Few questions on 20 inch CAK

230grains

230grains

Joined
Jul 10, 2009
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I recently acquired my first kukri, a Busse Killa Zilla. I don't even have it in my hands yet, but i'm seriously intrigued by the chopping power that these knives have. Now I'm looking for another already.

I've decided to go big or go home with the 20 inch AK. Anything I should know? How does one acquire one? Is the set up similar to Bussekin knives with limited runs and most dealings for older models through the exchange? What's the general price range?

Do any of you have any pictures of the 20 inch in use and in hand for size reference? Are all knives offered with a villager finish option? I love the mirror blades, but it would look like hell within a week of me owning it. Anyone ever rehandle one? I don't know how i'd like a traditional kuk handle to be honest.

Thanks for any help and looking forward to hearing opinions and seeing pictures.
 
Interesting 230 because I've been researching the same AK today and with very limited results. I even emailed himimp@aol.com about the availability. I'll let you know what information the return email holds. Otherwise, I'll be following this thread closely and I hope to both glean some info and procure an AK within the next week or two. With any luck Karda will be along shortly to enlighten both of us.
 
I don't have in hand pics but these might help.19.5 inch, horn handled CAK 42 ounces compared to a few other tools.

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Personally,I'd say a 16.5 32 ounce CAK like the one by Sher on the far left,is as big as I'd carry and a hell of a dual purpose tool.
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AKs and CAKs are pretty common ones, and are usually available in all regular sizes. As far as "runs," each HI could pretty much be considered a one-of-a-kind, as they're all made by hand. There are some differences between individual kamis, too. In my exprience, Vim and Sgt. Khadka make the thinnest edges, Bura gets the steel the hardest and strongest, and Sher makes them very stout and axelike.

As far as size, I'll repost my comparison pics.

size.jpg

Top: 12" Ka-Bar (old and with no handle) and 15" Sirupati
Bottom: 18.5" Chainpuri and 21.5" Chitlangi

An AK would be broader than all of the above. A 20" AK will run in the 3+ pound range, so you should know what you're getting into before buying one.

And just for fun, again, here's a pic of my EDC. ;)
serbuandgiant.jpg

24" Giant Chitlangi Bowie, and 17" Serbu Super Shorty.
 
What's the difference between an AK and a CAK? I guess I was assuming they were the same.
 
I have some 20+ inch khuks, and IMO, since HI blades that big are also almost always 1/2-inch thick, making them a larger/heavier than are practical for most folks to control. I'm a big 'ol boy, and I think you'd be happier with a 16 1/2 to 18-inch AK instead. All things being equal, I also prefer Chiruwa handles. I really liked the Amar Singh Thapa from the Deals for 2/8 offering:
2-08-10%20010.jpg


But at 20-inches and 48-oz, that's a very big, heavy knife; an 18-inch version would be more manageable. I like the hole on the handle; I drilled one into my 16 1/2-inch CAK -- I run a loop over my thumb and across the back o my hand, which seems to keep me from having to hold the handle quite so tightly, reducing fatigue when chopping. It was harder to drill that hole than you might think -- I ruined a couple drill bits and it didn't look nearly as good as that Amar Singh Thapa, but it's functional.
 
230grains said:
What's the difference between an AK and a CAK? I guess I was assuming they were the same.
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CAKs are the AKs with Chiruwa handles. Those are the ones with rivets in the handle because the steel is the same width as the handle (so the wood is split into two half-cylinders). Standard AKs are the ones where the steel extends through the handle like a spike, which is peened over the pommel. The CAK design is considered more sturdy, but the traditional handles on HI khuks are plenty tough, and some people feel that they provide better shock absorption.
 
jnphares said:
I have some 20+ inch khuks, and IMO, since HI blades that big are also almost always 1/2-inch thick, making them a larger/heavier than are practical for most folks to control. I'm a big 'ol boy, and I think you'd be happier with a 16 1/2 to 18-inch AK instead. All things being equal, I also prefer Chiruwa handles. I really liked the Amar Singh Thapa from the Deals for 2/8 offering:
2-08-10%20010.jpg


