HI M43 questions

[pialia]

Hiya khukuri enthusiasts!

I'm looking to get an M43, dig the blade shape, sheath, handle and length. My concern is that of weight, I saw it listed as 18" 35 ounce in one of the for sale threads. I've handled Cold Steels San Mai III khukuri which is listed at 17" 22 ounce and it felt like a huge slab of steel. First of all, is the 35 ounce weigh-in correct? I much prefer the more traditional look over the tactical, but I'm concerned that ~35 ounces might be too much for me to handle. And since none of the other khukuris really appeal to me - mainly because of handle and blade shapes - the M43 is the only option. But I don't want to end up with a khukuri that won't see any use because it is too tiring to use.

Any input from you guys who own M43's would be great, even better if you could provide accurate numbers on what your blades weigh.

PS. If it isn't apparent it's going to be used mainly as an outdoor chopper/de-limber, replacing my GB wildlife hatchet(at 22 ounces) since I don't really enjoy handling an axe.

Many thanks
Pia

 

[MAC-F250]

I have the M43 and love it no i special ordered mine an 28OZ and it took awhile to get in. I do not have a scale to confirm that weight though. but let me tell you this thing is awesome. the balance the size the weight it handles everything that i can throw at it. it will sail through 1.5-2 inch hardwood saplings in a single swing, i cleared some brush on the property. I really got to put it through its paces over memorial day weekend went on a 4 camping trip. I used the M43 to process firewood, create tinder and fuzz sticks for starting a fire with char cloth and fire steel, batoned several pieces of 4-6 inch dried wood. However, the icing on the cake so to speak was the tree that my M43 took down. no let me caveat this for any nay-sayers out there this tree was partially uprooted during a storm and hanging up in another tree at an established private campsite. and the rule is only live tree maybe felled if they pose a danger to others i.e. along a hiking trail and close to the campsite and only if taking the tree down does not cause further damage to said campsite. now this pine tree was every bit of 60-70 feet in hieght and leaning at almost a 45 degree angle. I cleared some small underbrush with M43 and had 2 very good escape paths 90 degrees to the direction of the fall. This pine was about 16 inch in diameter. the whole process took me about 20 minutes for the tree to come down. couple things i learned start the cut very wide inorder for the knife to have room to continue as you get in there. Use the weight of the kukri maybe a little slower but save on the fatigue. (i am a rather large guy and tend use brute force over finesse. but all in all i am very pleased with its performance. it was still exceptionally sharp after the trip. yes needs a little honing but it will still easily do any task you ask of it no rolls no dings in the edge. my friend was so impressed with it all he kept saying was holy S*#t that's awesome. and he wanted to take it from me. the only complaint i do have is that the horn handle is a little slick when you start to sweat and a small portion of the bone handle chipped out at the very end of the handle by the pommel end. no big deal to me i will probably just fill it with some epoxy or re-handle it i dunno.

Speaking of re-handling it. if anyone has some good directions and links to a good supplier of micarta handle and pins screws etc i would love to see that. sorry for the rumbling on and on just wanted to share my expierces. and i did get a little bit a video of the tree being taken down filmed by my fiance. i will try and get that posted up for you all to see.

thanks for listening MAC

 

[alexs]

Most M-43 specimens I have seen are closer to 30-32oz rather than 35, but there are longer or thicker ones like the one you mention.

 

[pialia]

What's the word on the current kardas and chakmaks that come with the kukris? Are the majority of them just decorative or do they actually have the same standard as the main blade? I've read a lot of negativity regarding them, thinking I might just modify the sheath if they are no good and stick a small neck knife in there.

Edit: if any of you have made any sheath modifications, please share!

 

[peak]

As a all purpose kukri I think you'll be much happier with the CS gurkha, as a chopper any larger HI kukri are better. Can't say about M43 but I have a dui chirra which are very similar shape as a M34, and at 29oz the kukri feels very heavy at hands. Not sure why, it might be the shape of the kukri because few ounces shouldn't make too much of a different. The handle are very uncomfortable to my liking, so I have to reshape it. After reshaping the handle the kukri feel livelier but still not as fast as the CS. I would said try them in your hand if possible which are not an option for me. I'm sure some will feel more comfortable to your liking than the others.