Khukri for hunting

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chutestrate

Joined
Jul 23, 2008
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I'm looking for a kukhri for suplement my hunting gear. I'm looking at the 15 inch sirupati. What do you think? I would like to have a sheath made that is thinner than the traditional one so that it is a smaller package.
 
Depends what you're using it for. Siru's don't quite have the same chopping power as a Khuk of a different style of the same length. Personally, I have a 15" BAS and i think it is the best thing ever. Not too long, and one of the lighter 15" models, but still beefy enough to come close to an AK without the extra weight when it comes to chopping. If you're thinking of skinning, then you probably don't want a khukri, though a kerambit would do nicely (the ones sold here aren't true kerambits). Alternatively, you might try to get your hands on one of the 12" UBE's that float around. Still a good small chopper, but the up-turned blade allows them to be used for skinning more effectively than all the other khuks.

Hope that helps!
 
If I remember correctly, Sarge carried one in the sandbox, and felt it was a good balance of big knife/smaller khukuri. Compared to a bowie, it's a great chopper and camp knife.
Steve
 
I have one that ways a pound even.
While way smaller than my 16inch 32 oz CAK or 20inch 42 oz CAK it's larger and a better chopper than several 9inch blade Bowies.
No one considers a Bowie a small knife.
While I wouldn't want to build a log cabin with a 15inch Sirupati,it probably could.
For hunting I'd say It'd be great.
Just remember these are handmade knives.
Get a beefy one.

I actually have a 16oz 12inch that I believe was called a Yandu Special model by Sher.
It would work for hunting as well.
Very powerfull in a small package.
 
What do you mean by "kukri for hunting"?
Do you plan to kill the animal with it (like guys that hunt hogs with bowies)?
Do you plan to skin and prep the game with it?
Plan to use it for other camp chores, but not directly associated with the actual hunt?

If you want it for cutting through major bone and./or quartering and prying bone, I'd recommend a beefy blade like a 15" or bigger Ang Khola.

For finer work like skinning, I'd recommend a knife. If you want to stick to HI, I highly recommend an R-10, or if you have smaller hands, a JKM-1. You can also do it with a Kumar Karda, although they are a bit large for the task (but beefy enough if you want to pry and quarter with it).

R-10:
R-10a.jpg


JKM-1 (top):
JKM-1andgool.jpg


Kumar Karda:
KumarKarda3.jpg
 
I want something that is able to do some chopping/cutting. Weight is a concern so I'm not inclined to go with anything too heavy.
 
chutestrate, Welcome to the forums! When I lived at home we raised chickens, ducks, and geese and sometimes goats. We also had a cat or two and a dog. Used to cut up beef ribs all the time for my dog and sometimes the cats. Had an old 15" Sirupati with a somewhat thick edge. It handled chopping through bone okay, though it was slower going then my really thick 15" AK.

Not sure if my current 15" surupati could handle bone as well (thinner edge) I've never tried. But it probably could. I personally would be looking into an 18" Sirupati on the thicker side or a 15" AK or BAS. The reason for the 18" sirupati is because you might need to cut brush or trees and those extra 3" can really help with that.

Please let us know which you deside to get and remember, pictures of your blade are always apreciated. :) Thanks,

Heber
 
Thanks for the welcome. The advice is truly welcome. I was really leaning to the 15 in Surupati. I want something that will help me separate joints and clear shooting lanes if neccesary. I try to keep my gear to minimum which is why I am concerned about weight.
 
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IMO a Sirupate is going to be too light for separating of joints. I recommended the 15 inch AK to keep the weight down. If that's still too much, maybe look into a Chitlangi.
 
Trials and errors have led me to use the 12in AK villager exclusively for hunting duty. It is twelve ounces. Villagers have a longer handle, generally speaking, and are inconspicuous on belt.

It is my most-used khuk if I'm carrying one. In a car, probably a toss-up with the 15AK.

In the woods, I'm NOT going to build a cabin, so for the tasks of fire-wood or a sapling or two for bracing...the 12in AK does everything and does it well.

YMMV.