But at 20-inches and 48-oz, that's a very big, heavy knife; an 18-inch version would be more manageable. I like the hole on the handle; I drilled one into my 16 1/2-inch CAK -- I run a loop over my thumb and across the back o my hand, which seems to keep me from having to hold the handle quite so tightly, reducing fatigue when chopping. It was harder to drill that hole than you might think -- I ruined a couple drill bits and it didn't look nearly as good as that Amar Singh Thapa, but it's functional.
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Thanks for the post, but I can swing a 4 lb knife all day. Honestly, the ridiculousness of the blade is one of the main reasons I want it. Hiking/camping i'm far more likely to bring a Busse Battle Mistress or the Busse Zilla for a chopper, but car camping, I think a 20 inch CAK would be awesome.
 
Iboschi said:
I don't see any specs on the M43. Anyone have them?
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While they all very a lil bit, the M-43 usually runs around 17-18" overall length. However, the grip tends to be a bit shorter than an AK, and really only offers enough room for a hammer grip. You'll usually get about an inch more blade than a comparable AK.
 
Iboschi said:
I don't see any specs on the M43. Anyone have them?
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A lot of variance from kami to kami, but usually, the ones from the shopping site (not DOTD) would be around 18"-19" and a bit more than 2 pounds weight, the spine thickness 3/8 to 1/2 inch. A longer and heavier one popped up recently on DOTD, but I think it was a rarity (the grip on that one was longer too).

Alex
 
alexs said:
A lot of variance from kami to kami, but usually, the ones from the shopping site (not DOTD) would be around 18"-19" and a bit more than 2 pounds weight, the spine thickness 3/8 to 1/2 inch. A longer and heavier one popped up recently on DOTD, but I think it was a rarity (the grip on that one was longer too).

Alex
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Now the standard for the M43 is smooth handles without the characteristic Kukri rings right? When ordering is it possible to ask for particular specs within those variations or is it a "get what you get" scenario? Thanks. The reason I ask is that the handles might appeal to both myself and 230 a bit more than traditional AK handles. And at those lengths it might just be the ticket for me instead. Although I would like a bit more length than it is described as having on the handle.
 
alexs said:
A lot of variance from kami to kami, but usually, the ones from the shopping site (not DOTD) would be around 18"-19" and a bit more than 2 pounds weight, the spine thickness 3/8 to 1/2 inch. A longer and heavier one popped up recently on DOTD, but I think it was a rarity (the grip on that one was longer too).

Alex
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Yeah I got that one :D It's a monster. It's shaped like an M43 but feels more like a broadaxe. Cuts great though. Excellent heavy duty working tool.:thumbup:

Here the two different forms of the M43 H.I. makes:
M43-M43.jpg


20" 'heavy' M43 with the longer handle
18" 'light' M43 with the shorter handle

The shorter and lighter one is the standard version.
 
Iboschi said:
Now the standard for the M43 is smooth handles without the characteristic Kukri rings right? When ordering is it possible to ask for particular specs within those variations or is it a "get what you get" scenario? Thanks. The reason I ask is that the handles might appeal to both myself and 230 a bit more than traditional AK handles. And at those lengths it might just be the ticket for me instead. Although I would like a bit more length than it is described as having on the handle.
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Usually smooth handle, but someone recently special-ordered one with the classic ring and he loved it and it looks amazing. I forget who it was though; someone else might remember and have a link to the pictures thread. When special-ordering (instead of from the inventory) the Kamis would accomodate any request within reason (certainly handle length issues), but the time to delivery might be longer, of course, and the price might be slightly higher (it is worth it though! you will have a one-of kind family heirloom that will last you 10 lifetimes and more!).
Alex

P.S. I too had initial issues with the classic ring in the handle for a couple of days, but once you get used to it you will think it is the best thing that happened to knives. The worst thing being sliced bread since it made bread knives obsolete in many kitchens ;)
 
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A few notes:

I rarely hear of AKs longer than 18", and owning an M43 in that size, I can attest that it's quite enough!

Also, I must have gotten lucky with the handle of my khuk (either that, or my hands are just small): i can actually get much more than a hammer grip.
 
OK I found my remote. :D

In hand photos. :thumbup:


18" AK


20" AK


25" Siru.
 
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