20" Ang Khola Chopping Dowel

W

Will Kwan

Joined
Nov 23, 1998
Messages
1,594
22" Ang Khola (3.75 lb) vs a 1.5" diameter dowel.

The dowel I have is either maple or ash. The dowl is supported on a stump to transfer the maximum amount of force. The stump is only 4" off the ground so I had to kneel.

A chop angling at 30-40 degree will cleave half way through the dowel. The pentration at 90 is slightly less.

Dowel gone, and I have not determined if I could get through the dowel in a single blow. If the dowel had been unsupported could I have snapped through the remainder? It was tough stuff.

Will


[This message has been edited by Will Kwan (edited 24 November 1999).]
 
One hand was used to control the khukuri. I can't chop very well with two hands on the handle. Splitting wood requires two hands.

I think you are correct Bill but I have to find another dowel. Standing and below waist level will allow me to use my hips as well. Also, not supporting the dowel may allow the khukuri to snap the wood.

A trained gorilla main also help.

Will
 
There's always the 800 pound Salyan.

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' ... and on the 8th day God said, " You take over, Murphy..." '.


 
Or Cliff.

Got a call just last night from a fellow in Alaska who wanted the 20 inch AK. As usual, I tried to talk him out of it, saying it was too big. He shut me up with this remark, "I outweigh Cliff by 80 pounds." He had read Cliff's review and the forum enough to know that Cliff weighs 280.

I will send the 20 incher without reservation. This guy must be a real Paul Bunyan!

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
Now that could be one dangerous individual -- a fellow weighing 360 pounds carrying a 20" khukuri!
 
I was curious to see how my 20" sirupati would fare in W. K's chopping test. I didn't have any dowels, but I did have a piece of seasoned maple 1-1/4" in diameter (part of one of the natural walking sticks I make.) The khuk, used one-handed while the stick rested on a chopping block, went 11 mm into the wood at about a 60-degree angle and took out a chip to the end of the stick. A second strike, on the other end of the wood, was almost exactly at 90 degrees and cut 9-10 mm in, better than half-way. By comparison, my old Collins machete cut 10 mm into the very end of the stick and took out a chip. It wouldn't have penetrated as far if the cut had been closer to the middle, I'm sure. This was very tough, dense, seasoned wood, and not a dowel, all the natural growth rings were present. The khuk made a clean cut, shearing through nine growth rings on this maple 'sapling'. I hasten to point out that I am not an accomplished wood chopper, and I didn't use anything like my full strength, because I was afraid of breaking something...possibly ME!
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