Khukri size

R

Radrunner

Joined
Mar 6, 2006
Messages
234
Okey dokey... i'm hoping to go for either an AK or Siru here, bu am unsure as to what size to get. Mainly because i really don't know how big these things are.... All the pictures i've seen of the various lengths have nothing to reference them to... and when i try to get an idea by laying out a ruler, the lack of scale makes the thing seem huge. (esp the 20")

So to that end, I was hoping some people could post some pics, or give me some links with their kkukri, its size, and some every-day object its close to so i can get an idea of scale.

As for the knives themselves.... all around back-country camping knife that isn't too heavy (thus the suri as opposed to the AK, WWII or BAS). Length is the big thing i'm wondering about now though.

Any help apprecaited!

(Also, since this was an question b4... i'm 5'10", 145ibs.)
 
hey rad, welcome to the forum. i make a point of including a ruler in my knife pics. here ya go. an 18" c-thru above a 17" ganga ram and 16" d-1.

P1000433.JPG
 
Howdy Radrunner. Welcome.

Here's my 15" BAS next to my size 10 Danner. These khuks are big. The blade is 10". Hard to say what an "all around camper" size would be since each person might have a different maximum size they're willing to deal with. I think I'd have to take this BAS and a 9" Chitlangi to cover it "all". That's just me though.

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Welcome to the forum!

A BAS, 16.5" WWII, or 15" AK wouldn't be overly large or heavy, but would still be very effective. I'm shorter but heavier than you, and I assure you a 16.5 WWII isn't too large.

Sirus have to start getting pretty large before they have much chopping ability, IMO, so you'd do as well to just get one of the three I mentioned.

John
 
Hello and welcome.

Good observation. Without a reference it can be hard to tell, especially when these things range from a 4" kagas katne to who knows how big.



18" Kobra (top) with Mauser.


Mike
 
Thanks for the feedback :)

Two more questions... What is the biggest difference between the 16.5" BAS and the 15"AK (aside from 1.5 inches ;) ) in terms of chopping ability? Given everything i've heard and read about HI, is it safe to assume durability is a non issues since they're all guaranteed for life?

Also, how big on a Siru would you need to go to get some decent chopping ability?
 
Radrunner said:
Thanks for the feedback :)

Two more questions... What is the biggest difference between the 16.5" BAS and the 15"AK (aside from 1.5 inches ;) ) in terms of chopping ability? Given everything i've heard and read about HI, is it safe to assume durability is a non issues since they're all guaranteed for life?

Also, how big on a Siru would you need to go to get some decent chopping ability?
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An 18 " Sirupati does good but my 20 " is better. The 25 " just chopped some heavy branches off a tree down by the lake.

The BAS is not 16.5 " There is a WW11 that length. The two WW11 16.5 " and the 18" have a narrower blade near the hilt and angles a tad more than the BAS or AK. It is the geometry of the blade that gives it the "wallop". The larger one flew out of my hand when I chopped through a branch once. The force was too strong. That is the dangerous part of khukuris. One of my favorites is the 16.5" and is in the outdoors backpack.

The BAS is much more neutral in the hand, and so is the 15" AK. That is why they make a better beginners blade. Les likely for over swing when chopping.
The AK is a heavier blade but not by much. I have those two in work buckets in the garage. I just used my 15" AK chopping fallen tree branches from the killer storm that blew through here in Fl. It performed like a champ.

I suggest a 15" AK for starters, but if you see a deal on a BAS jump on it.;)
 
A lot of times for a quick hike I grab the BAS or similar size khuk. Able enough for emergency and wood sampling harvest- like when I find some gnarly grain due to insect damage on dead pine. The 15" to 16.5" range of khuk does a lot. Within that, there is the Chiruwa Ang Khola, which usually weighs about what a full size 18" Ang Khola does, approx 27 to around 30 ounces. The 15" Sirupati is much lighter, the BAS getting stouter, also 15" AK, and 16.5" WWll.
This must seem confusing, but the good news is all of these are wonderful choices and there is no 'bad' move.

I've found for a couple more inches in length, and a tad more weight, you get to the prime all around khuk numbers. Like any other physical tool wielded by man, there is a size that fits the most people and does most of the work that needs to be done. Approx 18" and 28 ounces is a kind of 'mean' for a working khuk- a wood chopping khuk. (A khuk used primarily for martial purposes might have different specs.) This is not too long to be carried, nor too heavy. It is just heavy enough to really start chopping substancial amounts of material. The length is enough to take advantage of increased leverage, while not being so long as to hamper your movements in the field. Surprisingly, a few more inches in length becomes exponentially harder to carry, and a few more ounces in weight both harder to carry and not increasing striking power as much as you'd think. Think of Baseball bats. There is a range of the most commonly found bats. If a bigger bat worked better, we'd see home run kings with 60" bats.

If you want a camp knife for all round duty go towards the shorter and lighter models. If you lean towards more substancial shelter building or wood harvesting, lean towards the slightly longer and heavier models. You won't go wrong, at any rate. Any choice will find a spot in your labor and heart. You'll probably decide which blade to get next based upon what size you initially choose. It will teach you what you need to know about the work you want done.

Have a great time.


munk
 
Radrunner said:
is it safe to assume durability is a non issues since they're all guaranteed for life?
Click to expand...

I didn't think they're guaranteed for life, are they? Is that blades or handles too? I never heard that before, but I'm new too.
 
FriendofBill's said:
I didn't think they're guaranteed for life, are they? Is that blades or handles too? I never heard that before, but I'm new too.
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bought directly from HI, they are guaranteed for life unless otherwise noted :D...
(blems, IE a cracked handle will not be covered under the warranty but the blade however will)

this does not apply to second hand khukuris bought from a private party... caveat emptor :thumbup:
 
Jaiofspam said:
bought directly from HI, they are guaranteed for life unless otherwise noted :D...
(blems, IE a cracked handle will not be covered under the warranty but the blade however will)

this does not apply to second hand khukuris bought from a private party... caveat emptor :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Thanks, I didn't know that. Does that include the ones bought here from Yangdu too, or just straight from the HI site?

I don't know latin; what's 'caviar emperor'? A fish-egg king? What's that got to do with khuk warranties? :D
 
FriendofBill's said:
Thanks, I didn't know that. Does that include the ones bought here from Yangdu too, or just straight from the HI site?

I don't know latin; what's 'caviar emperor'? A fish-egg king? What's that got to do with khuk warranties? :D
Click to expand...


Yes it includes the ones bought from Yangdu, as well as ones that are received as gifts.
 
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