Finally decided upon an HI Kukri and ordered it today...

H

HighlanderNorth

Joined
Jun 23, 2012
Messages
43
I've been looking to buy my first ever Kukris in the last couple weeks. I've now ordered 2 of them from different companies, one HI and an Ontario. After being stuck between the 16.5" Chiruwa Ang Khola, the BAS, the WWII, and even the Sirupati for a short time, I finally decided upon the WWII in 18". I thought the choice would be made easier when I called the HI phone number to see what knives were in stock. I figured that would help narrow down my choices because surely all the ones on my list wouldnt all be in stock, but they were. So I asked some questions from the lady I spoke with there(Yangdu?), and she was very helpful, and she looked to see what was in stock and measured the lengths, etc. I finally decided upon the wood handle. The bone handle looks sharp too, but maybe the wood handle will be a bit more forgiving and offer better grip, and be easier to replace if needed. I thought about buying a blem or one that didnt have the standard leather sheath, but I decided to get one without blems and with a sheath.


I will be using mine for moderate work. I already ordered an Ontario Kukri last week. The seller advertised that they 'always' send it the same day its ordered if its ordered before early afternoon, or they will send it the next day if ordered later. Well, that didnt happen, even though they had 6 in stock. I ordered it on early Tuesday before I went to work, so it should have gone out that day, or the next day at the latest, but it didnt go out til Friday for some reason, so I wont be getting it til tomorrow, Priority mail. Anyway, I ordered the Ontario Kukri fro the work that is more lilkely to potentially damage the blade or handle, and I now ordered the HI Kukri for less damaging jobs like cutting smaller diameter limbs off trees before or after felling them. I only work with smaller trees, as I'm not a tree service company. I will only use the HI kukri occasionally as I dont want to tarnish it. Thats what the Ontario is for. I dont care if it gets all scratched up, etc. But I want to make sure the HI is not abused.

I will not be trying to chop limbs or logs that are 4-6-8-10" in diameter like I see people doing in youtube videos. I can sort of understand why they are doing it, because they are making a video for the purpose of showing how well they chop. But if I need to cut through a 4"-6" 8"-10"+ sized log or tree, I'll use my Husqvarna 346XP chainsaw for that stuff. I paid almost $500 for it for a reason. To use it! You have to go and find an industrial equipment store to buy any Husqvarna saw of the 'XP' models. The models of Husqvarna saws they sell at Lowes are the light duty commercial/heavy duty homeowner grade saws, whereas the XP series are the lumberjack grade. My 346XP is the smallest of the XP series, at 45cc, but it kicks butt though!

Anyway, I decided upon the WWII model Kukri because it supposedly has a smaller ring through the handle, which may make it more comfortable for regular use. Also, the WWII is an 18" knife, whereas the CAW is 16.5. I guess that extra 1.5" will be helpful. I'm hoping it wont be any heavier than the CAW since its blade should be a bit thinner.

Today I first noticed the "carved" 15" Ang Khola. I dont know why I didnt see it before, as I've now gone through the store website about 50 times! But I finally noticed it today, and I wouldve liked to buy it now, but I wouldnt want to use it for work and cause wear to the carving on the handle. I'll have to pick up one of them later.

*Does anyone here have a carved Ang Khola? A Picture?

*Has anyone used their WWII models for work, and how have they functioned for that purpose and held up?
 
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You chose well:) For YEARS, my 18" WWII was my go-to chopper for camping. It has more than held up over the last decade. It was put into semi-retirement by my M-43 a few years back, but I broke it out over the late spring to take out the bottom of a plastic pond shell that I was turning into a tree planter.

It's a great khuk. It has a nice thin handle so it doesn't fatigue you hands so much. I also like the length as it means I can choke back and put more thump in my swing for chopping, or choke up and let the remainder of the grip act as a counter weight to balance the knife.

Enjoy it in good health:)
 
Welcome to the HI and Forum
 
I have a Carved Silver Mounted Ang Khola by our old master smith, the Royal Kami, Bura.
It works plenty well for my uses, It takes my thoughtful stare quite well and fondles nicely. :D ;)

12-17-08SilverMountedAngKhola1.jpg
 
When you have a chance to work with your 2 new khukuris please let us know what you think of them.
 
Howard Wallace said:
When you have a chance to work with your 2 new khukuris please let us know what you think of them.
Click to expand...


