Can't Decide on a Kukri for my needs.

I

IDunno

Joined
Oct 12, 2001
Messages
5
Hi,

I'm new to this forum, so please try to tolerate me.
I'm strongly considering purchasing a nice Kukri. However I can't make up my mind as to which one to purchase. I've been looking at the Ang Khola 15" and Ang Khola 18" models. They are in my price range. I'm looking for something that is nice tool that will do just about any job I throw at it, but I am also looking for something that would work as a great self-defense weapon. So I need something that is heavy enough to do a job, but not too heavy to swing around in case of self-defense needs. It seems to me that an AK 18" kukri would work nicely for me, but I am worried that it might be too big, to generaly carry around. I also looked at the AK 15", which looks VERY nice, but it seems that it might be a little too small for extremley heavy work. I'm conflicted. If I had the money, I would buy one of each to see how they feel in my hand. But since I am sorta "poor", that is not currently an option. I guess it's better to get something bigger than smaller. I dunno, any help or comments would be greatly appreciated. :confused:

-IDunno
 
Every one here was "I Dunno" at one time, so don't feel tender about it :) Welcome to our happy group. There will be those along shortly who can help you with direct experience on the AKs you've chosen - You've evidently settled it out, all but the "fine tuning",and only hands-on experience will sort it out further, but our AK enthusiasts have that and more, so sit tight.
 
I would look into the bas(british army service) or the WWII
they are both a lot more knife than you might think and are
capable of handling any task at hand, they are also lighter than the AK's.


good luck
 
Welcome to the Cantina, Id. Take your time. Get all the input and info yo can and then make your move.
 
My name should be stilldunno. I've heard nothing but good stuff about the AK's. Still don't have one myself though. I have found that the pictures on the smoothsale site make all of the knives look really small.
 
I think a GS or a WWII is what you're looking for. Neither style is as massive as a similar length AK, but then again they won't pull your pants down when you put them on your belt. And they're more than stout enough to handle tasks that a knife can be reasonably (and even unreasonably) expected to do. The GS and WWII models are medium sized khukuris, but remember that even a small khukuri is a larger knife than what most people are used to.
 
Idunno, Welcome to the cantina.:D

I don't own an 18" AK, but from what I've heard I think it may be bigger than what you're looking for. Keep in mind that the blade on one of those is half an inch think, and the knife ways something like 3 lbs. Kam is right that they really do look smaller in pictures! ;)

A WWII or GS will be big enough to do plenty of work, but a little lighter than the AK's. I have a 13" AK, and I think that this style is purely a heavy-duty working khuk. It's meant for heavy chopping, and won't be as good a fighter as other khuks. On the other hand, I think any "bad guy" would probably run as fast as he could (after @#$!%ing himself) if you pulled ANY 18 khukuri on him! :D

You might also go look at the khukuri FAQ to see some styles that aren't on the shopping site, Uncle often has a couple of other styles in stock, so just ask. I will also recommend the 18th century model. It's a good khuk, and not quite as big as the AK's. Hope this helps!
 
Originally posted by IDunno

I've been looking at the Ang Khola 15" and Ang Khola 18" models. They are in my price range.
I'm looking for something that is nice tool that will do just about any job I throw at it, but I am also looking for something that would work as a great self-defense weapon.
It seems to me that an AK 18" kukri would work nicely for me, but I am worried that it might be too big, to generaly carry
around.
I also looked at the AK 15", which looks VERY nice, but it seems that it might be a little too small for extremley heavy work.
I'm conflicted.

-IDunno
Click to expand...

Welcome to the Cantina Id!!!!:) Looks like you been checking things out a bit.:)

I started out with an 18" AK after Uncle Bill 1st sent me a 15" AK, I gave it to my sweet wife after decideing I wanted one just a bit larger.
And it's still my "Go every where, Do anything" khukuri, but there are others which are better for most general work and/or
self defense.
All that's been mentioned so far are just fine. But if you like knives with really nice lines and double fullers I would recommend the Chitlangi in the 18"- 21"+ size or the plain YCS that's about 17" oal.
Either will do most work that you want to do with it and both cut like a much heavier khukuri.
But there's nothing at all wrong with an 18" AK although I would recommend trying to get one of the lighter ones for a self defense roll.
The kamis make each khukuri to the mood they happen to be in on a certain day with some always pushing the envelope so to speak and see how heavy or light they can make a particular
size.:)

