Hello everybody

Joined
Dec 28, 2010
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I've been doing a little homework on Khukuris & I've decided to ask for a little community help.

I'm looking at getting my 1st kuk which may just be the start of a collection.
I tend to go all out when I get into something

I'm interested in my 1st kuk to have a blade length of about 12" &
being that Himalayan-imports product description is oal
I figure an 18" oal would suffice?

Now i'm interested in either of the following works of art as my 1st baby
although I may ultimately end up with all of the 3 listed below & more :D
I'm leaning toward ak18:thumbup:

18" Ang Khola

M43

18" Ganga Ram Special

I'm looking for your input. I'm also wondering what are your thoughts on duracoating a Khukuri & getting a kydex sheath made.
Thank you all for your help as its appreciated

Sincerely,
dirtypaulie
forum newbie
 
Welcome to the H.I. subforum, dirtypaulie !

An 18" khukuri should give you approximately the length you want.
Be aware,though, that an 18" is a thick spined beast that is not an easy one to lug around for any length of time if you are camping or trekking. Baldric carry is best for these unless you like wearing your pants around your ankles.

Any of those you have listed are great pieces and all have their own following here.

As far as duracoating and kydex, you may wish to get a villager model if you are going to duracoat it. Villagers come with a satin finish instead of highly polished and will be easier to prepare for the duracoating.
I don't recall anyone ever doing this, but that doesnt mean you cant.
Again a baldric carry kydex sheath would probably be your best bet. There are several excellent kydex makers here at bladeforums.
 
Welcome to the HI Forum dirtypaulie. Glad to have you aboard. You've made an excellent choice for a first khukuri with Himalayan Imports.

For a 12" blade, you are correct in the choice of an 18" OAL khukuri. As for your trio of first choices, I would say Ganga Ram Special. It chops well and does seem to have a knack for landing where you intend it to compared to the others...I'm new here too and haven't worked out the mechanics yet, so this is only my opinion. The AK has the nice fullering and is a perennial favorite no matter what size, be it 15" or 20". There is also the option of the chiruwa handle in the AK (CAK) that is warranted for prybar use. I drop the M43 to the bottom of your list mostly due to the handle. For your first khukuri it is good to have one with the ring on the handle so that you can see how it helps to lock your hand on and the M43 doesn't have one. For your first it is a good idea to go with the one that is drawing you to it. You'll be happy that you got what you wanted for about a week and then you'll be on the prowl for the next one and the next one and the next one. You can't go wrong with any from your list. I don't know how you've researched but I would like to draw your attention to the Link Library Sticky and the Forum's Search function for both the Archives and Forum. Last and most important is the Safety Sticky.

Let me welcome you again. This is a great place to visit, learn from and share with others. I'm sure that some of those others will be along soon with additional input and opinions. Congratulations in advance on your first khukuri.

Rick
 
............ For your first it is a good idea to go with the one that is drawing you to it. You'll be happy that you got what you wanted for about a week and then you'll be on the prowl for the next one and the next one and the next one.
Rick

Sounds like you know me really well :D I have been checking out the link archives & a bunch of subjects, safety is priority tho'

does the ak18 come with a lanyard hole for some para cord?
 
Sounds like you know me really well :D

Over 20 in a year? Yeah, I got the HIKV (Himalayan Imports Khukuri Virus) real bad.

Glad to hear you've been researching the Archives and Forum. A gold mine of information-khukuri and otherwise.

Most HI khukuris don't come with a lanyard hole. With a regular, hidden tang handle it should be easy to drill through the handle material and sleeve it with some tubing.
 
something like this? Nice suggestion & I see why you would recommend me drilling a whole myself, thanks

12-23-10%20002.jpg
 
Someone around here had an M43 made with a snazzy lanyard hole. Who was it....Oh yea, it was me:)! A review is in the archives, not too far back, titled something like "Oh my...M43!" I'm amazed how it turned out. Yangdu can have the Kamis make anything you want. A lanyard hole is no problem. I haven't used my M43 really, due to a shoulder injury, but it feels great. The long handle offers a lot of flexibility. Good luck and take care.
 
I'll check out that review jdk1 any pics of the hole you made?

I seen you had them do it & waited that bad boy looks awesome
 
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Thank you Karda much appreciated I think I like the idea of an ASTK because of the finish & because of the lanyard hole do you know if those come 18" oal?
 
do you know if those come 18" oal?

Why yes they do, matter of fact. :D
A bunch were just sold for the holidays....some nice ones too.
I'm thinking there will be more soon.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=801916&highlight=18+astk

The only thing is paulie, and noones mentioned it yet.....
You don't really want a wrist lanyard on a khukuri, especially a large one.
If you should lose your grip, you have a large, sharp, flailing piece of metal attached to your wrist that will eventually contact some part of your body before you can regain control. Without a lanyard you are able to cast the khukuri away from you or at least have a chance to get out of the way. Ask Corporal Punishment about the khukuri that laughed at him.
 
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Just received a reply from an email I sent to Yangdu & she has them in stock. I replied to her & will be sending payment 1st thing Friday morning if not tomorrow
 
Thank You Karda, Stickfred & jdk1 for your input. The payment was sent. ya'll gentleman helped me pop my cherry on the decision of my 1st Kuk, lol. The Amar Singh Thapa Khukuri.

Was hard making a decision on the 1st but........

Over 20 in a year? Yeah, I got the HIKV (Himalayan Imports Khukuri Virus) real bad.

Pretty sure i'm infected. ;)
 
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