Just received my GH >20" AK...

[X-Head]

And it's awesome! You know, it seems to me that due to the unique, individual nature of each khukuri (being handmade, one at a time), I tend to want to treat it like a prize fish I just caught (ie, measure it, weigh it, have my picture taken with it, gloat/brag over it, stare at it, clean it, maybe have it mounted, etc.).

Anyway, the first thing I wanted to do was measure it and weigh it, to post its "stats" here for you guys. Alas, I don't have access to an accurate scale and don't have a lot of time to hunt one down, so I'll post the weight here later. But I did measure the heck out of it, so unless it grows some more, here it is:

Overall L: 20-1/2"
Blade L: 14-1/4"
Blade Width @ widest section: 2-9/16"
Thickness @ base of blade: 9/16"
Weight: TBA

The handle on this AK is thicker and bigger overall (but not overkill, IMO), which is a BIG plus on a khuk this large. I have average size hands, and the grip is perfect for me. As you all know, gripping any kind of handle that is too thin or narrow in diameter is very fatiguing on your hands after a while. That's not a problem here. The grip is very snug and comfortable. The scabbard is well made and very snug. The frog is riveted together with large, heavy duty steel (?) rivets and the leather comprising it is very thick and high quality.
I haven't taken this out in the field yet, but I will in good time. Until then I'm fighting the urge to chop on the furniture with it.

Well, I give this AK two thumbs up and I'm going to be very careful using it or else I may never be able to give two thumbs up ever again.

Thanks, Craig!

Chris

[This message has been edited by X-Head (edited 03-28-2000).]

 

[Steven F]

Chris, I agree with your assessment of the 20" AK. In fact, I spent a good part of yesterday using mine to get rid of two old pine stumps. I did a lot of two-handed chopping and a lot of full-body prying (putting all my weight on the blade to pry chunks of the stumps out of the ground). When I finished, the AK was almost as sharp as when I started, the buttcap was still tight, and the stumps were only memories.

One of the things that impresses me most about the 20" AK is the workmanship -- it almost looks factory-made; there's none of the roughness, for want of a better term, sometimes associated with larger khukuris.

To me at least, the big 20 incher truly is an ax substitute. If nothing else, it makes the work more fun.

 

[X-Head]

Steven, I totally agree. You can perform the same task with the 20" AK that you can with a small-midsize axe, but using the axe seems a lot like work, whereas using the AK just makes it fun. For instance, how many of us ever get the urge to grab an axe and go around our yards looking for something to chop?

Man, I love this AK.

ATTENTION LURKERS: (for lack of a better term; lurkers are good and always welcome here

)

For those of you who have been reading these threads and stradling the fence on whether or not to get a khuk, I'm here to tell you the Gurkha House 20"+ Ang Khola (sp?) is a steal at $99. I jumped at the offer while they're still on sale. Even at their regular price you're getting a lot for your money. This is a low-cost way to acquire a genuine traditional NEPALI piece of hardwear (get it?)--a near indestructable, 100% hand-forged & hand-made, NEPALI khukuri--not some East Indian tourist trinket; this is the real McCoy. It's an excellent camping/utility tool, and a work of art. Although it's a little on the heavy side for a weapon, it could be used as such in a pinch, with devastating results if your timing is right. It actually makes chopping things fun; you'll grab your AK over your small axe every time. If you're into camping, hunting, homesteading, brush clearing, or even mundane yardwork, I highly recommend it. (Can you tell?)

PS-No, Craig didn't pay me to say this. But he'll never brag about his own stuff, so Steven & I will.

 

[Craig Gottlieb]

Well, thank God for "mistakes" (remember that the 20 inch AKs came as a result of the disasterous Christmas Order).

When I do brag, it's on behalf of the kamis. I have very little to do with the shape of the khukuris. Yes, I have helped "quality control" a bit, but for the most part, these babies are great right out of the box.

One comment by Steven caught my eye: he mentioned that on the 20 inch AK, "there's none of the roughness, for want of a better term, sometimes associated with larger khukuris." He's right on target - the larger the khukuri gets, the more often I find blades that don't pass muster. That's why the Buff Head is a purely special order item.

But back to the 20 inch AK - it won't be on sale much longer, as our huge supply of "oversized" khukuris has diminished to a managable size. Since the 18 inch AK is $99.00, I think the 20 incher will go for about $119.00.

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
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