Anyone use their kukri as a camp knife?

A

Atemporal

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Aug 4, 2012
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I've been considering buying a kukri--probably some variation on an ang khola--for some time know, and I'm trying to justify what I'll do with it. I've seen plenty of discussion here and elsewhere online about the utility of a kukri as a camp knife, and I'm convinced as to its potential. Of course, I'm pretty sure they are downright Illegal to carry in national parks, and likely to scare the pants off of people in state parks (carrying a large single-edged fixed blade is legal in state parks in my state). I just wonder about the implications of walking around with a 15-18 inch knife hanging off your hip. Anyone here have experience with this kind of use? What should I expect as far as reactions from park rangers/people on the trail?
 
I have an "American Eagle" 6 inch that goes camping with me. It works for camp stuff for sure. Batons threw wood, and makes a mean PB&J. Only thing about mine is I am not sure what kinda of steel it is made of. Rusts easier than any other knife I own. They advertise "spring steel" but who knows. That said, I like mine a lot.
 
I was camping on the barrier islands on the Indian River outside of Sebastian Florida with my AK. I had an Eastwing camp axe, and a chainsaw for fire wood. The 20" AK was just laying with some gear and was taken along. The chain saw ran out of gas and my wife tried using the small axe. The drift wood was too tough for her and she thought we would not have a fire. I took out the kukuri and blasted through the wood.

I use the AK all the time and no one says anything.
 
I use a number of khuks as my primary camping blades and have so for the last decade+:)
The only problem I run into is choosing which of my babies to take along;) If I'm trying to pack something hedge all of my bets without taking multiple knives, a nice 15" ak is a do it all model.
The last time I went camping I took a nice 18" chopping khuk for camp work and my Fiddleback Forge Woodsman belt knife for hiking as this was a really light trip and my daughter likes to be packed a lot...so I need a light knife;)

Truth be told, I would be able to get along with a good 12" ak for most anything I could need to do on MY powderpuff trips. If you don't want risk any odd looks, a 12" over all khuk would probably go unnoticed. Myself, i don't really care as long as I'm legal and not really scaring anyone.

That said, one of those new 12" ak bowies looks about perfect. My wife cleared me to order one for my birthday, and I think a high and tight sheath would really lose it's marginal weight. Pair it up with a six shooter and you've got a nice utility/defense combo:)
 
Real Kukris make great camp knives.

As far as Park Rangers and sheeple, not so popular.


Know your local laws and act accordingly on public lands.





Big Mike
 
Mine gets a lot less attention strapped to my pack than hanging off my hip. But then, I've never really had a ranger hassle me about it. They say something like "wow, that's a really big knife you've got there..." and I say, "YEAH!, it's a Himalayan Imports! Handcrafted piece of art! Would you like to see it? It's really cool, made by hand from recycled Mercedes truck springs by some very talented smiths." Most of them will come over and look and go away wanting one of their own. Key is to take their interest as "I like knives" rather than "Hey, that's a scary knife." If you come off as a harmless knife enthusiast, they're not going to care.
 
I always have at least one on a trek, as do my kids and wife. Just so many uses, and as a back up to any of the other tools I have. It doesn't always chop as good as my ax, slice as well as my thin food prep Mora, pick out a sliver as well as the tweezers on my SAK...etc, YET I would be hard put to use those other tools mentioned for EVERY possible need, like I can and do with my khuk.
As far as other folks perceptions, well, be aware of where you are. Sometimes in a pack, sometimes strapped to it, often on a hip or baldric. When properly presented to inquiring minds they often want one of their own and AT LEAST have respect for the respect I show towards them and my blade:)

Have fun, be safe, please read the safety FAQ's, and don't forget, the khukuri is the preferred tool VS. undead!

Be well,
Martk
 
I will be using mine this year and also proving them to my friend to use as well. The hardest part will be picking which ones to take with us. At least up in northern Ontario we don't really have to worry about size as we will be out in the middle of nowhere and most likely will not see anyone else while there as we are not limited to only using the parks. Most of e land is crown land and free to use for camping
 
Thanks for the quick replies. I've been looking at a CAK for camp firewood processing purposes and it would seem to be better than carrying a hatchet and machete. Now if only it didn't weigh 3 pounds :rolleyes:
 
Atemporal said:
Thanks for the quick replies. I've been looking at a CAK for camp firewood processing purposes and it would seem to be better than carrying a hatchet and machete. Now if only it didn't weigh 3 pounds :rolleyes:
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Unless you're a very big guy or planning to build a log cabin in the woods, I'd resist the temptation to get one of the weightlifter specials. It's surprising how much difference a few ounces and a couple of inches can make in practical use. The heavy khukuris are good to hang on the wall, impress people or just admire, but as others have said, a 15" AK is plenty for camp firewood processing and it can do smaller tasks that would be too cumbersome for the big boys. (Some forumites might disagree, but that's what makes horseracing.)

