Designing the perfect kukri

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Ascalon

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So, if you were to have one custom made, how would you have it done?

I just got my first kukri a few weeks ago, haven't truly put it to the test yet, but I think i can tell what improvements could be made to better suit me. If I were to have one made, it'd have the following:

Handle-

A minimum of 4.5cm in diameter. I have big hands that can completely cover one side of my chest and shoulders. As such, when gripping anything bar shaped, I need something thicker to get a good grip. Technically, the thicker the bar the better, as the added thickness that you grip with your hands allows further engagement of the muscles in your forearms, which also translates to stronger contractions in adjacent muscles along the length of the arm. This is a well known principal of weight lifting, and translates into having a thicker handle allows one to generate more power. However, I do see the possibility of that leading to more tired forearms when doing a lot of chopping. The handle also needs to be longer, a full gripping portion of around 14cm, not including butt cap and guard ends.

I'm not well versed in the various handle shapes, so I'm not sure if straight or cureved would be better. Also, on my kukri, the handle bulges towards the blade and tapers right at the "guard" and more significantly before the butt cap. I think it might be better served if the thickest part of the handle/bulge were further down from the blade such that it begins to taper from its widest point at about the forefinger and the pinky finger when gripped from the middle. Either that or just a thick handle of the same diameter throughout. It also needs to be made of either wood or a more modern handle material that is both strong and allows for a good grip. Hidden tang, one piece handle.

Guard-

Please put some manner of guard between the handle and the blade, even just a little nub that stops the forefinger.

Blade-

Depends, but I really do like the weight and balance of the angkhola style blade (though I haven't tried any others to compare). I'd either want it to be an angkhola or sirupate with a blade length of around 15~16 inches. With a long 6.5~7" handle, that'd be over 22" in total length. The more general purpose the blade, the better.

Then I have some other fine details I'd throw in for a custom blade, mostly for aesthetics :).
 
So you have a buffalo horn handle now and you feel this is not a rugged material because it isn't modern? Buffalo horn us tough stuff and has been used for knife handles for ages. These old knives are still around and serving their masters. Horn is hardly to be dismissed simply because it seems less modern. It can also take a decent hit without breaking. If it does break, it is easily repaired with epoxy or super glue. Like wood, it has to be cared for so it doesn't dry out but it is a lot less maintenance intense than wood is as all it needs is a bit of oil or hoof dressing now and then rubbed on it. I like it a whole lot better than I do G-10. Horn has character, it has subtle lines and grain that show in the light and a cool iridescence to it. Depending on the shade, it can be almost translucent.

I guess that I don't agree with the whole trend toward plastic.
Sorry but it really has no character and it isn't all that much more durable.
 
And plastic aint eco-friendly.

I personally like the traditional ethnic look on blades.

Also, to me a guard just isn't necessary on most kukris, I probably wont be stabbing with it. If I was to have a custom made kukri.... I would have horn handle, a gentle slope to the back, two fullers, hollow forged, convex grind, and in the grey-er village finish. The sheath would be quality hardwood covered tightly in black buffalo leather with a baldric sling to carry it. Karda and Chakma would have to be top-notch and match the kukri in color and finish.
 
warty said:
So you have a buffalo horn handle now and you feel this is not a rugged material because it isn't modern?
Click to expand...

I said for a better GRIP. Horn is too smooth for my liking, even though it's good strong material.
 
If you like the Ang Khola, you can call Yangdu and have them make one to your lengths with a wood handle. The standard Dui Chirra model is normally 22" overall, although I couldn't say how long the handle is. You could order a Dui Chirra and probably spec the handle length. The two fullers (dui chirra) would help to take the weight down from a comparably sized AK. There were AKs made in the 20-25" range in the past and they were pretty heavy. One guy in Alaska ordered one that weighed 5 pounds, IIRC.
 
stickfred said:
If you like the Ang Khola, you can call Yangdu and have them make one to your lengths with a wood handle. The standard Dui Chirra model is normally 22" overall, although I couldn't say how long the handle is. You could order a Dui Chirra and probably spec the handle length. The two fullers (dui chirra) would help to take the weight down from a comparably sized AK. There were AKs made in the 20-25" range in the past and they were pretty heavy. One guy in Alaska ordered one that weighed 5 pounds, IIRC.
Click to expand...

Yea, I'd think that for that length it would be heavy, but I'd rather try to keep it under 3.5~4 pounds if possible, hence the sirupate consideration. I'll have to take a look at the Dui Chirra.
 
I got lucky.

I did design the perfect kukri, and She is thus:
100_0187.jpg


20" CAK, by Bura

Many times I've bought another thinking it might be an improvement, and never was.
I simply can't do better.

