Greetings from Juneau, Alaska! Question about kukris as well.

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dallsbeep

Joined
Sep 3, 2015
Messages
8
Hello all,


Just started researching Kukri a few days ago and have so far missed out on the DOTD which seem to be the best running deals so far. While camping up here in Alaska, I usually carry both an estwing camp axe and kbar and was hoping to consolidate to a Kukri for weight saving purposes. I dont want to get super cheap stuff as im a firm believer of the buy once, cry once mentality.


It seems as if theres quite a bit of competition for those DOTD and for good reason. I work on boats a week or two on and then a week or two off so it might be hard for me to get internet service to scoop up a good deal. Is it possible to get a Kukri for around 100-120 including shipping used? On that note, does anyone have one for around there that would be capable for using up here on hunting/camping trips? I have paypal and though im new on this forum, I have plenty of character references and such on thehighroad.org which is a firearms forum I frequent quite a bit.


Thanks for the long read and i look forward to hearing from you all!
 
You can try to catch a DOTD or just order up a Keshar Lal Villager Utility Knife / KLVUK, which is left finished rough, and use spare time to sand and lacquer handle and brass....those are well under $100....email Yangdu and tell her if you would like 1/4"+ thick or a lighter one....something around a pound or a bit more and 16"-18" will chop quite well, the lighter ones better for brush...you can do much with inside curve as for scraping/stripping etc and in the Cantina sub-forum Mr Weston made a bow using a khukuri for much of the work....Dear Yangdu posts DOTDs every day or three, and quite common if you watch enough....i normally just order straight through her via email and just buy what i want...

If you were shopping used knives, this entire forum does not allow such except paying members, sorry to say, who can post and buy/sell.....hard to beat a KLVUK for the money....handle is more typical short Nepali but you can reduce "horns" at pommel if it cramps your style....if you are around tomorrow, i can post photos of my KLVUK....it is a great all around....you might find anything larger/heavier a pain on longer totes...
 
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Warm welcome to the blade forum and HI,
I have KLVUK and Rai kami blanece knife for around $85 to $118
 
dallsbeep:

I agree that a KLVUK would probably be your best bet. Keshar Lal kami makes quite a few of them and Yangdu sells them here on the HI subforum. They are very well made, a good size for most purposes, well balanced and comfortable in the hand.

The prices are lower than most HI khukuris, mainly because Keshar Lal doesn't spend extra time on cosmetics like polishing the blade. In your environment, cosmetic features probably wouldn't last long anyway.

Here's a photo of mine. It's 16.5" overall length and weighs 22 oz. Easy to carry and you can use it all day without getting tired. The black on the blade are forging scales. That can be removed if you don't like it, by soaking the blade in vinegar for a day or two.

The KLVUK (Keshar Lal Villager Utility Knife) does not come with a sheath, but it's not hard to make a sheath from a variety of materials ranging from rough and cheap to very, very nice -- depending on your skills and interest. The sheath in this picture is pretty high end and was made by one of the "resident" leatherworkers who frequents this forum.

View attachment 574585
 
Dallsheep,
I'm going to give you a different perspective. Assuming, with your scheduling, you can catch a DOTD, you can find a variety of models for a few bucks more than a KLVUK. There is nothing wrong with a KLVUK, but you may prefer the balance, looks, and feel of other models.

I tend to use blades hard, and have found that for me, if I'm using a kuk for an all purpose knife/chopper, and I will be packing it on my person or in a pack, a 15" OAL with a weight between 25 and 27oz is about right. For that length and weight combo, you can chop a lot like an axe, but still have some of the dexterity of a large knife.
Just my opinion.
 
No argument he can shag a higher end knife for KLVUK price on a DOTD.....some are blems which might take a little extra TLC....personally, i would save up the extra $50 or so and just buy top end....whether WWII, 15" Ang Khola, M43, etc....most higher end knives would break his upper spending limit by maybe $80 at most and more like $50-$60 in general....many have more weatherproof horn handles available...

The only concern being i know Alaska hunting gear generally ends up looking as a weathered fence post in short order and i would not hesitate to paint a KLVUK international orange for protection and loss insurance....stuff can get wet and stay wet and then steamed indoors....it really depends on how gear gets treated as to whether i say bid high or low....but recommend high....

Also the consideration of sheathing the KLVUK....Dear Yangdu MIGHT be able to scrounge a reject sheath which fits, but, if not, he may as well buy a better finished and heavier duty knife for the same money....if belt carried....if only a tool wrapped and packed, sheath totally optional.
 
