Been lurking for a while

SilverFoxKnows

SilverFoxKnows

Joined
Sep 25, 2002
Messages
3,179
thought I'd say "Hi". Is it possible to have HIKV without having a khuk? Today at work I read all 80 pages in the archives. I don't know if that was out of boredom or obsession. Maybe a little from column A, a little from column B. But as I'm looking at $600+ to replace the front beam and all the bushings on my Bug, I will have to keep a lookout for blems or maybe wait till Christmas. Three have caught my eye. The chiruwa AK, the 18" WWII and the GS (18" or 21"). And I know you can't have just one (like tattoos I guess), but I want to make the first one a good one because I don't know how long it will take to stash the cash for #2. I wont be carrying it around so I'd like it to be a bit bigger than my old Case Bowie. It will be a light-to-medium chopper and something to check out things that go bump in the night. I like the looks of the latter two but I like the idea that the AK is, for all intents and purposes, indestructable. I have read a couple of accounts of handles coming loose on the hidden tang models. How much chopping did it take to do that? Are we talking years of hard use? I like the idea of the full tang but then I keep thinking, the kamis make 'em with the hidden tang for a reason. Am I blowing the strength thing out of proportion? Any feedback or experience would be appreciated. Thanks.

Frank
 
Originally posted by SilverFoxKnows ....... Is it possible to have HIKV without having a khuk?
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yes
I will have to keep a lookout for blems
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Blems are good. It's a rare blem that actually needs work.
Most are Very minor cosmetic blemishes.
.....I want to make the first one a good one
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Well, they're all good. ;) One of the reasons we can't seem
to stop with one is that we're all looking for the perfect fit;
The one that looks, fits, and swings just right.
Even two of the same model may be different enough to feel like
two completely different blades.
Three have caught my eye. The chiruwa AK, the 18" WWII and the GS (18" or 21"). ...I wont be carrying it around so I'd like it to be a bit bigger than my old Case Bowie. It will be a light-to-medium chopper and something to check out things that go bump in the night.
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My first recommendation in a larger blade would be the 18" AK.
Either chiruwa or standard.
If chiruwa makes you feel better then go for it.
I like the looks of the latter two
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Then go for the look you like.
They're good blades, good choppers.
I like the idea that the AK is, for all intents and purposes, indestructable.
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If you came right down to it, the chiruwa is technically a bit stronger.
But the difference wouldn't make any difference to 998 out of 1000 people.
How many people really need to tear the tread off a tank.
I have read a couple of accounts of handles coming loose on the hidden tang models.
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Loose is relative. The "hidden" tang on the HI models
is what most people would call a hefty "rat tail" tang.
It runs all the way through the handle and is peened over the buttcap.
Even if all the adhesive came loose, the handle will stay on.
And on, and on.
And the heat of a hot summer car will remelt the adhesive and remove
any movement or rattle in the handle.
Think of the laha adhesive more as a filler/caulk
rather than as a glue actually holding the parts together.
How much chopping did it take to do that? Are we talking years of hard use?.......Am I blowing the strength thing out of proportion?
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If it were a troublesome problem you'd hear more about it in the threads. Most people never have a problem.
It's good to ask so you can feel comfortable.
I like the idea of the full tang but then I keep thinking, the kamis make 'em with the hidden tang for a reason.
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I'm sure the main reason was originally to conserve metal.
OTOH, several people here say the chiruwa (full width) tang is more
jarring to the hand when chopping.

Whichever you choose will be good.

Welcome.
 
Welcome to Cantina, SilverFoxKnows.
HIKV influences not only via khukuri it self, but also via pix, posts on the HI forum, etc. How else such many people have started to buy their endless HI purchase...

I've heard some rat tail tangs broke in the past, mostly with the ones manufactured around Dasein. Lately some full tang broke and either type seem equal now. Most complaints about "rat tail" tang in archives might have been rattling buttcap. Chiruwa style has no buttcap to play or rattle and that's the story IMO.

