HI newb....few questions....

Gotsouthern

Gotsouthern

Joined
Sep 25, 2009
Messages
231
Okay these HI jobs have gotten my attention lately, and along with the purchase of my first dedicated, bad-a** chopper back in the fall (Desert Dogfather) I am now an unabashed fan of hacking up small, wayward trees and such. Lots more fun than shaving arm hair and slicing paper lol. I think I'm ready to see what all the fuss is about here but I have just a few ?? first. So, first, being a Maint and Tinkering sharpening geek and super-steel fan boy, what in God's name are these supposedly-indestructable things made of? Some manner of Nepalese Unobtainum or something? Second, in any of your estimations, will I see any marked improvement in performance with these over my DDF (mind you its a wicked chopper, anything under an inch is a one swipe proposition, and a 4" dia tree will go down in under 2 min)? Next, which one should I start with if the DDF is kinda my starting point otherwise? Lastly, are you, by Nepalese, International and/or forum law, allowed to own just one? Seems like if you buy one you might as well order 3 or 4 cause your gonna wind up with 'em anyhow lol. Thanks!!

Tom
 
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Hi Tom and welcome to the H.I. forum !!!
H.I. khuks are made of differentially hardened 5160 spring steel by master craftsmen.
I'm assuming that DDF= Desert Dogfather? Our 12"-15" khukuri will perform as good or better, and they get bigger from there. If you're into alot of heavy chopping, i would recommend any of our warranted choppers for the task :

1) Chiruwa Ang Khola (the only khukuri warranted for use as prybar)
2) Ang Khola
3) British Army Sevice
4) World War II
5) M-43
6) Ganga Ram Special
7) Bonecutter
8) Pen Knife
9) Ang Khola bowie

And the good news is that you can have as many as you can afford. There are longtime members here that have sizable collections. A small collection around here is 20 or so pieces.
 
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Well, first off, what are they made of?

They are forged from Mercedes truck leaf springs, probably 5160 or some other spring steel. They are then differentially hardened, such that the sweet spot is hard, the area around it is a little softer and the rest of the blade is softer yet. I think it goes from 56-60 Rc at the sweet spot to 50-52 at the spine.

Choppability depends on which style and what size you get. A 15" kukri will have about the same blade length as the Dogfather (kukris are measured for overall length, in a straight line from pommel to tip). The big choppers (Ang Khola, M43, Bonecutter) of equal or greater length than the Dogfather will out chop it. Especially the larger ones. My 20" CAK (Ang Khola with a pinned, exposed tang) makes my CGFBM look like a paring knife, chopping-wise.

There is a bit of technique to use a kukri well (read the stickies), but once you do, you'll be in love.

I favor the big brute choppers myself, and would recommend an 18" or larger CAK, M43 or Bone cutter for those tasks.

ETA: Sharked by the new mod!! You must have that list ready as a cut 'n' paste!
 
Sweet, thanks a bunch, that pretty well covers it. 5160 makes sense considering all the talk I've heard poking around on here. I'll do some further looking at those models you guys mentioned and go from there. If I know me, I rarely have less than 3 or 4 of a specific maker/company's blades that I like, so I'm sure I'll have a small selection in the future. Just from the pics, I really like the CAK and Ganga Ram, probably choose b/w the two to start with. I'll check up on those stickies as well get some tips on technique, I'm rather attached to my appendages and I'm sure a wayward swipe by one of these monsters would do no good at all for a finger or toe.

Thanks again!!
 
I think once you get one and learn how to use it properly, you'll really enjoy it.

Starting with one of the khukuris Karda listed is good. Those are the hard-use work horses of the bunch. You can actually chop logs with those! You could also go with one of the lighter models if you don't necessarily need a heavy wood cutter. Even though the other H.I. khukuris are not warranted for heavy use, you'd be surprised how tough they are. For example something like a Sirupati, Gelbu Special, or Chitlangi might not be the best choice for splitting oak logs for firewood, they're still certainly tough enough to dispatch a few saplings.

And you can get these khukuris SHARP. Yes indeedy. I recently shaved with one of my chitlangis. :cool:
 
Just from the pics, I really like the CAK and Ganga Ram, probably choose b/w the two to start with. I'll check up on those stickies as well get some tips on technique, I'm rather attached to my appendages and I'm sure a wayward swipe by one of these monsters would do no good at all for a finger or toe.

Thanks again!!
Click to expand...

Here are pics of the ganga ram I just got. :thumbup: It's a really well balanced blade.

Apologies for the so so photos. Its dark out right now and blades and guns are best photographed in diffused sunlight with no flash.

DSCF0091.JPG


It has a curved spine unlike the CAK and AK or my BAS.
From what I understand its harder to forge a smooth curved spine and chopping efficiency is better with the bend as seen on most khukuris. I like the handling on a curved spine kukri, reminds me of its bigger cousin the falcatta or kopis. :)

DSCF0090.JPG


DSCF0093.JPG


Edge Profile

DSCF0092.JPG
 
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Wow, those pictures are some serious kukri pr0n, so it's only suiting they are on a bed. I just wish this model came with a Chiruwa handle, but I guess that's why we have the Bonecutter which should be a regular offering on the shopping site.

