GH: Best All Around?

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Dave Fulton

Joined
Feb 11, 1999
Messages
568
Hi!

To Craig or anyone who has had the chance to use the Bhojpure, Panawal and World War models, I have a question.

Which of these do you think offers the **best possible** combination of chopping, brush clearing, cutting & slicing abilities? Of course, if you think there's a better one than the 3 I mentioned, feel free to add it to the list.

Thanks,

Dave Fulton
 
Unless you are going to be doing high strength work like prying, thinner blades will generally out cut thicker blades even when it comes to chopping. They will also cause fatigue to set in at a much slower rate. The only cutting advantage the thicker blades have is that they don't readily bind on soft wood, however even the thinner khukuris resist this as they are still decently thick.

This of course assumes that you are putting some effort into the slicing/chopping. If you are just letting the blades mass provide all the energy than the heavier blade will out perform the thinner one. However this is a really slow cutting rate. With even light effort the thin blades rapidly pull ahead. Depends of course on the relative mass though. You would have to put a fair amount of effort into a 1 lbs khukuri to out chop a 4 lbs one, but of course khukuris that size are fairly specialized. Clearing a trial with a 4 lbs khukuri is a sure way to work the forearms.

In short, the WWII model, assuming it is similar in geometry to the HI one which I think it is.

-Cliff
 
Couldn't say it better myself (I'd probably say it a lot worse, actually). But my conclusion is the same: Best all around award would go to the WWII. That's the one I carry when I go camping. It's a blem, but it performs nicely.

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
Dave F.,

I like the size of the WW the best, but the only other one I own is a SN1 (good length but not enough weight ....IMHO). I have handled some larger HI models, but haven't had an opportunity to chop with them. The WW is a solid all around performer. Slow and steady....let the weight of the blade cut for you.

If Cliff give the thumbs up for the WW size it has got to be good
smile.gif
.

Ray 'md2020'
 
I have a Service #1 and a Panawal. Both are great choppers. The Panawal is most certainly for heavy duty chores, the "Mack Truck" of the line-up. The SN1 is tough as nails, but lighter and faster, like a sooped up pick-up. I think the WW2 is the way to go if you're looking for the best compromise between the two. Just have a look at which blade was chosen as the basis for the WW3 limited edition
smile.gif
.

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When the world is at peace, a gentleman keeps his sword by his side.......
Sun-Tzu 400 BC

 
Craig,

Glad to be back. I was down for the count for a while with some kind of flu. It was one of those lingering things that I couldn't seem to get rid of. The medical equivalent of a tax audit.

Blackdog

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When the world is at peace, a gentleman keeps his sword by his side.......
Sun-Tzu 400 BC

 
Cliff,

IYHO, what length Khukuri would you buy for serious chopping? I have the WW and the SN1 made by GH. I like the length of the SN1, but the heft of the WW. GH makes a Panawal which seems like it would fit the bill. Blackdog mentions it above for serious chopping. I would like your thought to the length and weight issue. Do you feel that it is just personal preference? Do you think that the ideal one is proportional to your height as well as fitness?

My brother in law, just got a 20" that he like a lot for chopping. He is taking it to his camp next weekend and plans to put it thru some tests. He gave me a 18" HI to try out - the blade is more curved/bowed: fancier finish w/ checkered karda and chakma.

TIA,

Ray 'md2020'
 
Guess if I were to only have one khukuri, I would go with the WWII size. But frankly and thankfully, I am not restricted to just one.
smile.gif
The WWII size just does not have the chopping ability of some of my bigger khuks. For serious chopping, I am getting more and more into the larger khukuris 18" plus at around 2lbs and up. I love how the weight of the blade just goes through the wood.

I looking forward to a 20" plus chopper. I have to clarify that I used khukuris mostly to split firewood into kindling and to cut down fast growing poplar sapplings around camp.

If I were out hunting, I would carry the mini jungle -- light enough to carry for daylong outings but heavy enough to do chopping in case of an emergency overnight.

Extended backpacking I would probably take the WWII size khukuri. An extra pound ain't going to make a difference when the pack is already 70 plus lbs. I Just hike slow and plan an extra day or two for the distance which I always do anyway since I anticipate a good stream to hang around for day of fishing.

sing

AKTI #A000356


[This message has been edited by sing (edited 27 September 1999).]
 
Ray :

[blade specs.]

Do you feel that it is just personal preference?
Click to expand...

To quote from my brother, "Of course its personal preference. My preference being that it has to work right." In general, longer blades have the advantage of not having to require multiple angles of attack. Heavier blades have the advantage of requiring you to do less work and are very resistant to impact slips/twists. Thicker blades have the advantage of not binding readily in soft/moderate wood while having somewhat lower penetration than thinner blades. For example, the following has some direct comparisons between a machete and a Sirupati :

http://www.physics.mun.ca:80/~sstamp/knives/tramontina_machete.html

Note that review is not completed, it just has some revelant information. Now the question remains, do those big heavy blades have any disadvantage in regards to chopping? Well yes, they can be difficult to use at first if you have not handled heavy tools on a regular basis which is where personal ability comes into play. However you will quickly adapt to this and providing you use a sensible grip and pace it will not be a major problem. The upside to this is that everything else seems feather light.

-Cliff


[This message has been edited by Cliff Stamp (edited 27 September 1999).]
 
Thanks for the response, Cliff, and sing.

I used the 18" borrowed HI for a little while over the weekend, but I plan on chopping at a the same trunk after work. I also did some comparison chopping with my GH WW. I found myself being able to control the lighter WW more so than the 18" (wicked curved blade). I am not sure if it has to do more with the weight of the HI, or the blade geometry that I didn't care for. Perhaps I need to work out more often...lol.

I think I need to try a big 20" just to be sure
smile.gif
Slow and steady for sure. Sort of reminds me of bowling with the large ball vs. the candlepins.

Ray 'md2020'
 
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