Khukri size - recommendations?

A

alberich

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Mar 15, 2005
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I'm considering additional khukri - a villager, and in size range 15" - 18". I plan it for camping, and some generic "outdoor usage" whatever it might be :-)

But I'm not sure what size (and type) would be best? Is there significant difference in feel and performance between 15" and 18" khukri anyway?
 
What is "most popular universal generic khukri size" among Ghurkas, among western population, what was WW2 khukri typical size?
 
alberich said:
I'm considering additional khukri - a villager, and in size range 15" - 18". I plan it for camping, and some generic "outdoor usage" whatever it might be :-)

But I'm not sure what size (and type) would be best? Is there significant difference in feel and performance between 15" and 18" khukri anyway?
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Depends a little on your size, height, weight, stamina. The Nepalese are typically smaller people than Americans, so you might not judge your carrying ability on what the Ghurkas carried. Personally I like the BAS as being a perfect carry size. I am 6'1" and 200lbs, but a little lazy.

I have a few Nepalese khuks, built for Nepalese (not Ghurkas) and they are small with a small grip.

I'd suggest a 15" Village HI khuk for all around. These are mad efor American hands.

If you are felling trees, something bigger or an axe --- or a chainsaw:D
 
I have an 18" Baby Ganga Ram villager that is my favorite all-arounder. It isn't as serious a chopper as an ang khola of similar length; nor is it as quick as a siru, but it does everything with aplomb.
 
General use: 15-16" BGRS or AK, or a 17" FF. Smaller is better if you're going to be doing a lot of walking.
Chopping wood: 18-20", several models are appropriate. Most folks like the GRS, AK, or WWII for this. I actually prefer the Jange myself.
Clearing brush: 25" Chitlangi or Kobra. The Chitlangi will handle the occasional tree or barbed wire fence better.

Had someone explained this to me when I first got started there'd be a lot fewer khukuris hanging on my work bench. :)
 
15" AK, BAS, or PK, 16.5" WWII, 17" FF or BGRS, 18" WWII. These are the most commonly preferred khuks for backpacking/camping. Suggestions for picking one would be to check the DOTDs for one that catches your eye and if nothing else, write the model names on pieces of paper and pull one out of a hat or other container.

Bob
 
Alberich, I use a villager 16 1/2" WWII for what you've described. Very happy with it ...
 
I have a 15"AK that I use for social situations that carries well...I made a different sheath for it to make it a bit more compact...It is at the upper limit of weight that I would carry camping

I will say that the 20" AK is on my short list of Khuks to get, although it might be on the heavy side;)

It just depends on what size you can handle
 
I go more by weight. I have a 24 oz kukri similar to the WWII style. It's capable of cutting very substantial trees. I also have an 18 oz kukri [ agrussell version] which I use for cutting lighter stuff. So it depends on what you're going to cut.
 
The age old question does size matter.... sorry couldn't help it:D

For me its the use, 15" light for a fighter but for general utility I like my 18" AK its a little more behind it but still easy to move. The rest of my khuks I don't use for work so I tend to buy smaller blades.
 
OK, thanks to you all for the opinions - just saw a 17.5 villager in Yangdu's offer and tried to grab it. I'm cca 6'5", 190 lbs so this might work well.. not that I'm wrestling champion but I suppose I might handle the knife.
 
There is another thing I would like to know - do anybody own and use small khukries - size about 9 inches - for everyday "concealed" carry, we city office rats can handly carry a grown khukri on daily basis. :-)

I wonder, does it work in the small size? On HI page is the story about Yangdu, 9inch khukri and the night bus, but still it seems to be too short and light for swinging, I'd expect something like a cutting draw at very close quarters. Does this work with this type of blade/edge? Don't shoot me for the noob question, I have very little knowledge about blade constructions and sharpening.
 
alberich said:
What is "most popular universal generic khukri size" among Ghurkas, among western population, what was WW2 khukri typical size?
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Well from what I have seen...

WW2 issue is mainly 12 & 13 inch blades.

In Nepali villages mainly 11 inch to 16 inch blades, {a few up to 18 inch.}

Western? well these guys have already told you that.

Spiral
 
alberich said:
There is another thing I would like to know - do anybody own and use small khukries - size about 9 inches - for everyday "concealed" carry, we city office rats can handly carry a grown khukri on daily basis. :-)

I wonder, does it work in the small size? On HI page is the story about Yangdu, 9inch khukri and the night bus, but still it seems to be too short and light for swinging, I'd expect something like a cutting draw at very close quarters. Does this work with this type of blade/edge? Don't shoot me for the noob question, I have very little knowledge about blade constructions and sharpening.
Click to expand...

No, that's a legitimate question. I remember that I sold several 9" biltons to a guy (whose name totally escapes me!) who used them daily for his lunch utensils and daily little chores.

Sharpen it up and get a decent sheath for it and I don't know why not. Most of the scabbards are either the sash type red/black/yellow on white metal by Sarge, or leather covered wooden ones, and wouldn't be that quick to deploy. There are plenty of guys who could make you a nice little sheath for a bilton sized knife, either in kydex (horrors!) or leather.

You aren't going to be doing any chopping with it, but as a general purpose knife it should work fine. The biggest drawback to me on these is the handles are kind of short in that size, and not always comfortable (although look for a chainpuri style handle and you should be OK), so I think you would be almost as well served by a nice JKM-1 or one of these scrimmed R-6's from yesterday and today that seem to be sitting for some amazing reason, at 35% less than what I paid. :eek: ;)

Norm
 
Has the khukri blade shape at this size (i.e. used for slicing, not chopping) any advantage compared to typical straight blade?
 
alberich said:
Has the khukri blade shape at this size (i.e. used for slicing, not chopping) any advantage compared to typical straight blade?
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Not really in my opinion. That is, I think that the khukuri shines more as it gets larger with more of the weight blade forward, which is why so many are in the 15-18" OAL range and are superlative choppers and large slicers.

The little ones if properly sharpened will do a great job, and are kind of handy for some cutting tasks, but I don't think it could be said do that slicing / cutting job better than a similarly sized "traditional" knife.

Norm
 
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