Help buying Kukri?

D

DarinB

Joined
May 11, 2003
Messages
5
Hi folks,

I'm thinking of buying a Kukri--Bill has directed me to the 15 inch Ang Khola.

Any thoughts from the group on this one--I'm new to this. I will be using it for:

1) Cutting wood for fires while camping (biggest use).
2) A sort of multipurpose tool for cutting, shallow trench digging (say, a few inches deep around tents, etc. (not often)
3) A self-defense sort of thing--it looks scary so it might serve to offer hesitation to would-be assailants (very rare to never).

Questions:

Do you think I'd be happier with a hand axe?

Do I need to sharpen it all the time? (In one review I read the user seemed to be sharpening it several times in the middle of a small job--not good--but I suspect he was getting a bit carried away.)

Will the handle be big enough for my hand (4 inches across the grip)?

Some revies have described a strong vibration in use cutting wood. Experiences?

Does the sheath tie the knife in in some way? I don't want to fall on a trail and have the thing fall out under me...?

Is there anything else I need to consider before making the purchase--I'm new to this.

If there is a choice in handle material which should I get?

Thanks for your help!

(Direct e-mails are welcome if you'd prefer that--darin@darinboville.com)

--Darin
 
You'd be wise to follow Uncle Bill's advice, he certainly knows what he's talking about.:D

Answers;

-Yes, the khukuri is far more versatile than a hand axe, especially if the hand axe isn't augmented by a sturdy belt knife

-No, you don't have to sharpen it all the time. Depends on the amount and the material you'll be cutting and how often you let the edge come into contact with dirt/rocks that could dull/damage any cutting tool

-The handle of a 15" Ang Khola will fit your hand perfectly, ask Uncle for one made by Sher or Kumar

-Let the weight of the tool do the work and strike your work material with the "sweet spot" centered along the belly of the blade, and you won't feel a bit of vibration. Ever play baseball/softball? If so, you know the difference in hand shock between hitting the ball right and hitting the ball wrong. Same deal

-Khuk scabbards don't have a safety/retaining device, but it's dirt simple to rig one yourself using anything from a velcro strap to a leather thong, or even an elastic hair "scrunchie" ala Ferrous Wheel

-Yeah there's something to consider, which khuk you'll wanna buy next. Think I'm kidding? Wait until you get your hands on one and see for yourself;)

-They're both great, I prefer horn, but wood is very pretty also and may hold up better in extremely arid environments. Get horn on this one and wood on the 18" AK, Ganga Ram Special, etc. you'll want to buy next (do not underestimate the power of HIKV young Jedi)

Good luck, have fun, read the safety thread, and Welcome to the Cantina!

Sarge

(who carries his 12" Ang Khola as a belt knife daily in Kuwait in absolutely open defiance of that whacko cave dwelling duck who claims "12 inches ain't no K":p )
 
That's right 12" Ang Khola EDC. Take that Quackipuss :p :D :p

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Sarge
 
Welcome Darin,

Following Uncle Bills advice is always your best bet.;) He has a good feel for what khuk will meet a persons proposed uses.
You will easily find the 15" AK a match for a hatchet. Far better, actually as Sarge stated. I tend to love khuks in the 18" and larger size personally. I like that extra whipping reach I get with the longer ones.:cool: Longer ones are not as easy to pack camping unless you mount them to your pack. That keeps them out of the way.
Going with a 15" AK is a great starting place, be assured. Later, when the HIKV sets in you can check out the other MANY sizes and shapes!!:D ;) :rolleyes:
 
Darin,
15"AK,!! VERY NICE!!You would find the 12" TOO small!Next you will want a Sirip. or a Gil.Special."VERY LIGHT & FAST"!FOR CAMPING & HIKING,15" IS PERFECT!!I'll say one thing about the 12",look at pic of Sarge(Snigger,hee)doesn't that pic of such a big man holding such a whimpy blade look funny!!12"is ok for 5yr.olds & girlie hands but SARGE AIN'T 5 YRS.OLD!!12"IS:barf:s!! Here's what's gonna happen,you will get the 15" & LOVE IT!!Swear you won't need another!
THEN IT HAPPENS!! WW2,IS SHOWN CHITLANG COMES UP,SIRIP.COMES UP,GANGA RAMS,M43'S DIFF.HANDLES,DIFF. LENGTHS!!! PANIC !! WHAT IF,GOTTA HAVE!!! AGGGGG!Calm down,don't panic,don't worry,there is "ONE" that can help,offers,aid,advice & is a TRUE calming influence!!AND RUSTY!!IT AIN'T!!You also can forget THE TWINS Pappy & Semper F! FREDRICO & IS "WAY,WAY" IN LA LA LAND!!KISMET AIN'T WRAPPED TIGHT,FERR.IS A MUSICIAN(whisper,he's sick)!!that ndn IS.... NOT ENOUGH TIME TO DESCRIBE HIM(a whole chapter of him will be ritten later)!!THEN THERE IS.....! Ah,don't worry,you will be well
taken care of in the Cantina!!WELCOME!!
JIM,aka,Tsimi,THE DUCK ...beloved as THE SAINT(humble,AND modest)






:cool: :cool:
 
DarinB

Pay no attention to JIM,aka,Tsimi,THE DUCK,Kukri4302, Quackipuss, etc.,etc. HE IS A NUT CASE!! Next he'll want to "test" and do research on what ever K you get with the "promise" of sending it back. HA,HA, fat chance.