Something to be aware of: The AKs tend to run heavy for a given length (although there've been a few lighter weight AKs posted as DOTDs recently). You should also consider other models rated for field work, such as the M43, WWII, ASTK and a few others. There's a lot of variation in weight even for a given model and length, but those models are often lighter weight than an AK of the same length. You can't go wrong with any of these models if its under 30 oz.

That said, a 15" model is less likely to raise eyebrows or put people on predator alert if they see you carrying it in a state park.

Please let us know what you get for your first khukuri. With photos if possible.

-- Dave
 
davidf99 said:
Unless you're a very big guy or planning to build a log cabin in the woods, I'd resist the temptation to get one of the weightlifter specials. It's surprising how much difference a few ounces and a couple of inches can make in practical use. The heavy khukuris are good to hang on the wall, impress people or just admire, but as others have said, a 15" AK is plenty for camp firewood processing and it can do smaller tasks that would be too cumbersome for the big boys. (Some forumites might disagree, but that's what makes horseracing.)

Something to be aware of: The AKs tend to run heavy for a given length (although there've been a few lighter weight AKs posted as DOTDs recently). You should also consider other models rated for field work, such as the M43, WWII, ASTK and a few others. There's a lot of variation in weight even for a given model and length, but those models are often lighter weight than an AK of the same length. You can't go wrong with any of these models if its under 30 oz.

That said, a 15" model is less likely to raise eyebrows or put people on predator alert if they see you carrying it in a state park.

Please let us know what you get for your first khukuri. With photos if possible.

-- Dave
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I probably won't be getting one too soon, for financial reasons. Its going on my general camping/backpacking gear wishlist that I get over time.
 
greenwoods said:
...It doesn't always chop as good as my ax, slice as well as my thin food prep Mora, pick out a sliver as well as the tweezers on my SAK...etc, YET I would be hard put to use those other tools mentioned for EVERY possible need, like I can and do with my khuk.
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I am trying to picture you picking out a sliver with your khuk...:confused: Is that covered in the safety sticky?
 
I'm not much of a camper, but I always thought one of the Pen Knives would be an ideal camp knife.
 
rfguy said:
I am trying to picture you picking out a sliver with your khuk...:confused: Is that covered in the safety sticky?
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That's what the karda is for;) I have used mine to do just that a time or two. Of course, I grind the edges down on my using kardas scary thin. It holds the most fragile of wire razor edges for super fine cuts and gets a liberal stropping between jobs.
 
I carried and used. My 18" M43 for years on my belt. It was my everything tool. I never had a single problem with authorities of any type, though a couple did look at it to admire it. They attract far less negative attention than many other knives. As to being illegal interest woods....not likely, they are a survival tool just like an axe. Now if your acting in a threatening manner, or drunk etc then you might get some negative attention.

They make an exceptional camp knife.
 
Atemporal said:
Thanks for the quick replies. I've been looking at a CAK for camp firewood processing purposes and it would seem to be better than carrying a hatchet and machete. Now if only it didn't weigh 3 pounds :rolleyes:
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If you're looking for a large camp knife that can chop, split and pull machete duty, check out the 16.5" and 18" WWII models. I have two Ang Khola's a 12" and a Heavy 15". They have both seen use, but not near as much as my WWII's. My 16.5" WWII weights 21 oz which is on the light side for a 16.5" WWII. Standard weight is 24 to 26oz. It's seen so much use in the last 10 years, splitting firewood at camp, chopping branches for trail maintenance or firewood, brush clearing, cutting up food, Shoot, I even weed wacked my mom's yard with it when she bought her house 10 years ago and didn't have a lawn mower.

The WWII and M43 models are in my opinion H.I.'s Best All around blades. The 15" BAS Probably falls into that category, but I've never actually used one, so can't comment on it.

As far as Big blades in State or National parks in the USA. That's not a problem. Remember, there is no gathering of firewood in a park. You have to bring the wood in or buy it there. Back in 2002, I went with my college Outdoor Adventure club to Zion Nation Park and brought my 15" AK along. Used it to split firewood into kindling. No one gave me a problem. In 2004, I went back with the BYU Outdoor Adventure club with a SOG Bowie, I wore that one up and down 90% of the trails and no one said anything. . . . . Carrying a knife isn't the problem, it's how you use it. Using it in camp to split firewood is okay, using on a trail to cut vegetation is a No go.

When I'm in the national forest, I carry a WWII, Sirupati or Machete and use them for spring trail maintenance, firewood and what ever. There, a blade in use is no problem as long as you respect nature and others around you.
 
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