I need some advise.

Bo

Joined
Aug 12, 1999
Messages
351
I am new to the khukuris. I just need a simple user, to cut tree limbs, roots and small chores around the house.

I finally decided I need one but which one? From study on the web site I am thinking about a 12" or 15" Ang Khola. What do the veterans of this forum think.

 
Bo, given the choices you specify, I'd opt for the 15 incher. However, what I'd actually recommend as an all-around utility khuk would be an 18" AK. Of course, I freely admit to being partial to the larger, beefier khuks. But with the 18" AK you would be able to do virtually anything without being unduly concerned about the knife's ability to handle it. To my way of thinking, the 18" AK is kinda like a .357 magnum -- it may not be the biggest or "baddest" thing around, but if you know how to use it, it'll definitely get the job done right, no questions asked. But one good thing about buying ANY HI khuk, you'll like whatever you decide on. And let's be realistic, you'll never settle for just one khuk -- so it doesn't matter what your first purchase is, it will not be your last.
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[This message has been edited by Steven F (edited 10-31-2000).]
 
:
Actually Bo I would recommend a thinner blade than the Ang Khola for the purpose you describe.
To do that kind of work and much more I would recommend that you get about a 17" village model that doesn't have the really nice finish you are not gonna want to scar up after you get it. Or at least most people don't.
If you have your heart set on an AK I would opt for the 15" as it will do most anything you want. It may be a tad slower than the 18" AK that
Steven and I both deem as favorites
but you will be able to get into closer places with the 15" AK.

On the other hand if you would like a nicely finished full fledged HI Khukuri a little longer then go for the 18" WW II. Will Kwan has stated many times that he can do almost as much work with his than he can his 18" AK.
I don't have the 18" WW II legitematelly, but I have the 18" WW II blade with a Hanuman handle and can see how Will is right.
HTH's.
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I forgot my manners!!!
Welcome to the forum Ron & Bo and any I may have missed!!!!
Sit down, pull up a stool and kick back, have a chew or smoke and the beverage of yer choice, ifen ya wanna.
smile.gif

------------------
>>>>---¥vsa---->®

"I would rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy."

........unknown, to me anyway........

Khukuri FAQ
Himalayan Imports Website

[This message has been edited by Yvsa (edited 10-31-2000).]
 
I too have an 18" Hanuman handled/WW2 bladed khuk that was the result of a misunderstanding of what was wanted.

( They wanted a batch of regular handled but Hanuman styled dui chirra bladed knives, but the blade and handle type got reversed. )

It and the 'hawk that my bro's cuz forged and he selected as having a spirit right for me and finished off will go with me when I'm laid to rest just in case you *can* take it with you.

And I have a 16.5 WW2 with a regular wood handle. In fact I have khuks 9" overall to 30" overall length. If I knew what I'd be doing with a khuk I'd take one appropriate to the task. If I didn't know what that would be, then I'd take a 16.5" or an 18" WW2.
 
Thanks for the info.

From the things every one has said I think the 15 inch AK will make a good first till I start learning more and pick others as time goes by.

Thanks
 
I live on 90 acres. I have tons of trees and shrubs that need to be whacked on a regular basis. I bought several full HI products: 18 AK, 19 GS, 18 Sir. They were all beautiful but that was a problem. I didn't want to hit things close to the ground or fences with them. I finally picked up a 15 inch full tang villager with a wood handle for $49. It has become my knife of choice. I whale away at whatever gets in my way. One day I went out and filled up five wheelbarrow loads of tree limbs and woody weeds in less than two hours. I was amazed and so was the wife (although she tried not to show it). These are the best deals Bill has and you don't feel bad when --- "thunk" --- you hit a rock or fence.

Gregg
 
Which is superior quality?

I do not mean Fit and finish, I mean the more durable handle, better heat treat, blade geometry. Which one cuts better and holds an edge better? From reading on the site It seems that HI has the better product over village khukuris.

If I buy to use I have no problem using.

It makes no sense to me to buy the best and use the second best.

[This message has been edited by Bo (edited 11-01-2000).]
 
Bo,

The HI factory models have more consistent quality control. Particular types of steel are used in the HI models, while a villager may have an unknown steel. The HI models tend to have a higher hardness along the edge than the villagers.

The villagers are more of a gamble. I believe HI does some quality checks on the villagers prior to purchasing them in Nepal. The villagers I have purchased from HI are all good working knives, but they do exhibit more variation than the HI factory models.

PS. I don't think you will regret getting the 15" AK. That was also my first purchace from HI. If I were starting over, I'd do it again.

[This message has been edited by Howard Wallace (edited 11-01-2000).]
 
Bo wrote:
It makes no sense to me to buy the best and use the second best.

That's true if the "second quality" doesn't work as well. That's why I tried to say how amazed I was with the general utility of that 15" Villager. My Sher made 18" AK is just too darn heavy. The 19" GS is very nice but really too big to carry around or to chop on something rather small. I would be really sad to take a chunk out of the blade as well. The 18" Sir was supposed to be a worker since I got it from Bill for only $75. But I love the wood handle and just the whole feel of the knife. It's hanging in there in the middle of a bunch of guns. I take it down to sharpen it or oil it but I don't take it outside to chop down trashy weeds. Sometimes something is worth more than its price.

The Villagers _work_ very well. It wouldn't do the people in the villages much good to have knives that didn't do the job.

Gregg
 
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