Smooth curve or a sharp kink--they are both beautiful in their own right. It all depends on how the balance feels in the hand.

Congratulations!
Alex
 
alexs said:
Smooth curve or a sharp kink--they are both beautiful in their own right. It all depends on how the balance feels in the hand.
Click to expand...

It can always be custom ordered.


Here's a couple more pr0n pics for the OP:
20" CAK
100_0112.jpg



And if you like a continuous curve, it's hard to beat the M43:
100_0123.jpg
 
Just from the pics, I really like the CAK and Ganga Ram, probably choose b/w the two to start with. I'll check up on those stickies as well get some tips on technique, I'm rather attached to my appendages and I'm sure a wayward swipe by one of these monsters would do no good at all for a finger or toe.

Thanks again!!
Click to expand...

Aren't we all?! :D One wayward swipe will take a solid wood log let alone anything mushy on us humans. There's a cool cooking video on youtube of a professional chef using one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DHGlhFJH0g
Also the one I got is a villager model, as in non polished and what a nepali would use for chores. I like them non shiny, they got character that way.

Wow, those pictures are some serious kukri pr0n, so it's only suiting they are on a bed. I just wish this model came with a Chiruwa handle, but I guess that's why we have the Bonecutter which should be a regular offering on the shopping site.
Click to expand...

Everything but the bed in this apartment is made of wood and is a similar color to the handles. :) Just doing my part to increase the drooling going on all over keyboards in america and elsewhere. ;)
 
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Oh yeah?
I'll raise your SuperCAK and AR With kukZilla and AKs! :p

AKs and CAKs:
100_0121.jpg


So, Gotsouthern, did you order 4 or 5 yet??
:D
 
captlid said:
Just doing my part to increase the drooling going on all over keyboards in america and elsewhere. ;)
Click to expand...

You sure achieved your intent. Some, if not the best photo's of the Ganga Ram, I have seen. Now one is definitely on the wish list.:thumbup:

If one is after beauty and functionally in Khuk's, I feel it hard to go past this M-43 made by Sher Kami and originally owned and photographed by Ben Sweet.

HIAntlerhandleM43175inch27ouncebySh.jpg

HIM-43ownedbyBenSweethi1-7.jpg
 
Dang you guys don't fool around on this sub forum lol. Excellent pics thanks. One has officially been added to The Gotta Have It list (a small list I keep of thing I must have, helps keep me from buying things outside said list, or the entire list at one time :D

That Gangus Ram is a sick piece of steel to be sure. The lines of the curved spine really do something for the overall look of the blade.
 
Who joked that they'd rather get shot with the rifle than get whacked with the knife?! :p

Kukri's:
When you positively need to kill it on the first chop!!!!

AK-47:
When everyone in the room, has to die only settle for the best!!!

So what did you order, Southern? Inquiring minds want to know and obligatory pics must be posted. :D

Cpl Punishment said:
Oh yeah?
I'll raise your SuperCAK and AR With kukZilla and AKs! :p

AKs and CAKs:
100_0121.jpg


So, Gotsouthern, did you order 4 or 5 yet??
:D
Click to expand...
 
b.c.molin said:
If one is after beauty and functionally in Khuk's, I feel it hard to go past this M-43 made by Sher Kami and originally owned and photographed by Ben Sweet.
Click to expand...

Or, for beauty and functionality, there's what I consider one of the most beautiful kukris out there, the Dui Chirra, and of course, with it's nickname of the Nepali Swiss Army Knife, it comes with extra toys (er, tools):
(Yangdu's pics of the one I bought):
DuiChirra04.jpg

DuiChirra01.jpg

DuiChirra05.jpg
 
Cpl Punishment said:
Or, for beauty and functionality, there's what I consider one of the most beautiful kukris out there, the Dui Chirra, and of course, with it's nickname of the Nepali Swiss Army Knife, it comes with extra toys (er, tools):
(Yangdu's pics of the one I bought):
Click to expand...

Cpl, I couldn't agree with you more!

Picture of mine, from the dotd post, isn't as scenic as yours:

10-22-09%20002.jpg
 
Second, in any of your estimations, will I see any marked improvement in performance with these over my DDF (mind you its a wicked chopper, anything under an inch is a one swipe proposition, and a 4" dia tree will go down in under 2 min)?
Click to expand...

Looks like no one answered this specific question, surprisingly.

My advice is be careful, and start out slow!

I'd say that with one of the heavier duty 18-20" choppers, a strong arm, and good technique, a 3"+ branch can be cut through in one whack. Be very careful, and start out your chops weak. You really don't want it to be a surprise if you chop right through something! Especially if you're felling a small tree, those can fall in a completely unexpected direction if your first blow sails completely through (fortunately, I haven't done that).

And have another pic. If it absolutely has to be seperated into two different pieces on the very first try, get one of these.

short.jpg
 
I haven't been able to do the "one-swipe chop" on anything 1" or thicker (although there admittedly hasn't been much call for it). Maybe it just comes with practice.....
 
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