Hello, just a few questions about the Chiruwa Ang Khola.

T

TheCanadian

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Sep 11, 2012
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Hello, my name is Hugh and I'm very interested in buying one of the Chiruwa Ang Khola kukri's once the shop re-opens but I had a few questions about it.

Has anyone ever broken one? I'm just a little guy so I doubt I'll hurt it but I still wonder. I intend to use it out in the woods and while camping.

On average how long is the blade? I know the overall length is 16 - 17 inches depending on the Kami who made it but how much is handle and how much is blade?

Would it be possible to have my name or initials engraved on the blade? I'd pay extra for that but it's not a deal breaker.

I'm left handed will that effect anything? Can I reverse the frog on the sheath to suit my needs? This also isn't a deal breaker.

I became interested in the Kukri after hearing about the Gurkha's feats during World War II. I then read up on the Gurkha's on the internet and after reading a few stories of the Gurkha's actions both past and present I decided I wanted a Kukri. Originally I wanted a British Army Service but decided to go for the Chiruwa Ang Khola as it seems much more uh... Tougher? I dunno how to describe it but I like tough tools and I am undeniably attracted to the Chiruwa Ang Khola.
 
While it is always a possibility of breaking one I dought that you would. Even the regular ones you would probably never break unless you were abusing them. You could probably go with something lighter/smaller and still be fine for what you are thinking of using it for

As for the initials it would have to be a special order but I am sure that yangdu would be able to do that though you would have to ask her to be sure

What part of Canada are you in btw?
 
If you haven't already go ahead and check this page out
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/653192-Himalayan-Imports-Limited-Lifetime-Warranty

The Chiruwa Ang Khola is warranted for use as a prybar. That's a sentiment in itself methinks :p

My 18" Ang Khola is about 6" handle 12" blade. This sucker is just at 2 lbs.
A Chiruwa model in your size range would probably weight about the same.

I used to want a Chiruwa model as well but when this one popped up for under $100 I couldn't help it.
After using it for a while I realized that it will never break on me. *fingers crossed* I can only imagine how long a CAK would last.
I have yet to handle a CAK but the balance on this knife is VERY front heavy and I suspect the chiruwa would pull it back a bit.
I prefer the front heaviness.
A 16-17" CAK would 1.5-2" in front of the handle.
So more balance for more control or heavier up front for big chopping power.
Either way you're getting an awesome knife. You should hang around and wait for DOTDs to pop up. Great deals!
 
with proper use you're not going to break these knives, the main advantage of the Chiruwa blade in my mind is the ability to more easily replace the handle, and it makes the blade much easier to baton through wood. The ang khola is a very functional blade made with use on wood in mind, and the Chiruwa model is one of the most durable knives that HI makes.

if youre interested in khukuri history check out
P3114006.jpg
this knife was made in 1941 and is straight out of the Nepalese armory and should give you an image of what a traditional knife looks like, a chiruwa ang khola is not only made out of better materials than this knife but has about twice the steel per inch on it. Be sure to read the warrenty information that has been posted by SLiu and to read the safety post here http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...t-and-Greatest-Safety-Thread-REQUIRED-READING! including the post on proper batoning technique at the end
 
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I find it funny when people ask if they might break a CAK.

Once you hold one for yourself you will exactly what I mean.
 
It is unbreakable under normal use. It is unbreakable under above-average use. It will break if one is determined to break it by power tools or sledgehammer ;)

I own mine for ages, a 3-pinned and 17 inch chiruwa by Murali (with HI khuks you know who the maker, makes it special somewhat :)) and done things in the forest with it that broke me instead of it. You'll be fine for life with a CAK :)

Note: I'm 5 foot 6 at 220 pounds and 16-17 inches is comfortable for me. If you are better built than me then a18-20 incher might be worth it to try. If not suitable then get a shorter one, heck it is 1/4 - 1/3 the price of a busse battle mistress so enjoy urself ;)
 
I live in Ontario, not too far from Toronto. I spend six months a year up a little north of Peterborough though.

