Finally considering getting my first khukuri

S

Springer45

Joined
Mar 17, 2005
Messages
50
I have always found the shape of these blades to be interesting and have been curious about them for some time. A friend recently got me looking at blades again (he is starting a sword collection) so I decided to finally do some serious research regarding the khukuri.

Himalayan Imports has always seemed like the way to go. Last night I spent a lot of time reading through their site. I found it to be very educational and was surprised to see how much goes into one of these. After learning how much they put into each blade and how high the quality is I will not even consider buying elsewhere.

I have read through most of the information available in this part of the forum and it really helped me in deciding where to start. Right now I'm considering an 18 inch Ang Khola for brush and path clearing and a 15 inch model (Sirupati?) for lighter work, hiking, and display. I'm also thinking about a 25" Kobra for later on to round things out and so I will have something to get my friend hooked on khukuris since he likes larger blades.

I am left wondering if I might find a 16.5" WWII more useful for the lighter work than the 15" Sirupati. It appears to be tougher and more versatile than the Sirupati to me. I'm also not sure if I should consider an 18" version for this purpose also. I know 18" appears to be the favored length here for any sort of chopping but would the 15" or 16.5" really be impractical just for lighter stuff like small branches? I figured the lesser weight of the shorter blades would make them more comfortable to carry on a belt for extended periods. Any opinions?
 
Springer?

These people are insane. Don't trust them. Just trust me.

The 16.5 WWII, of the ones you mentioned, would be a perfect starter. When you get out to 18", you got a substantial instrument to carry.

Welcome. It might be wise to give power of attorney to someone who isn't interested in khukuris.
 
Kismet said:
. . .
The 16.5 WWII, of the ones you mentioned, would be a perfect starter.
Click to expand...

What Kismet said. All-around versatile khuk for chopping and carrying. Can't go wrong. I asked the same question in early May and received a couple dozen excellent recommendations and went with the 16.5" WWII. Couldn't be happier.

Besides the reputation for a quality product, another thing that sold me on the HI product is the care and concern that the HI principals have for the kamis and their families. That's top-drawer.

You won't be stopping at just one . . .

Welcome to the forum!

Noah
 
Welcome. You are making a great choice, whatever HI khuk you choose. I started with an 18" WWII; now I have a dozen ranging from a 6" kagas katne to a 30" sirupati (neither of which are as useful as the more regular sizes, but fun to have!). The WWII is still my most used khuk so I'm biased that that's a great way to start.
 
Thanks for the quick responses. Looks like a 16.5" WWII is in my future. I know it won't be the only one. Looks like a great product and I was a little surprised to learn you get a karda and a chakmak with these. Seems like a good deal for the price.


Noah - That is part of the reason I'm going for a real HI khukuri. Sounds like there are some really good people involved and I know my money is going to be well spent.
 
Welcome to the Cantina. Get one of everything. That way you can handle any task. I am being totally serious here. :cool:
 
I believe it. I didn't know they came in such a range of sizes until last night. I never really looked into them until now and I'm kicking myself.
 
If you can get one, and if your only going to get one (ha ha) ...for an all around knife I would say 18 AK villager
 
You are on the right track, Springer45 - keep your eyes peeled on the forum for the nearly daily specials and move fast when you see what you like. ;)
 
Springer45 said:
Any opinions?
Click to expand...


Brother, you have no idea :D . Welcome. You will find it hard to go wrong. Check the (almost) daily specials and pick up a couple. Don't worry about jumping in with two right form the start. If you get one you will get another and the price can't be beat. My first was a 18" AK. Another to take a look at for "lighter work" is the 21" chitlangi. Light for its size and packs more punch then it should for its size and weight.
 
18"-20" chitlangi as a starter
no slouch as chopper

any 12"-15" for kitchen / light campsite use
(I think 13"-14" is a pretty typical everyday,
every-need khuk in rural Nepal)

for Heavy chopping
18" AK / GangaRam / M43 / ......

some related threads listed here:
www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=2423414#post2423414
Scroll down a bit.


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<> Tips <> Baha'i Prayers Links --A--T--H--D
 
My first was the 18" WWII but for smaller chopping chores I find the 15" AK to be a little handier. The 12" siru was too small. The 25" siru was too big. But I'm not Grizzly Adams, I'm a medium sized suburban dweller. Ask to see a pick of Heber holding a 25" AK :eek: It didn't look that big on him, though. If you've got some big arms on you a 20" AK might be where it's at but I think for most of us the 15"-18" khuks are the most used. YMMV

Frank
 
Springer, welcome to the Cantina/Psycho Ward.:D

No more opinions here than there arseholes and just as valuable.:rolleyes: :D
Just tzn.;)


My advice is too buy one and then buy up/down from that one.
You're going to develop your own opinion sooner or later and it'd just as well be sooner.:cool: :D ;)












I could'a stopped at one if I had wanted too.:rolleyes: :p :D
 
15" AK.

I've a beautiful 17" WWII and it just doesn't seem to have the forward striking power that the smaller AK has. Blasphemy, I know. Everybody likee the WWII. But I'm pretty sure the 15" AK is still HI's best seller. And even these can vary within models- I gave away a "heavy" 15" AK and replaced it with a lighter, meaner, pointier 15" AK villager. It's my favorite.

But then they're all my favorite. It's a zen thing. Welcome to the nuthouse.


Ad Astra
 
Welcome Springer.

Yup, what they said. Just buy what you think is right for now. Get it, use it, and then buy something else that is a little different. Or a lot different.

~ bamboo
 
I prefer the Tarwar and the Manjushree side by side while carrying an Ang Khola on my left hand and a special on my right.
For comfort, I wear two Biltons, 9 inch ..one on each leg between toes.

If I ever stop from drooling over Yangdu's specials, I'll go for..Hmmmnn

What's that querida?

No,no, no..jest joking,hey?

women :confused:
 
I love my three Sirps...12", 15" and 18". I'd not recommend the 15" Sirp. as a first khukuri, however. It just doesn't seem big enough. Of course, only here at the Cantina does a 15" blade not seem big enough. :D

I'd second a 15" AK as being a good starter. Pretty beefy without being too heavy. And, you can't buy just one. Over the last 5 months I "glommed" onto about 18 HI blades and have a few more that I still need. ;)

Welcome to the Cantina.

Jeff
 
16.5 seems to be the starting point. A Chirawa AK was mine. I've since added 2 more khuk's, but both are smaller.

Brian
 
Thanks for all of the suggestions. There sure is a wide variety of tastes here. Right now it's between the 15" AK and the 16.5" WWII. I'm still leaning towards the WWII though. Seems like it would fall just behind the AK in terms of usefulness and it has a little more reach than the 15" AK. Looking at the picture of the AK family the 1.5" extra length appears to add a small but significant amout to the length of a khukuri blade. I'm ruling out the 16.5" Chiruwa AK because it seems a little overkill for my needs.
 
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