Comparing HI Khukuris with others...

[Tetsusaiga]

Hi, I've been here for only a very short period of time, but it seems as though a Khuk is the perfect camping/outdoors-and-if-the-need-arises-tactical/fighting/combat knife combo.

I might be hopelessly wrong though, but I'm just curious.

After discovering a Khuk, would you still go back to the rest of the other knives like maybe swamprat, busse, becker, ranger etc or a custom.

I must first state that this post is not meant to belittle other knives but just wondering how a Khuk compares all round, cos there are loads of vastly more experienced users of knives around here, while the only large knife I have handled so far has been large kitchen choppers and machetes used for bush clearing, so there... experience is limited...

Would like to hear your opinion on how the Khuk stacks up as opposed to the competition as a camping/outdoors-and-if-the-need-arises-tactical/fighting/combat knife combo

 

[Steely_Gunz]

I think all boils down to what you like, what your needs are, what you have on hand, etc. Is the khuk superior? I don't think so. Personally, I have a lot more khuks and HI knives on hand than any other brand not because they are that much better (although cost to value they are the best I own). It has more to do with the way this company is run by Yangdu. I know that every knife I buy is putting food in the mouthes of some of the world's poorest people.
I still carry a Spyderco in my pocket along with a Vic SAK and leatherman. I also lust a little for a Swamprat. However, HI has just covered just about every knife need I have (and several more than I have made up to justify spending more money on knives). Handcrafted, tough, loyal. What else could I expect out of a knife

jake

 

[Howard Wallace]

Would like to hear your opinion on how the Khuk stacks up as opposed to the competition as a camping/outdoors-and-if-the-need-arises-tactical/fighting/combat knife combo

A few years ago I found myself camping with a bunch of knife aficionados. There were a lot of us there, and we had knives from most of the prominent US makers. We brought out our knives for a chopping/utility contest. It was instisted that I put aside all but the very smallest HI khukuri that I had brought along, as they were acknowledged to be dedicated choppers in a league by themselves. Even the smallest, lightest khukuri I brought, a one-of-a-kind udahipur villager, held its own with the high dollar US customs and came out at least even with the best of the others.

Jerry Busse paid tribute to Bill after his death, and donated a couple of knives for auction to help HI. Jerry's reputation for quality speaks for itself, and his recognition of the quality in the ancient Nepalese traditions speaks well for his open minded apreciation of quality wherever it originates.

Personally, I have a lot more khuks and HI knives on hand than any other brand not because they are that much better (although cost to value they are the best I own). It has more to do with the way this company is run by Yangdu. I know that every knife I buy is putting food in the mouthes of some of the world's poorest people.

We live in a world of paradoxes. Perhaps the poorest of the poor are the richest of the rich. These people do have much of value, for those who have the eyes to see it. Yangdu's and Bill's great contribution is to allow the riches of the poor to become evident to the poor wealthy ones.

 

[spiraltwista]

The happiest people I met in Nepal were those who were happy for themselves & thier family to have to have eaten well that day, week or month even.{I helped spread the wealth , & spent evry penny I could. }

Those more well middle class {20%^ of city population max. maybe less. probably 5% in rural areas} who wanted the next new pc, house with 6 bedrooms instead of 4, a wide screen tv or new Japanese or German 4x4 were not as happy. {or IMHO & limited expierience Genuine, caring & honest.}

Spiral

 

[hollowdweller]

I think on just strict chopping a hatchet will beat a khukuri MOST of the time using khuks/axes of the same weight.

HOWEVER comparing khukuri to choppers I think the khuk comes out on top. I have compared like a pen knife and 12" ak to the same size Swamp Rat and the khuk beat it hands down.

 

[Nasty]

It only figures...the weight is concentrated behind the edge with an ax.

The khukuri is *far* more versatile though...

 

[spiraltwista]

A well balenced kukri will dance, most axes cant.


Spiral

 

[Bri in Chi]

HOWEVER comparing khukuri to choppers I think the khuk comes out on top. I have compared like a pen knife and 12" ak to the same size Swamp Rat and the khuk beat it hands down.

True.
At the 2nd Khonvention at Nasty's house, I brought a Swamp Rat Camptramp and a Becker of similar size - and can attest to Hollow's observation. He brought a bunch of logs for us to chop, and the khukris made the chips fly like no others.

 

[Rich_S]

After discovering a Khuk, would you still go back to the rest of the other knives like maybe swamprat, busse, becker, ranger etc or a custom.

Sure. I have a HI 18" AK as well as a bunch of Swamp Rats (Battle Rat, Camp Tramp, Howling Rat, Bandicoot) and a Ranger RD9. I like variety and I like companies that stand behind their products.

 

[Abaniko]

We live in a world of paradoxes. Perhaps the poorest of the poor are the richest of the rich. These people do have much of value, for those who have the eyes to see it. Yangdu's and Bill's great contribution is to allow the riches of the poor to become evident to the poor wealthy ones.

Word.
These are great knives, at their best, they are art. Blessed Art.
That is something this world needs a lot more of right now.
I'm really not interested in buying anybody elses knives anymore.