Ang Khola

J

Johan van Zyl

Joined
Oct 11, 2000
Messages
372
I am eager to tell the news that I have decided to buy an Ang Khola. Although I have never seen one, I have read that it is one of the most sought after types, according to HI. And that is why I am trying to get one at the moment. I am negotiating with a firm in Johannesburg to buy one, after contemplating to get it directly from Nepal or the USA. It does seem as if it will be better for me to work as locally as possible. I had the unfortunate experience of ordering an item from the USA about 6 months ago, waiting three months for it, then getting an empty (pilfered) box in the mail. That's not a nice thing to happen to one.
I still don't know much about an Ang Khola. Seems to be a particular type of khukuri originally made in a town in Nepal called by that name. It has, I believe, a forged depression that helps to distribute the weight forwards on the blade. I can get one with a wooden or a horn handle.
The name means "curved spine", according to HW, but this does not make sense to me at the moment, because if the name derives from a town, the town name surely could not mean "curved spine".
I note people spelling the name differently: "Ang Khola", "Angkhola", "Anghkola".
Also the name khukuri is sometimes spelt khukri. People in Nepal state that the correct name is Khukuri, but I keep on reading the spelling as khukri, or even kukri, eg. in the book WORLD AT ARMS and in the National Geographic Magazine in an article by Barry Bishop on the Karnali region of Nepal. Should't we get some consistency amongst collectors on this matter?
 
I think that while Khukuri is the most correct spelling of the knife, the differences you see in "Ang Khola" are due to a casual approach when typing. Sometimes I say "AK." However, I believe Ang Khola to be correct.

As for your Johannesburg AK, I think you'll be pleased. Lalit has a man there who imports some of his khukuris, and they are just fine as far as quality and usability go. As a shameless self promoter
smile.gif
I'll say that I don't know what kind of guarantee the South African khukuri connection gives those he sells, so be sure to ask.

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
Johan,

I'll try to give you a brief description of my 16" Ang Khola so you'll have some point of reference. First, some pics. Please bear in mind that these are scans, the AK is quite a bit larger than my scanner, and my scanner isn't one of professional quality.

ff49438e.jpg.orig.jpg

ff494387.jpg.orig.jpg


OAL = 16 1/8"
Blade length = 10 3/4"
Handle length (incl cap & bolster) = 5 1/2"
Spine thickness (7/16")
Cutting edge (tip to cho) = 10"
Blade width = 2 1/8"
Weight (approx) = 1 3/4 lb
OAL Chakma & Karda = 5" (+/-)

This knife has a very "weight forward" feel to it, much more than my other style Khukuris and I have used it to easily sever 1 1/2" orange tree limbs with one stroke. The balance point is 7 1/2" aft of the blade tip and 3 1/4 " forward of the bolster.

Many moons ago I was an EMT attached to a volunteer fire/rescue unit. I trained in vehicle, mountain and mine rescue as these were the 3 most common rescue type situations we were most likely to encounter. Of all the chopping tools available I would chose the 16" AK as the one to carry today. Pity I didn't know they existed back then.
Hope this adds a little insight towards your Khukuri quest

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Blackdog
Visit Gurkha House
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Although for price reasons, the SN1 is our "entry level" khukuri, I'm glad to see you are cutting to the chase and buying something heavy enough for what I believe you intend to use it for: heavy chopping.

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
Blackdog & Craig, thank you very much for your respective inputs. Especially the scans. I can't wait to get my Ang Khola - with luck I might have it by next Wednesday or Thursday. I'll be sure to let the forumites know.
Craig, you believe wrong. I don't want or need the Ang Khola for chopping. For that I use my trusty hatchet, like last Saturday I spent half a day at it. You see, I am a collector of various items. Maybe I could tell you more about them sometime. Concerning my khukuris, I am interested in getting as many facts accumulated about each khukuri I own. Then I put the data to paper in an interesting way, because I love writing and compiling things, ever since I was small. For instance, I want to know about the meaning of the words "Ang Khola". As I mentioned earlier (see higher up on this topic) I have rather conflicting information on the origin of the name. Concerning my khukuris, I have a great appreciation of good and artful craftmanship. I spend some evenings just fondling and cleaning my few khukuris, as I do my other items that I collect. For instance, I have a small collection of lockblade folders. Gotta go ... see you later!
 
I would like to inform the forumites that I took possession of my new Ang Khola on Saturday. I am very happy with it. It was distributed to me by "Roof of the World", of Johannesburg, South Africa, who represents Khukuri House in Nepal. This 15 inch Ang Khola complements my existing collection, which comprises two khukuris, a Standard Indian Army and Service no. 1 Ceremonial. The blade of the Ang Khola is slightly longer, larger and heavier that the Ceremonial. The handle of the Ang Khola is also appreciably longer, but made of the same stuff (horn). The Ang Khola is quite a good looker.
 
Congrats! I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Can you email me their email address? I'd like to swap retailer stories with them.

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
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