Khukuri

BFH44

BFH44

Joined
Nov 3, 2010
Messages
863
I ran across H I products by accident - (hhmmmm) when i found the 2 swords and the bowie on eBay came here to learn more - glad i did you all seem like a really good group of people

I have been trying to figure out what type of Kukuri to buy – I ended up here (the site HI section) on accident – some say there are no accidents.

I came here to find out about the blades I bought off eBay. Well I have been to some other areas of the Blade Forums.com and some I just read a lot of posts and it seems the HI area is the area like the best.
I have been reading/studying the Bhagavad Gita for years and have bought and watched / studied the entire Vishnupuran; as well as the Mahabharata.

I also read and study much Buddhism and Tao

so maybe not a coincidence i found this place -- so back to the original subject (pardon the ramblings) - now that i have several non Khukuri H I blades - Bowie; Farm knife; couple swords - i think i should be buying a Khukuri -- I mean that is the main product yes?

so my question to you all is what should i get next - i am partial to the 20 inch Sirupati - but i also like the
Hanuman Ang Khgola?

also i was wondering; can we order the ones pictured on the website or are the ones Yangdu posts the only available?

any thoughts on this - ?
 
You can always special order. Just be aware of the wait times involved. At this time the Kamis are pounding away on many orders and the delay can be several months.
 
Also, I covet the Manjushree sword you picked up. It haunts my dreams and one day I will own one.
 
You can order from the website or you can buy from the DOTD's here.
You can also special order many items, but as stated, it may take some time because the kamis are filling previous special orders and trying to keep up with production at the same time. I believe only one shop is running right now.

Only Auntie can tell you for sure. It is best to email her with what you're looking for when you decide. Meanwhile we will guide you as best we can.
 
BFH44,

It really depends on your user intent. You are spoilt from small utility like Bilton to 40" Kobra and we 've seen some really gigantic pieces that roamed the earth with Dinosaurs, spine thickess of an INCH! :eek:

Sirupati is the Gurkha's Favourite. Auntie's father, Pala favors Gelbu model and highly recommends it. Me too. I love mine!
 
One option is to give Yangdu a call to discuss things. She may have something around that is waiting for its owner to find it.
 
Howard Wallace said:
One option is to give Yangdu a call to discuss things. She may have something around that is waiting for its owner to find it.
Click to expand...

If you do this, you will have a very special blade. I have a WWII model that was "picked out" for me by Uncle Bill. I had tried to get a DOTD and missed and he emailed me back and said this one is for you.

It is my favorite even though I have many fancier, more expensive khuks, knives and swords from HI in my small collection.
 
Get a 15 in AK. Use it a lot. No, really--a LOT.

Then...think about others.
 
BFH44,

A first step would be to narrow down what you want to do with this kukri. From inside the world of kukri fanatics, a 20 inch Sirupate and a Hanuman Ang Khola are vastly different. Kind of like saying you need to get to work so you are considering buying a car or a train. Both are certainly transportation vehicles but the similarity stops there.

For a display kukri, whatever looks good to you rules the day.

For a user kurki, your task(s), your body & hand size, and the method of carry should dictate the model. You would not want to go on a hike with a 20 inch Ang Khola nor would you want to prepare wood for a remote camp fire with a 8" Bilton.

For a real user, meaning a blade you intend to depend on in the field; do not compromise even a little bit. Get the size, shape and weight that will do the job but, will not be a burden to use or carry. Sure a 48 oz kukri will cut anything but if you can't swing it safely, it is of absolutely no use to you. It is a liability because it is too heavy and unsafe. Conversely, a 18 oz kukri is easy to carry but will blister your hand if you have heavy work to do. Wounds in the field are a huge liability. Each task has a kukri with hundreds of years of development behind it.

So figure out your task and like magic, you will be guided to a model.

Good luck,
Bill
Virginia
 
Thank you to all for the great input! Now that i got to thinking about them and comparing them and thinking about the types of use - i can tell that before to long i am going to end up with more than one Khukuri.

Does any one know what model it is that Yangdu is holding in the picture at the upper left of the websites home page - it looks like it has stripes or maybe that is the lighting?
 
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BFH44-I read your post regarding your Farm Knife's arrival (Congratulations to you) and was wondering whether or not you had a khukuri in hand yet. Now that question is answered. Regarding your question as to which model will be your first, it has often been said that after researching the various models to go with your gut...pick the one that is calling to you. Then the next one and the next one and the next one ad infinitum. Researching the Forum through the Search is also a good source of information. You may see things addressed that you hadn't thought of. Asking this motley crew of 5160 addicts is going to get you many recommendations since many have their favorites. As do I-the Gelbu Special and the Chainpuri. Bill(shortwinger) gave you some good advise, too. My Gelbu will do some chopping but for more dedicated chopping I would go to the 18" "Baby" Ganga Ram Special or Hanuman. For thinning the blackberries growing on my slope the 24" Kobra comes out. My guess is that you have a yearning to handle one of these mystical, curved blades and I say go with what draws you. At least you have the Farm Knife to keep you company while you're deciding. Have fun with it Eric and be safe.

Rick
 
BFH44, what khuk to start with is a common question, which ends up being less important when you are looking at 7 or 8 layed across the floor which you've acquired in six months time:D. I also came here by accident. I discovered BladeForums due to a hard use knife and survival training outfit which is popular around here. I've loved the khukuri design, in it's mass produced American version, for decades. I lurked around and kept reading things like "if you want a real chopper, go to the HI subforum". I resisted and finally caved. And here I set with 7 or 8 khuks spread out in front of me trying to resist buying another DOTD like a crackhead wanting just one more rock. I started with a 16.5 inch WW II model and have picked up some great khuks since then, including a custom M43 that still makes me giddy. When I needed to thin some bushes the other day, I reached for that same 16.5 inch WW II model. I can't say it's my favorite, I'm not sure I even have a favorite, but it's probably the most versitile of all of mine. I think some others would agree. Welcome to our illness,good luck and hold on to your wallet.
 
BFH44, like you, I am a newcomer to HI khukuris. I always felt that a machete would handle anything that my hunting knife couldn't. But then I came across a good deal on the 29 ounce(yes, that's correct) chiruwa BAS at the top of the photo. I took it into the woods and found out the limits of my machete and the strengths of this type of khukuri. It likes to eat trees!

Next down is a fast handling 22 ounce Gelbu, then a 25 ounce chitlangi by Tirtha(I have 2 of these identical, uncontrollable DOTD purchases!).

Finally on the bottom is the one that is an extension of my arm, a 28 ounce Ganga Ram Special by Tirtha. He must have had me in mind when he was making this gem. If I had ordered a custom made khuk I couldn't have ended up with one more suited to me. I have a big hand and I'm in good shape so this weight forward one just works perfectly for me with effortless chopping. This fifth blade from HI will be my keeper. I hope all of yours feel like this one does to me.
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