Well, I actually got the Ontario Kukri in tonight. I got home from having dinner out, and it was there on my door step. I have not used it for chopping yet, but I already see its got an "issue". I kept hearing all this stuff about how great "kraton" handles are. Well, this Ontario Kukri has a Kraton handle, and I dont like it. The problem is that it doesnt have any decent checkering to give it better grip. Its almost smooth. It has a very shallow, light consistency to the feel of its handle. I brought it inside into the 72 degree air conditioning, and took it out of the box and had only held it for about 20 seconds when I could feel the slightest little beginning of sweat on my palms. My palms werent actually wet and you couldnt see any moisture, but that ever so slight dampness was enough to make the handle feel slippery! How good is it going to be when working outside in the heat when my hands actually get wet with sweat?

You can feel the knife starting to loosen in your hands due to the lousy grip afforded by this smooth consistency Kraton. Plus, obviously Kraton is just another fancy word for plastic, and plastic doesnt absorb moisture, so any moisture will just stay on the handle and make it slippery and dangerous to keep using! I am really disappointed in that. I must now try to find some way to make the handle less slippery. They should have at least checkered it.

Aside from that, the blade seems nice, and the sheath is just OK. The knife sits in it well enough so it shouldnt fall out when its secured. It doesnt rattle around in there too much either when secured. But its still a cheap sheath. Its fairly sharp. According to a youtube video where a guy actually put an Ontario Kukri onto his quality scale and showed the weight, it weighs 21 oz.(594g). If it was any heavier with this slippery handle, it would be even more dangerous to use!

I'll do some chopping in a day or 2 and post about it then.

I cant wait to get my WWII in....
 
I will be using mine for moderate work. I already ordered an Ontario Kukri last week...
According to a youtube video where a guy actually put an Ontario Kukri onto his quality scale and showed the weight, it weighs 21 oz.(594g). If it was any heavier with this slippery handle, it would be even more dangerous to use!
Click to expand...
I have the latest Ontario Kukri and I find the handle fits my big hands well. The rubbery handle is slightly slippery when wet but not uncontrollable. Since I almost always wear Mechanics gloves no handle is too slippery for me. This Kukri is one of the better ones out there (IMO) because it has one of the closest shapes to a Nepali Khukuri, 15 degree angle, 12 inch blade, and a near perfect weight of 21 oz. A good effort by a "KLO" producer.

The above not withstanding for a little more for than the price of the above big knife nothing beats the handmade quality of a Himalayan Imports Khukuri (or other high quality maker). And HighlanderNorth these Khukuris although beautiful are made to get in the mud and work HARD. After a good day work hose it off and start again tomorrow. But I do understand not wanting to scratch or dent these magnificent knives.
Kukri use.jpg
Above: Kukri in use ;)

Note: Carved Silver Mounted Ang Khola, Wow :thumbup:.
 
sweetcostarica said:
I have the latest Ontario Kukri and I find the handle fits my big hands well. The rubbery handle is slightly slippery when wet but not uncontrollable. Since I almost always wear Mechanics gloves no handle is too slippery for me. This Kukri is one of the better ones out there (IMO) because it has one of the closest shapes to a Nepali Khukuri, 15 degree angle, 12 inch blade, and a near perfect weight of 21 oz. A good effort by a "KLO" producer.

The above not withstanding for a little more for than the price of the above big knife nothing beats the handmade quality of a Himalayan Imports Khukuri (or other high quality maker). And HighlanderNorth these Khukuris although beautiful are made to get in the mud and work HARD. After a good day work hose it off and start again tomorrow. But I do understand not wanting to scratch or dent these magnificent knives.
View attachment 286978
Above: Kukri in use ;)

Note: Carved Silver Mounted Ang Khola, Wow :thumbup:.
Click to expand...



I rarely wear gloves at work or at home for work. I have basic work gloves, but they just collect dust. I've never owned a pair of mechanics gloves. But apparently I will have to wear gloves to use this Ontario Kukri due to its slippery handle.

What I dont understand is why blade makers who use synthetic materials for their handles dont use materials that are more slip resistant! I bought a Kershaw lockblade knife way back in 1986 from off a Snap-On tools truck that used to visit the machine shop I worked at as my 1st job while in high school. This knife was made with a polymer/synthetic material for its handle. This stuff was firm and tough like most polymers, but it had a surface feel to it that felt very soft and grippy. But it was firm. It was great stuff. It didnt have checkering, only vertical lines cut into it, but due to its soft, grippy feel, it didnt need checkering. Granted it had finger grooves, but the synthetic material is grippy enough that it would be fine without finger grooves.

Now, if they already had high quality synthetics like that available in 1986, then why is my 2012 Ontario Kukri made of another synthetic material that doesnt have very good grip? The Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri has checkering, but for $200 it should have checkering! It also shouldnt be made in China or Malaysia or wherever for that much money, considering its just a basic, plastic handled, flat steel bladed high volume production knife. Aside from the checkering, the better quality plastic sheath(which could be produced for $3 or so) and a little bit better steel, its no better than the Ontario. Its just priced MUCH higher for no justifiable reason(in my opinion).

