I've Read Til I'm Blind

Liveitloud

Liveitloud

Joined
Jul 1, 2006
Messages
2,901
So I have spent the last few mornings reading up on these beautiful knives. They interest me on several levels. I like their individual beauty. I really like what I read about how you have helped the community with employing people to make the knives.

What started the interest of all things is a production knife. Some time back I was looking at a Spyderco Khukuri designed by Ed Schemmp. I could not imagine why anyone would use such a strange looking knife.

Then I got one in my hand. The blade shape makes a cutting tool like I have never seen before. It has been discontinued probably due to the fact that people could not appreciate what they didn't understand.

Anyway I am trying to decide what my first HI knife should be and am asking for help or suggestions. I would like to try something modest in size but able to do small chopping chores.

I have been reading but the more I read the more choices come up and the more I realize I know nothing. :) I'm not even sure if my terminology is right but I like the Ang Khola and I kept seeing a knife called a Bonecutter that looked really nice.

I also saw several knives that looked cool such as the R-3, CAK, Villager and Gool. I just wanted to post and say hello to everyone instead of just asking a bunch of dumb questions in several different threads. I can consolidate them all here. :D

Any suggestions would be most welcome. Thanks
 
Welcome, Liveitloud!
Most people find that a 15" khukuri is more than adequate for a variety of chores from small jobs to being an easily packed camping tool. It will do just about any job very nicely without putting a strain on your arms or shoulder. Honestly, it all depends on your stature and fitness. Large people seem to feel that 15" is to small and opt for the larger khukuri.
As for which model to buy? That would have to come from you and what your tastes are.
Bear in mind though that while all H.I. khukuri are built tough enough to do most any job, only 10 models are warranted for Field Usage. The rest are for display or "general usage" as defined in the warranty.

Please be sure to familiarise yourself with the Ordering process for the DOTD sales and the safety sticky which can be found at the top of the forum and in the Link Library.
 
Definitely go through the link library if you haven't already. Especially look at the pictures. Find the ones that call to you, and then do a search for reviews on those specific models.

Bottom line is, just about any HI blade is going to be tougher than what you want to put it through. Most people lately seem to want something to do "general camp chores and some chopping". That's a vacation for an HI blade.
 
Thank you both for the information. I am looking for a knife to use not just look at. I have fairly small hands so I don't want something that I can't get the right grip on. I have been reading all of the links and I went through every single picture in your photo thread. What a pleasure that was!!

I am going to continue to look and read I just did not want to blast in here without greeting everyone. Bear with me asking questions because I really want to make an informed choice. Thanks again for your help!
 
Liveitloud,

During my very young scouting years, the image of a curved knife dented my memory and fast forward 15 years later, i managed to find an abyss of knowledge about it, not to mention a cantina full of supportive and sharing forumites who are ready to defend their love for khuks AND a lovely Auntie who try her best to answer your doubts.

I galloped from the geometries, constructions to the name of Kamis, the culture of Nepal, the history behind Gen.Amar Singh Thapa to Caterpillar steel and still reading about how a Chiruwa Angkhola was once used by a State Trooper to chop off a window where the Jaw of Life couldn't reach. That just made me want a Super CAK BADDD.

As i mentioned again, Karda and many of us here will enrich your experiences and we welcome you to share yours as well.

Ayo Gorkhali~!:D
 
JayGoliath said:
Liveitloud,

During my very young scouting years, the image of a curved knife dented my memory and fast forward 15 years later, i managed to find an abyss of knowledge about it, not to mention a cantina full of supportive and sharing forumites who are ready to defend their love for khuks AND a lovely Auntie who try her best to answer your doubts.

I galloped from the geometries, constructions to the name of Kamis, the culture of Nepal, the history behind Gen.Amar Singh Thapa to Caterpillar steel and still reading about how a Chiruwa Angkhola was once used by a State Trooper to chop off a window where the Jaw of Life couldn't reach. That just made me want a Super CAK BADDD.

As i mentioned again, Karda and many of us here will enrich your experiences and we welcome you to share yours as well.

Ayo Gorkhali~!:D
Click to expand...

JayGoliath thank you for your post and obvious love for the Khuks. I am starting to see that this is not a normal knife purchase if that makes sense. There seems to be so much history behind each blade that I just get lost in all the information.

Wood or Horn is it about... aesthetics or strength.

Solid handle or pinned... preference or strength

silver or gold

Size verses chopping ability

blade shape. length, belly.


Lots of stuff to take in. I am really enjoying the read. :thumbup:
 
Wood is slightly more durable to impact than horn and is preferable for hard use knives, but considering what the water buffalos put these things thru before they even end up on a blade, it is not much of a concern unless you are in the habit of throwing your blades or are negligent with them. Both take about the same amount of care. I like and have both.

