A newbie question

C

Coyote23

Joined
Nov 20, 2002
Messages
14
Hello everyone,

I'm brand new to this forum, and have a question for you all (especially Bill if he's reading this). I don't own a khukri...yet. And here is my question. Which khukri should be my first purchase? Let me tell you a little about how I plan on using it. I live in Colorado and enjoy the outdoors (camping, hiking, etc.) and need something that I can put through some heavy use at the campsite...chopping firewood, clearing trails, maybe even personal protection if necessary, etc. So I'm looking for lots and lots of durability and utility. But the catch is, I don't want it to be so heavy that it feels like I am carrying a battle axe on my hip (especially if I'm hiking with a full pack). I've been to the HI website and am looking at the Ang Khola 15" or 18". I have no idea if these would fit what I am looking for, but they seem to be a close fit. Can anyone point me in the right direction or let me know if there are any other models that would fit my purposes any better? Thanks in advance.

Coyote23
Denver, CO
 
A 16.5" or 18" WW2 to me is the ultimate "grab for unknown use" khuk. It isn't that much heavier than the BAS. It isn't that much slower than the martial blades. It's slightly better controlability ( easier to stop in a partial swing ) tires you less than the AK's so you actually come pretty close to the AK in chopping.

My opinion only, but there's something comforting about either length WW2. A feeling it will handle anything called upon that a khuk can handle. And a lot more than it should be expected to do.

An old saying pops into my mind. It used to be said of a man that "He'd do to ride the river with." The WW2's inspire that feeling that you can depend on them for whatever.
 
hey,\
i live out in Montana. i carrie a 15"AK on my saddle and on my belt if im hiking. its my personal favorite. not to bad weight wise. but as its been already said, its all a mater of personal preference.
 
There may be much disagreement with my ideas but, I don't think for a first Khuk I would go bigger than the 16.5" WWII. The 15" AK and the BAS will serve a man well in the bush. The 16.5" WWII that I have would get just a bit heavy on a long haul. It weighs 26 oz. I have used it quite a bit and it will do almost anything that you should ever need done around your camp in the woods..

Personal preference will dictate what you get more than someone else's idea of the best Khuk. No matter what you get from Uncle Bill Martino, you can rest assured it will be the best quality Khuk that you will find. The Knives are backed for life and that I haven't seen much of in this day and age.

The 15 " AK has been mentioned and is a good choice for a first Khuk. A good chopper for it's size and. properly sharpened will do all the other tasks around camp. Then there is always the Karda to help with the little chores.

Now that I haven't helped you a bit. Welcome to the cantina. You could sure be in worse company than with the gents on this forum.:)
 
In my opinion, I think that the size of your hand and your body strength are important parameters.
For me, my 18" UBE (which is a beauty) is too big and too heavy for me. Same thing with my M43. I prefer my 16,5" AK Chiruwa or my 15" villager. But it's very personnal. It's an intimate interaction between your natural vigour, your size, your weight, your action, your habit, your practice, and the preference of your heart.
In France, any knives have the thickness of Himalayan Imports Khukuries. In my circle anyone understand how can I prefer such heavy blades! A knifemaker and friend, François Pitaud, never forge a campknife with a such thickness. But I prefer that. It's like this.

As Pappy has said, I think that the 15" AK is a good choice for a first Khuk.

Regards,
Stephen Nery.
 
You may want to consider, as an alternative to belt-carry, a 20" Sirupati or Kobra strapped to the side of your backpack. You won't even notice the extra weight and they're so slim it adds virtually no bulk.

And welcome to the cantina!
 
Go for the 15' AK. Small enough to fit on your belt or in a daypack and large enough to do any task you throw at it.

-Emile
 
I can only offer you my limited experience. If you're looking for something to carry on your belt the BAS blem that's up right now would be a solid all-around blade. If you're leaning towards a chopper a 15" AK would be my pick. For bushwhacking maybe an 18" sirupati. A smaller WWII would be another good all-around blade. That being said, get what calls out to you. Length and weight vary from kami to kami. The right blade will find its way to you. Also, you can get used to almost anything on your hip. I used to carry a .357, speedloaders, radio, two batteries, cuffs and a knife for ten hours a day. I think I could probably adapt to my 18.5" 28oz WWII if I had more occasion to carry it. Welcome aboard.