I just found what I believe to be the exact same Kershaw lock blade that I am talking about ^. This has the exact same look to it that my 1986 knife had, so its probably the same synthetic handle material. Here it is:

http://www.kershawknives.com/productdetails.php?id=135&brand=kershaw

Anyway, this is why natural materials are often better, because wood will tend to absorb a little moisture, and if its not coated with too much polyurethane or varnish, then it shouldn't be too slippery.
 
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Excellent choice Highlander.I find my 18" WWII to be nearly the perfect "all around" blade.Long and solid enough for hard work, and light enough to be a fearsome battle implement.And one of the best fitting handles of any I own. Best wishes for a long and productive relationship! Joe.
 
18" WWII is my next one. I am vascillating back and forth between that and M43 but given the almost dedicated chopping nature of the M43, and the much larger handle on the WWII, it has a pretty strong edge...pun fully intended.

Good choice. I have a BAS now and love it.
 
arbiter said:
Excellent choice Highlander.I find my 18" WWII to be nearly the perfect "all around" blade.Long and solid enough for hard work, and light enough to be a fearsome battle implement.And one of the best fitting handles of any I own. Best wishes for a long and productive relationship! Joe.
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How much does your 18" WWII weigh?
 
HoosierQ said:
18" WWII is my next one. I am vascillating back and forth between that and M43 but given the almost dedicated chopping nature of the M43, and the much larger handle on the WWII, it has a pretty strong edge...pun fully intended.

Good choice. I have a BAS now and love it.
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Before buying the WWII, I vascillated back and forth between the BAS, CAK and WWII for over a week! I went on the HI website every night looking back and forth between those, and then I even threw the Sirupati into the mix for a short while, but finally chose the WWII.

What makes the M43 a better, dedicated chopper? I also looked at it shortly, but it was $195, and for a worker knife, I wanted it to be at least a little less expensive. Who know, maybe in a year I'll own it too.......


I gotta say, I like the "environment" over here vs the General Knife forum. I apparently made the mistake of asking the simple question about why the top end folders and fixed blade knives are so expensive? Well, I did get some good answers, but I also got my fair share of unnecessary attitude, anger and disrespect from 2 or 3 members so far. Its interesting how people read what they want to read, believe what they want to believe, then get all worked up over it. I dont see that over here. I was called a "troll" for asking the question. Oh well......

Anyway, I wish tomorrow wasnt a holiday, cause thats going to slow down the process of me getting my Kukri!
 
HighlanderNorth said:
I rarely wear gloves at work or at home for work. I have basic work gloves, but they just collect dust. I've never owned a pair of mechanics gloves. But apparently I will have to wear gloves to use this Ontario Kukri due to its slippery handle.
Click to expand...
I highly recommend you start wearing any kind of work glove when there a need to have a good grip on something and/or there is even a small risk of injury to the hand. This is not an opinion but a basic safety rule. Gloves have saved my hands, fingers, and finger nails serious damage many, many times. I know I sound like your father/mother but it's best to be safe than sorry.

What I dont understand is why blade makers who use synthetic materials for their handles dont use materials that are more slip resistant! I bought a Kershaw lockblade knife way back in 1986 from off a Snap-On tools truck that used to visit the machine shop I worked at as my 1st job while in high school. This knife was made with a polymer/synthetic material for its handle. This stuff was firm and tough like most polymers, but it had a surface feel to it that felt very soft and grippy. But it was firm. It was great stuff. It didnt have checkering, only vertical lines cut into it, but due to its soft, grippy feel, it didnt need checkering. Granted it had finger grooves, but the synthetic material is grippy enough that it would be fine without finger grooves.

Now, if they already had high quality synthetics like that available in 1986, then why is my 2012 Ontario Kukri made of another synthetic material that doesnt have very good grip? The Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri has checkering, but for $200 it should have checkering! It also shouldn't be made in China or Malaysia or wherever for that much money, considering its just a basic, plastic handled, flat steel bladed high volume production knife.
Click to expand...
I have the Ontario Kukri, Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri, and other knives with rubber handles. You know HighlanderNorth I really don't know the reason some use rubber or plastic handles and not natural ones. My guess is that it is cheaper and much easier to manufacture quickly synthetic made handles. Some companies use the cheaper stuff to sell at a lower price range for their target group. Other companies do the opposite. I think it all comes down to the market.

O Handle.jpg
If you notice on the Ontario the design flares out at the bottom to hold your hand in place when wet so the blade doesn't slip out and also your hand doesn't slip forward. It seems they are aware of their rubberish handle's limitations. Nothing beats wood in my opinion but it does cost more to produce and you pay more for it. Another person wouldn't pay more and so there you have it.
Keep asking question the above is my opinion and not gospel. Hope it helps.
 
