Advice please

D

dogrunner

Joined
Dec 26, 2003
Messages
1,524
hi,
I have been a part-time lurker here for a number of years. I have been a khukri "type" fan for a long time but until I found HI did not even know these were available. I won't bother you with what I have used in the past, but am seriously considering purchasing an HI now ... but which one ? I've read a lot of posts, seen a lot of opinions, read the descriptions at HI website, all very educational but I still don't know.:confused:
So, I want one primarily for light brush clearing/trail maintenance. Not so much heavy woody stuff or chopping down trees :D
Something like a "curved machete", but something tough enough to take a beating, but efficient (don't need excessive hacking to cut stuff), etc.
I am not particularly strong, have chronic elbow tendinitis, and have small hands - shortish stubby fingers (a lot of knife handles are too fat me). So weight and handle ergos are pretty important and that is part of the problem. Khuks are often pretty heavy and I can't tell if the HI handles would all be too big.
So, based on what I have seen, I have been thinking maybe a Sirupati 18" ??? But that is just a guess.
I also don't want to have to buy a bunch to find "the one" - I'm a knife knut on a tight budget.
thanks for reading and any advice.
 
I'd venture either the Siru, or a similar size Chitlangi. There's one of those on today's specials, but it might be a bit heavier than you're wanting.

t.
 
I would ask Yangdu if she has any Chainpuris on hand. The one that I have beats all my others hands down for what you are asking for.:)
 
Sorry, buying just one hasn't been accomplished here too often. I think if you buy one you'll buy 5...or 10... Once you hold one you get hooked.

Dave Rishar is the guy to ask about brush clearing. From the sound of it he has many models and has cleared a considerable bramble thicket with them. I only own the heavy choppers, and the little knives, so I'm not the one here. I just wanted to warn you about the virus (HIKV). You'll get it and she'll get POed.
 
what you want is a 17-18" Fox Folly.
 
"It depends." How's that for a lousy answer? :)

I'm actually the wrong guy to ask, as I spend most of my time clearing brush with models that weren't made to do it.

The 25" Kobra worked very well but isn't made to be used in the woods. My 20" Jange is what I tend to use today. A 20" siru (especially on the lighter side) is not a bad choice either.

The brush around here tends to be prickly so I favor models that are 20" and longer for this kind of work. Some of the shorter models do fine (Foxy Folly, BGRS, etc.) but the thorns really tear my hands up.
 
Greetings: Dogrunner

That sure is a good looking dog in your avatar. I sure hope that you are able to get "the one" (khukri) early in life. I really do. In my particular case, I finally have several khukris that I consider to come up to my standards of being "the one" (khukri) for me. However, it took me quite a few years and over a hundred khukri purchases to accomplish this. I mean that I had to search for a long, long time to finally be able to find "the one" (khukri) for me. I had to do a tremendous number of comparisons among khukris to find several that came up to the standards of being "the one" (khukri) for me.

I am curios to know if anyone else had to go through the same long searching process to find "the one" (khukri) for them. I don't know about you folks but it took me a very long time to accomplish this. My three are 2 eighteen inch tin chirras by Bura and 1 eighteen inch Ang Khola by Bura. I will never willingly let these depart from my control.
J W Kilpatrick
 
Welcome Dogrunner! I think you are on the right track. Personally I would go with an 18" Chitlangi or Chainpuri. The sirus just feel heavier for some reason to me because of their balance. I also like the belled handle of these knives as it gets tighter in your hand as you swing, and takes less effort to hold.

The chitlangis are beautifully fullered. The big 22" one today would have been too heavy I think, but one at either 18" and about 22 oz. would be very light and handy, and for that matter a 20"er at about 27 oz. would be perfect IMO. But that might be more length / weight than you want. The standard chits for a long time were 21" and about 28-30 oz., but those have kind of standardized at about 20" and a few oz. less lately.

Good luck and let us know what you get.

Regards,

Norm
 
Thanks for all the helpful info (in this and some other recent threads).
The HI website has some great info too. I need to do some more reading ...

But I do have a few questions -
What is a chainpuri ? I think I found everything else at the HI site, but not that.

It appears that there are fatter khuks like the AK, WWII, and BAS and skinny ones like the Sirup and Kobra. What would be an intermediate one - a Gelbu Special ? I know there are other differences too, such as angles, weights (thickness), so this is too simplistic, but is there an "all-rounder" ?

I seem to accumulate knives even thought I am not a collector (yeah right), but I still want to start here with just one (... for now, maybe, if possible, if I can:rolleyes: ).

Last for now - the online store - is that where the available blades are to be found ? I see specials of the day on the forum, but it seems like most stuff is sold pretty quickly.

thanks a lot
 
The chainpuri is a semi-rare model that's not listed on the site. If you email (you can get the address from the site) and ask, Yangdu will let you know if she has any in stock.
 
Hi, there. Pretty dog.

I used an 18" Chitlangi, like Norm said, for exactly this mission. It handles saplings fine, too.

John


ShirleyStar.jpg
 
I think it is going to be an 18" chitlangi. Thanks for all the input. And the nice compliments on my puppy - actually she is 6 yrs old now and her motto is "why walk when you could be running!" :D
 
Excellent choice. You could email Yangdu at himimp@aol.com and ask her to pick you one out with a small handle, and a light blade. She may even have a better suggestion than any of us.

Steve
 
Thanks for the suggestion. I just placed an order on the HI website but if my email gets to her in time a smaller handle size would be great.
 
Blue & Millie say hi to the two white fluffies, and that if you are ever in the neighborhood, a good run could be arranged. they told me i'd better not fluff them up tho, too much wind resistance!

_______________________________________________________________
CAVE CANEM ET SEMPER PARATUS
Dic, hospes Spartae nos te hic vidisse iacentes,
Dum sanctis patriae legibus obsequimur

BlueMillieSig.jpg

If they don't want me to eat animals - why do they make them out of MEAT?
Retired Greyhounds make fast friends
 
They look fast! And thanks for the invite :) My girl agrees on the grooming thing - keep that comb away from me ...
 
dogrunner said:
But I do have a few questions -
What is a chainpuri ? I think I found everything else at the HI site, but not that.
Click to expand...

Here's a picture of a 20" Chainpuri from the FAQ:

Chainpuri20khuk1.jpg
 
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