ESEE Junglas vs HI Khukri?

[big.me]

I've been reading a lot of reviews over the 2 types of knives, I'm pretty much sold over the Junglas for a straight fixed blade knife, but I've been also looking at alternatives at the Junglas, and I've been coming across Khukuris.
And now I'm stuck between the 2? I know this forum is similar to the 'Junglas vs CS Kukri' (http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...old-Steel-Kukri-SK5?highlight=junglas+khukuri) but I don't want to spend that much money on a khukuri...
Current Khukuri that I'm thinking of is from thekhukurihouse.com, and is called the 'JyanMaara' (http://www.thekhukurihouse.com/catalog/product.php?id=323530fc2012)
Both are 12 inch blades, and for some of you who doesn't know what the jyanmaara is made of, its 5160 steel.

I will be using the knife mainly for shelter building, though I MAY use it for preparing food in some ways. But my main concern for the khukuri is batoning, I'm not if its easy to baton with...

Any thoughts and opinions would be appreciated!
Thanks!

 

[Last Visible Canary]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVREVauJo2I
[youtube]cVREVauJo2I[/youtube]

Khukuries do just fine for batoning, you just have to remember to try to keep the handle pointed downward so that it doesn't try to shift on the diagonal edge into the recurve section where it can get stuck with no way to hit the area near the handle to level it out again. Not sure I agree with the lack of a recurve section edge on the model you posted, it kind of limits the function of the knife, even if it shifts the weight forward.

If you let the knife shift to far so that the wood is in the recurve section right up near the handle, it's better to flip it and strike the edge to dislodge it and start over than it is to try to hit the ricasso area to straighten it out. I sheered the scales on this by striking it with a baton, something that was altogether avoidable by using better technique. (It's an HI 19.5" Ang Khola made by Sgt. Khadka, I sanded off the ring in the center)

 

[Noctis3880]

Only thing I'll say is be sure you can sharpen it. That blade shape looks like it'll complicate the issue.

 

[Last Visible Canary]

Only thing I'll say is be sure you can sharpen it. That blade shape looks like it'll complicate the issue.

I have sharpened several khukuries on my apex edgepro system without problem. The one that gave me the most grief was the Busse CS TTKZ because it's a full convex and doesn't have a flat for you to lay the blade down on consistently. Even if you can't lay an Ang Khola down on the bevel leading right up to the edge, you can lay them flat on the main flat of the blade and adjust the stones lower to accomodate for the more obtuse position of the blade itself.

If your hand sharpening, it's no different than a large straight edge knife of similar weight, unless your stone is particularly wide and has trouble with getting into the recurve.

 

[shortwinger]

I will be using the knife mainly for shelter building, though I MAY use it for preparing food in some ways. But my main concern for the khukuri is batoning, I'm not if its easy to baton with...

big.me,

Yes you can baton with a kukri but you may find that you do a lot less of it because the kukri will easily split logs that your other large straight bladed knives cannot. In many cases it will effortlessly split small/medium logs in less time than you can pic up your baton.

One thing for sure, the kukri will fufill your primary task of shelter building and you will be lying in your shelter next to a warm fire while your neighbor with the Jungles is still be sharpening pegs! If you select the correct kukri, nothing; I'll repeat that, nothing, will even come close to competing with it in processing wood.

As far as food prep, neither will be "good" at it but both will do it. The kukri will take some time to get used to but once you get over that you will enjoy doing most things with it. Also of note, many traditional Nepalese kukri come with a smaller knife (karda) to do other tasks such as skinning and food prep. Some of what is commonly referred to as "village kukri" come with larger, very usable karda such as my Tora Bhojpure picured below.


For sure, do your homework about the different models of kukri because they are all designed to do different tasks. The model you linked to is more or less a millitary model married to a modern "catchy" handle. While they may look more modern than the traditional handle they rarely function as well. Doing lots of chopping with the "utility type" military kukri will be exhausting compared to the dedicated chopping models. However, the current military issue, called a Jungle or Service No.1, will pack easier, carry on the belt easier and be lighter than a dedicated chopper. Your task is to determine how big of a kukri you feel comfortable carrying.

Also, don't dismiss the CS kukri, it is worth every penny. It is big but also light. It has a grippy modern handle and very good steel (Sk5). It has a modern kydex type sheath that they call Secure-ex which is very light and holds the kukri extremely well, even if carried upside down. It is really a dream to use, even on smaller finer tasks. If I had to choose between the Junglas and the CS Kukri I would pick the kukri every day and twice on Sunday.

Edit: I guess I should have addressed the HI part of this since it was in the thread title. There are several HI models I would recommend including the BAS, M43, Bonecutter, ASTK and the AK models in various sizes to please any need. Jump over to the HI forum and you will lots of good advice in picking a model.

 

[jdk1]

Big.me, to help, I thought i'd show a comparison shot.

HI WWII on top at 16.5" and around 25 oz. Junglas at 16.5" and 22 oz. HI M-43 on the bottom at 19" and around 32 oz.

As for food prep, it is an incredible fajita slicer! If you find yourself alone in the wilds with nothing but your Junglas and a few pounds of fajita, you're in luck. Actually, it's an AWESOME slicer due to it's flat grind and razor sharpness.

Ultimately, I believe the khuk will get more heavy woodwork done. Though, I think the Junglas would do better at standard knife tasks. Either way, you're in pretty good shape. A khuk and a knife is the ultimate combo IMHO. Shortwinger is right concerning the CS Gurkha. It has a wonderful, lively feel and should slice like a beast, being flat ground. I haven't used my CS GK for anything yet, but I've beat an old CS carbon V LTC like a borrowed mule and it's no worse for wear. Good luck with your decision and be safe.

 

[arty]

I have found that a Kukuri can do some pretty good chopping. I use a kuk like this panawal one, but it came from GK:
http://www.thekhukurihouse.com/catalog/product.php?id=313436f45c9
I have a number of Hi kukuris and like them very much. Size depends on you. If you are a big guy, then a 12" might be OK.
I prefer a slightly smaller, lighter model. The panawal style is very strong. I don't have a Hi chiruwa AK in this model, but I do have the GK version,
and have used it for chopping. It will do the work of a light, small camp axe...like a Wetterlings 13" model.