Camp Knife? ? Khukuri?

H

hollowdweller

Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
13,182
There seems to be a lot of people making kind of big camp knives these days for chopping. I've owned and handled a few.

The thing is, some of the ones I have seen run upwards of $200 bucks and are not nearly as thick OR as efficient for chopping as a khukuri. Also I wouldn't really rank most that good for "knife " type stuff either.

I've never handled like a battle mistress or anyting, but have any of you guys really run into any of these knives that has anywhere near the combinition of price/vs steel/vs performance that a khukuri has?

In many instances where weight is a concern I can see how a small axe can be better than a khukuri, although the khuk will machete too so it's not a real comparison, but so far I have not seen or used any big knife I felt had it over a khuk. What about y'all??
 
As with all tools, you need decent examples to judge what they are capable of achieving. I have used a number of large bowies by makers like Ray Kirk and Murray Carter who know how to grind a blade that will cut and chop well. Now you can't get the same level of fluid wood working ability in a 1/4" bowie as you can in a 3/8" khukuri, or the same level of raw power, but of course the bowie design will offer some cutting advantages.

I would be hard pressed to pick between by SHBM and 18" Ang Khola for wood working tools, they each do certain things very well. The AK is more fluid in thick woods, and will slightly outchop the SHBM, but the SHBM will generally out cut the khukuri and since it is lighter in hand is better for most wood shaping, precision work and cutting light vegetation. While there is a lot of cross over in application, there is a lot of divergence as well.

-Cliff
 
I still like Dan's "Pen" knife for general camp chopping duties...

.
 
Yeah, i've pretty much given up on the one-knife-does-it-all camp knife. I've found that no matter how well something chops it never does 90% of the camp chores i need it to do. That's why i pack a medium to large khuk for firewood, pounding tent pegs, and making me feel safer at night. Most of the time the work is well handled by a Sarge and SAK/Multitool combo. The sarge handles the fun stuff like marshmellow sticks and food prep. The SAK/Multitool takes care of the cans that need to be opened, or the wine, etc.
I guess it wouldn't be out of the question to take my YCS with me, leave the big Karda in the sheath, and maybe shove a medium sized SAK like an Explorer or camper in the other knife slot. That might work OK.
However, if someone told me that i could take ONLY one knife, then it would have to be the Pen Knife. Chops, slices, splits, flips the burgers, and spreads the butter on your morning toast. Tactical Spatula. TacSpat:)

Jake
 
I don't know Battle Mistress either, but do know the AK Bowie cannot chop like a khuk. Not even close- I've tried, and I have one of the heavier Bowies- a 27 oz. The Rose won't cut like a Khuk either. I don't see how, despite what Cliff Stamp states, a blade without the forward curve/momentum/weight advantage of a khuk can compete with a khuk for sheer chopping. Now, as he says, for the multitude of other wood shaping tasks, some other blades have advantages.
I know Cliff Stamp really does chop wood where he lives so I'll be interested in hearing more from him on this topic.

Mostly I just leave this to the experts.

>>>>>>>>>>

I have a story about Dan's Pen knife I like to repeat about once a year. I"m a traditionalist. I was not one of those enamoured of the Pen knife. I believe that a similar weight AK is going to do the same job. But one day on another forum, (that shall be nameless!) I heard someone put down the Pen knife.

It suprised me how angy I got, and I told them what I thought! People have the need and right to find and use what they like. I don't really know if a 18" AK is outchopped by a 16.5" chiruwa AK, (as Raghorn always loves to swear!) but am glad folks get to find the one they like. The Pen knife actually puts a bulb of metal on the part of the blade where most of the curve would be, sort of achieving the same end, almost a designer baby Ganga Ram. If I liked the smaller khuks I'd give the Pen a try.

Is it my imagination or have the Kamis gradually altered the original Pen somewhat? A gentle curve, more flow to the lines?


>>>>>>>


munk
 
munk said:
I don't know Battle Mistress either, but do know the AK Bowie cannot chop like a khuk. Not even close- I've tried, and I have one of the heavier Bowies- a 27 oz. The Rose won't cut like a Khuk either.

munk
Click to expand...

I agree. I think it CAN chop as well as a khuk, however for me it just doesn't chop as EASILY. One thing about khuk, especially like a curved ganga is that you can lean over a log and the curve of the blade actually allows you to chop UNDER the log. You can't do that with an axe really or a straight bladed knife.

Oh yeah the Battle Mistress is like 4 times more expensive than your average khuk???
 
At no time, using comparative or full strength, or in fact using more strength for the Bowie, did it out-cut a similar weighed khuk. I don't believe it can. When I reported these findings recently to the number one AK Bowie Booster, (whom I seem to recall as being Steely Gunz) he agreed.

The AK Bowie is a good example to use for this comparison- it is weight forward.



munk
 
hollowdweller said:
...the Battle Mistress is like 4 times more expensive than your average khuk???
Click to expand...

You can get similar performance cutting/chopping wise from the Battle Rat which is ~$160. You will need to add a relief to the edge to optomize it as a pure wood cutter.

munk said:
...a blade without the forward curve/momentum/weight advantage of a khuk can compete with a khuk for sheer chopping.
Click to expand...

It doesn't have the power, but it doesn't need to because the cross section is reduced and thus it needs less energy to move through the wood. The main issue is binding, 1/4" bowies can stick in woods that khukuris will cut very fluidly.

-Cliff
 
Cliff Stamp said:
You can get similar performance cutting/chopping wise from the Battle Rat which is ~$160. You will need to add a relief to the edge to optomize it as a pure wood cutter.



It doesn't have the power, but it doesn't need to because the cross section is reduced and thus it needs less energy to move through the wood. The main issue is binding, 1/4" bowies can stick in woods that khukuris will cut very fluidly.

-Cliff
Click to expand...

Good stuff and thanks! :thumbup: :)
 
munk said:
...as Raghorn always loves to swear!
Click to expand...

Dang, that guy's always a cussin'.

In the end, even if we don't have the most efficient knife we'll probably make do with what we brought.
 
Makin do with what we brought. Yep.

>>>>>>>

OK, Cliff, got you on the blade thickness, edge profile; thanik you.
THe new Foxy Follys should be very interesting.


munk
 
Cliff Stamp said:
You can get similar performance cutting/chopping wise from the Battle Rat which is ~$160. You will need to add a relief to the edge to optomize it as a pure wood cutter.

-Cliff
Click to expand...

Is there a thread or review where you describe what type of relief needs to be added to the edge? Or if not, could you please explain it here? Thanks
 
Most bowie knives, outside of the ABS ones, tend to come with edges that are thicker than needed for just wood working as many are made for emergency, survival or "tactical" use. How thin you can go depends on your skill and the type of wood. You essentially use an x-coarse stone (or belt sander) to apply a more acute bevel to the edge to reduce the shoulder.

-Cliff
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top