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My 18" WWII weights 28.5oz and has a horn handle. It's much lighter then my 18" ASTK but doesn't feel fast or nimble. My 21oz 16.5" WWII is Light and very fast. The 18" is blade heavy and slow compared to the 16.5" WWII.

2 of the same model and size Khukris that are the same weight can feel much different then each other. I think it was Rusty or another old timer who did some testing to that regard. One blade was fast and nimble fighter, where as the other was slow work horse IE wood blade. Remember, both were the same size, style and weight, but they both felt vastly different. I've had 2 15" Horn handled Sirupati's that felt very different in hand too. It all depends on where the Kami puts the balance/weight of the Khukri.

Balance can play a big roll in how a Khukri feels in hand. I've seen 32oz+ Khukris that feel light and fast in hand because they had amazing balance. What I'm trying to get at is that you could have an 18" WWII that feels like a Martial arts type blade or one that feels like a blade heavy chopper and both could still be the same weight. Mine is the Blade heavy chopper. ;)
 
wildmanh said:
My 18" WWII weights 28.5oz and has a horn handle. It's much lighter then my 18" ASTK but doesn't feel fast or nimble. My 21oz 16.5" WWII is Light and very fast. The 18" is blade heavy and slow compared to the 16.5" WWII.

2 of the same model and size Khukris that are the same weight can feel much different then each other. I think it was Rusty or another old timer who did some testing to that regard. One blade was fast and nimble fighter, where as the other was slow work horse IE wood blade. Remember, both were the same size, style and weight, but they both felt vastly different. I've had 2 15" Horn handled Sirupati's that felt very different in hand too. It all depends on where the Kami puts the balance/weight of the Khukri.

Balance can play a big roll in how a Khukri feels in hand. I've seen 32oz+ Khukris that feel light and fast in hand because they had amazing balance. What I'm trying to get at is that you could have an 18" WWII that feels like a Martial arts type blade or one that feels like a blade heavy chopper and both could still be the same weight. Mine is the Blade heavy chopper. ;)
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I'm wondering if the 16.5" WWII would have been a little better for light to medium clearing than the 18". It surely would be lighter and less top heavy, unless its blade was thicker or fatter at the top.


I wonder if a lighter Sirupati would be a good brush cutter type knife? I dont need a pure brush cutter, or I would have bought a thinner knife, I need an all around type knife, which is why I chose the WWII. I originally thought(and read) that a 15" - 16.5" Kukri might be too short for an all around worker, but with my limited experience with Kukris(extremely limited!), I could be wrong......
 
HighlanderNorth said:
I'm wondering if the 16.5" WWII would have been a little better for light to medium clearing than the 18". It surely would be lighter and less top heavy, unless its blade was thicker or fatter at the top.


I wonder if a lighter Sirupati would be a good brush cutter type knife? I dont need a pure brush cutter, or I would have bought a thinner knife, I need an all around type knife, which is why I chose the WWII. I originally thought(and read) that a 15" - 16.5" Kukri might be too short for an all around worker, but with my limited experience with Kukris(extremely limited!), I could be wrong......
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15" khukuri are great for backpacking and camp use for people who don't want to carry extra weight.
16.5" is the smallest i'd go for all around usage. Both will clear brush and trails but you should wear gloves to protect your hands.
18" is the best length for woods chopping and does all of the above, but is somewhat impractical for brush clearing due to weight.
 
sweetcostarica said:
I have the latest Ontario Kukri and I find the handle fits my big hands well. The rubbery handle is slightly slippery when wet but not uncontrollable. Since I almost always wear Mechanics gloves no handle is too slippery for me. This Kukri is one of the better ones out there (IMO) because it has one of the closest shapes to a Nepali Khukuri, 15 degree angle, 12 inch blade, and a near perfect weight of 21 oz. A good effort by a "KLO" producer.

The above not withstanding for a little more for than the price of the above big knife nothing beats the handmade quality of a Himalayan Imports Khukuri (or other high quality maker). And HighlanderNorth these Khukuris although beautiful are made to get in the mud and work HARD. After a good day work hose it off and start again tomorrow. But I do understand not wanting to scratch or dent these magnificent knives.
View attachment 286978
Above: Kukri in use ;)

Note: Carved Silver Mounted Ang Khola, Wow :thumbup:.
Click to expand...
If that's "Chinglish" from Black Lagoon, there's something I haven't seen in years... nothing she does should be imitated or considered proper use. Girl is absolutely crazy. Though I did literally applaud when she used a khukri as a lash-knife.
 
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