Uncle Bill gave the best advice of all though in saying, "Take your time. Get all the input and info you can and then make your
move."
Go back through some recent threads again and read the comments there as this subject has been gone over a lot the last couple of weeks or so.:)
There's no doubt that the H.I.Khukuri is one of the finest handmade knives on the planet, you won't go wrong with any H.I.Khukuri you happen to make your own.:)
 
Or grow a new hand... :D

If you carry a small daypack, the BAS seems to be a good size to carry 15" I think. Of course there's other khuks about the same size (sirupati, AK, blah, blah...) Of course you can always get a bigger daypack :D
 
I was just on this forum asking the same questions you are. I decided on the British Army Service Model. It seems to me like it will be the best compromise between a tool and emergency weapon. It also seems like the size will be the easiest to pack around without giving away anything in function. When you look over all your options its not an easy decision. From what I have seen you cant go wrong with whatever you choose.

Randy :D
 
Wow,

Getting some great info here. Still have no idea what I'm actually gonna get, but getting some great feedback. For now I'm still leaning towards getting the AK 18". I guess like most other people on the forum, I can't get just one :D I think I gonna have to buy a few to figure out which one I like best.
Keep them suggestions coming.

-IDunno
 
more would be along :D Be aware - You CAN'T have just one. They are more addictive than....than...PEANUTS :eek:
 
Yvsa, i don't know what you consider plain, but that YCS is just damn GORGEOUS.......i would love to buy one, but first i dont have the money, and second, if i did, i wouldnt have the hear to use such a beautiful piece of functional art.

Quad

P.S. nice job:D
 
Welcome Idunno! I'm an Ang Kholaholic I must have like 10 or so! I think they are the best overall. Some are pushing 1 inch thick and some are much thinner(3/8). Have Uncle Bill send you a "thinner" 18 inch AK. Mine is not to heavy at all!
 
Originally posted by Quadro151
Yvsa, i don't know what you consider plain, but that YCS is just damn GORGEOUS.......i would love to buy one, but first i dont have the money, and second, if i did, i wouldnt have the hear to use such a beautiful piece of functional art.

Quad

P.S. nice job:D
Click to expand...

Many, many thanks for the kind words.:D
But I have a suspicion that you saw the fancy one the Uncle Bill has posted on his website?
The "plain one" doesn't have the silver mountings or the inlay in the handles and it comes with a regular karda and chakma instead of the 3 tools designed especially for it.
And it comes with a much less price tag, $145.00 I think:D

I have 4 of the YCS's. The very 1st one is kept in a pristine condition after being cleaned up from its initial testing.
Another is a fancy one that is my using YCS as well as a "plain one" I have, sometimes Barbie likes a little change from her 15" AK.;)
And last. but not least I have the very 1st horn handled YCS which is a marvel to behold, but will be even better someday when I get the energy and time to polish off the few burned places on the horn where a kami or apprentice got a little carried away with the huge buffer they have at BirGhorka.:)

I keep telling everyone that there is an intrinsic feeling in using a beautiful knife for a mundane task, but no one will believe me it seems.;)
But there really is such a feeling and especially because the knife does what it's designed to do even better than my expectations.
The beautiful old Bowies and other knives and similar tools and weapons from all around the world prove that man has always decorated his most prized possesions and it's perfectly alright to use them.:D
Only in this modern age it seems has the art knives and guns became to pretty to use.:(
 
Just wondering,

Does anyone own a few of these kukris (AK 18", AK 15", WWII, BAS, YCS, UBE,etc), And are willing to put them side by side and post a picture of them. I'd much like to see how much they actually vary in size. It's kinda hard to get an idea of how big these actually are from the pictures that I have seen so far.

Thanks Much

-IDunno
 
I have an 18"ak and while it's a great khuk for chopping and splitting I don't use it for anything else and I don't carry it on my belt or pack.I'm 6',200#,27years old and in decent shape and I think the 18" AK is too heavy for brushing or fighting.I find a lighter khukuri much more versatile,if I had to pick just 1 it would be the Gelbu special,chilangi,WWII,YCS.around 18"whichever captures your fancy.close second would be a kobra over 20" or a 20" sirupati.I think I'd buy a middleweight first,a kobra second and maybe an AK as a third khuk.whichever you choose it won't be your last.
 
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