Khukuri questions.

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Bugiberto

Joined
Jul 27, 2015
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Easy enough, I want a Khukuri for daily use as a tool. After tons of research I have more questions than answers.

Some background, I'm away from almost any form of civilization for 2-3 months at a time. I was/will be clearing sapplings of various poplar trees as well as elm and olive. 1/2 to 4 inch diameter with average being 2ish inches. The blade will also be used for slaughtering poultry of various types (mostly wild turkey) and chopping firewood in a pinch.

I know there are tools better suited for each task but this is what it will be used for when better choices aren't present.

Some basic questions i have are as follow:
Blade length for suggested use? Ive handled one with 10 inch blade and i would want a little more. I'm leaning towards 11ish inch blade length but seeking input from folks who have used this type of tool (13 seems common)

Full tang or hidden tang?
Will hidden tang be strong enough for suggested uses?
Will full tang disrupt weight/balance too much for continuous use? (When needed it will be used hours at a time up to daily)

Traditional or Americanized handle? Not true traditional as it is not comfortable from my experience with center ridge but same shape as traditional but smooth (no middle ring or ridge).

What overall weight (knife only)? Again daily use, hours at a time. Im thinking 1.5 - 2 pounds, again deferring to experienced users for more insight.

What type of heat treat? 5160 spring steel from 91 jeep is our stock.

Most importantly, what type of grind for listed uses? This will be field sharpened only using a stone or file for several months, so maintenance and functionality to consider.

Blade thickness, fullers and other features can be worked out once i have a general idea of overall specs i should consider. New to forum, granddaughter helped with the interwebs, sorry if i posted wrong area.

I'm not looking for this model or that model or suggestions on buy this or that or from this company or that company. Im simply seeking imput from more experienced Khukuri users since my knifemaker has no real knowledge of whats best for my needs (he make weapons not tools)

If anyone has knowledge to share, thank you!
 
I have a dozen khukuries that I rotate, depending what I need to do. heavy full tang for chopping, wood handle with hidden tangs for all around. I wanted to post the web site of one of our members but you specifically asked not to do that. There is allot of info, not hype.

So the long and short of it, there is no one answer, and no one khukuri for everything.
 
From these forums ive extensively reviewed several khukuri sites including khukuri vendors and my favorite site being jay fisher. I understand khukuri usage and style vary drastically which is why i listed my intended use to try and get imput from experienced user.

Multiple blades would be nice but space and weight and transport would not be possible. I have only what i can carry for 2-3 months, moving new area daily on foot only.

You say full tang for chopping, is that live or dead wood? I will mainly be cutting live trees, occasional fire wood chopping. Would hidden tang survive occasional firewood chopping with continuous live tree chopping?

You say Wood handle, traditional shape or more american style and any reason for the prefernce?

If you have other webs with info i wont mind, just dont need sales pitches as my knife guy will be making it from salvaged steel.

Thank you for insight!
 
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I use the full tang for chopping because I "think" it is stronger. I use a Ang Khola 20" or 18" blade but with wood handles because of comfort, but the full tang (chirua) on many occasions.
I use a Sirupati for lighter vegetation. I like a M 43 for all around use but have a favorite ( Name ? ) with a 18 in tear drop blade from Himalayan Imports. I think a 16 to 18 inch blade is best for chopping wood, live or dead, imo. :)
 
Blade iength. If you are going to carry more than use, a 15 to 16 inch blade length is good. In the woods camping I use the HEAVY 20 inch blade for work. I had to use it for a shovel to dig my truck out one time.
 
10" is perfect toy fine for wood tasks, i have a 10 inch light kukri, the Sirupati and it is no slouch!

Why they make kukri in full tang puzzles me. Get a rat tang, the way they're suppose to be.

Unless you have arms made of titanium, then get full tang ;)
 
So the hidden/rat tang will survive chopping use? Sirupati is slim if i remember right, does it fair okay when challenged with 8 inch diameter hardwood (thats about the most extreme i would need it for and very rare that extreme mostly live wood under 4 inch)
 
Bugiberto said:
So the hidden/rat tang will survive chopping use? Sirupati is slim if i remember right, does it fair okay when challenged with 8 inch diameter hardwood (thats about the most extreme i would need it for and very rare that extreme mostly live wood under 4 inch)
Click to expand...

Yes it is a tough blade. my 20 inch OAL is in my truck now and use it frequently. I never chopped an 8" log though.:)

I want to mention I gave away all but one monster size khuks, too old now. The majority are in the 10 to 12 inch blade size.

I Looked up my favorite, 26 oz, 18" oal, sisau wood handle, a Katunje.

I hope this helps.
 
