Hi Y'all

H

hollowdweller

Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
13,182
Hi,

Just managed to finally get logged on here. Been reading for a while. Have a few HI knives 18"AK, BAS, 15" Siru.., and my fave, the Ganga Ram that was in the last batch of blems. Looking forward to one of the Fox Folly ones also when the order comes in.

So for those in the know: How does the M43 compare to the Ganga Ram 18"? I didn't weigh mine(Ganga), but it was advertised as being 17" and a pound and a half. I thought the curve of the blade and the lighter weight might impede chopping, but I cut a downed, partially dry red oak about 9" diameter right in half with it in half the time it took me to do it with my 18" AK. Since the M43 has that kind of belly and curve too I'm wondering if it chops well too?
 
Hiya! Welcome! Hopefully some of the more knowledgable folks on here will be able to answer your questions.:)
 
Originally posted by donutsrule
Hiya! Welcome!
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I'll second that! :D I am not, however, one of the more knowledgeable folks. At least this'll knock it back up top again so everyone keeps seeing it! :)
 
Break out a duck call, you might get some... well, I was going to say informed, but at least you'll get an opinion. :D I don't have either of those so I can't really comment on their relative merits, but I will say welcome to the Cantina, we're glad to have you.
 
Welcome to the cantina. Judging by the khuks you already have, I guess there's no reason to warn you about the "khuk habit." Looks like you may already have it.:D
 
Welcome HollowDweller!! Hope you enjoy the cantina as well as your Khuks!
 
Welcome hollowdweller! I subjected my M43 to some extreme testing when I got my first one. It and the 18" GRS both outchop the 18" AK.

However, I prefer the GRS AND the 18" AK over the M43 for medium to heavy chopping tasks because of the M43 design. The M43's thinner handle profile and deeper blade bend make it want to twist in my hand when chopping. This twist causes lateral torque on the blade. Because my M43 has a much longer and thinner blade bevel than the other two, I don't want to risk damaging one when I've got other medium to large choppers available for the task.

I found that wrapping the M43 handle in grip-tape (the same kind you use on tennis rackets) to fatten it up in the middle somewhat alleviates the torquing tendency, and if you don't have large hands it may not even be a problem for you. Hope this helps.
 
Raghorn,

Thanks for the info. I experience that torque fatigue with my AK cause the edge is steeper and the handle bigger. Seems like I have chop harder and straighter down with it or it glances off.

The Ganga Ram seems to bite into the wood better maybe due to the thinner edge? Plus it cuts brush better too. Just seems to hit better where I aim it than my other ones.

I'll have to try to lay my hands on one of the M43's. Sounds like I might like it.
 
Sounds like I might like it.
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Of course! It's a khuk, ain't it??

I have an M43 and really like it. Haven't put it through a really hard workout, just some light chopping. I bought it for the shape.

Welcome.
 
Hollowdweller-- welcome to the Cantina. I've got an M-43. It's one of my favorites. Unfortunately, I don't have a Gunga Ram with which to compare it. I have two 18" AK's though, and the M-43 chops on a par with both of them.
--Josh
 
The GRS is pure magic. Even though I have broken 2 already, I still recommend them as choppers. The arc of the blade aids in chopping. Lots of belly for weight/strength and a thinner bevel for deeper cuts.

Maybe I turn into the Hulk when chopping with the GRS? I don't know what it is, but I'm not stopping until I find the GRS right for me. I really like it that much. There is something very magical about the design and feel of it - as a few of you have already mentioned. It's hard to describe, but very easy to recognize when it's in your hand.

Dan
 
Pend,

I'm with you on that. I know all the individual models vary, but ergonomically the GRS seems to be the best one. Least of the ones I have tried. I can see why you'd keep trying;) Maybe you could buy a blem, take the handle off and have somebody re harden the blade for you? I don't know it that is possible.
 
I've found that my BGRS (17", bura) didn't chop as well as my 18" AK (also Bura). Probably because the AK was significantly thinner. The baby ganga ram is pushing 3/4 of an inch at the widest point!!! (if my memory serves).

Maybe I need to do some sharpening and more testing. ;)
 
Welcome to the cantina! Sounds like you already have a good selection of khuks
The big difference between the M43 and BGRS (17") that we have is the balance. The very shape of the M43 makes it balance much further out on the blade than the BGRS. Both are about the same length but the BGRS is lighter. (BGRS - 17" 22oz. and the M43 - 18 1/2" and 29 oz.) This is probably due to the chiruwa construction of the M43. For an all around khuk I would prefer the BGRS because of the neutral balance makes a versatile chopper, kitchen knife, tree pruner and weapon if need be. Guess thats personal preference.
The thinner blade of the BGRS versus an AK will tend to make the BGRS(or M43) chop deeper than the AK. The blade binds less in the medium being cut. Either the BGRS of the M43 will chop like crazy. Won't vouch for any extra strength in the M43 due to chiruwa construction.
Balance makes the difference.
Have fun! and welcome!
 
HH,

Can you describe the chiruwa construction? I have never held one. I mean i can see the rivets from the pics but does the knife have seperate scales? Or, is the tang just wider and then pinned? Thanks for the info by the way.
 
Chiruwa handles are full-tang with slab handles. The tang is exposed. you can see some pics here

(This knife is going on a pass-around BTW, if you want to try it out for yourself :) )
 
That's how I thought they must be, but I had never seen a pic from the side of one before. Great testing article and pix by the way.
 
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