Chiruwa Ang Khola - Questions

P

precisionshootist

Joined
Mar 1, 2010
Messages
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I'm new to Khukuris and HI but have been bitten by the bug big time. I have only two Khuks (both KHHI) a 15" and 20" Panawal. Now I'm looking at the HI website and they list the Chiruwa AK with spines as thick as 1/2 inch on the 16.5 inch model. So my question is are these blades really that thick? If so I want one! I want an industructible blade that will still take a razor edge.
My two KHHI blades are very stout but not 1/2 inch thick. Can anyone with one of these AKs post a pic of the spine? Also how would I go about getting exactly what I want from HI. My ultimate would be an 18 inch Chiruwa AK, Max spine thickness, Mirror finish, all white steel (no brass) and black wood or bone handle.

This Khuk illness must be bad cause I have purchased two in the last month and now looking at a third!

Thanks
 
Precision,

The good news is I am pretty new myself, and picked up two HI khukuri's and can say YES they are that thick, and yes, you can get them as sharp as you like. You can email Yangdu, and order exactly what you want, and from what I have seen on this forum, what you are asking for is very doable. Best of luck, welcome to the forum. This is a great community. Let us know how your purchase goes, and let see your khukuri when you get it.
 
The standard 16.5" are not that thick, the larger ones are. My 20" CAK is 1/2" thick.

Just email Yangdu with what you want (an 18" with 1/2" spine is very doable), and she can tell you if she has something close in stock, or will order what you want.

HI is very good at minor variations on a standard item like what you are asking for.

Here's my 20" beast with some friends:
100_0113.jpg
 
The spine on my 20" AK is half inch.... looks like this (from the ASTK thread on this page)

attachment.php
 
My 16.5"' CAK has a spine of 15/32 inches above the bolster. Right between 7/16 and 1/2 inches. I think that is pretty normal, though mine is Sher's work so it might be just a tad beefier. In any case, I wouldn't expect a standard 16.5" CAK to ever be less than 7/16 inches.
An 18" AK (or CAK if you can get one) would definitely be 1/2 inches thick.
 
It really depends on the kami - Sher (the tiger), who sadly no longer works for HI, made his khuks very thick and hardened them quite well. My 15" AK is 1/2" thick (when they're supposed to be ~3/8") and my Vojpure is a bit over 1/2" thick. Both take a shaving sharp edge and hold them very well too ;) You can always ask Aunt Yangdu if she has any of his old stock around... if she does, they'll be bound to be thicker than your average kukri of that model.

That said, I think the 16.5" AKs/CAKS are usually a hair under 1/2" while the 18"ers are 1/2" (again - depending on the kami). But as stated before, you can always special order an even beefier version if that's what you'd like :thumbup:
 
My 18.5" WWII is 7/16" thick. That's close enough to 1/2" for me. And yes they do get sharp. I am by no means a sharpening guru but I got the big WWII to slice clean through a freestanding dandelion. Not bad for a knife that weighs as much as a Hudson Bay hand axe.

Frank
 
Wow those 20 inchers are awesome! The Tang looks beefy also.
Thanks for the pics! I would love to have a 20 inch like that but I'm thinking it might be to heavy for single handed use. I will do as you guys suggest and send an email. Is their a particular email address I should send it to? Lastly any idea what a piece like this would cost?

Thanks again for all the replies and pics
 
Send Email to Yangdu at himimp@aol.com. She will be able to tell you what she has and quote you a price. I'm sure a 16-18 inch khukuri will do you well.
 
precisionshootist said:
Wow those 20 inchers are awesome! The Tang looks beefy also.
Thanks for the pics! I would love to have a 20 inch like that but I'm thinking it might be to heavy for single handed use. I will do as you guys suggest and send an email. Is their a particular email address I should send it to? Lastly any idea what a piece like this would cost?

Thanks again for all the replies and pics
Click to expand...

Your arm will get tired after swinging one handed anything pushing 40oz in my humble opinion.
 
precisionshootist said:
Thanks for the pics! I would love to have a 20 inch like that but I'm thinking it might be to heavy for single handed use.
Click to expand...

My primary is a 20" CAK. You CAN get tired swinging it one handed if you're doing the work. The trick with the heavy kukris is to lif them high, and don't swing them so much as let the drop and direct their movement, letting gravity, and the blade's mass, do the work. If you have to, you can add a little impulse to get it going. Which it takes more strength per swing, it takes far fewer swings to get through a given piece of wood.

But, DEFINITELY pay close attention to the safety sticky. The big kukri will go through things in one swing that would take you a minute or two to go through if you're used to chopping with a large knife. Make sure that no body part is in the way of the swing OR the follow-through.
 
Cpl Punishment said:
The big kukri will go through things in one swing that would take you a minute or two to go through if you're used to chopping with a large knife. Make sure that no body part is in the way of the swing OR the follow-through.
Click to expand...

That is no joke, folks. Glad someone insisted that I read the safety sticky before my 20 arrived. When I chopped my first test branch, the blade went all the way through, then went through a second branch & finally stuck in a third. Then it dawned on me that the 20 is more for chopping trees in half than for trimming 3" branches. So I got a 16" CAK for the smaller stuff.
 
Welcome to the HI forum precisionshootist. These guys are tellin' you right. Find one of those 18" models that is calling to you and call Yangdu. From her post about shipping, Yangdu has indicated that there are 12 16.5" CAKs that'll be here when the volcanic ash allows. Theres also about 5 M43s and some 18" WWIIs in there. (Even got some AK Bowies in there.) From your post I get the impression that you're looking for full tang/slab handled khukuris. That's OK, just don't discount the standard handle with peened over full spike tang 'cause they're really tough. Just about any 18" khukuri from HI that's warranted for field use (see Sticky) is going to come in at least about 7/16". There is some possible variation for individual kami that made your blade. That 7/16" is lots of steel and plenty strong.

They were right about Sher (the Tiger), too. My first khukuri was an 18" Chainpuri-slim and sleek. What arrived was a beautiful 18" Chainpuri with a 1/2" spine made by Sher T. Now that I've read around a little I understand he overbuilt.

Please, do read the Safety Sticky, post any more questions you might have and enjoy your infection with HIKV (Himalayan Imports Khukuri Virus).

Rick
 
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