Appropriate Khukuri?

T

TWBryan

Joined
Jun 11, 2006
Messages
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I'm hoping I can get some advice here. I'm seriously considering buying an HI khukuri for brush cutting and possibly limbing small trees. I would like to buy something that fits me if possible. I'm 5' 6" about 160 lbs. What length and style should I consider? I'm very much drawn to the looks of the sirupate style,but I'm uncertain as to how strong a chopper it would be. Any advice appreciated. BTW I have searched, looked at a ton of posts before posting this thread.

Thanks

TWBryan
 
if you want a khuk for brush cutting and limbing an 18" sirupati would do just fine :thumbup:
other models you may want to look into would be chitlangi's and gelbu specials :D just to give you more options
remember, the above would be suited for brush clearing more than chopping :rolleyes: im sure others will chime in with their suggestions :cool:

EDIT: forgot to add, WELCOME TO THE HI FORUM!!! ;)
 
Welcome TW! Remember the OAL includes the handle obviously. 18" is fine, but for the work you describe I would go with a 20" anyway. Gives you a little more reach but is still very handy. My first was a 21" chitlangi, which to this day and many more knives later is still my favorite. I only mention the increased length because of the brush cutting task; for limbing trees I don't know that the extra length would really be that much of a factor, and anyway that's just my preference. Every body is different and 18" may fit you better.

One of the villager Gelbu's at about this length would also make a wicked and strong work knife. And of course the sirupate you suggest. That is a fine knife, and they have the nice brass inlaid sword of shiva, but to my hand they don't balance quite as well as the other two models I mentioned.

All three are usually between 27 and 29 oz. in the 20-21" length, and of course you can get them in the shorter lengths as well. Drop Yangdu an email if you don't see one come up soon on the DOTD.

Best of luck, and let us know what you decide on.

Regards,

Norm
 
Jaiofspam- An 18 inch sirupate indicates a blade length of roughly 12 inches. I don't really want a huge knife as my first khukuri, no need to "over-knife" myself. Would I get more chopping power from a different style blade in a shorter knife?

Svashtar-20 inches? What's the main difference between the chitlangi and the sirupate? I've collected some pictures of various khukuris and there doesn't seem to be a lot of difference between the chitlangi and the sirupate styles.

I guess I am trying to determine the optimum length and style for a person of my size. And maybe I ask too much of the khukuri wanting it to be a knife/hatchet/impromptu decapitator etc..

Thanks for Replies

TWBryan
 
TWBryan said:
Jaiofspam- An 18 inch sirupate indicates a blade length of roughly 12 inches. I don't really want a huge knife as my first khukuri, no need to "over-knife" myself. Would I get more chopping power from a different style blade in a shorter knife?

TWBryan
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no worries TW, feel free to ask all the questions you wish
we are all here to assist you :thumbup: :D

regarding chopping power from a different style blade/shorter knife...
from my understand yes a 16" chiruwa ang khola or baby ganga ram special would out chop an 18" sirupati... but technique also plays a part in chopping aswell :rolleyes:

then agian the sirupati and other long slender blades would clear brush a lot better than the 16" chiruwa ang khola or bgrs :)

it all depends what you are gearing towards more...
i say hang around a bit and watch out for auntie yangdu DOTD's
test the waters with whatever grabs your attention... i doubt you will be disappointed with whatever choice you decide on :D :thumbup:

welcome to HI forum and happy sharking :p
 
TWBryan said:
Jaiofspam- An 18 inch sirupate indicates a blade length of roughly 12 inches. I don't really want a huge knife as my first khukuri, no need to "over-knife" myself. Would I get more chopping power from a different style blade in a shorter knife?

Svashtar-20 inches? What's the main difference between the chitlangi and the sirupate? I've collected some pictures of various khukuris and there doesn't seem to be a lot of difference between the chitlangi and the sirupate styles.

I guess I am trying to determine the optimum length and style for a person of my size. And maybe I ask too much of the khukuri wanting it to be a knife/hatchet/impromptu decapitator etc..

Thanks for Replies

TWBryan
Click to expand...

TW, a Chitlangi has a bit wider blade with fullers forged or cut into it to lighten the weight. The sirupate does not have those fullers, and in that size range the blade is usually a bit narrower top to bottom.

A 18" model might suit you better after all, you just have to give it a try. I like the chits because the pommels are swelled which really helps keep the knife in the hand better IMO. (The harder you swing the firmer the knife feels in your hand.)

I can say that if you are going to be clearing brush or limbing that you want at least an 18" model I think.

Norm
 
Jaiofspam and svashtar,thank you both for your kind welcome, I've been lurking and reading for a while. Long enough to realize that the HI khukuris are going to be the best quality khukuris I'm going to find. I am well aware of the DOTD posts and have added the HI email address to my address book so as to be able to respond quickly,hopefully,by next week I'll have enough funds free to try for something nice. Myabe a nice 18 inch sirupati or chitlangi.
I think a lot of us here are very influenced by getting our hands on something so intricately involved in history and legend as the khukri. One can cut brush with a woodsmans pal,but it just isn't the same. Thanks again for your input, I'm still still open for more advice or opposing viewpoints.

