khukuri: Which is best for which task?

Crayola

Crayola

Joined
Sep 23, 1999
Messages
3,831
Specifically I was wondering if when picking a khukuri you trade utility for "fightability". What I mean is I have read many praises for the AK khukuri for all sorts of utility purposes, yet (sorry for the spelling) the serupati versions seem better fighters, or something a little "slimmer" and pointier than the AK, something along the lines of the Cold Steel Ghurka khukuri. Are these the two variables to work with when picking a knukuri?

Also, I have read that the WWII is a great balance between fighting and utility. Can anyone elaborate? Is it a pretty good utility blade and a pretty good fighter, or does it split the difference doen the middle (50% utility, 50% fighter)?

Thanks!

------------------
"Come What May..."
 
If you've not posted here before, welcome. I'll let those who have martial arts experience answer for themselves.

Me, some khuks just seem to be outside the ordinary... my answer to you seems to be: 16 1/2" WW2 = 66 2/3% utility and 66 2/3% fighter; 18" WW2 = 75% utility and 75% fighter. I know it adds up to more than 100%, and I can't explain it. I can just feel it.
 
Thanks Rusty! I haven't posted on this forum before (or if I did it was a quick comment or something like that.) I know what you are getting at when you say that the WWII is 75% fighter and %75 utility. I figured that with some models there would be a definite linear trade-off but with the "in-between" models I wondered if the trade-off would be linear. Of the HI khukuris that I have been looking at over the last few days, and the khukris over at the Ghurka House site, it is the WWII models that caught my eye the most. Interesting....

------------------
"Come What May..."
 
:
If I had of known in the begining
what I know now the 18" WW II may have been my favorite, but I had to have the 18"AK after seeing and handleing the 15"AK that Uncle Bill 1st sent me.
The rest is history.
smile.gif



------------------
>>>>---¥vsa---->®

"I would rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy."

........unknown, to me anyway........

Khukuri FAQ
Himalayan Imports Website
 
I'm a firm supporter of the WWII models (especially the 16.5"). I've had mine for over a year and a half, and have used it to chop logs and clear saplings and brush. The 16.5" is quick and nimble, making it a good fighter. I also own an 18 incher. Once I've gotten used to the added weight, I'll consider it a utility/fighter as well.

Bob
 
I'm fairly new to khukuris but here are my thoughts;

1. everybody should own a WWII
2. if I had to fight someone with a knife and had a choice I'd grab a kobra every time.
3. when I go out to combat the alder/blackberry invasion in the "back forty" I take my 25" kobra,if I need to cut something precisely or can't take a two foot knife where I'm going the WWII is my choice.my 20" chiruwa sirupati lives in my truck and is the knife for splitting firewood but it's not a fighter.
 
Take what I say with a grain of salt as I am a big 18" WWII fan.

For something similar to the CS Gurkha (I own that one) the 18" WWII is the way to go. My 18” WWII (mine is really 17.5”) model is about 50 grams heavier than my CS Gurkha khukuri. If I recall correctly the 16.5” WWII, 18” WWII, and CS Gurkha weights are 573 g, 686 g, and 635 g. Yes, I noticed the 100 g difference between the 16.5” and 18” khukuri. The WWII khukuri's (both) fit into the CS Gurkha sheath, though the H.I. khukuri is blade is thicker and it is not quite as wide as the CS. My 18” WWII chop better, cut about the same, have less vibration, and has a more comfortable handle when compared to the CS Gurkha. My 16.5” WWII sometimes out chops the CS and sometimes the CS will out chop it.

Chopping:

CS Gurkha (same for 15” Ang Khola): 100%
18” WWII (mine is really 17.5”): 170%
16.5” WWII: 85%

Slashing/Cutting:

CS Gurkha, Both WWII: 100%
15” Ang Khola: 75%

Speed and maneuverability (very subjective):

CS Gurkha: 100%
15” Ang Khola and 16.5” WWII: 150%
18” WWII: 110%

My preference (very subjective):

CS Gurkha and 15” Ang Khola: 100%
16.5” WWII: 120%
18” WWII: 200%
18” Ang Khola: 150%

I guess when all is said and done I would concur with Rusty’s numbers.

