Buying a Khukri

A

acwire_2125

Joined
Mar 23, 2006
Messages
546
Helo there guys!

I want to buy a Khukri for use in dense jungle. Any idea how can I choose one? So far two companies making them have been made known to me. The first beening Himalayans Imports and the second Khukuri House, the only supplier of khukuris(kukris) to the British Gurkha Units, the Gurkha Contingent of Singapore Police, the Gurkha Reserve unit in Brunei and the Gurkha Museum in the UK.

I am not sure how to choose and from which comapny I should buy therefore I am coming here to ask. Thanks for your help guys!:)
 
We cannot get into Khukuri House here; but I am sure that HI can more then take care of your needs.

n2s
 
Welcome acwire:)

You've come to the right place when it comes to khuks. HI makes the best khuks on the planet. As far as variety, customer service, and quality you simply cannot beat HI. How "dense" of jungle do you plan on chopping through? Are you simply going to clear vines and leaves out of the way, or are you going to be chopping through some logs?

I would guess that the best all arounder for machete duty as well as being able to handle wood chopping would be a 20" siru. The chits are also very good for such work as are the gelbu specials. Really, you can't go wrong:)

Once again, welcome and good luck buying your khuk. By the way, check out the safety thread;)

Jake
 
Near the top of my screen as I write this an Ad says: Himalayan Imports Forum, your place to blaa blaa about Himalayan Imports

The latter is in blue and a link to the website.

Welcome.

munk
 
Khukuri House is not the only supplier to the military... they have just had the last few contracts. They have ordered from many different companies over the years.
 
Any names of the other company? I saw wad they made and they were good. But so far, many good reviews about those Khukris made by HI too. So am confused now as to who to trust! Any help guys?
 
If trust is the main issue, then Himalayan Imports is the khuk that you want. A Sirupati in 20" would be my first choice if the vegetation is in the 18 to 50 mm (3/4" to 2") range. If the vegetation is lighter, I wonder if a regular machete 24" to 32" might be better. A machete would be lighter and faster on very light vegetation. Perhaps your best bet would be to carry both.

I don't know jungle, but I do know khukuris.:)

If you decide on buying a Sirupati check out the store at
http://store.yahoo.com/yhst-7333098713883/sirupati.html

Then email Yangdu Martino, the owner, at himimp@aol.com and have her pick you out a light one. There are minor weight variations from knife to knife since they are all handmade.

As far as handle materials, either wood or horn should serve you well. I have heard horn suggested for humid areas like the jungle.

Welcome and good luck!

Steve
 
Welcome Acwire. Go with HI. I started with that other brand, but wound up collecting HI's because of the quality. Additionally HI is about improving the living conditions of the Himalayan bladesmiths, or kamis. The kami that makes your blade will sign it, and you can learn about their forging style and develope a favorite. They really do make the best khuks in the world. You're going to get what you pay for, so go with HI.
 
Thanks Ferguson, I would cut quite some bushes. As I stay in Singapore, a small island country at the tip of the Malaysian Peninsular, the weather is quite humid. I would need one that needs low maintenance and high cutting rate.

Hey aproy1101, I would buy a Khukri for practical use and not for collecting, so the qualities for selecting a useable blade and a decorative blade is diffrent.

Wad type of length would you guys recommend?
 
AC, I would go with a light 20" sirupati like Steve said. Please keep in mind that HI measures their blades in overall length. A 20" khuk is going to give you around 14-16" of blade to use. I think that would be quite ideal for both cutting brush as well as chopping wood. It also wouldn't weigh your pack down like a heavier khuk would.
HI makes the finest khuks in the world. Both in respect to beauty as well as use. You just can't find a better khuk dealer that offers quality, warranty, price, and honest customer care and service. Your blade will be warrantied for life, and if you happen to get one of the very, very few bad blades that come through, Yangdu Martino will set it straight. She is a pleasure to deal with:)
Once again, welcome:) Please stick around. There is SO MUCH to learn for the gentle people in this forum.

Jake
 
AC, welcome, and several people have this model. You should go to the HI shopping site and zoom in on the pictures. Personally I like the 20" sirupate very much, but I think the 21" Chitlangi is just as effective and far better balanced with a better handle. With the blade fullers it just looks nicer as well I think. YMMV.

The 21" Chitlangi was my first knife, and still my favorite. Still, everyone has individual preferences, and their own favorites, which is why HI has so many models. To me the 20" Kobra would be lightest in this range that would work for you, with the Sirupate and the Chitlangi following close behind.

As Steely said, with HI's no BS warranty you can't really go wrong. If it breaks or there is a problem, Yangdu stands behind it.

Good luck and please let us know what you get.

Regards,

Norm
 
Ok, first thing - You guys say things like " 20" sirupate ". Can I know if the 20" is the length of the whole thing or just the blade?

second thing - Any idea where in Nepal is their show room or place where I can buy? Any address?
 
The khukuris are listed as overall length, so 20" is blade and handle.

I think that a 20" Sirupati has a 14in or so blade.
 
And, if you're interested in acquiring one at a bargain price, hang around this website around the time Yangdu posts the latest bargains, slightly-blemished khukuris, etc.

I agree with the recommendation of a sirupati for light vegetation with the occasional woody branch. I'd be a little unsure about how well a chitlangi would fare, given that I think chitlangis tend to be thinner in the blade. I've used a chainpuri (another very-thin-bladed model) successfully on some very light twigs, and am impressed with the speed with which it can be swung, but I found the thinness of my particular blade at the tip (where the steel is deliberately left soft, to prevent snapping, etc.) made it a little too flexible for use with even pretty small pieces of wood. Given that much of my use for khukuris is for very tough desert hardwood, Yangdu very kindly let me swap the chainpuri for a very tough chiruwa ang khola.
 
better? er....

Don't go there.


Each design has a variety of optimal applications.

The folks who suggested the sirupate were responding to your initial inquiry.

Dan Koster put together a Computer aided design series of illustrations on most of the varieties:
http://www.himalayan-imports.com/faq/physics/Khukuri_Dynamics.html

The AK is a heavier, thicker, and more weight-forward blade, more well suited for chopping.

Enjoy.
 
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