Thanks

TWBryan
 
Welcome! I'm about your size, same height but a little lighter, and I like the chitlangis and the sirupatis great for the work you describe. Neither one of those is a great chopper compared to the AK or GRS, but they'll outchop any machete of similar size. Take a good look at the Gelbu Special as well, it's a great all-around khukuri.
 
The 20" Sirupati was my first khukuri. I'll never forget the first time I held it in my hand. It was magic! It wasn't an HI, but is still a nice piece. It's the only non-HI piece I own. The sirupati family is often overlooked. It's not for chopping down large trees, but for anything less than 4" will acquit itself very well. I'm sure you'll be very happy with a 18 or 20" Sirupati. I'm 5'-5" and it's not too long by any means. The 18 or 21" Chitlangis are one of the most beautiful in the HI lineup, with their twin fullers. Can't go wrong there either.

Steve Ferguson
 
Unless I missed it in the previous comments I think another important consideration for the uses your described is weight.

Often the Martial Arts crowd here has said they prefer a ratio of approx 1oz of weight per inch (overall length). so an 18" Kobra for example will often weigh between 18 and 19 oz.

For brush cutting I'd steer toward lighter faster khuks, but if you want to limb trees and push the size of limbs into the 2,3,4 inch range then a sirupate would fit the bill.(being a nice in between khuk between big choppers and the light fast crowd). Of course it depends on the spine thickness and overall weight. My 20" Sirupate is quite hefty but it was made a long time ago by HI when things tended toward HEAVY.

Good luck!!
 
Roadrunner-Thanks for the input,good to know they are better than machetes, I've got a cold steel bolo that I use,but it has no "soul".

Ferguson -Thanks I will look at the chitlangi's some more. I really want to get something that can be used for chopping ,but also serve as a knife if needed.

Mauirob- Thanks I have to consider overall length carefully,like I said early I do not want to "over knife" myself. Sirupate or chitilangi seem to be the front runners here..

Thanks

TWBryan
 
Mauirob- Thanks I have to consider overall length carefully,like I said early I do not want to "over knife" myself. Sirupate or chitilangi seem to be the front runners here..
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Well, not just length. what I was trying to say was that Weight was really important. And weight per inch can be a benchmark for figuring that out. Look at some of the deal of the day specials that Yangdu puts up and you can start to get an idea of what I mean. Divide the oz by the length or vice versa of the different models. Ang Kola vs. chainpuri or kobra or sirupate. and you'll see a HUGE difference between them when it comes to weight per inch of knife.
 
Mauirob-Thanks that's actually something I hadn't thought of doing and would give me a good estimate of how the blade would feel. It's a given,of course, that they balance forward. As I recall from reading here the army issue models came with a blade of about ten inches in length and they managed to serve well.

Thanks

TWBryan
 
I recall someone swearing by the 25" Kobra for heavy-duty brush clearing. I could imagine that getting fatiguing real fast though. I think brush clearing in general is probably too light a task for the average khuk, although they'd be ideal for the light limbing.

Ideally you could use an HI interpretation of a golok or similar design... longer and lighter than a khuk, but of higher quality than the garden-variety machete.
 
I'd agree with CS Graves ... if your usual targets are only 1/2 or less in diameter, then maybe a khuk's not your baby. For really light or whippy stuff, you'll likely want something with a thinner edge profile than a khuk, so the wispy stuff will be cut rather than pushed out of the way.

But if most targets are 3/4" and a fair proportion are bigger, get a khuk for sure. I think a chit would be pretty much ideal for this light-weight chopping, but could go much heavier. The more robust HI offerings won't be breaking a sweat at this level ... especially those with a fair bit of weight forward, like the Ganga or AK styles.

Remember that a long-ish knife of any description - khuk, barong, whatever - won't really take the place of a small detail knife. That's what kardas are for ... and why I carry short and thin blades along with a khuk.
 
C.S.Graves,Tom Fetter-thanks for your input, at this point I am leaning towards an 18 inch to 22 incg chitlangi or sirupate as my first khukuri. My detail knives tend to be Spyderco's which are very sharp indeed. The khukuri I would reserve for limbing trees and decapitating zombies. ;)

Thanks

TWBryan
 
TWBryan said:
C.S.Graves,Tom Fetter-thanks for your input, at this point I am leaning towards an 18 inch to 22 incg chitlangi or sirupate as my first khukuri.
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Those'll probably be best suited within HI's current offerings...

but like the others said, once you start, the HIKV will just snowball from there!
 
Cybrok,Jaiofspam,C.S. Graves- Yup I think so,already have the ar-15's for main fighting implement. Going to have to get a few khukuris for when ammo runs low ;).

TWBryan
 
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