18 oal im assuming ~13 inch blade on your favorite? And thank you, every info helps. One of my fellows had a 16 inch oal hidden tang, felt short for my use and weight wasn't an issue so 18 oal seems right. I want hidden tang for repetitive use but dont want failed tool. I had to use a chunk of diamond plating cut out with a found hacksaw saw blade with elm handles attached with hose clamps after last tool failure and that was only 3 weeks in on 10 week trip. Weighed over 4 pounds, not fun but worked for live wood. Good fellows allow me to use other eqp at times and khukuri seemed best. His khukuri held up no issue with hidden tang but only experience is 10 weeks use. Thank you for sharing info.
 
I use kukri regularly and have often commented on the, "what kukri should I choose if I could only have one" type posts. For me, without doubt I would choose a 17-18 inch kukri that is neither a dedicated heavy chopper nor a slim light fighter. The dedicated chopper will be heavy to carry and rather difficult to do finer tasks (especially for a new user) and the slim fighters would be lacking when doing heavier tasks. Before giving a few recommendations I will say that all will probably work and everyone has their own favorites, this is just my ideal models if I were in your situation.

BAS - This is the smallest I would recommend but it is a good versatile blade that can chop decently and is a manageable size to do smaller tasks and food prep. This is the kukri that taught me about kukris. Mine was a Jungle model. You can get them from a Khukuri House or from Himalayan Imports.

Models that are considers All-Arounders. I am going to provide model names from HI because there are so many from the Khukuri Houses and they not only change all the time but many do not stick to any specs for said model.

M43 - This is one of, if not the most popular model. The M43 is a variant of the WWII model named MkII. It is an 17-18 inch kukri that is heavy enough to chop big and light enough to handle camp chores and food prep. I would try to get the lightest one possible. In today's market that is between 700-800 grams, I prefer the ones around 700 grams but this may have to be special ordered.

ASTK - This is another very popular model and for good reason. It is very versatile and while the same basic size of the M43 they tend to be a bit heavier but since they have a very good balance, the weight is manageable. Different looking from the. M43 but similar in performance.

Bonecutter - This is normally considered a heavy chopper but they come is a wide range of sizes and weights. I have more time with this model than any other traditional kukri and would be the one that came with me. Mine is almost 17 inches and 696 grams, which to me is a perfect size and weight.

In my opinion, all of these would work and I wouldn't complain about having either. I would probably lean toward either of the last three if I could choose, just personal preference.

Another to consider is a modern model from Cold Steel, the Gurkha Kukri. Be aware I am not talking about any of the kukri machetes, the model is the Gurkha Kukri. This kukri is modeled after the original MkII (M43) mentioned above but made with modern steels and handle materials. I have one and have used it regularly as a farm tool for over 5 years and I place it right beside my Bonecutter. It also has a modern sheath that is very good and the easiest to attach to various gear. Simply put, this kukri is a beast and will go on and on and on and on. It is also light, in the 22-24 ounce range and is a good chopper as well as a very good basic camp blade.

Many will have extreme preferences between the traditional kukri and the modern made models. You may even hear sarcastic names associated with the modern ones but this is just people being people. For people that take the time to explain the intended use like you have done, all models that can work should be given equal weight and consideration.

Those are my favorites and the ones I would take if in your situation. Good luck on your search.
 
I have a number of Kukuris, but my favorite for cutting down small trees in the back yard is an AngKohla (panawal) full tang model. It weighs about a pound and a half, with an overall length of 16 1/2". The blade is thick and strong, with excellent jeat treatment and tempering. I cleared lots of vegetation in the backyard, and have not needed to sharpen it. If you are big and strong, you might go larger, but this size seems perfect for me. The full tang construction with a traditional handle shape is durable. I prefer wood, and you can always sand the ring down if you wish, but I wear gloves when I use it. I got mine from GK. Hollow dweller posted a description of his use of the bone cutter design, but I like the full tang design.
If you want to cut down smaller trees, get an AK, but a 15" lighter model would be more suitable as a weapon. A heavier blade will do better as an ax/knife/sword. If the Kukri is too big, it will be harder to carry and use for knife chores. I find my kuk chops down small trees better than a hand axe, like a 12" Wetterlings. I would recommend Hi or GK, but you will have to do a search to locate the GK website (he is in the U.S.).
 
Bugiberto said:
So the hidden/rat tang will survive chopping use?
Click to expand...

Yes. The need for a full tang is way overblown. IMO this need stems from shoddy designs/manufacturers who can't do a partial/hidden tang correctly. So people have the idea that while this crap knife with a poorly designed partial tang broke that they'll all break. Look back at swords throughout history. The only ones I've seen with full tangs are swords made in the last 10 years or so. You know, wall hangers. :D If that doesn't sway you, buy a mora and beat the crap out of it.
 
Late responding but wanted to thank everyone. Had my smith make 19in oal with 6in handle 13in blade. Used pics of m43 as base design. I did go hidden rat tang peened over at the end. Came in at 683 grams with 1 fuller in it. Originally had elm handle but made one from salt cedar (tamarisk) when I was visiting New Mexico. Great tool, does exactly what I need. Love the shape so much might have to get a real m43 one day!
 
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