Help me pull the trigger

ishacka82 · Apr 4, 2015

Hello Everyone

I have been lurking this forum for quite some time admiring all the beautiful pieces and I am finally ready to put my money where my mouth is

In August I will be visiting Costa Rica, and I would like to have my new companion ready to go with me. Is there a resource available that describes which models are choppers, fighters, utility ect? As much as I like the big choppers, this knife will probably not see that kind of use, although I guess I want something that is at least decent all around. Medium to lighter weight. Around 13-14 inches? Last, please take price into consideration, if some models are significantly cheaper I would concentrate on those.

Thanks if advance everyone, this is a great community of enthusiasts and I love reading everyone's comments.

Mr. Dickiss · Apr 4, 2015

What are you mainly going to use the knife for, what do you see yourself doing on the day to day that requires a knife. Also what is your build like, (stong, fit, etc.)

philllll · Apr 4, 2015

For a cheap, lightweight model you can't go wrong with a villager model like the KLVUK.

ishacka82 · Apr 4, 2015

The villager caught my eye. I would probably use it for clearing, processing smaller pieces of wood. I guess something that would replace a typical survival knife, but definitely bigger. I am in good shape, weight doesn't scare me off but I just don't see myself doing heavy work with it.

thefox0602 · Apr 4, 2015

Villagers are usually around 15" and low to mid 20oz range. However they don't come with a sheath if you are going to be carrying it and walking a lot.

snowwolf · Apr 4, 2015

As already said twice - I also support the KLVUK route.
You just need to find a sheath for it (I think the med funds sheaths are sold out - but worth double checking)

conan11 · Apr 4, 2015

15" m-43
15" Ang Khola
16.5 ww2
Gopte model.

I would check out all the Deal of the days for a bargin. I would get a model with a sheath so you can carry it safely

Alberta Ed · Apr 4, 2015

There is a wide variety of useful machetes and knives available in CR, some with sheaths, some without. Usually 1070 steel, good, tough stuff. Locals use them for everything.

Mr. Dickiss · Apr 4, 2015

The smallest of my users is a 15.5 inch AK Bowie and I think it makes an excellent all around user/utility blade. It weighs 29 ounces and is 1/2 inch thick.

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sawgrass · Apr 4, 2015

20" or 25" Sirupati would be good to have for clearing and such

Kanano · Apr 4, 2015

This dod from yesterday may just be the right one in terms of size weight and price if it is still available

15 inch 23 ounce Ang Khola by Bhakta. Grain mark on horn handle. Fine knife for $85

Very light for an AK - almost villager weight
Would have bought it myselft but have 7 kukris waiting to ship!

Rainbow4758 · Apr 4, 2015

Dont be suckered into something Big. An Ang khola of 15 inches, preferably on the lighter size for that size , A ww2, again on the Lighter size 22- 26 ounces TOPS is going to be the ticket. If your into clearing brush then get a Machete. Thats what they are designed to do.. For a camp knife that you will Carry, keep it "smaller" and simple. for batoning camp wood even a 15 inch AK is Big, For chopping up kinling, Small sticks and stuff like that A "smaller' one is fine.. For self defence? Why would anyone in there right mind take any knife to a possible gun fight? BTW, what you would really need is a good sharpening stone or system. BTW, use the heck out of it BEFORE you take whatever you buy, Only way you'll know if it will hold up and be practical for you as an individual, Right?

Mr. Dickiss · Apr 4, 2015

Rainbow4758 said:
Dont be suckered into something Big. An Ang khola of 15 inches, preferably on the lighter size for that size , A ww2, again on the Lighter size 22- 26 ounces TOPS is going to be the ticket. If your into clearing brush then get a Machete. Thats what they are designed to do.. For a camp knife that you will Carry, keep it "smaller" and simple. for batoning camp wood even a 15 inch AK is Big, For chopping up kinling, Small sticks and stuff like that A "smaller' one is fine.. For self defence? Why would anyone in there right mind take any knife to a possible gun fight? BTW, what you would really need is a good sharpening stone or system. BTW, use the heck out of it BEFORE you take whatever you buy, Only way you'll know if it will hold up and be practical for you as an individual, Right?