Here is the best advice you will ever get on this forum. Get yourself a 16.5" Bura Chiruwa!!! (Make sure it is a Bura). It is perfect! You can chop, slice, dig, build houses, clear forests, use as a pry bar, and change the flow of rivers with that K! AND if it ever breaks (like never) Unnca Bill will send you another one. Best deal on the planet! Have fun and stay away from that DUCK! :D
 
Welcome to the cantina, Darin. Sarge and the rest of the guys are right; you can't go wrong by listening to Uncle Bill. He and the guys provided me with invaluable advice. You can't believe the size, power, beauty and overall presence of these blades until you hold them for the first time. And yes, start saving the nickles and dimes now, because you will be buying more in the future. It's hard to say which khuk is my favorite because I haven't held all of them, but so far the 18" AK and 18" Sirupati (both with wood handles) were my gems. They are now being carried by two Army Rangers. I don't know why I prefer wood but I seem to have a reverence for it. It does hold up better in the desert with minimal care.

As far as chopping wood, I took a BAS and an 18" AK and worked on a dead Mesquite tree. My two onlooking friends were absoutly amazed at what the blades did to the tree. I hit a six inch limb, which had been cut by a saw, perpendicular with the blade and it split almost to the trunk (a good foot and a half). The BAS was also impressive but required more effort on my part and didn't pack the punch.

So I guess the point is go with UB's suggestion. You can't go wrong with an AK in my opinion. Be sure to check the website for tips on sharpening the blade. These guys know what they're talking about.

Ben
 
Darrin:

I got my first khuk (an 18" AK) about two weeks ago and am waiting for my next one (a 12" AK)to arrive this week. Therefore, I am by no means an authority on them. However, my assessment of the 18" AK is that it will accomplish anything one would use a cruising axe for and is much more easily carried and resharpened. Therefore, a 15" AK should be more than equal to a hatchet.

The hardened zone on an AK appears much harder than the blade on a typical axe, so the khuk blade should require sharpening less frequently. Last weekend I spent a day cutting up dry oak pallets for firewood, wearing out two sawzall blades in the process. I split everything with the khuk and ended up with a pretty blunt blade at the end of the day. Initially I tried steeling it a few times, but it split just as well blunt so I let it go. That evening, it took me less than five minutes with a ceramic rod to get the edge so it would shave arm hair. Also, I hit a nail and put a big ding in the hardened area, but this all but came out with a sharpening steel (my chakma is a little too soft for a ding that size).

I absolutely hate retaining straps, and if you are traveling on your hind legs you shouldn't need one. If you are hanging upside down climbing into a deer stand it might be another story, but the curve of the khuk blade seems to assist in keeping it in the scabbard.

Anyway, when you get your AK (15" or whatever) you will be wondering how you got by without it.
 
There you have it, down the line: Trust Bill's judgement to meet your requirements. Truly an amazing guy.

Everyone of the responses (even parts of Mr. Clifton's) is spot on.

The odd thing is that you asked "Will I be happier with a hatchet?"
Hatchets are only tools. For some really unfathomable reason, you will have a RELATIONSHIP with your khukuri. No kidding, no hype, no exaggeration...you will think of it as a companion, not an instrument.

Best wishes on your decision.
 
Yep, you are doomed. I also began with a 15" AK,as counseled by Uncle Bill, then I got a Kumar Karda (that already went through Terry Sisco's hands), then an M43 by the star kami. Now I am saving for a Ganga Ram... There is no way to stop HIKV!:p

Tbar
 
"So what happened to that 15in Siru? Gave it away again did ya?"

Nope, it's clean, sharp, lightly oiled and tucked under my cot with my load bearing gear. I treat it as a weapon, which indeed it is, the little AK, on the other handy is a dandy camp knife, and carries well on the belt.:D

Sarge
 
Let an old retarded Marine welcome you to the Cantina. I can't add much of any thing to what you have already been told here. The 15" AK was the first Khuk that I ordered. I have never been sorry that I took Uncle Bills advice. It will do every thing around the camp site that you need to and then some. A comparable size hatchet would be grossly inadequate for your needs. Most of the kardas that come with these khuks are very good utility knives in their own right. You would not get that with the hatchet. Please enjoy whatever blade you decide to get and again welcome. :) :)
 
Don't worry, just put a nail in the headboard, nightstand, or wall so you can reach over and grab it in the dark. You'll be surprized how much better you sleep with it near at hand. If you take sleeping pills, the AK will pay for itself in a month or three in that way alone.
 
