I can use some help

J

JOE68

Joined
Jan 18, 2011
Messages
130
Hi,
I am very new to this forum thing so please excuse my ignorance.
How new?
Well it's my very first time ever.
I am contemplating a khukuri purchase from HI and am looking for input from the forum users.
I live in Canada so my chopping will be hardwoods and softwoods.
I will also use it for basic camp chores such as cutting rope and shelter building.
Generally an outdoor multi- tasker.
I stand 5'8" and 230lbs and no it is not all muscle.
I will be wearing on the belt or building my own shoulder rig.
I have narrowed down my selections to the following:
The Chiruwa Ang Khola
The WWII in 16"
The 18" Ang Khola
The 18" WWII
I have picked two from the medium size and two from the semi large size.
My question is which one do you think would be most suitable as a first purchase and why. I am looking for all input so as to help me make an informed decision.
I am leaning towards the CAK as it is full tang, seems to be the right size,
and after viewing the " khukuri dynamics" seems to fit my idea of looks right.
As this will also be my first khukuri purchase I want to make sure it is appropriate.
I know just enough about knives to realize that this is the company that I will give my business to as it stands by its products with a guarantee I can understand.
In the past I have always gone for production knives so this will also be my first hand forged knife as well.
Any other input would also be appreciated or things I should think about before purchasing.
Thanks in advance for all your help.
 
You've got a good list to pick from there.

Chiruwa or stick tang, the AK is my favorite blade design for general use and the WWII is second to it.

How serious will your chopping get?
 
You can't go wrong with the Chiruwa Ang Khola or WWII in any size. I would just add the M43 to the list and if you are persistent you might be able to grab on this forum a deal of the day for the rare Baby Ganga Ram Special, the Boncutter, and the lightweight Tamang. You could also special order those too.

P.S. My first HI kuk was the 16.5" Chiruwa Ang Khola; very versatile indeed, unless you are bringing down a forest.
 
Welcome to the forum

I will repeat what i've read time & time again, as I am a new guy myself.

"Go with what Khukuri calls to you." Keep in mind that a full tang Chiruwa will be heavier than an Ang Khola but both will get the job done for you. I just got my 1st Khuk about 2 weeks ago. I chose to go with the ASTK it has a chiruwa style tang. I just ordered 2 more tho' these things are addicting
 
Last edited:
Welcome, Joe:)

We always welcome a new face around here. Ask all the questions you want, and we'll be happy to help ya out.

Of the ones you listed, I'm going to have to say 18" WWII. The big difference between the 16.5" and 18" WWII (generally speaking of course) is that you gain a lil more grip in relation to blade with the 18" WWII. This doesn't sound like a big deal, but being able to choke up or down on the handle can transform your khuk into an entirely different animal.

I'll put it to you this way, and of course a khuk is ALWAYS a personal choice, I had a chiruwa AK and I gifted it to a friend. My second khuk was an 18" WWII, and now nine (geeze has it been that long?) years later it STILL is my go-to camping khuk:thumbup:

The good news, you can't make a bad choice;)

Once again, WELCOME!:D
 
JOE68-What they said and Welcome Aboard.

kevhen-A "Baby" Ganga Ram Special is anything smaller than the 21-22" model that Ganga Ram kami originally made. Mine is 18" and others have 15" models.

Peace

Rick
 
kevhen said:
...what size and weight is the baby Ganga Ram Special?
Click to expand...

Here are a couple DOTDs from last month:

17.5 inch 27 ounce villager fit and finish Ganga Ram by Tirtha.
12-06-10%20008.jpg


17.5 inch 31 ounce Villager fit and finish Ganga Ram by Tirtha. Satisal wood handle. White metal bolster and buttcap.
12-07-10%20003.jpg


[The happy owner of the first one happens to be me :D]
 
Thank you all for the warm welcome and the replies.
Input from people with experience is always the best.
 
I would consider these models (in order of preference) as the best all around choppers and utility models.

18" Bonecutter
18" M43
18" Ganga Ram
18" ASTK
Chiruwa AK

The Bonecutter and M43 are light enough to be carried and heavy enough to do just about any work you throw at them. I love my Murali Bonecutter and use it most often. It is always with me. [If you could find a traditionally sized M43 I would recommend that over any other model but the big handled, shorter bladed ones do not have the balance and feel of the originals.]

The WWII and CAK have far too big of a handle for me and are too heavy overall for my liking. They have weight and thickness but no advantage in capability compared to the lighter and more balanced M43 and Bonecutter. The M43 and Bonecutter are also more nimble so they do smaller tasks and finer work better and "should" come in at a considerably lighter weight. I don't have an ASTK or Ganga Ram but they have many many fans as well.