BTW, the perfect kukri design is a personal thing, we all have our own "perfect". What's perfect for me may be something another person just flat hates.

I think there's something to Uncle Bill's philosophy that the perfect kukri chooses you, not the other way around.
 
You don't need to design the perfect khukuri. Just take a look at the HI website and find something that fits your needs. There are so many variations offered that there is bound to be something that is "perfect" for you.
 
Well...when I come to the forum I was thinking much the same.
Why the seamingly unconfortable handle?
It turns out, there is a special way of holding it especially when choping.
ther's a technique of holding and wielding a Khukuri. not like a normal knife.
generations of people and kamis have worked to get the "funny" shapes of this kuhks the way they are today, so there must be a good reasons for that. also the HI models will not change to modern material as they insist on using traditional materials. Sure, there are better and more ergonomic handles out there...nothing stops you from replacing it. then it will be custom made by you;) people have done it before...search the forum. or the sticky's.
 
If you're considering the Sirupati, perhaps you should also consider the Gelbu Special. The HI store shows a 21" model that should be pretty standard. My GS is 18" but it does a decent job of chopping.

What are your plans for the khuk's use? What was the model that you just got? Whatever you decide, and whatever other details you'd like added, I'm sure that Yangdu will be able to accommodate you.

Cpl. Punishment- It's always nice to see that photo of your CAK. Is that considered a "Super"? Also, are you still selling that 18" WWII or is it gone?
 
Stick:
no, that's not a "Super" -- although it could be called that I guess, since it has more drop than the usual AKs, but less than an M43. But it doesn't have the 4 pins in the handle.

WWII is still FS, but no one seemed to want it, so I didn't bother bumping the FS thread.
 
Thanks for clearing that up for me about the "Super". I knew I'd run across mentions of it before but really didn't understand the difference. Now I do.

I'm surprised the WWII hasn't been snatched up. It is a fair price and with Bura not forging any more I'd thought someone would want it.
 
I share the same view...

Traditional stuff always have a reason behind. It has been selected & improved for generations. As long as we invest in enough thought, we'll find out their logic...

Cheers,

Hung

DanSmithy said:
Well...when I come to the forum I was thinking much the same.
Why the seamingly unconfortable handle?
It turns out, there is a special way of holding it especially when choping.
ther's a technique of holding and wielding a Khukuri. not like a normal knife.
generations of people and kamis have worked to get the "funny" shapes of this kuhks the way they are today, so there must be a good reasons for that. also the HI models will not change to modern material as they insist on using traditional materials. Sure, there are better and more ergonomic handles out there...nothing stops you from replacing it. then it will be custom made by you;) people have done it before...search the forum. or the sticky's.
Click to expand...
 
Here is the original Super CAK, the first one, made by Sgt Khadka.

20.25" long and 34.45oz and I consider it absolute khukri perfection, with the Chitlangi and M43 not being far behind.

Pommel cap and bolster are STEEL. :cool:

I named it Cleaver, because that's what it does.

SuperCAK6.jpg


SuperCAK4.jpg
 
I guess I am still confused, any one have both an AK and a Super AK?
Maybe a side my side picture would clear it up for me.:confused:
 
warty said:
I guess I am still confused, any one have both an AK and a Super AK?
Maybe a side my side picture would clear it up for me.:confused:
Click to expand...

I do have both, and in the same 20" size class.

The thing you need to know is the Super CAK really isn't a CAK per se. I consider it a Chiruwa Dui Chirra Bhojpur kinda thing. It's remarkably lightweight and agile, and the balance is delightful. The handling characteristics are somewhere between a Sirupati and M43. Like the M43, I place it in a class of its own; not a compromise between tool and weapon, but equally both. You'd have to hold it in your hand and use it... it feels predatory.
 
The perfect kukri was designed over a 100 years ago. All you have to do is start with a military issue WWI MKII, wipe off the dust and its perfect. Smooth lines, perfect balance, not too heavy, not too light. Full tang, wood handles, rounded spine and a flat wooden sheath covered with brown leather that lasts better than any other I've seen. Feels like an extension of your arm. Great as a weapon, great as a tool and, pretty to boot! I wish I could send my 1944 to Nepal so it could be copied exactly.

Bill
Virginia
 
shortwinger said:
I wish I could send my 1944 to Nepal so it could be copied exactly.
Click to expand...
It's not like that sort of thing hasnt been done before. Or you could take many pictures and offer exact dimensions in both metric and imperial and they'd get it pretty close. The only way to know for sure is to contact Auntie about it.
 
Berkley made a mold of his old khukuri that became the Dui Chirra. I haven't read, and so don't know, whether it was used by the kamis or not...just a thought.
 
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