I am About To Buy my First Khukuri

C

cosco

Joined
Jul 1, 2004
Messages
118
Hi,

this is my first post here in this forum.
I came here from Bladeforums.

I would like someone to suggest me which blade to buy. I am just hesitating between these two:
15 inch Ang Khola and the British Army Service model.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of them beside the price. I think I could afford the Ang Khola but I am not experienced enough to make decision.
I would like to use the knife regulary in outdoor activities.

I have never handled any khukuri but I am sure it is the tool I need. I wish I could put hand on some to decide myself but do not know anybody here in Czech Republic who ownes even a single one.

One more question - probably for Uncle Bill himself:
Is there a chance to get one blade with some blemish for lower price? I live on tight budget.

Thank you for your patience.

cosco
 
Welcome to the Cantina, Cosco!:)

Both the Ang Khola (or AK) and the British Army Service (BAS) are fine first khuks. In my opinion, if you don't mind a little extra weight, then i would go with the AK. The things are tough as nails and won't let you down when you need it most. MY 15" AK has been through quite alot in the last 2 or 3 years. chopping, digging, prying, snow, heat, rain, a 40" fall off a cliff onto some jagged rocks, you name it! Finding a blem khuk on sale is easy. Just check the forum on a regular basis. Uncle Bill usually has blem specials a few times a week. AKs and BASs are pretty common. Good luck picking a khuk...or should i say letting the khuk pick you:) They have a weird way of doing that. Once again, welcome.


~Jake
 
Welcome to the cantina. Your post refers to your FIRST khukri. My guess is that soon you'll have at least one of each. The AK is the most popular and BAS the second most popular. If you check the forum for blems, Uncle Bill usualy puts up photos. That might help with the choice. Good luck with your soon to be collection.
 
Wow, that was fast :)

Thank you both for sharing your oppinions.
I am rather big guy and do not mind heavier tool.

cosco
 
I think you'll like the BAS, but as a bigger guy myself, I like the 18" WW2. :)
Both models you mentioned and the WW2 come up often in the blem box because they are popular models. Good luck, you can't go wrong with an HI khukuri.
 
I haven't tried the BAS or WWII yet, but you will love the 15" AK!
A most elegant tool, indeed! :D

Welcome!

Tom
 
Welcome! The two you mention are very similar, either should serve you well. I would base my decision upon which one comes up as a blem first. ;) Seriously. All of the khuks I own were bought as blems save one. They find me instead of the other way around.
 
IN theory, the little AK might chop a bit better, but in practise the two models deviate enough so a light AK will be a BAS and a heavy BAS a AK. If you really need to chop wood, get an 18" AK or WWll.

Welcome.



munk
 
munk said:
IN theory, the little AK might chop a bit better, but in practise the two models deviate enough so a light AK will be a BAS and a heavy BAS a AK. If you really need to chop wood, get an 18" AK or WWll.

Welcome.



munk
Click to expand...
Welcome Cosco.:D
I agree with Munk especially since you are a bigger guy. I'm 5'7" and used to be 5' 10 1/2" before medical problems and very husky built. The 15" AK was too small for me so I gave it too my wife and got myself an 18" AK. My favorite khuks generally run in the 17" to 18" range.
I personally don't have an 18" WW II but most of the guys are pretty positive about them. I have enough khuks in the same range that I don't feel the need for one.
If you can snag a 17" to 18" villager you will have yourself one of the best khuks ever made in my opinion no matter the model!:D
I have several villagers in this range and have given several away to family and friends.
You absolutely just cannot beat them!:cool:
 
Like everyone mentioned, best choices for 1st khukri are AK or BAS. I went with an 15" AK and when I first got it, thought it was like awesome....it still is awesome, but I find myself partial towards an M43, if you can get one :)
 
Cosco--welcome to the Cantina :) You won't be disappointed with either the 15" AK or the BAS. If you are a big guy with large hands, you might want to take a look at the 18" AK or a 16.5" or 18" WWII model--the handle might fit your hand a bit better. The main difference between the BAS and an AK is that the AK has fullers, or grooves forged into the side of the blade, which may affect the weight distribution of the blade a bit, making it a slightly better chopper. The BAS has a brass inlay strip instead of a fuller. My first khukuri was a BAS blem, and it's still one of my favorites. Both models show up pretty regularly as blems, for significant discounts. Blems are generally cosmetic--a slight crack in a handle or a spot of rust on a blade. They can usually be fixed with a small amount of effort.

--Josh
 
Read the Sticky on how to order up at the top.

Then go the the 7/1/04 deals thread and get one of what is left. Under twenty inches, and look for a weight that is one inch in length to one and a quarter/one and a half ounces per inch,

Example: a 16 inch khuk should weigh 20 ounces to 24 ounces. This is a rough rule of thumb but should give you a useful khuk. Heavier are more for heavier wood chopping, lighter more for all around. One inch to one ounce or less has a fighter's soul.

Stay away from the over 20" models - too diferent a feel, and you need to let a sub-20 incher teach you how to use it. 16 to 18 inches at the weight ratio I mentioned will do most anything you want if you learn to use it.

Good luck!
 
Looks like 15" 24 oz AK is still available at $95. That's about $20 more than an AK blem would cost, but is in perfect shape. A more than decent deal, and the #1 seller of the line. It would serve you well.
 
Thank you all for your advices. I really appreciate this warm wellcome.

I have ordered the AK special but have to see if yoippari wont get it. Anyway, I was offered blem BAS for less money by UB befor I placed my order for AK.

Things begin to spin up now. :)

cosco
 
A little tip, a couple of times I have been just a few minutes too late on emailing for a special deal and Uncle Bill still sold me something similar he had that was not listed for the same price.
 
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