First khukuri question

T

Torm

Joined
Jul 12, 2007
Messages
1,235
Hello everyone,

I'm new to HI and this subforum and I'm looking to pick up my first khukuri. Ideally, it would be a longer chopper as I carry a Busse for a mid-sized blade already and have a bunch of smaller blades. It would also be used for doing drills for kali. Would the chitlangi be a good choice for this, as it seems to balance size, weight, and quickness? Any advice would be appreciated.
 
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In addition to the Chitlangi, I've also read the Sirupati and Kumar Kobra are best suited to martial arts applications because of their streamlined design. Ideal length is the other major consideration (presumably a long blade is in order if you will be using it for kali).
 
I second M43 great chopper and cutter even when used against lighter targets like water bottles very clean cuts. Also the WWII would be a good choice.
 
I 3rd the M43. Also consider the WWII Models.
 
I think you should plan on getting 2 knives. A Kobra for kali and a chopper for chopping. A long chopper would likely be overly heavy for kali drills unless you've been practicing with heavy Indian Clubs.
 
I ordered the Chitlangi since it seemed a decent weight for the size and was on for a good price from the Valentines sale. I didn't want another blade in the same size range as my other go-to blade, the Busse Team Gemini LB (13.25" overall), so the Chitlangi seemed like a decent step up in size from that. Yangdu was great to deal with and I'm extremely stoked that my first "real" khukuri is on its way.

That M-43 is also tempting though and will likely be my next HI blade. Are the M-43's covered under the lifetime warranty no matter what or is that just the Ang Khola line now? Is the M-43 fairly nimble in the hand?
 
I'll chime in and say that my 30 oz m43 is better balanced than some thousand dollar swords that I've had the opportunity to handle. It's hard to call it nimble, but I didn't expect it to be seeing as it weighs in at damn near two pounds. Then again, I wasn't looking for nimble, as I've already put it through the paces as a bush blade, and I wouldn't trust anything smaller as a workhorse. Call me strange, but I don't see myself ever needing another knife, though I plan on supporting HI by gifting out some of these beautiful pieces. I just feel like anything smaller would feel meek for field work, and anything bigger unwieldy for martial purposes.
 
Also, last I checked the m43s were warranted for everything short of use as a prybar, though I would trust mine as one in a heartbeat. That sucker is just mean.
 
KHHI Kukris are really nice, want to get one soon, right now I have a few Kukris from Cold steel in the older, Camillus-produced Carbon V steel. They are awesome blades as well, and if it matters to you they are endorsed by the American Bando Association. I just cut brush with mine, nothing too fancy.
 
bkoregon said:
Well you guys convinced me. I went with the horn M43 blem DOTD today for my first HI. Can't wait!
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Congrats! When I ordered the Chitlangi I hadn't expected to see an M-43 on DOTD so quick. Please make a post with a mini review once you get it and get a chance to put it through its paces. After all the recommendations for an M-43 here and the many positive reviews searching Bladeforums older posts it is definitely going to be the next blade I buy.
 
For your purposes, I would actually suggest a chiruwa tamang. Balance is hugely important -- more so than weight -- when considering a one-stop khuk. I have lighter khuks that I would swear were much, much heavier due to their blade forwardness. Having the extra metal in the chiruwa handle not only adds strength but balance to all the designs I own. For implementing a khuk into kali drills, it's key that you're able to recover from your swings to return to form quickly. Forward balanced khuks will definitely slow down your drilling. Tamangs have the least pronounced curve of all the models and are generally built thinner, as well (1/4" usualy, 3/8" at the absolute max) so it makes for a lightening quick knife. Of course everything is a trade off. The forward weight of some designs will make them better choppers (generally speaking), but it all depends on what you're after. The following is my personal list that I've found have the best neutral balance for martial arts/utility:

1. Chiruwa Tamang
2. Chiruwa Dui Chirra
3. Tamang
4. Chiruwa Sirupate
5. Chiruwa Ang Khola
6. Sirupate
7. Chiruwa WW2
8. Chiruwa ASTK
9. Chiruwa Bonecutter
10. Ang Khola
11. Chiruwa Chitlangi (forward weight probably exaggerated because of its 20" length)
12. M43

But if push came to shove and I could only grab one khuk when running out of the house, it would be between the chiruwa bonecutter or chiruwa ASTK -- which ever was closer.
 
No sweat Muszeuhs! You've got yourself, in my opinion, the best model out there -- and I've tried damn near everything.
 
Moogoo My experience has been the opposite. The Chiruwas are quite a bit heavier with a thicker edge and much slower tip speed. The ASTK as well though it did point nearly as well as the M43, but still 1-11/2" above centerline of thrust. The greater tip speed combined with the thinner edge results in a much greater depth of cut with the M43. Mine has literally outcut axes.
 
any chance i could get a pick of that. I have been emailing Yangdu regarding getting a ASTK for some time just waiting for a lighter weight one.

muszeuhs said:
I feel better and better about my Chiruwa ASTK every day. Thanks for the affirmation, Moog!
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