combat khukuri

Specre: He can be a ninja...I know a guy who is a ninja but first before becoming a ninja he was a korean martial arts instructor (see where this is going?) Seriously though SN-1 (BAS) or my hybred Dui chirra/Chitlangi type HI 15in is great for modern combat applications. To all Forumites Merry Christmas and where ever you are in ther world peace be upon you. Pipey
 
Originally posted by DannyinJapan
Whomever comes visit me in Japan first gets to tell me i Aint a ninja, deal ?
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Hey Danny, did I read (somewhere on this forum) that you studied under Sensei Masaaki Hatsumi? If so, I'd say that makes ye a ninpo practioner deluxe. I once read his books, and know that he is the 34th Grandmaster of the Togakure Ryu.
 
Hi Danny,
Personally, I consider the 18" GS that I have to be my ultimate weapon. Horn handled. It is the fastest, deadliest khuk I own. I have many that are more versital as a tool, but my GS is weapon from beginning to end!
I find the BAS leaves me cold, but I seem to like khuks that start in the 17" to 22" range. This is just personal taste and has no value beyond that.;)
 
Here's the link to the "hand" thread:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=243893

Read the first post, do the measurements, then compare to the numbers on the last page. Those folks who have hands most like yours - get their opinions on what khuks feel light in the hand. "Light" is relative...


I don't want to come off sounding like a jerk, but I had no trouble swinging my 22" GRS for a solid afternoon. I nearly fall off my chair when I see folks post how heavy and unwieldy a 18" khuk can be... And I don't have big hands, or monster arms...course, it could just be that I've "acclimated" to the bigger khuks...:p
 
Much depends on what you like and for what reasons. This is the beauty of various specs.
If you want a pure weapon, a cobra under 18 inches is very hard to beat. Its very fast and can change angles of attack with a minimum of effort and cut over 4 inches of hard meat and bone with little effort. It is easy to hide and carry by various methods.
It will also do any cutting or chopping you really need to survive in the wild and in real life in the undeveloped areas. It will cut
a tree if you really need to. It will take a while and you may damage the blade if you strike to hard or twist it in striking. Its not forgiving of bad form in power hits.
A ww2 is also a good bet. Since the designs come in all lengths and weights it is best if you tried all the varations to see what you like.
You cannot beat a 16-18 inch ak for hard chopping but it is not good at changing or stopping a cut or chop unless you are very very strong.
It all comes down to what you like for the specific job.¡¡
 
I don't want to come off sounding like a jerk, but I had no trouble swinging my 22" GRS for a solid afternoon. I nearly fall off my chair when I see folks post how heavy and unwieldy a 18" khuk can be... And I don't have big hands, or monster arms...course, it could just be that I've "acclimated" to the bigger khuks...:p [/B][/QUOTE]

I know what you mean Pen. I tend to be drawn towards the large ones.;) Although I must admit that an afternoon with my Foxy Folly would tire me a little. That is one stout blade!:D Not too heavy mind you, but after a while playing with it the first time, my back annoyed me some. Three trashed discs in the L4 L5 and S1 keep me careful of how I do things lately.:o But I still want a 30" AK someday when I can afford one!!!:cool:
 
Hey Danny, did I read (somewhere on this forum) that you studied under Sensei Masaaki Hatsumi? If so, I'd say that makes ye a ninpo practioner deluxe. I once read his books, and know that he is the 34th Grandmaster of the Togakure Ryu. [/B][/QUOTE]

Yes I am a student of Ninpo living in Japan and I train with Hatsumi Sensei every week.
We had a great class on tuesday, only me and about 8 other students and Hatsumi sensei. (everyone was gone for Christmas I guess.)

When I say I am a ninja, I am being cheeky.
I am a big fat idiot who keeps getting promoted for some unfathomable reason.

I want to thank you all for your efforts in educating me as to the best combat/survival khukuri. I have spent way too much money on knives recently, but I do wish to have one HI khukuri that will do what I would want it to do.

I had a BAS deal sewn up, but shipping to japan caused a problem, so now I am back in the market and I am uncertain, but I believe the concensus is that a normal to large person should look for the following desired attributes:

15 to 18 inches
Gelbu special
BAS
Kobra

Wood or horn handle (not bone)
 
I figure one generally will know what features are best after playing with their first khuk. Longer, heavier etc.
 
Danny,

The Kobra is the very lightest of the kuks. If you really want a good general purpose knife with fighting capability, I'd get something heavier. Gelbu Special might be just right.

Good tai sabaki will enable you to use a somewhat heavier blade as an advantage- I still don't recommend a large GRS for that "one knife"! :)

Merry Christmas!

John
 
Originally posted by DannyinJapan
Yes I am a student of Ninpo living in Japan and I train with Hatsumi Sensei every week. We had a great class on tuesday, only me and about 8 other students and Hatsumi sensei. (everyone was gone for Christmas I guess.)
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Danny, I must admit I'm impressed. I'm a fan of Dr. Hatsumi's books.
Years ago I studied Shotokan-style karate and got the ninjitsu bug. I wanted to go to Japan to train, but never caught the dream. You did!

I'm assuming maybe you know Yumio Nawa and Stephen Hayes? I've read their writings on the subject, too.

Well, I guess we can't tease you about not being a ninja anymore. We can, however, tease you about being from Texas. :) :D
 
Originally posted by arty
What do you guys think of a 15" or 18" Sirupati for this application?
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What 'bout a 20" Siru? Would that be both a combat and utility Khuk?
 
Danny
Not knocking anyone elses opinion, and especialy not nocking Uncle Bill or HI. But I believe your best bet would be a Cold Steel Gurhka Kukri, mainly because of the materials, the carbon 5 steels hold up very nicely in extreme conditions but most of all the Checkered Kraton handles won't slip in your handle when wet, plus they won't crack or split like wood or horn handles. They are not as heavy as most khuks which is a slight advantage in some combat situations. The price is about the same as most others from HI or any of the other half dozen companys that sell khuks. Plus they have optional Concealex Khydex sheaths. Just a thought and my opinion.

Cyberbeast
 
I met Steve Hayes several times, but he has taken his own path and does not come to japan very often anymore.
NawaSan I do not know and he may have passed on, I will ask around.
(I do remember seeing pics of him in the Adams book)

The kobra and sirupati a lethal knives, but I think the gelbu is perfect, all things considered.
The GS has a perfect combination of angle, broadness and thrusting ability for me.

I'm sold on the Gelbu Special !
 
For me a 21" Chitlangi...which is one reason why I am helping DannyinJapan with his hunt for a 18" Gelbu Special. ;)
 
1. "Materials": One never knows from one run to another what a Cold Steel "kukri" is made of because "Carbon V" is whatever steel Cold Steel is using at that point.

2. "Extreme conditions": Because a Cold Steel "kukri" is not differentially hardened it is much less likely to hold up in "extreme conditions" than an HI khukuri. Especially vulnerable is the soft material used for the handles, Kraton, a material repeatedly cited as the great weakness of the otherwise aclaimed "Trailmaster Bowie" from Cold Steel. Why a weakness? a) easily damaged; b) slips when bloody; c) causes blisters when dry. (Numbers of purchasers of Trail Masters have replaced Kraton handles with more suitable materials, such as Micarta, wood, or G-10.)

3. "Price": Assuming that price is an issue rather than value, HI khukuris are available as "blems" -- or just Uncle Bill Specials -- to members of this forum at prices greatly below the price of a Cold Steel "kukri."


Sad to say, I own a Cold Steel "kukri." I keep it as a lesson -- in steel.

IMHO :)
 
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