HI for my dad

N

Neolithx

Joined
Apr 14, 2015
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I am looking for some advice on a good blade for my father. He lives on 16 acres of woodlands where he regularly clears brush and de-limbs fallen trees. He has been using a simple machete, but it isn't cutting it. (no pun intended)

He is strong for his age, 80, but does have some limitations from knee and back surgeries that limit his ability to bend. I was thinking a longer sirupati would be good but has anyone here used one and how does it do for the tasks described

Thanks in advance
 
I must agree with Dirtbiker about the KLVUK. They have been known to be as short as 12", but the 15" is the most common/popular for general all around work. There have been some attractive ones lately on the DOTD. Check them out. Mrs. Martino MIGHT have one in stock so send her an email.
 
Bookie said:
I must agree with Dirtbiker about the KLVUK. They have been known to be as short as 12", but the 15" is the most common/popular for general all around work. There have been some attractive ones lately on the DOTD. Check them out. Mrs. Martino MIGHT have one in stock so send her an email.
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I would say 18" is perfect. A lighter, non-chiruwa style blade would be good for the tasks your father tackles. A sirupati might be a touch light. A WW2, chitlangi or a tamang would be ideal.
 
A WWII might be a bit much for an 80 yr old arthritic man to handle for long before he went back to something lighter...the OP seems to be looking for something with machete reach but a bit more bite when it hits...what he mentions certainly fits the bill...
if his dad can handle a lighter forest axe including reach then the WWII would be no problem....
 
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I have to agree with the OP. Siru is about the lightest you are going to get with a proper cutting edge for wood cutting and still have the reach of machete. With proper technique and care its weight may not be a problem depending on his strength and such. The Kobra edge may be too acute but it is lighter than Siru. A 21" Siru or Chitlangi may work well also if a 25" Siru is too heavy.
 
The Manakamana special is also a prime choice for a lighter weight kukri. The ASTK is one of my favorites. I have one that's under 26oz, it handles like a dream.
 
Thanks for all the great recommendations. I have a KLVUK 15" I love it but it is a bit too short for my dad because it often requires a bit of squatting and bending. if a 18" - 20" were available they would do nicely.

I will check out the Kobra, Chitlangi, Tamrang and the Manakamana in the 20" range.
 
My hats off to your dad for still being active like that at 80. He's a great inspiration for all of us.

I hope to be able to just enjoy fondling my HI knives, if I make it to 80.

My best to your dad.
 
Neolithx said:
Thanks for all the great recommendations. I have a KLVUK 15" I love it but it is a bit too short for my dad because it often requires a bit of squatting and bending. if a 18" - 20" were available they would do nicely.

I will check out the Kobra, Chitlangi, Tamrang and the Manakamana in the 20" range.
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If you contact Yangdu, make sure you specify the weight range that you would like. There's a lot of variation in weights, even for a specific model and length.

I have a Manakamana Special and an ASTK, and I recall the weights when they've been available. I consider these mid-weight models, not light weight. Of course any particular instance might be lighter than usual, and a bigger, stronger, fitter guy might consider them light weight. Also, the Manakamana Special and Tamangs are few and far between, whereas the Sirupati is one of the more common HI models.

I think your original idea of a Sirupati gives the best length-to-weight option for delimbing trees. The Kobra is more of a fighting blade, and the Chitlangi is essentially a fancier version of a Sirupati, with similar length, weight and blade shape. I happen to have a Kobra that's heftier than most and would do fine at delimbing trees, but it weighs more than most Kobras and is an exception.

For clearing brush a machete should be best. Maybe your Dad's machete isn't a good one, or needs sharpening. Although a Sirupati could clear brush it might be unnecessarily heavy for that purpose. I suppose it also depends on the kind of brush and how much needs to be cleared.
 
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