Compare and Contrast please

I

iBlade

Joined
Jul 24, 2008
Messages
446
Hi there, calling users who have used either and in particular both of these:
M43 and the Yvsa Cherokee Special.

I like the look of both of these but am leaning towrds the YCS, however the M43 is available whereas the YCS is more of a special run, not a regular model.
Both are silimar in size with the M43 being a little larger and heavier (I think the M43 is 18 inches and the YCS about 16 and a half?)

However the YCS is twice the cost of the M43, and the two knives that come with the YCS are not needed by me (although I do like the awl - if I could order it with just the awl would that insullt anyone, would it lower the price).

I know wildmike (i think) raves about the M43 but why? I mean really why, not just i like it but what about it? and I assume Yvsa really likes the YCS, and again I would ask why, what about it?

Then i would also ask you, the community, those who have either of these what about them do you really like and why?

I will be using mine for clearing bush,scrub, chopping trees/scrub, camping, tramping and hunting - probably not for chopping people but maybe the occasional zombie...or wild pig!

Any help appreciated - phots of them side ny side or just phjots also apprecaied!
Cheers
 
Hard to go wrong with either. I'm the other M-43 fanatic here at HI. I don't own a YCS, but I've heard it's a ferocious cutter, not to mention a voluptuous beauty. If I did have one I'd almost be afraid to use it just because it's so beautiful. The M-43 is also beautiful with it's curviness, but it's a simpler beauty. The handle on my M-43 is the most comfy on a big knife the I've ever used. I've heard it compared to the grip on a Colt Single Action Army revolver. Never held one, so I couldn't vouch for that. I'm not too knowledgeable about things like blade drop and edge geometry, but it seems like my M-43 hits way above its weight class. This is another one of those things involving angles and such, but it also thrusts very well, which surprised me. That's my $0.02 worth. I'm sure WildMike will add to this, as his M-43 has waaaaay more stories to tell than mine. Also, you should think about getting an R-10 as a companion for whatever khuk you decide on. My M-43 and R-10 play very nicely together.
 
The only real difference to consider between the M-43 and the YCS is that the M-43 comes with a Churwa style handle whereas the YCS comes with a Rat tail tang. Many consider the Churwa style handles to be stronger as there is more metal, but some claim they feel more shock thru the handle with them. Some claim there is less shock with the Rat tail tang. Both are heavily built chopping machines and well suited to rough tasks and heavy work.

The choice is up to you.

Post #95 on this page are 4 of mpisi's YCS's
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=449767&page=5

Post# 213 is npetries M-43
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=449767&page=11
 
The YCS is a fully funtional kukri and will perform well, it is however also a very beautiful showpiece. I haven't had a chance to use one YET.

The M-43. I don't rave about it without reason.
first I chose the blade due to design considerations which were written down on the site by Daniel Koster who compared the amount of blade drop in the various models. The M-43 had the most drop and therefore would have the most whack when ot hit. With the downturned handle this is even more pronounced. When used in the traditional rolling snap it has increased tip speed developing even more increased impact, the downturned handle also contributes to a better alignment of the wrist for thrusting improving the blades use as a weapon if needed.

Second The wide blade is pounded thinner at the edge providing vastly better shearing capability.

Those are the reasons I chose the M-43 over others.

Now down to brass tacks. I have used the m-43 to build two log cabins. Folks who have seen me using the blade have commented several times that the chips removed by the M-43 are larger than they have seen removed with an axe. It does indeed chop far better than axes of comparable size and weight as well as many much larger. It was used in drawknife mode to peel the logs and performed this with great ease. When I was chopping notches on the logs I had to split out large sections at times, several times I had the blade of the kukri flexed well past 40 degrees and it returned to true every time without any damage at all.

My M-43 also performed many tasks of everyday survival living during this period including splitting wood. Making and setting traps. fashioning camp items and survival tools etc. etc.

Now for the kicker. My survival experiences with the M-43 were with a Bura made blade that I wrote Yangdu about i.e. one she made me a good deal on. It is a light M-43 a full 4 oz. lighter than my Sher made blade due to a thinner spine thickness. The heavier blade performs even better.

I don't rave without cause. The kindness of Yangdu and the qualities of that blade, and the survival skills I had previously gained were what saved my ass. While I could have survived with a 5 inch blade. The M-43 allowed me to thrive.
 
P.S. I second the recomendation of the R-10 to go along with the M-43. The YCS comes with a couple different karda which fill this role very well.

personaly I don't find the chiruwa style handle to transfer any apreciable amount of shock to the hand. To me it seems the same shockwise as a traditional handle on my Ang Khola.
 
wildmike said:
Now down to brass tacks. I have used the m-43 to build two log cabins.
Click to expand...

That's the second time, since I've been here, that you've mentioned this story. Is there a thread with any pictures of it? Or if not, can you post any?
 
+2 on the R-10 as a companion to any kukri.

I won't comment on the kukris much, as I own neither of the two you asked about.
My advice is that if you REALLY, REALLY want the YCS, email Yangdu about one (or one might show up in a DOTD shortly ;) ). Otherwise, try out the less expensive, more available M43.

I haven't heard anyone that bought either that didn't like them. IMO you're more likely to use the one you really like a lot, so get the one that "sings" to you, if you can.
 
Nicholas. I wish I could post pics of the cabins, however a flood took out the one I built on an Island and the other was bulldozed a couple years ago by the dept of ecology or the railroad, not sure which. I was out of the arrea at the time so I learned of it second hand.

