BAS, 15"AK, WWII 16.5" what first?

G

glwanabe

Joined
Jan 30, 2007
Messages
140
Geetings all, Just signed up a couple of days ago and have been reading old threads.

Ok, so I want a knife again. I want a khuk, and I want about a dozen of them.
(Wife would kill me with one of them if I did)

1. Why do I want a new knife, just because. Everybody, (well, every man) should have a good knife. I just want it, do I need a reason:D

2.What will I use it for, camping, playing with it, hacking stuff, pass it down years from now. An excuse to go into the woods and do stuff.

Allright I've looked and tried to get a handle on what is a good balance between what I will really do with it, and getting something stupid big that would just sit there.

BAS, 15"AK, WWII 16.5" These are the three that I'am really liking.

The 15"AK seems a good cross between the other two, and is a steller blade.

The BAS, still really has an appeal from the point of being maybe slighly more versatile, (for finer work) and easier for my wife to pick up if needed.

The WWII, Part knife, part machete, cool!

From what I've read on here, you really can't go wrong with any of them. Add thoughts and your views. I would like to order something in the next week.
 
I got the BAS for my first HI. Eight years later I'm still happy with my decision. The BAS is a relatively small khukuri, but it is still a big knife. It should do well for all the tasks you have in mind. It also has the benefit of being a beautiful blade. It is a good candidate for a first khukuri and should give you an idea of whether you like this blade style.
 
Welcome:)

Any one of them would do just fine:) I would probably vote 15" AK or BAS. I don't have an actual factual BAS, but my very first khuk was villager model that was sort of like an AK without the fullers which made it sort of BAS-ish. It's been a great blade, and one i won't part with. That said, I had a 15 AK that was beautiful and fully functional and chopped like a demon. I would have kept it, but I gifted it to a friend as a house warming present. Either one of those knives would been a great all 'rounder.
On the other hand, I wouldn't discount the WWII. I have an 18"er that was my camping khuk for several years. Not too big to pack, but would split wood easily. The great thing about HI is that you can't lose;)

Jake
 
I'm with Jake; any of these would be excellent choices. There isn't that much difference in performance between them, either.

My first was a BAS, and that's because it was on sale. I'd probably go BAS or WWll


munk
 
I think I just need to stare at some more pictures of the blades, and see which one says,


ME, ME, OOH, OOH, GET ME!
 
First off, welcome! Hope you have a long and enjoyable stay.

As to your khuk selection, I have nothing to add to the opinions above. Pick the one you like the looks of best, buy that one and then buy the other one second. :D My first two Khuks wee a BAS and a 16.5" WWII respectively. That doesn't count the 12" sirupate I bought for my son. ;)

As for wood vs horn, the old posts will tell you it's also a matter of taste. I have both; I like both. If you buy horn, keep it oiled with a lanolin or mineral oil product. If you buy wood, it doesn't hurt to keep it oiled as well.


Watch for the deals of the day (DOTDs) and if you see something you like, email Yangdu at himimp@aol.com. Just cut and paste the description of the knife you want from the post into your email and send it on. Be warned, you may have to be quick. There are some very hungry sharks floatin' in these waters and the deals are first come, first served.

Above all, have fun!
 
Uncle Bill's recomendation was the 15" Ak, the most popular, the BAS is the second most popluar. I use both. just depends which is closer. :D

The 16.5 Inch WW11 is my favorite though. It is in my carry bag, chops like a bigger blade but packs small. I guess I didn't help much, sorry.:o
 
Horn is tough as hell, and I love the look with white metal fittings.
It will have a tendancy to shrink a bit in arid climates but can be controled with any of several treatments of lanolins or oils.
It can be slick when your hands get damp or wet but this can be reduced by puting a rough "villager" finish on them your self.

Wood is plenty tough as well, yet in my opinion not quite as much as horn. This could be argued.
Wood also seems to be a bit warmer to the touch to me and may be consitered more pleasing to the eye with varying grain structure and even the smell in the case of Neem wood.

I am happy with both materials but for some reason I tend to prefer the buffalo horn.

These are just my personal views.

Some of the long timers here may give you some of the pros and cons between these materials if any practical ones really exist.
 
Didn't help,

I would not say that. Everybody has been very helpful. Given that these three blades are the three most popular. I looking more at the BAS and WWII right now. The AK is superb , but... aw crap.

I am really liking the WWII in a bone handle. slighly more length, and blade thickness than the BAS, and maybe a little easier for fner work as well.

I need to ga back and look at the tech drawings page again.
 
I sure the one you pick will have a sister real soon. You will not be able to just own one!! I have been leaning towards 16.5 WWII but have not decided which one to buy either. It's a dilemma that's lot's of fun. But in the mean time I have bought a sirupati, katunje, pen knife, chits and chain. And am still looking...oh yeah, I bought a fish knife too. AND ENJOYING THEM ALL!
 
another 2 in that size range i would suggest are:

15-16" baby ganga ram special
16-17" bojpure

just to give you a few more options when DOTDs pop up :D
 
Now jai, be nice! :D Not everybody has the resources to buy ~50 in 2 months, or so, like you did. :p
 
glwanabe said:
I think I just need to stare at some more pictures of the blades, and see which one says,

ME, ME, OOH, OOH, GET ME!
Click to expand...

That's close to the approach I have followed from day one. Not very scientific, I admit, but I am pleased with my modest collection. No matter where you start, you can always decide what "gaps" in your lineup you want to try to fill next. Be forewarned, though, that for every blade you get, you create two new "gaps" on each side of it which will need to be filled. :)

Eric
 
The ganga ram does appeal to me from an aesthetic point of view. Hard to not like that graceful sweep of the back.

The more I stare at it the more I like the WWII in bone, but just by a hair. I had my 14yr old come take a look. She wasn't much help.

"Why is it bent like that?" "Does it do anything, or do you just look at it?" "Boys are stupid!"

I'll have to get my 9yr old in here to stare at them with me. She will give an opinion, then go running to mom and say wild crazy things.

I casually mentioned that we "could cook" in the fireplace if needed. Next thing I know my wife is asking me, "WHAT?? your making the fireplace into a pizza oven? WHAT??"
 
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