A couple of questions before pulling the trigger

B

Balls Deep

Joined
Jan 2, 2014
Messages
342
Hey blade forums team,

Like many of us hard workers I've been working a long tough stretch at work and am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. To reward myself I plan on picking up an HI Kukri. I've searched through the forums to find some of the answers to these questions and didn't find solid ones.
Question 1
Would anyone recommend a full tang over not full tang? I'm looking at a chiruwa ang kola for the full tang strength but as I'm thinking more all the kukris seem so strong that I'm wondering if that isn't overkill. Has anyone been in a situation where they though, "oh yeah, glad I have a full tang."
Question 2
how nice are the utility knives they come. With? I've been trying to find reviews on just the kharda but none exists.
Question 3
To the blem models come with the 2 utility tools. The blems are pretty great prices and I may check them out but the utility tools are important to me. Any insights would be great.

Thanks team
BD
 
Answering in order:

1: Full tang versus rat-tail tang hasn't been observed to make a huge difference in the durability of HI kukris. To be honest, as long as you don't do something stupid, either will last you a lifetime. However, full-tang is less desirable for certain tasks. Heavy chopping can be easier with a rat-tail because the internal tang absorbs a lot of the force and vibration, while a chiruwa style tang will transmit it straight into your arm.

2: The quality of the kardas varies some, but not a ton. The karda on my Purna Chainpuri is nicer than on my Lachhu WWII (my Lachhu Sirupati actually came with two chakmaks, so can't use that for comparison), but both kardas are high quality. It's just that the finish on the Purna karda is a little nicer.

3: Depends on the blem. If it says no karda and no chakmak, it doesn't. I don't think the various VUK (villager utility knives, like the KLVUK, DBVUK) come with one, and if I'm not mistaken those don't tend to come with a scabbard. However those are not the same as blemished models. Auntie is always good about distinguishing between blems, villager models, and unblemished deals of the day.


Just out of curiosity, what do you plan on doing with your kukri? It makes a big difference in what you buy.
 
Scara hit the nail on the head. I prefer the standard rat tail tang on HI's opposed to the full tangs due to their shock absorbing nature. The quality of the chakma and karda vary greatly and it doesn't matter the kami or the model of kukri. I have received amazing kardas from time to time and a few duds. I really care about the kukri itself more than the accessories. None of my HI's have disappointed me in the least bit.

The chiruwa Ang Kola is a beast and you are right about the overkill part. The thing is a sharpened pry bar lol. Its kinda heavy for every day tasks.

I always recommend a WWII in 18in variety as a first kukri. It was my first kukri and really opened my eyes to the quality and function of HI's products. Its the best blend of fighter and tool wrapped up in one package. The karda and chakma I received with mine are probably the best set I have gotten with any HI kukri. It wasn't a blem model, but I didn't have to order it either. I originally ordered a 18 Sirupati but they were out of stock so I gave Auntie a call and she offered me the WWII and shipped it the same day. I am glad I ended up with the WWII because it really was a masterpiece.

Any HI kukri will last a lifetime. The chiruwa ang kola is the only kukri rated as a pry bar, but I am sure that isn't what you intend to do with it. If you want a chiruwa model or full tang model I would recommend the ASTK due to its versatility and balance. It has a full tang but the tang tapers rapidly after the bolster. The balance still feels like a standard rat tail tang but offers the strength of a full tang handle. The handle design is also very cool, it has a lot of built in features and offers a very good grip that can be used multiple ways. Here are some pictures of my ASTK... I recommend that or a WWII if you don't mind a standard tang.
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Notice the handle design and tapered tang. See how the handle has cool angles and shapes built into it more so than any other kukri I own. The handle is the best feeling handle I own even though its full tang. The wood is Neem which I refinished. The blade is made by Lacchu but the final grinding of the handle was done by Auntie's sister Kanchhu (prob spelt her name wrong). I ended up doing the final finish on the wood.
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I hope the info helped. Keep a look out for DOTD's for the ASTK's or you could ask Auntie to order one for you. Probably takes a long time for custom pieces but I see ASTK's pop up every couple months or so.
 
GB and Scara is dead on.

