Attributes of the Chiruwa Ang Khola

D

diver316ss

Joined
Jan 15, 2006
Messages
34
I am considering the purchase of a Chiruwa Ang Khola. What makes it better or worse than the Ang Khola? ( I saw mention of full tang construction)
Pros, cons, especially from users would be appreciated.
 
Things to consider:

It is extremely unlikely that you could ever break either the CAK or AK in any sort of chopping/cutting/prying use. However, if you want to use it as a crow bar, the CAK will be somewhat stronger.

Some people feel that the CAK transmits more vibration to the hand than the AK.

Sometimes the wood shrinks a little on the handles. No big deal on the AK. On the CAK, it results in the metal protruding from between the slabs.

The production CAK is only available in 16.5" (from time to time special ones are made in larger sizes). The production AK is made in 12", 15", 18", and 20".

You can't really go wrong with either.
 
I like the Chiruwa's but they are heavy. Basically, they are also indestructible, I think. Even though the scales are wood, & two piece, I have not had any trouble with any of mine. These handles are real comfortable to me & fit my hand pretty well because they are a little larger than the usual. Great working khukuris, but not the style I take out on trails in the woods.
 
Let me qualify:
I have many large knives, Cold Steel, Swamp Rat, Busse.
But, I'm looking for the next level. I only know of HI through reading
Cliff Stamp knife reviews, which naturally intrigued me.
So what would you carry in the woods with serious intent?
I guess I'm not worried about the blade, but what about the handle/tang assembly?
 
The only way to know which you would like better, if you would like one better, would be to hold and use both a Chiruwa AK and a regular AK.

The chiruwa arguably has the stronger handle construction. If a slab falls off, you can still use the knife. (Yes, if a handle of a regular khuk busted, I could find a way to put something on it in the field to make do)

I don't really think you could be disapointed by either knife. I guess I'd go with wood for all around durability.

How much wood do you anticpate chopping?


munk
 
I don't know, but I just got done looking at a post of a modified knife with a tang photo and there doesn't look there's much strength there.
Is the issue with the Chiruwa weight?
 
huh? On which?
The standard tang is a thin triangle- not a true rat tail at all- and is plenty strong. The design puts the main vibration forward, or at least dampens it- during chopping. The Chiruwa style will impart more impact during chopping to your hand. The chiruwa style is a very strong handle. It is usually less thick than the spine but still more than stout enough. You are not chopping trees with the handle.

munk
 
That section of the knife isn't in general heavily stressed in normal use because it is the part you are holding onto. In the khukuris I have damaged during prying they typically go through the blade, this is on other brands, not HI, and due to the much softer spines.

-Cliff
 
I have both types of handles and I prefer the Chiruwa type. I think that it actually imparts a little less shock to the hand than the rat tail tang. Plus, the added durability makes it that much more appealing to me. That said, you probably could'nt break either type if you tried. They are incredibly durable. Munk had it right when he said that you need to really hold the blades in order to see which one feels right to you. The Chiruwa handled blades just feel more balanced to me, and the rat tail blades are a little more blade heavy.

Here are a few pics of my Chiruwa Ang Khola and my new Chitlangi Bowie knife with Chiruwa handle.

CAK_5.jpg

CAK_4.jpg

CAK_2.jpg


chit_bowie6.jpg

chit_bowie7.jpg

chit_bowie8.jpg
 
HI is going to sell a million chit knives if they get it together.

>>>>>>

Yes, the normal tang khuk is more 'blade heavy'; if you look, you'll see why- just more metal behind the bolster with the Chiruwa style.
That's why I was curious about a chiruwa stule Balance model. It might balance best of all.

munk
 
diver316ss said:
Let me qualify:
I have many large knives, Cold Steel, Swamp Rat, Busse.
But, I'm looking for the next level. I only know of HI through reading
Cliff Stamp knife reviews, which naturally intrigued me.
So what would you carry in the woods with serious intent?
I guess I'm not worried about the blade, but what about the handle/tang assembly?
Click to expand...

It's extremely unlikely that you would be able to break either one. In the regular AK, the tang goes all the way through the end of the handle and is peened over the butt cap.

If you've never held one of these things, you're in for a treat. I have both a Swamprat Battle Rat and a Ranger RD9 and both feel like steak knives compared to my 18" Ang Khola. A blade that is 3/8-7/16 thick is a sight to behold. Then again, a khukuri isn't really a 'knife' and I wouldn't want it to be the only blade I carried into the field. The right tool for the right job, and if I could only have one blade in a survival situation (which would be unfortunate), it probably would be a big bowie like the SW BR.

Hope this helps.
 
If I had only one knife it would be a HI khuk. Probably a 18" AK or WWll.


munk
 
I've had a number of khuks, including both a Chiruwa and 15" AK. I lost interest in all of my other khuks after receiving my 15" AK. It was made by Kumar, and has a beautiful saastial handle. I have found that no other kamis' handles come anywhere close to the comfort of Kumar's handles, and handle comfort is one of the most important features in any tool.
 
I admire Kumar very much. Bill once said he did the best horn handles. His handles are always good for me- but so are the other Kamis. A lot just depends upon the knife style and how the Kami made it that day. I've a Bura handle too small, and others just right.


munk
 
As the others have stated, there isn't much difference between the standard tang and the chiruwa tang as far as strength goes. Basically, you aren't going to be able to destroyer either of them under the most abuse of situations besides actaully TRYING to burn/chip/hack the handle off.
Personally, I like the standard for most khuks. I like how they feel in hand. Especially Kumar's. man, does he do a great feeling handle. However, there are some khuks that i really like a chiruwa handle on. My AK bowie (now riding in my dad's truck) and my Munk Chunk Cleaver both seem to balance a bit better with more metal in the handle. Also, my YCS cuts like a dream with it's chiruwa make-up.
In short, it doesn't matter which one ya get...chances are, you're gonna get both anyway;)

Jake
 
Somebody (?) described the tang on H.I.'s khuks as a "gator" tail, rather than a rat-tail. wide, tapering deeply into the handles.
 
If you plan to modify your khuk in any way the non-chiruwa handle is the way to go. I have both, of course, and like both very well. My favorite khuk is my Samsher. Its got the gator-tailed handle in beautiful Satistal, and it chops like a beast. I had to mod the handle because the ring was just never going to work for me on that one. I'm now in the process of modding the scabbard. I love to mod my knives, so take all this modding with a grain of salt. I try not to remove the ring on my khuks, but on a couple the fit of the ring to my hand was going to relegate the knive to 'decorative' status, and I hate that. Here is a pic of the modified Samsher handle. Also shown is an HI Bolo handle I refinished and did a new frog for.

attachment.php
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top