Originally posted by tbarahon
Yep, you are doomed.:)

Now I am saving for a Ganga Ram... There is no way to stop HIKV!:p

Tbar
Click to expand...

Tbar, is that a Ganga Ram or a Baby Ganga Ram you're saving for? You do realize the differences between the two do you not?;) :eek:


Darin welcome to the Psycho Ward.:)

Opinions around here are just that.:rolleyes:
What one guy likes another may not, but the one thing everyone agrees on is that a khuk will beat an axe any day of the week for camping and packing chores.:D
I used to be 5'10" and 200 Lbs. with little fat before 3 back surgeries cut me down to 5'7" and increased my weight to 272 Lbs.
The reason I said that is because the size of a khuk a man finds handy depends a lot on the size of the man IMO (In My Opinion), see there's that "opinion" thing again.;)
Personally I prefer the 18" range over the 15" ones for most work. The 18" will do more with less effort again IMO and besides the 18" range "fits" me better.
Bill sent me a 15" AK and I must admit it was a dayumed nice knife, but on the puny side as far as I was concerned and I already had my heart set on an 18" AK.
I gave the 15" AK to my dear wife Barb and it fits her to a
T!!!!
Yeah, the 18" models may not be as easy to carry or tie on a pack but it will do more when you get to where you're going without a whole lot of added weight.
To me it's worth it, might not be for you. I do have to say that everyone has steered you right, just only as they see it.

Personally I don't like the Chiruwa handles that much even if I do have a couple or three of them. They most certainly aren't my first choice when I'm ready to work with a khuk.
To me the extra vibration just isn't worth it as it tears the holy hell outta my carpal tunnel syndrome.YMMV.:D
 
An AK is a great place to start. As above, I'd get something in the 15-18" range, depending on use and your size.

15" is most like a hatchet in terms of reach and utility.

Chiruwa is what I started with, and a near-perfect size, in my opinion. That may be because my 15" AK is built like a tank - really thick spined, by Shankar, the "whiz kid" kami. My Chiruwa and 18" AK, both by Bura, seemed a little quicker in the hand. Hand shock wasn't really a problem with any of them. Probably comparable to a hatchet, or a bit less.

As far as sheath retention, the sheath is supposed to be snug at the top, which generally keeps things in place. If you happen to get a loose sheath, there are some tips here about how to tighten it up.

I think I prefer the horn handles for working, but the wood handles are fun to pretty up.

Overall, a khukuri is about 90% as efficient as a hatchet for splitting small wood, but with practice it's about the same. Khuks are more efficient choppers, and more efficient at many general camp tasks including general digging. I haven't really noticed any difference in edge-holding.

Just make sure you read the safety FAQ, and give yourself a little time to practice.
 
tHERE IS NO SUCH THING,as hikv!!NADA, NO WAY,IT IS A RUS CON JOB A#1 FIRST CLASS!! T here is "one" who has proven it can be beat!!
THE SAINT!:cool:
 
Hey Darin,

I was in the same boat as you a few months ago.

For a first khuk i wanted a real all-rounder.

I heeded Uncle Bill's advice and went for a 15"AK. - fantastic.

The decision was down to a BAS, 15"AK or 12"AK. In the end a 15" bura came up on Uncle Bill's Give away that day - its true about the right khuk finding you and not vice versa.

Having used the AK a lot i think that, while versatile, the BAS and any AK smaller than 15" would compramise its chopping ability - Its primary use for me.

Considering an axe? - I've put my khuk head to head against a 14" gerber axe:
The axe was heavier (25oz instead of my 19oz), but less tiring, probably because it was more efficient at chopping, so you didn't hack away for as long.
It was WAY less accurite when it came to getting rid of branches after we'd each felled a small tree meaning i finished first.
For pretty much the rest of the 'test' (we both constructed sort of lean to survivor type shelters) my mate had to change to a 5" blade bowie cause it tired him out doing anything except chopping with the axe, while i carried on with the AK.

Looks? - Khuk wins
Blade strength? - at one point the guy with the gerber, and a friend borrowing my AK were both attacking the same tree, swinging at the same spot one after the other. The axe suddenly got stuck and the owner couldn't pull it out before the khuk swung on it. The AK blade glanced right off the slab-back of the axe head and it was lucky it didn't take anyones arm off. Ther result was a scar in the gerber - with NO OBVIOUS DAMAGE TO THE KHUK!!!! theres testaent to how hard a Bura blade can be.

Handle size? - I read a thread on this forum recently about handle size. Generally between 5" and 6" handles - all the 15"AKs mentioned were 5".

Next khuk? - its just like Yvsa told it. I'm after something a little bigger.
 
Thank you to one and all for the outstanding responses to my post. I'm sending an e-mail to Bill right now to make final payment arrangements--should have my AK 15" soon. I'll report back and post something on my web page, too.

Thanks again for all of your help!

--Darin

Darin Boville
Fine Art Photography and Video
www.darinboville.com
 
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