Solid handle or pinned is up to you. It all is in what you prefer. The hidden tang models are just about as tough as a Chiruwa model. H.I. makes its hidden tangs beefier than the competitions and there is no concern of failure there.

I prefer silver, gold has never looked good on me, but it is nice to have.

Size verses chopping ability, blade shape. length, belly. You forgot weight.....all of these concerns should be weighed by the end user. It boils down to your size, stature and what you will be planning to use the khukuri for. All excel at doing work and being a khukuri, but some are more suited to certain jobs than others.
 
I do like the silver better. Thanks for the information on all my questions. I was thinking that the pinned handles would be more sturdy. I see that this is not the case. That helps a lot. I do prefer the look of wood. I would like something with a smooth handle is possible. Something along the lines for someone with smaller hands as well.

My basic needs for a Khukuri would be for camping, hiking and small brush clearing with some light small tree chopping ability. Not going to be cutting oil barrels in half or anything. :)
 
The silver colored bolsters and buttcap are usually "white metal" or Steel. White metal is basically a white brass. On occasion and by special order you may have real silver fittings. The gold colored fittings are traditional brass fittings.

By smooth handle, i am assuming you mean without the handle ring. All i can say is, don't knock it until you've tried it. Most people here will tell you that for the most part the rings are comfortable and they are there for retention. Most models come with the handle rings and to come without the piece will have to be special ordered. At times some models show up without them here on the forums. There are a few, like the M-43 and BDC that always come without the handle ring.

With the info you've given, i would recommend a khukuri in the 15"-18" range, as i said the model would have to be your choice.
 
So back to the drawing board. I will add the handle rings back on my list and keep looking. I do like the M-43 and the Bonecutter.

Thanks again for your help!
 
Liveitloud,

Before testing the Bonecutter from a forumite Cotherion, i never fancy the profile of it comparing to sharper looking khuk like say CAK (Chiruwa Ang Khola) but to my amazement, a 12inch outchops a 15inch CAK and it was done easily by a girl pal and she said she was motivated to keep chopping since the result was so clear.

If i still remember i read somewhere else,
Bonecutter = Ganga Ram's bulk + M43's bite.
 
Jay the Bonecutter is looking better and better but I can't find it listed for sale on the site.
 
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Liveitloud?

suggestion: get a 15 in AK villager. Use the bejayzuz out of it. Sand the sharpness off the handle ring and the butt cap top. Take off the point of the sheath and save it. Sharpen it. Dull it. Sharpen it again. Use the chakma to sharpen it. Use sandpaper and a mousepad or the like to sharpen it. Carry it for hours as you walk through woods (not recommended for office wear). Discolor the blade with tomato sauce or the like. Shine it up again.


THEN decide which model you want next.

Be safe. Read the safety tips.
 
Welcome...and listen to Kismet.:D

I started with a 15" villager in 2002, and I have...well, accumulated several more;)
 
Liveitloud,

Welcome to HI, not your average forum group :)

As said before, choose the one that speaks to you, after you hold your first HI, you'll hear a loud roar from the all the rest "speaking to you". :D
you'll soon find that one is just not enough! :cool:
 
Superintendent said:
Liveitloud,

Welcome to HI, not your average forum group :)

As said before, choose the one that speaks to you, after you hold your first HI, you'll hear a loud roar from the all the rest "speaking to you". :D
you'll soon find that one is just not enough! :cool:
Click to expand...

That's what I'm afraid of. About 5 years ago this funny looking knife with a hole in the blade caught my eye. Now I have 60 Spyderco's. :eek:

So Kismet you recommend an AK Villager? I will look into that one as well.

I really like the Bonecutter but can't find it for sale on the site.
 
That's what the links in my sig are for. Most of the models at this point I'd venture, are not on the web site. Since the bonecutter seems to be calling to you, email Yangdu about it, and she can tell you if she has what you want in stock, or she can order it for you.
 
I have sent an email about my interest in the BC as well as the M-43. Those are looking best to me at this moment. I'm afraid to look around much more or I'll get thrown off track. I can see this is going to be a problem on the wallet. :confused:
 
This might help. I've been compiling data based on the stats of various styles of khukri rating them as tools vs. weapons.

It's a 1 - 5 scale with a purely weapon at 1 to a purely chopping tool at 5. Keep in mind weapons can be used as lightweight tools and the power choppers can still be used as weapons.

1 - Kobra, Dharaine Chitlangi, Movie Model, Bura Snake, Chainpuri

2 - Panchthar Chitlangi, Sirupati

3 - Standard Chitlangi, Gelbu Special, Amar Singh Thapa, Malla, Tamang

4 - UBE, BAS, WW2, Ultimate Fighter, Yeti Hunter, Dui Chirra

5 - Ang Khola, Bonecutter, Ganga Ram Special, YCS, Foxy Folly



*Special Category*
(these khukris are equally both tool and weapon without being a compromise between the two. They are in a class of their own):

M43, Super CAK
 
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