Good luck,
Bill
Virginia
 
I'm an M43 owner, and it hasn't failed me yet. ;)

Having said that, your choices seem sound. Haven't used any of them, but there are two things to bear in mind:

A) The CAK is the most heavily-warranted blade that HI carries, and the only that might do as an emergency pry bar.
B) There's a difference between khuks that are meant as tools, and those that are meant as weapons. There are also some in between. Blades like the AK, CAK, and Bonecutter are all-tool, blades like the Kobra and Sirupati are very weapon-y, and the military blades are somewhere in between.
 
I have to give a different opinion of the long handle. This opinion has changed since first grasping an HI khuk. Disclaimer: not only have I not been around HI khuks as long as many family members, I haven’t nearly the field use as many here. This is partially due to a shoulder injury and somewhat due to location. But, I am beginning to appreciate the long handled khuks. While not as aesthetically appealing, to me, as the short handled models, the long six plus inch handles really allow two khuks in one. My M43 has a 6 ¼“ handle and is about 19” overall. For reference, the postal scale puts it at 31.6 ounces. I can put the edge of my palm against the bell, and get a lot of leverage. It’s hard to stop that swing! Or I could choke up all the way to the cho if need be, acting like it’s a choil, with gloves of course, and it behaves like a much shorter and quicker knife. For a tool, I feel this adds much to the overall versatility. Kind of like a knife has a short grip while a tool has a long handle for leverage, I guess. Especially if I were really chopping some wood, like a person in a Canadian forest might be. Again, this is from mainly fondling, not hard use. I greatly appreciate the opinion of those who actually use their khuks as they were built to be used. I’ve learned a lot from those folks. But, I also see some big choppers sporting longer handles. Maybe not as handy, but more versatile. It makes me think the kamis know something we don't. I just wanted to add a different viewpoint:). Take care and God bless
 
I would go 16.5 to 18 inch Chiruwa AK.

If you are really going to use it for its intended purposes, the lifetime warranty may bring peace of mind.
 
Thanks Steve, I have a 18" 29 ounce GRS but I thought maybe there was one shorter/lighter called the Baby. It's shown on the bottom of the photo which includes the 29 ounce chiruwa BAS at the top, a Gelbu(sold) and a chit. So now I know that mine is the Baby in the family. It's a very handy blade and my favorite so far and one I will be keeping. The full handle appeals to me because I have a large hand. The other handles are a bit small for me, not in length but in thickness.
100_0878.jpg
 
Last edited:
stickfred said:
...A "Baby" Ganga Ram Special is anything smaller than the 21-22" model that Ganga Ram kami originally made. Mine is 18" and others have 15" models.
Click to expand...

I forgot to mention the 15" "Baby" Ganga Ram Specials, which I like very much, here are some DOTDs from last month:

14.5 inch 20 ounce Ganga Ram special by Rajkumar. Horn handle.
12-01-10%20003.jpg


15 inch 20 ounce Ganga Ram by Rajkumar the (prince). Walnut wood handle.
(photo not available)

14.5 inch 17 ounce Ganga Ram by RajKumar the (prince). Horn handle.
12-03-10%20006.jpg


What's embarrassing to me is that I momentarily forgot that I actually have one of these Babies, 15" length and 18 ounces, with wood handle. :o
 
Last edited:
Thanks everyone for your opinions and input.
My second question would be do you have a preference as to handle material, horn vs wood?
I would think that the horn would be more slippery in comparision to wood.
How do both materials respond when wearing winter gloves?
Let's face it; at least 4 months of the year minimum, there is snow on the ground.
I have added the GRS in 18" ( a baby GRS I guess) to the possible list as its lines appeal to me and some have recommended it based on experience.
My idea of fashion is always function first, form second.
What could be more fashionable than a khuk?
 
Either handle material will hold up with occasional oiling to fend off drying and the brittleness and cracking that result from drying. As far as use with gloves, it will depend upon the type of glove being used. I can see both handles being slippery with some gloves. The use of tennis/hockey/baseball bat tape has been used in the past to improve grip. Or use a glove with a "grippy" facing.

Glad you're getting your first khuk. A thrilling time indeed.

Peace

Rick

P.S.-Sorry you didn't keep your Gelbu kevhen, but I understand how a thinner handle in a larger hand wouldn't feel right.
 
I love HI prouducts and you can't go wrong with any mentioned

I have a bunch and a favorite of mine is a Dui Chirra

IMG-20101113-00026.jpg
 
I've tried a few of these, and although I don't have anywhere near the experience of most of these folks, after a few months I will say that I was very surprised at how good a chopper the lighter weight Tamang knife is. It is a great all around camp knife that is easier to use for most tasks and easier to carry, and chops almost as well as the AK! Even though it is maybe not as bulletproof as the heavier knives, it is still a very solid knife and a great performer. If I had to have only one, I think that the Tamang might be it for me! Just one opinion of course... Another good one is the villager CAK, they seem to be slightly smaller than the regular CAK, but still tough as nails and cheaper too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top