like 99% because I keep buying more
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They vary mainly by weight more than by length. The length is usually spot on in my experience... Maybe a quarter in variation in length. If you order a 16, you might end up with a 16.5 but you won't get an 18incher.
Like Karda said earlier, the 18 is an entirely different animal than the 16 incher. It's hard to describe the difference if you don't have examples to hold.
The way the are measured is side ways from the top of the bolster to the tip. They don't measure it by the length of the spine. This is due to the kukris signature curve in the blade. A 18 inch blade can actually be well over 20 inches if you mesure the s blade by placing a tape on the back of the spine to the tip.
I will post some pictures showing the huge difference between a 16 vs 18 incher.
I still recommend a 18 incher for you but go with your heart.
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Haha! I never thought picking out a Kukri would be so detailed. Thank you all for helping me with the decision.
I'm torn yet again, lol. I will probably start out with an 18", and most likely will end up buying the 16.5" as my second HI purchase. Although, from her email, Auntie said they only have one CAK in stock and it is 19.5". That might be a little too big for me.
I'm torn yet again, lol. I will probably start out with an 18", and most likely will end up buying the 16.5" as my second HI purchase. Although, from her email, Auntie said they only have one CAK in stock and it is 19.5". That might be a little too big for me.
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- Jul 2, 2010
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Haha! I never thought picking out a Kukri would be so detailed. Thank you all for helping me with the decision.
I'm torn yet again, lol. I will probably start out with an 18", and most likely will end up buying the 16.5" as my second HI purchase. Although, from her email, Auntie said they only have one CAK in stock and it is 19.5". That might be a little too big for me.
It really depends more on weight. If it's 40oz or under I'd grab that one.
moparsbob
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Another factor which I don't think has been mentioned is handle size. The handles on HI khukuris vary quite a bit in size, depending on both the model and the particular kami who made it. I have fairly large hands, and most of the khukuris I've bought will work well enough, but some just seem to fit perfectly, while some of the larger ones have handles with a bit larger diameter than what I prefer. Of course, it's always possible to reshape a larger handle to fit, and many forum members have done this. A few of the smaller HI knives like the Kumar Karda have handles that are almost too short for my hands.
conan11
Gold Member
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No doubt about it.
Although, from her email, Auntie said they only have one CAK in stock and it is 19.5". That might be a little too big for me.
Dirtbiker is correct, I would get that one first.
conan11
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Id say im 100% pleased with my HI purchases but It must be more like 99% because I keep buying more
:thumbup:
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Amen! Tax season translates to "at least one more khukuri" season.
Haha! I never thought picking out a Kukri would be so detailed. Thank you all for helping me with the decision.
I'm torn yet again, lol. I will probably start out with an 18", and most likely will end up buying the 16.5" as my second HI purchase. Although, from her email, Auntie said they only have one CAK in stock and it is 19.5". That might be a little too big for me.
This is like horse people talking about racehorses, or dog people discussing dog breeds. There are many opinions and many options. After reading your comment about having a job where you swung 3-5 lb sledges all day, I figure you can handle an 18" CAK with no trouble, but that still doesn't mean it's the best choice. Depends on what kind of use you anticipate. If it's mostly chopping down small trees or thick branches, then an 18" CAK is probably best, for its heavy chopping power. However, if most of the use will be less heavy, then the 16.5" CAK is probably best. It is still a massive, bulletproof blade that can do heavy work, just will take longer to build that log cabin.
If you end up with an M43, I'd go for the 18" because an M43 is not quite a dedicated chopper like the CAK, more of a combination tool and weapon by design.
As someone else mentioned above, weight is at least as important as length, and that can vary substantially even for the same model and length. Some kamis tend to make very heavy blades, though not always. Sher has made some of the heaviest blades I have, and also a few of the lightest. He's that good. Vim tends to go heavy on most of his blades.
Someone also mentioned handle girth. The kamis often make the handle girth proportional to the size and weight of the blade. A 19.5" CAK might have a handle too thick for you to hold even if the weight is acceptable -- unless you have large hands.
One more consideration: A person who uses a khukuri a lot usually has both heavy and lighter tasks. If you are going to end up with two blades, they shouldn't be as similar as an 18" CAK and a 16.5" CAK. In that case, if you start with an 18" CAK, I suggest that your second blade be a KLVUK, which often run around 20 oz and can take care of the light-to-medium tasks, also easier to carry if you do a lot of hiking, and much less expensive. Or you might go with a 15" CAK for a second blade, if and when that becomes available.
As for your first choice, since you are torn between a 16.5" CAK and an 18" CAK, I suggest that you tell Yangdu that you will take whichever blade in that range comes along first.
Some might disagree with this, but that's what makes horseracing. Good luck.
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Haha! I never thought picking out a Kukri would be so detailed. Thank you all for helping me with the decision.
I'm torn yet again, lol. I will probably start out with an 18", and most likely will end up buying the 16.5" as my second HI purchase. Although, from her email, Auntie said they only have one CAK in stock and it is 19.5". That might be a little too big for me.
Heres a bit for reference unfortunately I dont have an 18" but will have to change that sometime. The two on the right are 20" AK and 20" CAK. They are very heavy but can definitely make chunks fly! They are not something id carry to the top of Mt. Everest but if you got major chopping to do no question this monster will do it. The 16.5" CAK next to the big 20"ers is a Kumar with the scale still in tact. I suppose if you had to carry it plenty distance and had some serious chopping to do like 6-8" hardwood logs etc. then thats where the 18" would excel. If you just have an occasional 2-3" branch to chop and mostly brush and bark skinning etc then 16.5" would be my pick. Just depends on what you are planning to process.
Spine thickness all three of them are close to 1/2"
16.5" CAK on the bottom. The shorter handle and distal taper makes up for the weight of the longer handle on the hidden tang AK's but you get the benefit of a longer handle on the hidden tang without the extra weight. That is a nice feature. Also the repeated use of the hidden tang is easier on the hand due to better shock absorption. Also if your in cold weather I have heard from others that the tang can transfer the heat from your hands fairly quickly. I guess if your in the jungle it dont matter.
jdk1
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If you're swinging a 3-5 lb. hammer all day than you can use just about any khukuri. Just remember, that hammer is hitting something and stopping. A heavy khukuri has a habit of going through your target and continuing on it's merry way. That merry way may include your knee Also, khuks are great cutters. With technique, they don't have to be heavy to so some amazing work, but it can help if chopping is on the menu. I would almost suggest something like an 18" WWII just to see how it works. There's plenty of options. The HI M43 is one hell of a chopper as well, but that curve can bite you. Be safe!
Also, khuks are great cutters. With technique, they don't have to be heavy to so some amazing work, but it can help if chopping is on the menu. I would almost suggest something like an 18" WWII just to see how it works. There's plenty of options. The HI M43 is one hell of a chopper as well, but that curve can bite you. Be safe!