Forgive me for asking - typical kukri handle length and OAL question

C

ClarksRifles

Joined
Apr 17, 2014
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I did a desultory search but there are too many entries for "handle" and length. But I know this has been addressed previously, my apology in advance.

The presumption is that typical handles are approximately 5 inches in length. So...I see KVUKs advertised as being 11 or more inches. Is the blade length then presumed to be 6 inches? I want a "personal" kukri for lolling around the house or taking our kitties for walks in the park behind our house. To my mind a blade length of 7-8 inches is perfect for that role; hence, a "personal" kukri for me would ideally be approximately 12-13 inches in length?

To that end, I continue to haunt the afternoon auctions for such a critter at 13 inches OAL. It would also make a great range and field companion to my just-acquired .310 Aussie Martini Cadet. ;)
 
A 12 inch Ang Khola would probably fit your needs well for that length. HI blades are measured in overall length from tip of the blade to the middle of the handle at end as a crow flies and not along the curvature. The KLVUK is usually about 15-16 inches in overall length with about 5 inch handle as you say. There are also other models that come up here on the forum as Deals of the Day that may fit your needs as well. Another and probably best option would be to email Ms Yangdu at himimp@aol.com and ask her what she has in stock. That size you want are usually fairly popular and avaliable in many styles. Good luck to ya!
 
I think your calculations are pretty close to accurate.

The last Padam Suga knife that was posted on DOD would have fit that criteria perfectly.

Several models pop up in that size range. Most of the KLVUKs if my memory isn't completely melted down are in the 14-15" range give or take.

What would be the primary task of a "personal khukri"?
 
That sounds about right, but sometimes the smaller knives have proportionately smaller handles (length and/or girth). Might be too small for your hand. Also, KLVUKs of 12-13" are few and far between. As I recall, most of them are in the 15-17" range for overall length.

You might want to consider one of the AK bowies, either regular length or mini. They tend to have longer handles in relation to the blade length. Of course that would not be a khukuri.

For a DOTD, you can measure the photo on your screen and estimate blade and handle lengths as fractions of the overall length, which Yangdu always provides.
 
The lastest variation of the mini bowie had a longer handle than the first making it more suitable for large hands. I hope they run another batch just like the first with the shorter handle myself. I think it's perfect but that's no secret.

I want a spare and also one to attempt a stag handle on. I think an IBBB with a stag handle in Pugs pants, well the thought takes my breath plumb away.
But as david said, they are not a khukri. One reason I asked about it's intended purpose.
 
The Bowie and Padam profiles are too thick for my tastes. I'm thinking of something thinner and more gracile such as a Siru or Chitlangi. The personal knife is for pruning chores in the garden, on my grape, kiwi, berry, fig and sunchoke plants. A handy blade that won't "spook the horses" during our park walks, yet big enough for the stray dogs that take an interest in ourselves or our cats (my wife has MS so is not rapidly mobile). A small kuk is likely to draw less attention than a large Western blade. I envision a inside the waistband carry on my off-side.
 
Now a 12" Siru is really a nice blade if your not planning to do any serious chopping. I use mine for pruning and cutting grapes, berry clusters etc. You could easily stuff it under your belt for crossdraw.
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The handle is a bit smaller than the fullsize family of Sirus at 4" including bolster but I have no problem with it at all. Overall that might be a great choice for your purpose. Chitlangi may also fit your needs but dont know if it comes in that length.
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I'm thinking Bashpati. Would fit the criteria pretty durn close.
 
See that Ndog, he called you a gent. Heck he called me a gent too. I think that's about the nicest thing anybody ever called me.
 
Yep! Ill take that to the bank! I dont think anyones ever called me that! Now if you back up one letter in the alphabet then yeah I been called that one a lot! I didnt think about the bash! Hey also the Pen knife! How could i forget:rolleyes: ..no ...forgetter's not the word i was refering to. Handle size is something to consider when you get down to 12 inches OAL. If you have big hands some of them may be too small. Theres the Bilton as well but I think its a fairly small one. Im also thinking those Baby Chiruwa Ang Kholas are cool too but I think they are more like 10" OAL
Bawanna said:
See that Ndog, he called you a gent. Heck he called me a gent too. I think that's about the nicest thing anybody ever called me.
Click to expand...
 
You two guys are the luckiest critters I know! First you sweet talk Mrs. Martino into giving you a gratis knife and then you cajole some trusting soul into thinking you're both nice guys and get paid a compliment by being call Gents. Well, you just watch and see. Next up we'll probably be seeing the POTUS saying you two don't have to pay taxes no more! Lucky, lucky, lucky.
 
POTUS could send me a check for a million and I'd toss it in the trash, I want nothing from him but a resignation.

I think the Pen Knife would be a great option too. Handles not large but for light to medium duty you don't need a big grip, plus they look cool as all get out.
 
Pen knife might be a bit of a "shocker" to the general public. It is pretty unique looking with that shape, and he did mention he prefers the thinner blades. from what I remember of the pen. if it a pretty fat belly.
 
I kind of resemble that fat belly comment.

The Pen Knife is fat or deep bellied but I don't know if I'd call it a shocker. Most everything we love would shock the lambs.

I think the Bashpati given the criteria might be the better choice but I do love my Pen Knife. I'm gonna hold it tonight. I haven't held it since........monday.
 
Monday? The poor thing must be feeling neglected. I understand what you mean about the "shock value" of all of our favorites. But some are slightly more "visually stunning" than others. I personally would think of a slender Siru or Chit as more "dangerous" than the wider blades that are more chopping tool, but I can understand why ClarksRifles might feel a totally khuk ignorant person might find the wider blades more scary. Either way with anything sharper than those plastic safety scissors some poor blade-phobic person is going to be panicking and saying "there is a man in the park weilding a sword." As for the "fat belled" I definately think I need to do more sweating and less devouring of goodies. I am starting to resemble the profile of a pen knife rather than the slim fast Kobra or Siru I would prefer to be shaped like. But I am goin to claim it is age. As I get older everything settles. So it isn't that I am bigger. It is all the same amount of me, just in a shorter rounder package :D
 
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