Will


[This message has been edited by Will Kwan (edited 11-01-2000).]
 
Here's a vote for the Gelbu Special as the HI knife model that can do both jobs very well indeed. I admit I haven't handled a WWII...but it can't be much better than the deeply fullered Gelbu when it comes to quick...yet it has the weight and spine to be a good chopper...and mine, at least, has a good big handle. And what an edge!
Now if what you want to do is approximate a conventional fighting knife in size and weight, while retaining most of the best features of the khukuri, perhaps you should consider a 12" sirupati...Kumar makes a nice one!
Ken

------------------
The sword cannot cut itself, the eye cannot see itself.
 
:
Crayola and Bo, if you are reading this too, we are all jaded here. We all have a totally different concept of what a Big Knife is since we have became accustomed to khukuris.
I have several "big knives" such as the CS Trailmaster, an Aitor Chuchilla Del Monte, Case Bowie and a couple of others. I no longer consider them big.
Big is my GRS and the 27" Banspati, so you want to bear that in mind when we talk big knives.
biggrin.gif


The most sold 15"AK is an awesome
khukuri that will do what you need although it may not be the best for the task you are doing. Good excuse for getting more.:-)

I know that myself and all the other experienced guys here can be confident that you will be pleased with whatever H.I. Khukuri you get, And it most likely Won't be the Only One you buy!!
smile.gif
biggrin.gif
smile.gif


Himalayan Imports Khukuri's are the world's best, made in their own factory in Nepal.
And if you are dissatisfied for any reason Uncle Bill will make it right with you! You cannot go wrong dealing with Uncle Bill.


------------------
>>>>---¥vsa---->®

"I would rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy."

........unknown, to me anyway........

Khukuri FAQ
Himalayan Imports Website

[This message has been edited by Yvsa (edited 11-01-2000).]
 
Thank-you very much for this information. Will, I believe I read a khukuri comparison that you wrote on Cliff's site. I appreciate your elaboration for me. You sure are an enthusiastic and knowledgeable lot! Looks like the WWII model fits the bill for both a fighter and a utility blade. No wonder the Ghurkas used the in WWII!

Oh, I have a handle question. I know little about natural materials and actually the closest I have gotten to them on a knife is the dymondwood that I use on my projects. How well does the natural handle materials hold up? What are the different materials available for a WWII model? Thanks!

------------------
"Come What May..."
 
:
Crayola, the handle materials available are either wood or horn most commonly.
Either hold up well as they both have been used on khukuris or thousands of years.

I have several of both materials and personally prefer wood for a working khukuri.
Wood provides a more secure grip in my opinion. Although I still haven't gotten around to roughing up my 18"AK horn handle, but I think by roughing it up with a coarse paper would make the grip much more aggressive.
Any wood you get on a HI Khukuri is going to be a hardwood that will hold up well. I haven't seen an ugly one yet.
smile.gif


------------------
>>>>---¥vsa---->®

"I would rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy."

........unknown, to me anyway........

Khukuri FAQ
Himalayan Imports Website
 
Thanks to all for the input. I have my first coming. A 15" inch Ang Khola. My needs are mostly for a user.

From what I have seen this is only my first, I have seen several others of interest but I have to much on order.

My thanks to Uncle Bill and everyone.
 
When you say "fightability", of course, it depends on what you mean by a fight. If you are talking a duel with another blade armed, trained fighter, then, yes, I will trade some utility to get a quicker blade (my Kobra, uh, just for example), but if you mean defense against a club or knife armed assailant, an animal attack, sentry removal, or a dark room ambush on a goblin with a gun, the heavier blades should have a better one shot capability. I actually find the 15" AK quite nimble for a heavy hitter, and would not hesitate to use any of my HI blades in all of the above situations with the exception of the duel between trained warriors. I don't have a WWII (yet), but as soon I clear my wife's hospital bills, some weapons funds should become available, so I may soon be able to comment on the "all around" Khuk.
 
Well then, what is the cost for a WWII model? Length, well, the 18" one and a smaller one (c. 15") and is there a price difference between horn and wood? Thanks!




------------------
"Come What May..."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top