Kukri + Africa - Suggestions?

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Nov 27, 2008
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So I've had a number of HI Kukri's and other blades...a nice selection of about all of them.

I've got a number of friends in Africa, specifically one that owns a farm in Kenya, and I've been thinking about spending some serious time over there, like a year or more, and I was thinking that a Kukri would be a pretty good choice for an all-around blade over there.

So the question is - which Kukri would be the best choice to take? What do you guys think?
 
I'm thinking BAS, WWII 16" or something about the same size. I'm assuming you may want to carry it out into the field. Sounds like fun.
 
This type of question has come up before on the forum.

I wouldn't take any blade that is expensive or has sentimental value, since it is too easy to lose it, whether from a checked suitcase, or at customs, or because you violate some national or local laws that you have no way to know about in advance.

Apart from that, the choice of blade depends on what kind of chopping or other uses it will see. Best thing is to ask your friends in Kenya about this. You can also ask them about the blade carry laws, but nothing can protect you from an overzealous customs official or theft in the baggage compartment.

A good rule of thumb is to plan on using whatever type of blade is most commonly used in the place that you are visiting, even if it means buying it there (probably at a reasonable price, if it's a farming area). The bonus is, you come back home with a nice user blade as a souvenir of the trip.

Now if you want to show off one of your khukuris to your friends in Kenya, that's a different story, but you should still ask them about the type of work that the blade will be used for, and what kind of blades they use. Machetes tend to be most common, or whatever is the indigenous version of a machete in that part of Africa.

All that aside, unless you will be chopping down sizable trees, a sirupati might be the best choice, or one of the other blades with a similar profile and length-to-weight ratio, such as a chitlangi. As for the best length and weight, since you already have a khukuri collection and no doubt have used them, you can answer that question better than anyone else.
 
Oh yea, I understand that aspect of traveling overseas.

From what I can tell and from my buddy, most people over there use cheap crappy machetes. Which is why the kukri idea hit me, as I'm usually an axe or tomahawk guy....but those are like WAY out of place over there.

And yea, I'll be picking up blades over there and bringing them back, and probably leaving my kukri there at my buddies place so I can use it in the future. He's a big knife nut and has a few kukris too.
 
I would def take a 18 over a 16 inch in the continent of Africa. Everything there is bigger and badder. Some trees are as hard as rocks... 18in has the leverage advantage. The larger blade comes in handy when confronted by large animals or if you want to intimidate would be "ransom" kidnappers.

18 WWII would be my choice.
 
Well, if most of the work will likely be brush clearing and chopping of a moderate nature, I would choose a BAS, 16" Bone cutter or CAK. Although GB has a good point about hard wood and large trees, with the heat you wouldn't want to pack an overly heavy blade if you have to cover distances on foot. If defense is a real possibility, I would choose an 18" ASTK, Chitlangi, Chainpuri, or Sirupati. Much depends upon what you will be facing there.
 
They probably use pangas over there, which are a bit more top heavy than your typical machete

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Machetes seem to handle most of the chores over there, but a medium sized hard-use khuk might be handy. I would probably take a KLVUK. Sharp, easy to maintain, and won't break the bank.
 
If you could take two I would take your lightest 16-18" M43 and a 16-18" Bonecutter. If just one, I would take my favorite of the two. If you don't have either, I would take the one that you know best and trust because in a crunch, knowing your tool well makes it more efficient and gives you a boost in confidence.

The last thing I would do is take anything new, untested or unfamiliar and literally be stuck in the middle of Africa with a blade that doesn't work for you. I know all my kukri well and without hesitation and without a seconds worth of thought, my HI Bonecutter would go in my bag... Safe travels!
 
I would take my trusty Ontario 12" machete......not too long , not too short..easy to pack and cost about $18.00
 
Thank you! Generally whenever you hear of "ethnic unrest" in subsaharan Africa, it's a bunch of people hacking each other to death with these things.

My advice would be to bring a KLVUK for cut/chop stuff and use a local panga for machete stuff like clearing brush
 
Yea, I'm planning on getting a local machete (whatever they use locally) for machete stuff.

Since you are thinking of getting there what probably work best. I have another question for you. How big of a guy are you?
An 18 inch M43 or Bonecutter are heavy pieces of metal... Maybe not something you would like to EDC.

I'm 5-10 190 - If had to choose a work tool - I would also go for a KLVUK paired with a medical funds type of sheath.
Add nice gift potential and would pick 15-17inch (ASTK, M43 or Bonecutter)
 
Machetes seem to handle most of the chores over there, but a medium sized hard-use khuk might be handy. I would probably take a KLVUK. Sharp, easy to maintain, and won't break the bank.
Second that. Dont bring anything all polished and fancy and it will draw less attention in the baggage and on your side. If it does get lost your only out 60-80 semolians (or less if your willing to outshark the $40 KLVUK King).
 
5'11" / 200 pounds

....with about 10 pounds to loose of non-muscle on there :-p

Then I guess if what you have means business then a 18 incher might be right for you ;-)
And I'm repeating it again: Today`s DOTD ASTK is one heck of a deal for the tasks you are looking for.
 
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