How does the 18" WWII compare

SilverFoxKnows

SilverFoxKnows

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Sep 25, 2002
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to the 18" AK? Does anyone have both? That lonely blem is looking pretty attractive but I find the big horn handled WWII hypnotizes me. I've scoured the archives but I don't remember seeing a direct comparison. Help.:confused: :(

Frank
 
It will unltimately depend on the makers. In general an AK is heavier than the WWII but the makers and indivdual khuks vary greatly. It is quite possible to have a WWII that is heavier than an AK. The AK has fullers though in all cases.
 
SilverFoxKnows - My 18" AK and WWII are both about the same weight. The biggest difference between mine is balance. The weight distribution is much farther forward on the AK. It feels more like a chopper, whereas the WWII has a lighter, more balanced feel due to the balance point being nearer the handle. Hope this helps.
 
Though totally different my WW2 is like a baby AK. They both chop wood well but the WW2 is just a lot more managable (I only weight 140). Not light enough to be a good machete but if you go sailing through a small branch you will still have control.
 
Originally posted by pendentive
(A Hanuman is a nicely carved AK)
Click to expand...

My Hanuman feels nothing at all like my 18" AK. Even though they both fit perfectly into one another's scabbards, my Hanuman is one of those big blades that feels deceptively light. Maybe due to the large handle and deep fullers?

The UBE is another like that. Both feel like an extension of the hand - more like fighting blades than choppers.
 
Raghorn:

How does your Hanuman compare to other, heavier "fighting" blades like the the GS, Malla, or Chitlangi?

My Chiruwa AK also feels deceptively light due to it's great balance. In fact, it's center of mass is right at the cho. I'm going to buy another heavier "fighting" blade before Christmas, and have been leaning towards the Malla; but you've raised my curiosity with the Hanuman.
 
I can't speak for the Malla, but the 18" GS and Kobra are pretty much tied as my favorite all-around blades for anything less than heavy chopping. They're lightweight enough to be fast weapons and forward-weighted enough to be effective light choppers. And either will slip perfectly under the side straps of my backpack, which keeps it out of the way but easily accessible in the woods.

In my opinion the Hanuman compares most closely to my 21" Chitlangi in terms of balance and weight. Again, it's probably due in large part to the big handle and deep fullers found on both blades.

Edit: Keep in mind that when you get a Hanuman, it's like getting a Nepali Swiss-Army khuk. In addition to the karda and chakma, it comes with a chisel, awl, tweezers, tobacco/tinder pouch and button hook. You'd pretty much have to carry it in a pack because the scabbard is fairly wide.
 
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