Considering AK 15", but I have a question

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kershlack

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Sep 12, 2007
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Well i think I'm pretty sold on getting a 15" AK to keep with my backpack for chopping and what-not, but here's my question

yhst-7333098713883_1801_1437602


Now in this picture I see the AK, it's sheath, and two smaller knives whose names I do not know. My question is, do those two smaller knives come with the AK or are those just for size comparison? Thank you.

~Jeremy


EDIT: I couldn't find this information anywhere: Does this khukri have a full tang? I think i remember a thread where someone's khuk broke and he found it had a rat-tail tang.
 
they are included, they are called the karda and chakma. One (the one with no edge) is for burnishing, the other is just a small companion knife. They both fit in the sheath.
 
Those that are called "chiruwa" are full tang, but I heard you feel more vibrations while chopping.
 
I dont know where that vibration idea comes from. My M-43 from HI has the full tang just like the Chiruwa and vibration has never been a problem and I have used it exten sively. However whoevers kukri broke was probably using one of the cheapos from india. HI's come with a lifetime guarantee and believe me it wont break... either the 15 inch or the chiruwa are a good choice. The chiruwa is considered indestructible break it they'll give you 2 for free. Enjoy
 
The "broken" khuk was probably a khuk someone simply wanted to rehandle ;)

A Chiruwa AK still is on my wishlist, I just hope I'll be able to get one from a Ram Fundraising because my knife budget is quite... dead.
 
Kershlack,
The vast majority of the hidden tang khuks give no problems for several lifetimes. The CAK is stronger in the sense that a D9 bulldozer is stronger than a D8 but the handle of a regular AK is more easily modified for a custom fit to your hand if you need. Anything made by man can be flawed but the HI warranty is the best there is. The AK15 is a great first khuk & is still my favorite.
Welcome to the forum
Uplander
 
Hi--happy to help out with the questions.

First, I'll add that the actual knife (of the two knife-like things that come with a standard khukuri) is the karda, and the knife-like sharpening steel is the chakma.

As to the tang, it's good to bear in mind that different people mean different things by the phrase "full tang". Some people use "full tang" to describe any knife tang in which the tang goes all the way through to the back of the handle. Others use "full tang" to describe ONLY knives in which the tang not only goes all the way through to the back of the handle, but also all the way from the top of the handle to the bottom. (In knives of the latter type, the handle is made by attaching blocks, or "scales", to either side of the tang; in knives of the former type, the handle is usually basically a tube, and the narrower tang is inserted into the tube and locked in place by either peening/mushrooming the tang over at the back of the handle, or otherwise (as is done with Frost's traditional wood-handled Mora knives.)

Most H.I. khukuris are "full tang" in the sense that the narrow tang does, indeed, pass all the way through the tube-like handle material, and is peened over the butt-cap at the back. The "chiruwa" - handled H.I. khukuris are "full tang" in the other sense, with the tang not being narrow, but as wide as the handle is, and with the handle material being glued and pinned onto the sides of the tang. H.I. khukuris that are typically provided with chiruwa (meaning "split") style handles are the chiruwa ang khola, the M43, the boomerang model, and (I think) the "bonecutter" model. One occasionally sees a BAS or sirupati or WWII model with a chiruwa handle, but that is unusual.
 
Dear kershlack ,

I have a couple of HI's and believe when I say, the "rat tail" is more like "Kangaroo tail" its thick long and unless you are 12 feet and weight 700 pounds are are called "The Hulk" you will not break it.

Saludos,

Alejandro
 
wildmike said:
I dont know where that vibration idea comes from. My M-43 from HI has the full tang just like the Chiruwa and vibration has never been a problem and I have used it exten sively.
Click to expand...


If you were to line a few khuks up, some chiruwa style, and some kangaroo tang style you'd feel the difference. Its a relative thing. Even though your M43 is comfortable for you to use, next to a rat tailed khuk it would likely transmit more vibration.

On the Chiruwa tangs. Remember that HI uses natural handle materials. They, by definition, move with humidity and temperature changes. It is much easier to maintian the kangaroo tangs because shrinkage doesn't expose the sharp edges of the tang. That means you don't have to file away metal to get a comfortable grip again.

Couple that with less vibration, a lighter more blade heavy balance, and the fact that they're pretty dang tough as it is, and you IMO have a winner. Get the rat tailed tang.:thumbup:
 
Welcome!:D

The 15" AK is a great first choice. All the info in here is spot on. My advice, pick which ever one you would like to try first. Trust me, you'll be back for more;)
 
Re: full tang.
I use the definitino of full tang as being any tang that goes the full length of the handle. That's the definition most knifemakers I've talked to use, and it's the one Yangdu uses (since she told me ALL HI kukris are full tang).

I prefer to call the others "exposed tang" to differentiate.

Personally, I prefer exposed tangs. I two kukri with hidden tangs, and the rest are chiruwa-style exposed tangs. I really don't feel the difference, arthritic hands and all.

Some, however do feel a difference.

Best thing to do is succumb to the darkside and buy one of each and go from there.

I know I harp on this a lot, but I'd also recommend you think about what you really want this to do. Do you want it to be a big knife? Do you want it to replace a large hatchet/small axe?, etc. Then either ask or figure out what model and style would be best for you and eMail Yangdu to see if she has one like it in stock, or have her make one for you. My first was a custom order, and it's still my favorite.
 
I have a 20" AK with the standard "rat tail tang". I've put through some seriously heavy use (even maybe abuse) and it's just as strong and solid as the day I got it in the mail.

The only really big "advantage" I see to the chiruwa "full tang" is it gives you more steel in the handle and changes the balance a bit (if you like having the balance closer to your hand than the tip). It's not necessarily a good or bad thing; it just depends on your preference.

I'd reckon the "full tang" would be stronger, but the "rat tail" tang on HI khukris is plenty strong enough to handle just about anything you want to chop.
 
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