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Can't argue with that. All true. Good options from all also. It depends what you want to do, Dallsheep. My favorite is a 25-27oz 15" M43. Yet, I was lucky enough to snag a 25 oz BAS blem for about the same as a KLVUK. That BAS has turned out to be a great field knife, and will hone up nicely.

I'm not going to dis a KLVUK either, I've gotten 3 of those from Yangdu. They are nice, but a little light for an axe/long knife replacement.
 
When I got my KLVUK, I also had a Cold Steel Trailmaster in Carbon V and a Becker Brute. My son now has the two latter. Didn't need them anymore.:D--KV
 
dallsheep:

All the practical comments above are valid. One other consideration is your size, strength and fitness level. A few ounces make a big difference with these knives, and a shorter khukuri is easier to wield than a longer khukuri of the same weight. A 15" Ang khola or M43 or WWII model at, say, 26 oz might have the same "feel" as a 16.5" KLVUK of 22 oz.

In the end it might come down to what Yangdu has available when you email her.

Let us know what you end up with, and how it works out for you in the field.
 
Dobe_1 said:
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I'm not going to dis a KLVUK either, I've gotten 3 of those from Yangdu. They are nice, but a little light for an axe/long knife replacement.
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum dallsbeep.
I would have to agree with Dobe. The KLVUK is a wonderful knife but if your looking for something that will compare to the Estwing axe then you will likely need a blade with a more obtuse or thicker edge. I think chopping frozen wood with the thinner KLVUK edge profile would not be optimal.
I have a few of those axes. They are light axes but I do like the ergonomics of them. I would have to recommend the Ang Khola in 18" and if that is just too heavy drop down to 15". There have been AK in the DOTD's lately. An email to Yangdu might even reveal a blem for a good price.
 
i was going to say get one with a lanyard hole so you can tie a line to it. horrible to have slippery hands & see a favoured treasure fall overboard. i lost a personalised zippo lighter on a trip up the coast from seattle to juneau on my USCG cutter in a storm in the early 1970's...it, however, was found a few years ago on a beach in vancouver & they tracked me down & returned it. i suspect a similarly submerged khukuri may not be so lucky. i personally prefer the panawal gripped rounded spine profile of the M43 as a general purpose khuk.
 
Thank you all for your input and i apologize for the long delay. I just got off the boat and have a week to play! I came home to this...








I have gathered that these markings show who made them but i am unaware of the specifics. Can anyone tell me what you know about these marks/this maker?


It feels quite hefty. The leather sheath has good retention but i will be replacing it with kydex because leather + rain forest = rusty blade. The bone handle is pretty smooth, so i will be adding some athletic tape to keep it from being too slippery. The knife came to me quite sharp. I will have to google. how to sharpen convex edges but luckily dont need to do that right away because it is SHARP.

Looking forward to taking it for a spin while out camping.
 
Tis Purna (one of their newer kamis hired at turn of this past year) of the bulls head and his name first and last (Bishwakarma) which also is his caste as well as name of patron deity and shared by many kamis...opposite side is "Uncle Bill" memorial at his request and name of the company Bir Gorkha in their language (think i got all that right)....too many ways to sharpen to even begin...even on this forum alone....it is a beauty.....you sure had a nice present waiting and i salute your choice of bone or horn for up there.....my duty AK of yore kept the original sheath, drilled for drainage and lacquer poured through sheath twice, and leather gooped with whatever i could get my hands on.....it was still sound when i left it with someone who needed it worse....

On the sharpness, you will find what manner of sharp works best for you....for your purposes, you may improve what was supplied, or even detract from evident "sharpness" and it still work better for what you do......

The below is of Purna where found in another city and plying his trade and i believe when he was offered a job at the HI shop....


And then a very busy 7mths later after hiring on, then an earthquake destroying his apartment and the shop, and the new shop thrown up and grand opening, several shots of Purna sprinkled through all four or five pages....i compare the above photo to the photos of him at the shop.....
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1307297-Shop-Opening-BishwaKarma-Puja
 
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Grats bDeep! Yep Thats Purna. That is a beautiful Kothimoda! Definitely a special knife of special honor and Purna was chosen to fabricate that blade for a reason. He's freekin good! Enjoy! I have a place in my heart for Purna and his wifes support for his trade and hope that blade brings you the same lively soul that comes with all of his blades. Sarkis knocked that sheath out as well. Awesome rig! To me it looks like the beautifully fullered Chitlangi with the slightly thicker edge of the Gelbu Special that would put it closer to a chopper than a fighter but light enough to cross over to either task. Id be interested to see how you like it. Beautiful rig and craftsmanship:thumbup:
 
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