A New Guy Needs Your Thoughts

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Alphamale06

Joined
Aug 24, 2001
Messages
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I am brand new to this forum. This is my first post. I am seriously interested in getting a khukuri, but am not sure which one would fill my needs best. I am looking for one that will be good for general purpose use, chopping, and is not overly heavy. I am in the Army and normally keep a KaBar on by LBE. It is good for general use, but I want to have a khukuri to strap to my rucksack for heavier tasks. Since I will be carrying it, weight is also a consideration as well as strength. The sheath needs to be fairly durable, but need not be too pretty as I will need to cover it with OD green cloth or 100 mph tape as camouflage. Some kind of factory second would be okay since the beauty would be in the performance. What do those of you with khukuri experience suggest?

Sincerely,
Doug
 
Welcome to the Cantina, Doug. I'll let the experts toss in some advice and my own advice is to watch for a blem. You'll save fifty bucks.
 
hey Alph

I have a WWII blem that is just over 16in, it does everything I ask of it and more.Its also a good alterntive to the sturdier but heavier Ang Kholas.
 
Welcome Doug, I really like my 15" Ang Khola, but it is rather heavy. 1.75 pounds and 1/2 an in thick. I also got a Blem 12" AK from Uncle Bill. It's a good way to go.
 
Check out the Himalayan Imports Website and Howard Wallace's Khukuri FAQ Website, both of which are listed earlier in this thread under Uncle Bill's Name or under my name as you can see on this reply. Then do a search in this forum to bring up previous threads on this subject "which khukuri to get" which will give you opinions by various forumites on which khukuri styles they like and why...

Hope this helps...

Also, welcome to the Forum and may your stay be pleasant!
 
The British Army Service model deserves your consideration. I take mine backpacking and hiking. It is a great compromise between heavy duty performance and light weight. 15" and about 1 1/4 lbs. I would think it would be a great fighter in a pinch too.
 
Welcome Doug, You came to the right place for Khukuri info. I would go along with Mott, the 16" WW II should be perfect for what you want. I have an 18" WW II it weighs in around 2 lbs. it is an awsome chopper, heck you could take the bad guys head or arm off in one swipe not to mention clear a field of fire in no time. The 16" would probably be a bit more adaptable to the varying locations you may find yourself in. The HI Kuks are the best, so no matter which one you choose you'll love it and it will serve you and your great grand children well. Good Luck
 
Alph:

Again, welcome to the cantina. Years ago, my oldest was complaining about the lack of a blade large enough to do chores like tent stakes, firewood, etc., on his all-expense-paid picnics in the greenery at Ft. Campbell. He needed something that was small enough to pack for fast-rope down to the ground, light enough to hump all day, and strong enough for extempraneous "woodworking" around camp and position set-ups. We didn't know about Khuks, then, but since his retirement he has been using a 12" AK for everything from yardwork to chopping up rotted flooring in their "new" house in NC. If I can find my 2X4 (to get his attention) maybe he will toss in his thoughts on bivouac blades.

WAHYA??? DEHANA!!!
 
Welcome Doug,
I'm one of the "Shadow Lurkers" with a serious case of HIKV. I know what it's like to need a good knife when your in the field. 20 yrs in the Army and each trip to who knows where I would have given my right arm for Ang Khola Chirwa style 16 - 17 inches or a 15 inch Ang Khola. Both are heavy enough to take care of any chopping/cutting. With the weight your carrying now, a couple extra pounds (;-}) will be worth the trade. Which ever Khuk you choose, you'll never be sorry. Good Luck and Welcome
:D
 
If this is your first post, Wahya, welcome. If it isn't forgive my memory and welcome anyway.

Thanks all for good help. When RayC was serving with the Marines in Nam he got R&R to Hong Kong where he saw a Gorkha with his standard issue khukuri. Ray tried to buy the knife right off the Gorkha who was on duty. The Gorkha obviously couldn't start selling off his equipment while on duty so Ray went back to Nam empty but the good news is today he owns more than 40 khukuris.
 
Alphamale06 & Wahya, gentlemen welcome to the Cantina :)

"I am looking for one that will be good for general purpose use, chopping, and is not overly heavy." "Since I will be carrying it, weight is also a consideration as well as strength."

Understood! BAS (British Army Service) fits those requirements perfectly. An absolute pleasure to carry and use.
 
Doug,

Welcome! (and to you too Wahya!) I'll second what several people have said: Look for a blem. Wahya has suggested an AK, but I am of the school that says don't carry more weight around on your body than you can avoid. The BAS seems to me to be a really good choice for this sort of thing, with the 16" WWII another excellent choice. Either of those models would be a fine knife to have along for "emergencies" of any sort.

By all means get an AK for the times when you really know you'll need it. You will quickly find that you need more than one khukuri anyway.:) And when you really expect to need this much knife, a big honkin' AK will pay its freight. (MPM is selling a heavy-duty 18" AK right now for a pretty reasonable price.) But for the times when it is a backup, your back will thank you for carrying something a bit lighter.

Either a BAS or WWII is a lot bigger and heavier than a KABAR and a lot better chopper and pounder, but they still lack something in comparison to a large AK when it comes to heavy chopping. You clearly understand the principle of choosing your tools for their intended use so let that be your guide.

Paul
 
MPM's deal does look interesting and my HMMWV would carry it most of the time along with other essentials! Somehing that large and tough might just go well with the KaBar and a Leatherman. I may be talking myself into it as I type!

Doug
 
You can't go wrong with any HI knife. The worst case scenario is you decide that a different one would be better suited to a particular task. Then if you are like me you will try to have one for every occasion or contingency. Or try to find the "ONE" that can do it all.
 
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