Frank
 
My first khukuri was a BAS blem-- great knife. I would definitely recommend a BAS as a first khukuri. It's fairly light, not overly huge, but plenty large enough for most jobs. It's also a very affordable way to decide if the whole bent knife thing works for you. Just be careful; if you buy one, chances are you will by another. and another. and another :rolleyes:
--Josh
 
Good suggestions all, I'd go for a 15-17 inch villager or blem. A Bhudhuni villager I have is still going strong.

Keep an eye on the UBDOTDs or Specials that Uncle Bill is fond of springing out unexpectedly.
 
Let's try to put this in perspective. I have a BAS blem also, and this is a very light khukuri, comfortable to carry, easy to use. My BAS will readily out chop my CS Trailmaster, by a VERY large margin. How much chopping do you need? I also have a 22 inch GRS, and it's a monster. Tremendous chopping power, but not a good choice for backpacking.

You'll never even notice the weight of the BAS, and a 16.5 in WW2 will only be slightly heavier, but probably chop better. The AK's speak for themselves...

I just thought you should know how well a small khukuri will chop, compared to a popular "large" knife. Large is relative, this is a different scale altogether. For the record, I really like my Trailmaster, but for chopping wood, well, you really have to try these babies out for yourself!

Good luck!
 
My favorite is a 16.5" Bura chiruwa w/finger grooves. You really can't go wrong with any of the Khuks though. It's just a matter of personal preference.

Welcome to the Cantina!
 
Thanks guys!

It's good to be aboard the cantina. Thanks for all the advice and experience...I can't wait to order my blade, whatever the size may be. Here's the scooop...I'm leaning toward the Chiruwa Ang Khola or the 15" Ang Khola. I can't wait. Fom all I've read, they just seem like the right choice for me. (Although, I have a feeling that it won't be my last Khukri....I hear these things are addictive)

;)

Take care everyone, and thanks again for the advice.

-Coyote
Denver, CO
 
Good Luck to you. It's kinda like looking at half a dozen snapshots to pick yourself a mail order bride.

I can tell you that you will almost certainly be pleased when you get your choice, if you understand that these are honest to God hand forged for real khukuris. They aren't cad/cam machine operated and finished blades and handles. They are made by humans albeit very skilled ones.

The opposite side of the coin is that these kamis ( bladesmiths ) put more of themselves into each blade than you might believe at first. In medieval times in Europe and the Orient, swords were given names and had mystical powers attributed to them. I wouldn't blame you for saying to yourself, "yeah, sure they do...and pigs can fly".

Try saying that to yourself after you've gotten the khuk you ordered, felt an uncanny feel or spirit in it, decided to name her, found a place on the nightstand or near your pillow at night, etcetera. They are all different as blondes, brunettes, raven-tressed beauties, and redheads. Be prepared to keep a harem. Don't claim you weren't warned!!! ( You'll see - and gripe about the expense, but you won't give your babies up, and you'll be back to get more soon. )
 
Aw heck, get you a pair of AKs, a 12 incher to hang on your belt for a camp knife and for day hikes where you won't need a big chopper. Strap an 18 incher on your rucksack for humping the bad boonies where fuel, shelter, and butchering large critters might come into play.

Me, I'd just take my Pen Knife or my 12 inch AK, use the lightweight backpacking stove to cook on, and keep my shootin' iron handy for bars 'n sech. ;)

Sarge
 
Hell yeah!

Originally posted by raghorn
You may want to consider, as an alternative to belt-carry, a 20" Sirupati or Kobra strapped to the side of your backpack. You won't even notice the extra weight and they're so slim it adds virtually no bulk.

And welcome to the cantina!
Click to expand...

A Long-ish (say, 20"+) Siru or Kobra will cut *ANYTHING* sanely human task out there. They may not be as thick or tough as a comparitively large AK, but they cut and slice better, and chop almost as well as an AK. *DEFINATELY* the choice for a smaller guy like me! :D:D:D

And *WELCOME!!!* Wish u luck with your first Khuk!
 
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