:thumbup:

Karda · Apr 4, 2015

Just as one should consider length for a particular task, weight is also a consideration...as is geometry. A persons stature, fitness and skill level all come into play. A shorter, lighter person who is not physically fit or particularly skillful with this type of blade may prefer smaller lighter khukuri than a larger person who is fit and skillful. Also, a smaller person with experience in these blades may prefer a heavier blade for some tasks.

For all intents and purposes, anything less than 16.5" isn't very workable for chopping wood. Conversely anything above that isn't very workable for brush cutting.
For brush cutting, weight must be the most considered as you will not have much of anything but your muscles to stop the arc of the blade. Even some of these smaller and lighter khukuri will go thru 1" branches like they aren't even there.

For this persons stated usage, I would recommend a 16.5" WWII model in the 24-28oz range. That way if hes in the bush and needs to chop for some reason, he will have enough length and weight to do so and the blade is covered under warranty for chopping.

For more info, that the OP has requested, I'd suggest taking time to read as much on this forum and especially in the "link library" at the top of the forum as possible before he sets out on his journey.

WFD · Apr 4, 2015

ishacka82 said:
...In August I will be visiting Costa Rica, and I would like to have my new companion ready to go with me...

There is an interesting thread about the knife laws in Costa Rica elsewhere in BladeForum at http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/818746-Costa-Rica-knife-laws although the thread is a little old, from 2011.

One person who drove there from the US had his HI Khuk confiscated at the Mexican border. From what I read, I'd be more concerned about getting to and from Costa Rica than in what happens when you are there, especially in a rural area.

Good luck and have fun with whatever you choose, they are all good knives. I started looking at HI khuks thinking I would get just one all-round khuk (an M-43, which is a fine one) and now have 14, with the 15th in the mail.

The thread I referenced above also mentions that you can buy almost anything locally so maybe you should buy something cheap once you are there and see if you can get it home with you, as a souvenir, so you don't have to risk your fine HI knife traveling.

- Bill D.

ishacka82 · Apr 4, 2015

Thanks guys, a lot of good points to consider. How do I go about learning the difference between an ak and a sirupati for example? That 85 ak caught my radar. It's the reason I started this post, I like the ak have no idea how it's different from the others.

WFD · Apr 4, 2015

snowwolf said:
As already said twice - I also support the KLVUK route.
You just need to find a sheath for it (I think the med funds sheaths are sold out - but worth double checking)

What are the "med funds sheaths"? I did a Google search and all I got was medical research

.

I also vote for the KLVUK - it's already one of my favorites.

- Bill D.

Karda · Apr 4, 2015

ishacka82 said:
Thanks guys, a lot of good points to consider. How do I go about learning the difference between an ak and a sirupati for example? That 85 ak caught my radar. It's the reason I started this post, I like the ak have no idea how it's different from the others.

The Ang Khola and Chiruwa Ang Khola have a wider blade than a Sirupate. They will also be heavier and thicker as a general rule.

Karda · Apr 4, 2015

WFD said:
What are the "med funds sheaths"? I did a Google search and all I got was medical research .

I also vote for the KLVUK - it's already one of my favorites.

- Bill D.

The medical fund sheaths were donated discontinued cold steel kukri sheaths and are long gone.

ndoghouse · Apr 4, 2015

If you know your terrain and know your not going to do any heavy duty chopping than like the guys said the KLVUK is a really nice bargain deal. If it were me and I knew id needed to do some light vine clearing, green springy brush and other tropical soft green woods then Id probably take along a longer lighter faster blade with some reach like a Chitlangi or even a Sirupati. A 17-18" would be a really fast knife you could use all day to whack through green stuff and still do some light chopping if needed to make a campfire or shelter. Personally id take a 21" but since you stated you wanted shorter then i guess theres the compromise. Dont underestimate the need for a longer reach blade. Thats why most use a machete anyway while trekking through the jungle.