help me choose one, and other thoughts

Joined
Jun 1, 2001
Messages
87
Hello, I've decided to order a khukuri, mostly for chopping, hiking, and camp use (not that I do much camping right now, but I want to be prepared). I'm tall and skinny, so I want a "traditional-style" khukuri that has enough power for chopping but is controllable by my less-than-muscular arms.
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In other words, no Ang Khola. I'd say my grip is medium (my BM 940 folder fits my palm perfectly). I'm leaning toward the WWII model, but I don't know if I should go with 16.5" or 18", or if there's another model I've overlooked.

In pictures, Gorkhas seem to wear the khukuri hanging behind the right leg with the handle curving to the left. How is it unsheathed from this position? I read a description somewhere but didn't really understand it. Some pictures would be great, if available.

I appreciate the recent "respect and safety" thread. Having just sliced my index finger (again) practicing the balisong, I don't want to imagine what one of these giant blades could do.

After lurking here for a little while, the thing that finally made me want to order was the "culture" that seems to go hand in hand with these blades. I'm not only speaking of the traditional Nepali craftmanship and tales of the Gorkha, but also the culture surrounding HI in this forum. A group that can admire the khukuri as art while simultaneously using it as a powerful tool is a group I want to join. You all seem like such nice people, not the "macho guys with huge blades" one might expect.
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Welcome to the Cantina, David.

The WWIIs make excellent all around khuks. The 16.5" model weighs around 1.5lbs, while the 18 incher weighs about 1.75lbs to slightly under 2lbs.

Some other likely candidates are the YCS and 18 Baby GRS. Both are light for their size (especially the YCS) and chop like larger and heavier khuks due to their large "belly". The 19" Gelbu Special is also highly regarded for its versatility. It probably really doesn't matter which one you choose, because it'll probably be the first of many to come.
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Bob

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The Milk Snake: Beautiful, harmless, good-natured, eats venomous snakes for lunch.
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Big Bob:
Welcome to the Cantina, David.

The WWIIs make excellent all around khuks. The 16.5" model weighs around 1.5lbs, while the 18 incher weighs about 1.75lbs to slightly under 2lbs.

Some other likely candidates are the YCS and 18 Baby GRS. Both are light for their size (especially the YCS) and chop like larger and heavier khuks due to their large "belly". The 19" Gelbu Special is also highly regarded for its versatility. It probably really doesn't matter which one you choose, because it'll probably be the first of many to come.
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Bob

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A few remarks, on the 12" Ang Khola model, please.

 
Hello David Park and welcome to the cantina
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"I want a "traditional-style" khukuri that has enough power for chopping but is controllable"...15" BAS. I have the 18"
WWII and it is too heavy and long to carry
for all around use(beautiful Khukuri though).
Concealed carry 'might' be possible with a
BAS also. My villager is 14" and very much resembles a BAS. Really good size to get the
job done and yet not become a hassle to tote.
Please see the bottom of the first link page http://www.tx3.net/~howardw/Khukuris/Training.htm
http://www.tx3.net/~howardw/Khukuris/Carry.htm

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The khukuri village idiot

[This message has been edited by billpaxton (edited 06-07-2001).]
 
David and Achilles:

Remarks on the 12" AK? Very, very nice blade. Light, maneuverable, heavy chopping power considering it's size. For hiking, CCW (where legal, and that ain't many places, permit or not) and general lightweight utility, it is worthy of full consideration. The 15" would add power, no doubt, and not enough additional weight to bother in most cases. Still, if hiking is to be a main event, the 12" will weigh a lot less at the end of the day.

As has been mentioned, it's only your first one, anyway. Like peanuts and potato chips, there is no such thing as "just one". Hang around - this is a rare group
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David,
Get a BAS for your first! This will give you a feel for the K. Thhis is great for hiking, camping etc. It's what I carry in my truck. Next choice would be a 16.5" WW2!
jim
 
Hello David, I am new here also and for much the same reasons as yourself. Seems to be a lot of fine people on this particular forum.
I just recently received my first HI Khukuri and it is everything it is represented to be. I chose a BGRS and while it's a treasure in it's own right I can confirm it is a little heavy for extended carry. My next Khukuri will probably be a BAS. But if your financial situation permits I would recommend the YCS. I've been seriously considering selling a gun to buy one. It's a beautiful knife designed by forum member Ysva as an all round outdoorsman's survival/utility kit.
Hopefully he'll be along shortly to tell you about it if he's not to modest.

