Advice for a first-time khukuri buyer

David,

Rusty is 5' 4" and likes the BAS

I'm 6 ft. and I like the 15" AK and 20" Sirupati since they feel light to me.

Cliff is somewere around 6'4" and he likes the 20" Sirupati and 20" Ang Khola.

And if you are the size of mighty joe young, Bill has an 800 pound 7 inch thick Salyan style for you. Excellent for hammering railroad spikes.
 
Cobalt, I am only 6'1" under the hair.

David, are you going to do any prying? If not then I would go with one of the lighter models instead of an Ang Khola.

A regular WWII (about 16.5") would only perform about 25 % lower than a 15" Ang Khola in terms of heavy chopping (based on some numbers Will posted awhile back) and would be easier for lighter work.

One thing you might want to consider is handle size. The smaller khukuris (15" and less) are a little cramped for me. An 18" WWII might be a lot more comfortable to you than an 15" Ang Khola and it would be about equal in terms of chopping power. The only loss would be in terms of raw toughness.

-Cliff
 
Wow. I'm gratified at the number and thoroughness of the replies. You guys are great, and I love these forums!

Part of my problem is that I don't have a very clear notion of how I will use the khukuri. (I don't consider myself a collector, as a matter of principle and raw economics. I don't need to actually use a knife in order to justify buying it, but I must at least be able to imagine a use for it, beyond fondling and wall ornamentation.) The truth of the matter is, I cut down trees about as often as I kill people, which is never. I like what Rusty said: "Even if you have no idea what you need it for you buy it and then make a use for it..."

Incidentally, I'm 6 feet tall and weigh 160 lbs. My hands are fairly slender, and strength-wise, I'm more like Jerry Seinfeld than Conan the Barbarian.

If I'd have ordered it an hour ago, I'd have gone with the BAS. Now I'm leaning toward the 15" Ang Khola. I've got to quit thinking about it and buy one. By the time I make up my mind, I'll have enough money saved up to buy 'em both, and a Spyderco Dragonfly for my wife!

Oh, and what's the deal with the handles? Aesthetics aside, is the wood more durable? If I opt for the BAS, I'll probably ask for the horn handle. For the Ang Khola, wood. Is this sensible?

Thanks for all the advice.
David Rock

[This message has been edited by David Rock (edited 29 March 1999).]
 
David, I have not tested the wood but it looks as sturdy as the horn. The horn is tough, no doubt. So, you are also my height, although I am about 40 pounds heavier. My hand size is about average to just a little larger than average. I am fairly strong though.

I think you may be better off with the BAS, at your weight. It will not feel heavy to you.
 
Hi David,

I had the exact same dilemma. Seems like most people preferred the Ang Khola, though I liked the look of the BAS a little better. So, this afternoon I ordered the BAS. I figure, if I get another it will either be a WWII or Ang Khola. Maybe a larger Ang Khola for serious chopping?

Anyways, I feel confident that any khukuri Bill sells is quality you can depend on in a pinch to see you through.So get whichever one floats your boat!

Clay

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Clay Fleischer
cdfleischer@yahoo.com

Knives are for usin' -- Pictures are for looking at...

 
Hi David,

I think the horn is a bit more durable than the wood. Also, horn does not require as much maintainence as wood. The advantage of wood is that you get a much better grip when your hands are sweety and grimy.

I suggest you take Bill up on his offer to send you a khukuri which you can exchange. That way you can feel it in your hands to help decide what you want. There is no better way to do it.

When I started buying khukuri's from H.I. I wanted something the best khukuri coming out of Nepal to compare to my CS Gurkha with regard to chopping, so I started with the Ang Khola. The next thing I wanted was a longer and better cutting khukuri (WWII model).

Next thing I know, I own all the khukuri's in the list I posted.

Will
 
David just called and ordered the BAS -- last one I have in stock. So, the search has ended.

Uncle Bill
 
and the Khukuri virus infection enters the chronic stage.
 
Okay. Now... Question is, will my wife like it as much as I plan to?

Also, what do you experts recommend I do for the three days I'm gonna have to wait for this gem to arrive? I plan to pace the floor like a caged wolf.

Thanks again for all the input.

David Rock


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Never carry a knife shorter than your schnoz.
 
If she does, hope that you can get visitation privileges. Or try ordering her a maccha, and pray hard she adopts it and lets you have the BAS back.

Uncle Bill, I think full blown Khukuriholism is right around the corner here.
 
Hi David,

I am in the same boat waiting for my BAS.

So David, what pushed you over the edge to the BAS?

Let me know when you get it so we can compare notes...

Clay

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Clay Fleischer
cdfleischer@yahoo.com

Knives are for usin' -- Pictures are for looking at...

 
Both BAS are in the hands of the trusty USPS, priority mail, no less, so take heart. Your khukuris should arrive soon.

Uncle Bill
 
Thanks, Bill!!!

(I will try and control myself until then)

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Clay Fleischer
cdfleischer@yahoo.com

Knives are for usin' -- Pictures are for looking at...

 
Be sure to let us know when the khukuris arrive. (As if we had any choice in this matter.)

Seriously, as always, we hope you are both well pleased with the HI offering.

Uncle Bill
 
Clay:

How's this for a khukuri aphorism: If you want to cut watermelons, get the BAS. If you want to cut picnic tables, get the Ang Khola

I chose the BAS on account of it being lighter (more portable) and (I assume) a better slicer/cutter than the Ang Khola. Also, I gave some consideration to the fact that, since I probably won't actually use the knife very much, except in dire emergencies, the BAS seemed like a better thing to own "for the heck of it", due to the Ghurka mystique. And this was the clincher: I had just enough money for the less expensive BAS.

Ultimately, I decided that a good khukuri today is better than a perfect khukuri tomorrow.

David Rock

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Never carry a knife shorter than your schnoz.
 
Good analogy, David.

I kinda like the look of the BAS better. Plus if I get another khukuri, one to be a real workhorse, I will probably get an Ang Khola, but step up to a larger one, maybe an 18" or thereabouts. I can't say I split wood very often.

I also had EXACTLY $150 (sold my SOCOM), so I can't say that that had no influence.

Still, I am wondering which khukuris are next in my future -- A Salyan style, Hanuman, a Sirupti -- man, this is addictive...

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Clay Fleischer
cdfleischer@yahoo.com

Knives are for usin' -- Pictures are for looking at...


 
Clay, try anything you want. If you think you'd like something better after playing with and testing what you order, return the knife and we'll trade for another.

Uncle Bill
 
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