The warranty on the Chiruwa Ang Khola was one of the things that attracted me to it after I read that thread. I tend to stick stick with tough tools and any knife that covers being used as a prybar screams toughness.

So I'm fairly confident that my 5'8" 110lb frame won't hurt the metal but eventually the horn or wood handle will wear out, is it hard to put a new handle on it? Would that be something I could do on my own? I don't know much about blacksmithing but I've renovated houses for 20 years with dad and know my way around wood and power tools.

I've read the safety thread and it's a good thing I did because I tend to wrap my hand around the sheath when drawing my knife and that's a nono with kukri's.

I read a bunch of the links on the Himalayan Imports Site about the history of the Kukri and Gurkha's and also read that one of the reasons for the higher price (besides the superior quality) was because Auntie Yangdu and Uncle Bill, rest his soul, would help out the people who make the knives. I'd rather pay extra to get a quality blade and know it wasn't made in a Chinese sweatshop by people who are being taken advantage of.

Also, as hard as I looked into couldn't find a single complaint against the Himalayan Imports kukri's. Where as the other shops seemed to be hit or miss.

Thank you everyone for your time, I also love how you guys don't try to sell me things, you let your work speak for itself.

I think what drew me to HI was the honesty with which the business is run. Every other sites I visited claimed to be the one true supplier of kukri's to the Gurkha's despite questionable quality. At least with HI I KNOW I'm getting quality.
 
If at some point you are going to be in Toronto and want to check out a few different models let me know and we can see about meeting up and you can check some out before you buy one
 
Really? That would be great, what area of Toronto are you at? I was born in Scarborough but I'm in the process of packing up for my six months in Youngs Point (near Peterborough) its up there where I intend to use in. I never really know that I'm going to Toronto until I am going but occasionally I know ahead of time so we'd be able to work a meeting.

I wouldn't have much to show you in return... I mean I got a Gerber Flik multitool and a Bear Grylls "ultimate survival knife" that I abuse... I want something better though and I think an HI Kukri is the answer.
 
I am in north York around steeles

You can email me through here and we can figure something out. Don't worry about not having anyone to show in return
 
Pyro, the other issue would be our concealed weapons laws, you walking around with a bag of big knives could be asking for a criminal record. Would there be somewhere we could meet that would be uh... Legal? I just don't want anyone getting in trouble for trying to help me. Also I used to live in North York at Jane and Wilson.

Issun, that blade is freakin' awesome.. And huge! Very pretty! Is there a video of proper batoning with an HI Kukri? I learn much better from watching rather than reading. Sometimes I have a hard time understanding what I read.
 
Okay, I'll have to keep that in mind.

Anyone got any ideas for the left hand thing? Could I get a left hand sheath for it or turn the frog?
 
You can turn the frog or from time to time Yangdu can get you a left handed sheath.
 
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Maybe once the shop reopens I can request one, I think a left handed sheath would be better that a right handed sheathed that I reverse myself. I'd really like to NOT have to tinker with it too much for fear I'll ruin it. Plus I'll trust it more if it's made that way by the pros and not just rigged together myself.
 
Your other option would be to have a custom Kydex sheath made one of the knife makers here in Toronto was quoting around 40-50$ to make me one
 
Hmm kydex would last longer but I do like the leather sheath that comes with it. Plus I'd have a hard time justifying another $50.00 after paying $220 for the CAK after shipping... Then there's taxes and customs I'll have to pay as well.

If I did want to get a kydex sheath made would I have to send the maker my kukri? That would be a deal breaker. Once I get my CAK I don't really want to send it away.
 
I can understand not wanting today more. And yes you would need to send it when having the sheath made
 
Yeah I figured as much... As cool as a kydex sheath would be I wouldn't be comfortable with sending it away after paying so much for it.
 
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