Help me choose a classic Khukuri

C

Camellia

Joined
Jul 11, 2009
Messages
5
Hi there!

As total noob to all these Khukuris i should introduce myself to everyone as a university student from the UK. I plan to buy a Kukri sometime on the next two years.

My family come from Mauritius (i was born in the UK though!) and am an indian hindu so Khukhris are really close to my heart because i feel, just like the scottish do with a claymore, that it is a tool from (or at least decended from) MY culture. HI's products have REALLY stolen my heart!

I admit im not gonna be doing much hardcore chopping :D but i would just like a Khukuri that is the purest in the HI line. I was thinkin something with a curve to it (i.e. no a kink in the spine) and traditional classic lines, while still being a hardcore tool!

Also i was meaning to ask about the center ridge on the hadle. At first sight it looks uncomfortable...but i always think hundreds (if not thoudands) of years of Kami's knowledge cannot be ignored...are they more comfortable than they appear?

To be honest i love the look of the Ganga Ram. It's design looks timeless and ancient. So what does everyone think?
 
1.) If the Ganga Ram calls to you, then go for it. Uncle Bill used to say that you don't choose a kukri, a kukri chooses you. I thought it was mumbo jumbo, but it panned out to be true for me.

2.) The ridge is very nice to have, IMO. Some may come a bit sharp, but you can just round off the top with a file in a minute or two. It serves to keep your hand in place, especially from sliding forward. At first, I thought it'd be horrible, but now I don't like handles as much without them.

3.) If you're willing to wait (you said in the next 2 years, so. . .), someone had an M43 made with a traditional handle. If you want a nice, curving blade with a traditional handle, email Yangdu about making such a beast. Usually doesn't take too long for custom work.

ETA: It was Thalion, and here's his pics:
sideh.jpg

handle.jpg
 
Also i was meaning to ask about the center ridge on the hadle. At first sight it looks uncomfortable...but i always think hundreds (if not thoudands) of years of Kami's knowledge cannot be ignored...are they more comfortable than they appear?
Click to expand...

Really depends on the size of your hands relative to the size of the blade. With the smaller khukuris, it will generally end up in between your ring finger and pinkie. The larger ones, like the Ganga Ram, tend to be hand-and-a-half khukuris, and the ring will be between your hands. I might take pictures in a bit.

For a "pure" khukuri, it is indeed hard to go wrong with a Ganga Ram Special. Have you read the story of how the first batch was made?

http://www.himalayan-imports.com/faq/Kamis.htm

About 1/3rd of the way down that page.

Pics time!

Here's a 15" Sirupati's grip. It was made by Sher, so I included a tiger in the picture.
completelydifferentsher.jpg


In comparison, my 24" Giant Chitlangi Bowie, made by Vim. Unless I miss my guess, a full size 22" Ganga Ram Special will have about the same size of grip. I have no idea what Vim / Bhim means, sadly, so I just got the nearest stuffed animal and ended up with a Dwagon (not Dragon).
giantchitlangigrip.jpg


Sorry they're so washed out, but I had to use the flash, and I couldn't back up for obvious reasons.
 
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Thanks for all the input guys! And Ryan M i would love some pics!!!

(btw i thought i should mention that i am a guy...i dont know what possessed me to have the username "Camellia", it was the first name to come in my head and stuck there XD)

Oh and cpl Punishment...you've totally changed my mind...that M43 has chosen me. 100% in love with that knife. When i choose to buy one what do i have to ask Yangdu??? I know its custom but will we soon have the option to have handle ridges on the m43??? oh and can i ask to have the ridges made not to sharp (shallow ridges like on 15" Sirupati that Ryan M showed me) the
 
Welcome to the forum:)

The M-43 is a favorite of mine, and I'm sure Yangdu can special order you whatever you need.

The standard M-43 in the line up has a smooth grip with the same forward curving blade angle. It generally locks your hand into one position that makes slippage while chopping pretty much a moot point. This might be nice if you don't like the ring and want to use the khuk:)

If you DO want the traditional ring on the M-43, that's obviously doable. If it feels a bit pointy to your hand, just hit it with a little sand paper or a file. Part of the magic of the khuk choosing you is that you tend to bond with it as you slightly modify the handle to fit you best.

stick around and ask all the questions you want:) There are new items coming down the pipes all the time. Some of them are super innovative designs by forum members, some of them are kami representations of old designs picked up from local villages in Nepal.

Once again, welcome:):thumbup:
 
I'm sure she can help you; just ask her.

I know how you feel: I, too, came to the M43 as a "better second choice."

Being inclined to choose one of the military blades (since they were praised for their versatility), I first looked at the BAS, then decided to consider other models, as well, after reading some other people's reviews opinions. In particular, I heard about the merits ofa curved handle, and of full-tang/chiruwa construction. And since the M43 was the only military blade that offered either of those two traits, my course was decided
Ultimately, I settled on the M43 as offering the best of all worlds: a traditional outline & handle shape, modern design and handle construction, a kind of warrior history to it, jack-of-all-trades utility, and chopping power. After that, it was just a matter of waiting to find the right combination of fittings on the DotD's!
 
Welocme to HI and forum, Camellia
 
It generally locks your hand into one position that makes slippage while chopping pretty much a moot point. This might be nice if you don't like the ring and want to use the khuk
Click to expand...

IMO, the main utility of the ring, in the smaller models, is to keep your hand from sliding forward while stabbing. It is shaped to "grip" more if your hand is sliding "up" than "down."

Oh, yeah, one more choice of curved rather than angled spine khukuris - the Bonecutter!
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=604873
 
That blade is beyond georgeous. With a small center ridge on the handle it would be perfect for me : )

I think i know what to order next christmas!!! XD
 
Anyone mentioned the Dui Chirra yet? Big, curvy, two sweet fullers. I don't have one personally, but it definitely has a more ornate and old-fashioned quality that's appealing. Semi-rare though.
 
Hi and welcome to the HIKV anonymous group! :)))

Since I see my name mentioned here, I thought about dropping a line... First of all, I was exactly where you are now and it is really tough to decide. My first choice was the 18"WW2 model but there was something about that blade on the M43 that chose me too. I just loved it from the moment I saw it. So I thought about combining the two together and Yangdu was extremely kind to help me get my "dream khukuri". Trust me, you won't go wrong if you order it. Just ask Aunt Yangdu for the "Croatian Special" and she will know what you need :D

From what I can tell you, the ring in the middle is not sharp at all and not uncomfortable either. The blade of the M43 pulls heavily to front and the ring helps you maintain a good grip. You can choose to place the ring between your middle and ring finger for best grip but also between your ring and little finger which feels most comfortable to me. Since it comes between your fingers, it doesn't cause any discomfort at all. Truth be told, I haven't field tested it yet but having smaller hands myself, I think you would find the ring useful too. On the other hand, it also kind of looks more "traditional" too. To me at least.

Hope I helped a bit :)
 
By the way, just to make it harder for me, does anyone have any good pictures of the 18" Ganga Ram?

Also, Is the handle on the 18" Ganga Ram very large then, or would it be the same as any other 18" Khuk?
 
Camellia said:
Also, Is the handle on the 18" Ganga Ram very large then, or would it be the same as any other 18" Khuk?
Click to expand...

From my own experience most 18inch and smaller length Khuk's have a grip with a circumference of around 4 inches or less. But this is not certain.

Again, Yangdu is your friend. Ask her to pick a smaller sized grip. If that is not an option better to rule it out before buying it if possible.
 
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