Patrick
 
I would say BAS. I find that I use mine a lot, but I have been thinking of getting a 16.5" WWII. The 18" seems too big, might as well get an Ang Khola for the job. The BAS is a great start though.
 
Thanks for the replies everybody. The BAS looks like a good choice. I guess I have been lurking here too long, since my first thought was "only 15 inches?" Like you say, this is probably only my first khukuri of several.

billpaxton, the first link you mentioned was the description that confused me.
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">3)Reach around and grab the handle and pull it toward the draw hand by twisting the belt loop.At this point the K is horizontal(parallel to the floor) with the back of the scabbard pressing against you.</font>
The back of the scabbard is the convex curved part, right? So, to remove the khukuri your hand would move in an arc back and away from your body, parallel to the ground. It seems like this would be awkward. I suppose it would make more sense if I could try it myself.

 
Gelbu Special. has the reach for chopping and the thickness for stability, but the deep fullers take down the weight. Pala himself said the GS is the best all around khukri. And that's straight from the, er, Gorkha's mouth
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Tom

[Me am went to kolledge. Me can spel]

[This message has been edited by TomF (edited 06-07-2001).]
 
What do you mean we`re"not macho" and we "don't have big blades".Speak for yourself.Seriously though,I recommend the Baby Ganga Ram.That'll get you in shape for the GRS,then you won`t feel"inadequate" when the subject of "blade length" comes up again.Cheers,Mark
 
About the draw technique- try this. If you have a smaller sheath knife made for IWB or boot carry, clip it to your belt handle up, blade forward. Tilt it forward a bit. Now, rotate your right elbow out, curl your wrist so that your hand grips the knife with something like a saber grip. Draw and present the way it feels natural. Works best on drop-handled knives.

This feels a little weird on my shoulder. (But then I lift much and stretch little, and I think that has something to do with it.) It does seem to be unusually fast, though, and I think it approximates the technique you're trying to learn.
 
"The back of the scabbard is the convex curved part, right? So, to remove the khukuri
your hand would move in an arc back and away from your body, parallel to the ground.
"
Yes, thats exactly right. I think it may feel
more conceptually akward than it will when you actually do it with a Khukuri. The motion
is more of an 'J' shaped arc, out and curve-back, than a diagonal pull-back. Alot
of the movement involves the wrist and elbow verses the whole arm. The whole point here is
1) Safety: the spine of the Khukuri is next to you not the edge. 2) Protects the scabbard: because of the way the 'forces' are
applied the blade shouldn't cut through the
scabbard as it exits.

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The khukuri village idiot
 
No offense meant, MadMark.
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Doc and bill, thanks for the tips. I'll try them out when my khukuri arrives.

I decided to order the BAS. HI is currently out of stock so Bill offered a WWII, but given my wimpy girl-arms (hey, I'm a computer geek
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) I think the smaller BAS is probably a better choice. Hopefully the Nepal postal service will begin operating again soon. I'll let you all know when it arrives.
 
:
Welcome to the Cantina David!!!!
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Well it seems you've made your pick without me having to break my modesty in suggesting a YCS.
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But for a computer geek you might want to put it on your "to buy later" list.
You can do a search in the archives as well as a seach on the more recent posts about the YCS.
It seems everyone is finding their experiences with it the same as mine in that it does cut like a much heavier kukuri without the weight.
Even that crazy ( It is alright to use that word in reference to Tsimi isn't it Doc?
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) self appointed "researcher" likes his YCS too much and "thinks" it's too "pretty" to put it to work.
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Definitely a shortcoming in a "true" "researcher."
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Now speaking of "researchers" CLiff Stamp is a "True" "Researcher." Cliff wouldn't let a little thing like "pretty" come between him and testing a knife.
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Yvsa.

"VEGETARIAN".............
Indin word for lousy hunter.
 
NDN,
What you say, maybe true about a "True Researcher"but I'm human! The Ycs is just "perfect"now if I can "Scam" Blues &
get his plain one to use I'm set! Should't be too hard to talk Blues into anything! He's easy, it's almost not fair,only person that is easier is you!! hee!
jim
 
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