I am sort of leaning towards smaller khuks

Until I start lumberjacking or come across a pot of gold to feed my fancies my B:A:S: 15 inch 17 0unce is a hum dinger and suits my E:D:C: requirements .
However I am still dreaming of a 16 or 17 inch Sirupati in the 16 ounce range . I would like to explore the claims of ease of swing and manouverability .
I would think that much smaller or lighter would tend to defeat the design of the knife . I do have a mini cleaver at the house for finer work which I may replace with a Kukuuri of a similar weight . This would only be after consulting with Cantina members with more experience than I . What do you think of as a smaller Kukuuri and what would you want to use it for ? I,m no expert . I do believe that form follows function and a Kukuuri could do just about anything except cut the lawn and I gave up that notion unless its to find errant arrows ! Not that I ever miss ! L:O:L
 
hmmm...........what good is a 12 incher good for ??

:o dun need too much chopping in this part of the world......
 
It'd probably be a good idea to start with a mid-length kuk and get some experience. Your preferences will be shaped by using.
 
For what it's worth, I had to try all the large khuks before I figured out that I prefer the smaller ones. My favorite khuk is only 15" long.

Most of the 12" khukuris are useless for any real chopping. The 12" AK and the PK are notable exceptions.

It's amazing what kind of a difference only a few ounces and a few inches can make...
 
The smaller khuks are good for many slicing and cutting utility tasks. The 12" Sirupati is pretty popular for such tasks.

Bob
 
I have a 12" AK and it's got a great chop feel, but it doesn't feel as comfortable for other things like fighting or cutting to me. I like the 12" chitlangis aesthetically, but they wouldn't be in my first couple choices for a smaller khukuri I was going to use for anything.

One thing to consider is watching for oddball sizes in the 13" and 14" range.

14" BDC - This has held it's spot as my second favorite after my 20" M43. It's nice and light, easy to use as a fighter and has good chop to it. It's also one of the nicest looking, with a smooth black horn handle and double fullered blade.

13" Yangdu Katunje - Small, light and has an elegant simple design. It's got chop, a narrow but thick blade, and the handle fits my hand a lot better than the 12" AK or chitlangi. Oh, and it's neeeeemmmmm.

13" Pachtar - Really different looking and has the chitlangi-style cho. Balance is a lot different than the BDC and Katunje and it doesn't have the forward weight that gives that choppy feel, but there is chop to it, it's just further into the arc of the swing. It has a better thrusting point than the others.

YMMV, and I've noticed that what I like shifts a bit. After working out with a 37 oz. 20" WWII, my feel for the smaller blades shifts from when I've been working out with the 20" M43, 22" chitlangi, etc.
 
I like 18" 28 oz khuks. That's me. Other people like other models. That's life and free choice. HI makes a lot of different stuff and there's something for everyone.


munk
 
Does anyone here have any of the/ perefer any of the full tanged chiruwa style handles or not? Why?
 
aproy1101 said:
Does anyone here have any of the/ perefer any of the full tanged chiruwa style handles or not? Why?
Click to expand...

The 14" BDC has a Chiruwa style handle as does the M43, they are both a little different looking. They have what I think of as a Bura handle, which is smooth and more oval than round. He also put one on a BGRS a little while back that I saw looking through the archives. These are my favorite handles (and are on my two favorite khukuris).

I have a traditional chiruwa handle on a 16.5" village WWII, a 20" WWII, a 16.5" AK and a new 18" Yvsa Cherokee special.

The 16.5" WWII is my go-to khukuri that I use on a regular basis and I really like the feel of that handle. The 16.5" AK also has a nice feel to it. The 20" WWII and 18" YCS are really thick in a chiruwa handle at those sizes to me.
 
Almost all HI khuks are 'full tanged'. The chiruwa style according to many imparts more shock to the hand and wrist than does the conventional handle.


munk
 
Actually, my favorite knives that HI makes are the smaller ones like the the JKM-1 and the Sarge/KPH and the Kerambit. All of these see more use and carry than my bigger ones. Actually, i'm not a huge fan of the 15-18" khuks except for out and about hiking/camping. Typically, I do most of my wood cutting of any size with my YCS or my 22" GRS. I'm not a very big guy, but there isn't much I can't do with that GRS. If I HAD to carry only one khuk, then it would be the 18.5" YCS.

Jake
 
Astro IMO you need at least one 17"-18" khuk just to make your collection a little rounder and balanced.
Try to find a lighter BGRS in either of those lengths or in between.
The BGRS cuts like a much heavier khukuri and has long been one of my favorites.
Living in Hong Kong:( I can see why you would favor the smaller ones.
Do you ever get to visit any place where you can actually use your khuks in the manner that they're usually used in?

aproy1101 said:
Does anyone here have any of the/ perefer any of the full tanged chiruwa style handles or not? Why?
Click to expand...

A few of the guys like the Chiruwa style handles but I have never been a fan of them. Do a search and you will find loads of discussion on the whys and wherefores of the two different styled handles.
IMO there is just as much steel in the traditional style handle as there is the thinner Chiruwa style.
Some guys say they don't notice any difference in vibration chopping but I sure do.
A Chiruwa style khukuri will beat my hand, wrist and arm to death, especially my wrist since I've had the carpal bones removed and it is more sensitive too shock.
 
I really like my smaller Khuks but I think that you have to put it in perspective. I've been doing a lot of research trying to find the perfect hiking and light camping knife. I finally bought a Becker Crewman. I always have a folder and something like my Helle Odel and a SAK in the pack for light cutting. Last week I got one of my special 12" Ak's out and worked on the edge and handle. I decided that it is the perfect all around belt knife for me. I have complete confidence in it's strength and durability and could baton it through anything. It's also great at general cutting with the newly shaped and sharpened edge. Now I know that it could never compare to my 15" Ak or 18" WWII for chopping but I never really get out to where I would need this much chopping. I am certain that it would be much stronger and a lot better chopper than a Kabar or similiar blade or even my new Becker. So you get a lot of chopping for the compact and lightweigh package that you are carrying. Now if I knew that I was going to be way out in the wilderness for any amount of time I would definitely take one of the others. I really like my 15" Bura Siru too but for a lot of other reasons.
 
Yvsa said:
A few of the guys like the Chiruwa style handles but I have never been a fan of them. Do a search and you will find loads of discussion on the whys and wherefores of the two different styled handles.
Click to expand...

Just curious.... How did the Yvsa Cherokee Special end up with a chiruwa handle?
 
My opinion? Twelve inch AK is the most versitile for my uses.

I'm not going to chop down trees while camping. With a baton, it is the best compromise hatchet/knife I've found.

A Sarge on the belt, an Old Timer in my pocket, and I'm good to go.

Your mileage may vary.

Also, I'm old and don't want to carry more than I absolutely must.
 
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