Trust your aesthetic sense, buy what looks best, you'll learn to use the one any khukuri you get and will come to love it. Hope you really enjoy yourself with your choice.
 
If you don't get one of the Kobras, most any HI will stand up to abuse you won't believe. The fact is, if you test it properly when you get it and it doesn't show problems in the first half hour it likely will last longer than you will.

The most likely problem is the laha, or himalayan epoxy as Bill calls it. Super glue tends to melt it so if you can squeeze enough in and jiggle a bit then let it sit and reharden, it's usually a permanent fix.

Welcome, and watch for suitable blems.

A 16.5" WW2 is more common than the 18". Grab either. Or grab a 15" AK or oversized BAS, or GS, or even an 18" AK. The fact is all these are able to do about the same things, some do some things better some do others better. All will do any reasonable job you ask.
 
Welcome to the cantina, Ddean answered many of questions.

As far as I'm concerned the GS would be you're best bet. I heard that Pala said he thinks it should replace the BAS as a field knife for the Gurkha's. It is an absolutley great design and it deffenitly leans more toward the weapon side of the scale - perfect by checking out those bumps in the night !!

The fullers make it a bit exotic as well - nice cos you will eventually want something a little different. The price is great and you occasionally get a blem - you have to be quick though and Uncle has just moved so it might be awile !!

If you cant wait, BAS or AK is your best bet. get something in the 18inch department ! (rules out BAS).

Uncle will tell you whats best !!

B
 
Originally posted by SilverFoxKnows
Today at work I read all 80 pages in the archives.
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Wanna trade jobs? :)

I like BAS. Good size, good weight, blah, blah, blah. You read the archives. I can't really add anything else.

I could write endorsed by "me" but that'll probably make you get something else.
 
The first thing I thought when I got my BAS was I needed a larger blade. But the BAS has its place as that carry everywhere tool. I vote for the 18" WWll but everyone has their choices.


munk
 
Listen to Uncle Bill!! When it comes to khukuris, & life in general, What Uncle Bill tells you you can take to the bank.
 
And I know you can't have just one (like tattoos I guess), but I want to make the first one a good one because I don't know how long it will take to stash the cash for #2.
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As a person who is not a khuk nut (there are other sharp and pointy things I like better), and who also thought his first khuk would probably be his last (at least for a long time), I can honestly say the cash for #2 seems to accumulate much faster than one would think. And #3 comes much faster. However one does notice oneself spending more time at home, buying more generic food items, doubling up on sweaters in the house during winter, re-using/making items one needs, deciding you really didnt need that vacation, and the exhaust fumes in the car really arent that bad, etc...:D
 
Welcome to the Cantina!!:)

Today at work I read all 80 pages in the archives.
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Ok, this tells me 2 things 1)you're a little crazy;) 2)you'll fit right in here, and I like you already:D

As far as a first one--you'll get more varying opinions on that one than you can shake a stick at! I'd say from what you said you couldn't go wrong with an 18" WWII. I don't own one (YET!) but I bought one for my neighbor and made the mistake of using it a little (well, I HAD to make sure he knew the proper way to use it!:rolleyes: ) it seemed to be a good blend of chopper/weapon and I've heard many knowledgeable folks here say the same.

On the other hand, if you want a powerful chopper that will blow you away you can't miss with a good hefty 18-20" AK. But be warned the 18" is HUGE and can be heavy itself, the 20's are monsterous and can really tire you out fast. I got a 20"AK as my first one, but probably should have gone with the 18".

I'll tell you one thing, after you buy one of these your other "big" knives that you were so proud of will now be considered tiny and "cute" in comparision. Heck around here a 12" khuk is considered tiny (and of course is the khuk of choice for our resident cave dweller who likes to dress them up in frilly lacy scabbard covers and name them like dollies:rolleyes: ;) :p :D )
 
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