Approximate Weight and Thickness of M43?

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HoosierQ

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Feb 9, 2010
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My quest for the Khukuri is taking me along a "vertical" path now. Eliminated Ang Khola as chopping performance is not going to be a primary factor in choice. I have added the m43 for consideration. I am looking along traditional military service lines. So the current runners are BAS, WWII, and now looking at m43...15, 16.5, 18 lengths respectively.

I am not finding specs on the M43. Yangdu has a villager M43 at 2 lbs. Is this more or less typical? What is a typical spine thickness to expect in an M43? I understand there is variation. Believe it or not, I am keeping a spreadsheet...I'm sick...help me.

What might I expect for a typical weight and thickness on an M43...non-villager?

Thanks.

QB
 
Greetings HQ-Here are specs from my Hari made, non-villager M-43. 18" and 33oz.,spine thickness-at bolster .383",at "shoulder" or midpoint where spine turns toward the point .393" ,and where bevel joins the spine near the point .273". Anywhere between 30 and 34 oz. is typical from what I have seen in the M-43. Hope these "meds" aid you in the sickness you share with many of us. P.S.-If chopping performance is not a consideration, you may find the M-43 a little heavy.
 
I'd recommend an 18" WWII 23-26oz. I have one and it chops like crazy but it's still light and fast. Plus I really like the bullnose blade tip.
 
Thanks Arbiter and Dirtbiker. It occured to me since I was thinking that 18" would be in play, adding the 18 WWII. And no, I don't want too heavy. This is my "intro" Khukuri we're talking about here. I used to have one of those ESEE Junglas. That is sort of a KLO...or maybe a Machete Like Object. It was very nice but did not speak to me. I have a full collection of real machetes so an MLO was of no use. I chop with and axe or a machete. Khukuri is going to be all-purpose bug out knife, fondle object, camp knife, etc. Frankly the BAS is still the front runner but WWII is really closing fast...the 16.5 anyway.

Thanks fellas. I will add this information to my spreadsheet...sick, just sick...but I enjoy it.
 
"The" M43 is nothing more than a MkII from WWI and WWII. The specs are as follows.

17.5 inches overall
12.5 - 13 inch blade
4.5 - 5 inch handle
Spine width at bolster is approx 1/4 inch and then it evenly tapers all the way to the tip. It also evenly tapers from spine to edge.
Edge bevel is very small compared to today's models and usually is 1/4 inch or less.
Weight is 24oz-26oz (680-740 grams) were the norm but ones as heavy as 28oz are found. The 28oz ones are considered heavy in the MkII world.

Even though many different companies made the MkII/M43 from 1917-1944 most were remarkably similar in size, weight, shape and feel. (except for the Pilot/Aircrew model on the bottom) In any case, the handle is normally less than a third of the overall size and the MkII always looks like a lot of blade and a little handle.
DSC03437.JPG
 
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The HI M43, at least as made the past few years, is not a light weight, general purpose khuk. It's a great chopper, but too heavy for any real light work, such as brush clearing. I'd say the 16.5" WWII would work great for what you want. Here's a photo of one next to a Junglas. BTW, the Junglas is an incredible multi-purpose knife, but I also like khuks:)

WWII on top, Junglas, and HI M43 on bottom.
Junglas001.jpg


And here is the historic M43 (middle, standard issue Mk. II on top and bottom) of which Bill speaks (and longs for a modern re-creation of:).
mkii007.jpg
 
I bought a WWII on a DOTD because it was a killer deal. I can tell you it quickly became my favorite blade. It's easy to handle and it sails through anything 1" and under. I use it to chop up branches I limb off of my orange and tangerine trees.
 
The one compared to the Junglas. I really like the old MKII.

BAS vs. 16.5 WWII if that was your question.

I am new to Khukuris. I am of the opinion that every man (certainly knife guy anyway) should own a Khukuri. I feel the same about Puukkos. I love them too.
 
Hm, military service application would perhaps be better served by a Gelbu Special than either of these heavy choppers unless you can get them custom-built light and fast (3/8" spine tops). Other options would be a Chitlangi or a Sirupate, possibly even a Kobra.
Just my 2 cents.
Good luck.
 
jdk1 said:
The HI M43, at least as made the past few years, is not a light weight, general purpose khuk. It's a great chopper, but too heavy for any real light work, such as brush clearing. I'd say the 16.5" WWII would work great for what you want. Here's a photo of one next to a Junglas. BTW, the Junglas is an incredible multi-purpose knife, but I also like khuks:)
Click to expand...
I agree with jdk1 and shortwinger the Himalayan Imports design of the M43 Kukri is a heavy version designed for chopping more than anything else. From what I've read you are searching for an all round tool.

I recommend today's blem below:
15 inch 20 ounce BAS by Tirtha. Great camping Knife. Small hairline crack in horn handle most likely to go nowhere. First time buyer welcome at $85 YBB.

In my opinion it has everything a good all rounder should have in a nice carry weight. Or go for the slightly longer Sirupate as "alexs" suggested:
15 1/4'' Sirupati by Tirtha. Light and fast Knife. Two cents worth of epoxy fix crack in horn handle. Great investment at $75 YBB. (weight unknown)

Just because a Khukuri is lightweight does not mean it can't chop well. That is a misconception. Also, from my studies and learning a lot from people in this very thread that a traditional military service Khukuri (ones soldiers liked using) usually was around 20 oz (570 grams). So anything in that weight should fulfill your quest :thumbup:.
gurk0.jpg
 
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In case someone is curious, here are the specs for my HI M43 model:

Kami Tirtha
Blade thickness - .370 to .375
OAL – 19”+/- a fraction of an inch
Blade length – 12 ¾”
Blade width at belly – 2.3”
Handle length – 6 1/2” OAL including bolster
Balance point – approximately 2 ½ “ in front of bolster
Weight – 32 oz.

My vintage M43 specs are these:

OAL – 17.5”/44.5 cm
Blade Length – 13.25/33.65 cm
Weight – 23.1 oz./654.8 grams
Handle Length – 4.5”/11.4 cm
Spine Width: @Bolster – .264”/6.7 mm
@Shoulder in front of groove/Sword of Shiva – .243”/6.2 mm
@Tip – .122”/3.1 mm
Tang Width (middle between rings) - .165”/4.2 mm
Handle Width: @First Pin – 1.29”/32.7 mm
@Second Pin – .994”/25.2 mm
Belly Depth – 2.3”/58.4 mm

Take care.
 
Thanks guys. It looks like the vintage M43 configuration would be more suitable to my idea of what I am looking for than the current production model...which is nonetheless awesome. I like the small bevel on the vintage ones...that really lends a graceful aspect to a very big knife.

jdk1...man it looks like maybe you've got a khukuri spreadsheet too:thumbup:

So one thought I am having is go with the relatively small all-rounder...the BAS...thus leaving room to grow! Jump over the WWII and get an M43 as my "big" Khukuri.

This research has been fun. I hope others have learned something from it too. I went through all this during my Puukko phase but while an equally treasured tradition, there is a lot less going on there in terms of configuration...squared spine vs. the diamond shape...pommel or no pommel...peened tang or hidden...that's about it.
 
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