Full tang I think is overkill. The standard handle is sufficient. IMHO, the traditional rat tail absorbs shock better.

The Karda is a small utility knife. Quality and finish varied. It can be sharpened and polished easily. The other is a chakma. It is used to "work" the edge. To help straighten the edge after chopping, if needed. A very useful tool when in the field.

Blems come with the chakma and karda unless specified otherwise. KVLUK. DBVUK, etc...has no Karda. Chakma, or sheath. When in doubt, contact auntie.

I like the WWII, ASTK, and BAS (British Army Service), for combo duty. The M43 is a beast too, I love mine for chopping. I use it more than my CAK, AK, Bonecutter, or ASTK.
 
Last edited:
cul4u01 said:
OK, OK...I fixed it. Darn phone spellcheck!
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LOL... I didn't realize that was a spelling error. I had thought you just taught me something new "karda" "kardasian". I was about to tell my wife that karda is short for kardasian. Thank god you corrected me. I feel like a dumbass now. :rolleyes:
 
gurkha berserka said:
LOL... I didn't realize that was a spelling error. I had thought you just taught me something new "karda" "kardasian". I was about to tell my wife that karda is short for kardasian. Thank god you corrected me. I feel like a dumbass now. :rolleyes:
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OK...ROFL LMAO...now that is funny. Thank for the laugh this morning GB.
 
cul4u01 said:
OK...ROFL LMAO...now that is funny. Thank for the laugh this morning GB.
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Yeah I was trying to figure out how to explain to my wife why my next Khuk came with a Kardashian. I dont have an excuse for that one yet:D
 
If any of these came with Kardasians, they would cost a huge pile of money, have very tiny blades, overly huge buttcaps and be totally useless for anything beyond looking at.....:D
 
Karda said:
If any of these came with Kardasians, they would cost a huge pile of money, have very tiny blades, overly huge buttcaps and be totally useless for anything beyond looking at.....:D
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And have a bad temper.
 
Karda said:
If any of these came with Kardasians, they would cost a huge pile of money, have very tiny blades, overly huge buttcaps and be totally useless for anything beyond looking at.....:D
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Very clever... cost a fortune, useless, obscenely big buttcaps with little to no class or substance. That about sums up the Kardasian's
 
I'm new to the Kukri myself, got a hold of two good deals. One a heavy M43 15" 34oz full tang, and a KVLUK 16" 23oz Rat tail.

I'd strongly recommend something a bit lighter and with the rat tail tang. The M43 is insane, and quite the chopper. But the KVLUK is a fraction of the weight but still 90% of the knife the M43 is and I don't see the tang failing apart from abuse/stupidity.

If you've never used a kuk before, you're in for a treat, I'm loving them.
 
Gurkha, gotta say, gorgeous knife, and I love the look of the wood, excellent job.
 
DOTD's for today, 04/22/2015, there is a CAK, and WWII for sale! Both have slight handle shrinkage issues. Just soak the handles in some BLO, and they should be just fine. If there is still a little shrinkage, file the buttplate a little and the handle will be perfect! Get it while it's available!
 
Thanks for all of the responses guys. My primary purpose is wood processing. I want to be able to chop, batton, and get as much utility as is possible from the big blade. I like the idea of having the utility knife and sharpening steel because I like being able to grab one unit and have all the tools I need. That's good to know that the rat tail absorbs more shock, I wasn't even thinking about that, and yes, seeing that WWII on there is pretty exciting. When I very first was looking at the kukris I was looking at the WWII because my thought was, if it's good enough for the soldiers it will probably fit my need. Looks like I've come full circle and it may be back to the WWII kukri.
 
Balls Deep said:
So how big of an issue is handle shrinkage?
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Small issue. Rehydrate with some BLO or similar, and it should swell back to original, if not, just take a file, and file any protruding edge of the buttplate, so that it sits flush with the handle material.
 
Those khuks are all nice knives, but they all lack something. That something I don't exactly know what it is, but you take a curved spine, well now, you got yourself a blade and a half. They look better, feel better than anything else I've ran across. I shouldn't mention this about that California Hippie's curved spine, but mine IS more gooder!!
 
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