Kis
enjoy every sandwich
 
I think that the early style of YCS, as designed by Yvsa is the perfect companion for hunting. Actually the YCS was designed as a deer hunting companion. Mine, at 17 1/2" and about 27 or 28 oz is just right in the hunting companion role. New ones are just too darn big, and the kardas that come with them aren't proportioned like the early ones either.
 
I got my wife a 15" Chitlangi.

It's a very handy little khukuri.

She even uses it in the kitchen.

Food tastes better when it's prepared with a khukuri :D
 
Hi Chutestrate,

Welcome! The one thing I'd add that Kismet alluded to is that the different designs have different handle lengths, and it's a good idea to get one that fits your hand.

For me, the 15" CAK hilt is too short for my admittedly wide hands, as is the BAS. You can get a pretty decent guide to the size of the handles is at this HI page on Khukuri dynamics.

Have fun. There's a lot of good info here!

F
 
I have a 15" Siru, it will work for what your doing, Though my next will be an 18", the 15 lacks a little leverage.
Frankly, and I don't want to dissuade you from buying a Kuk, unless your going to be building a camp or doing some other chopping chores, an everyday 3-4 " fixed or folder will do the job of skinning, quartering, and boning any deer on the planet. I've done it with a little 2 1/2" folder, you don't chop through the joints, but cut THROUGH them.

If you want to just clean up shooting lanes, chop some kindling, or split a pelvis, the 15" will be fine.
 
Hi there and welcome,
I just hefted my wifes 12" Siru and my daughters 15" Siru and IMO they do fulfill the role of light weight carry and light chopper. I have watched them both use their Khuks to cut roasts, de-bone turkey and prep things like large cuts of short ribs. Though, when my wife builds her fences from very hard driftwood she sports the 12" Siru AND her 12" AK on her belt. But that may be just because she's so cool:) The handle is a little small for my comfort. Yet the forward feeling tip weight chops really nice and with a gloved hand I could use it for a longer period. My personal favorite has always been my WWII's as they have a bit of each animal in them:), but when I am clearing big wood for bonfires or making charcoal I use my 18" CAK, she bites like nobodies business.

Glad you got the khuk bug, and the Sirupate IS calling you. They do that:)

Mark
 
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chutestrate said:
Thanks for the welcome. The advice is truly welcome. I was really leaning to the 15 in Surupati. I want something that will help me separate joints and clear shooting lanes if neccesary. I try to keep my gear to minimum which is why I am concerned about weight.
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I used to tote a M43 made by Kesar, a thinner blade, when I hunted hogs. I switched to a WW2 16.5 " khukri but my 23 year old daughter took it for her camping trips. I now carry a 18" Gelbu Spcl, very similar to a Sirupati. I like it and use it for the reasons you stated. I like the weight to power ratio, and had no problems in the swamps and bush in Florida. I wanted a lighter blade to hack through the palmettos and a machette was too light for many chores.

Get a Sirupati or a Gelbu and you will be happy. I use a 20 inch Sirupati all the time driving in the bush.
 
I commonly carry a M-43 made by Bura. However in your case you may be better off with a BAS. My first kuk ever was a BAS though not by HI nad it was an excellent all around knife for what you are describing.
 
gcs said:
Frankly, and I don't want to dissuade you from buying a Kuk, unless your going to be building a camp or doing some other chopping chores, an everyday 3-4 " fixed or folder will do the job of skinning, quartering, and boning any deer on the planet. I've done it with a little 2 1/2" folder, you don't chop through the joints, but cut THROUGH them.

If you want to just clean up shooting lanes, chop some kindling, or split a pelvis, the 15" will be fine.
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Makes sense. :thumbup:
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. Happened to pick up a DOTD Gelbu Special, and I think this will be just the ticket. I carry a couple of folders with me, but on occasion I've wanted something bigger. The Gelbu Special seems to have the right weight, and length for me.
 
chutestrate said:
Happened to pick up a DOTD Gelbu Special, and I think this will be just the ticket. The Gelbu Special seems to have the right weight, and length for me.
Click to expand...

The choice has been made, so congratulations, but now its hoped that you will soon do a write up on its use with lots of photo's of the vegetation its chopped down. :)

ps. I have to say that I wish I had been cleaver enough to think of your 'handle' back in my handgun days! ;)
 
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