Both were trapper style cabins around 8' by 12' with a shed roof. One had a dirt floor the other had a floor made from reclaimed pallets. Before the cabins I lived in a wikiup that was 15' in diameter. Which was later destroyed in a brush fire. Luckily I was out of the area with a friend when the fire swept through the area.
 
MY only kukhuri is an M-43, and I don't feel unarmed whenever I have it with me!



If I had to live in the woods like Wildman it would have a place. If I had to fight with it, I would trust my life to none other than my M-43.


The M-43 has its devotees not without reason........
 
iBlade said:
Hi there, calling users who have used either and in particular both of these:
M43 and the Yvsa Cherokee Special.

and I assume Yvsa really likes the YCS, and again I would ask why, what about it?

I will be using mine for clearing bush,scrub, chopping trees/scrub, camping, tramping and hunting - probably not for chopping people but maybe the occasional zombie...or wild pig!

Any help appreciated - phots of them side ny side or just phjots also apprecaied!
Cheers
Click to expand...

Hi iBlade and Welcome to the HI Forums!:thumbup:

iBlade you really have to be careful when you assume things. I'm sure you know or have heard the adage, "Ass - U - Me" or maybe not but it's usually pretty true.;) :p :D

At least it is in my case when it comes to the YCS. Yes, it is indeed a very beautiful kukri and an extremely useful one with its awl and two kardas of different lengths. I put a brain full of thought into the YCS, which is maybe why it's not my favorite of the Dui Chiarra Kukris as my brain seems to be getting smaller with each year I get older.:o

Actually I have three main favorite HI's for using, if I was still able to use one and they are ----
The 16"- 17" Foxy Folly,
The 16"- 17" BGRS, and
The 21+" Chitlangi

I have others that are my favorites for specified tasks such as the 12" AK and my 20" Foxy Folly... But that's true of each and everyone here in that we all have our favorites.
Here is an old thread telling how several of us feel about the Foxy Folly.;)

And hopefully here is a pic or three of my full size Foxy Folly with it's pair of kardas I made from some old knives that had leather washer handles beyond repair...

MyFullSizeFoxyFolly-3.jpg


MyFullSizeFoxyFolly-1.jpg


MyFullSizeFoxyFolly-2.jpg
 
I've chopped a little bit with my brother's M43. It's an impressive chopper; very 'snappy' and relatively lightweight compared to an AngKhola in the same size class. I didn't like it at first because the blade sweeps forward much more than what I'm used to and it felt a bit awkward to me... but after a few wacks, I learned what it was all about and changed my mind quick. The M43 is really in a class of its own; it can't be compared to anything else.

Yvsa said:
Actually I have three main favorite HI's for using, if I was still able to use one and they are ----
The 16"- 17" Foxy Folly,
The 16"- 17" BGRS, and
The 21+" Chitlangi
Click to expand...

21+" Chitlangi. What an excellent choice ;)
 
If you hold an M-43 with the blade set for a thrust you will notice that your wrist is in a natural and neutral grip position. The point of the blade will be on the centerline of thrust. This makes it much more effective as far as use for defense.

As to cutting and chopping ability. Tip speed is much greater with the M-43 and results in greater cutting ability than increased mass. The M-43 was designed to take advantage of physics and blade geometry.

It is indeed in a class of it's own.
 
wildmike said:
If you hold an M-43 with the blade set for a thrust you will notice that your wrist is in a natural and neutral grip position. The point of the blade will be on the centerline of thrust. This makes it much more effective as far as use for defense.
Click to expand...

Well, I think that could be said of most khukuris. I've practiced thrusts with the one I consider a 'true' fighter - my 20.25" Sirupati (Bura) - on a styrofoam archery target using much the same method you described and it thrusts naturally and quickly, leaving a nasty-lookin' hole in the target. The M43 has a broader belly though so I'd reckon a deep stab wound from one would be truly lethal and bleed out quickly.
 
I noticed the same thing with the Ang Khola.
Not surprising since kukri are basically descendants of the kopis sword.
 
Wow! talk about timing, my special-order Foxy Folly 17" traditional handle and M-43 horn-handle will be shipping soon, just sent payment on them. Seeing Yvsa's FF photo is making me even more excited about them. And after reading all the posts here about the R-10, I placed an order on one as well. These will be my first HI knives in a long time, last HI khukuris I bought was like 8-9 years ago! I'm not in the US at the moment and am just hoping the customs here don't create a hassle about letting this package in, let's see ...
 
Wolf. It is true to a lesser degree of most kukri's. However the wrist position of say my chitlangi or Ang Khola both have the wrist in the same position of say a bowie knife on the thrust. With the M-43 the wrist is in it natural position as if one were holding a hammer or a pistol.
 
I have had an M43 and 2 YCS's

If I had to choose between the two it would really depend on the individual khuks.

If I had to choose between the M43 I owned and sold and the 17" 23 oz YCS I have I'd choose the YCS.

HOWEVER I had another YCS that was over 2 lbs and in that case I'd choose the M43.

I am of the mind with Yvsa here. Probably my favorite using khuks are my 17" 23 oz Foxy Folly, My 17" 23 oz Ganga Ram and the 15" 25 oz bonecutter.
 
Man never easy is it? Everytime I think "that one" I read about another and then my mind wanders that, like chasing butterflies!
Well the M43 is once more on my radar but so is the FF/YCS. I thnk the FF looks amazing bit the M43 might win out due to strength, plus I like the idea of a full tang.

Thanks for everyones views though - by the way, whats the average weight for a M43?
 
I have two M-43's One by Bura at 24 oz. and one by Sher at 27 oz. That is the weight of each blade w/o sheath etc.
 
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