kukri for camping in Texas.

J

jamaljahda

Joined
Mar 4, 2009
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I live in Texas and this kukri will hang by my bedside 90 percent of the time, but the other 10 percent it will go camping in the wilds of west and south Texas. Between the ASTK and Malla which one would best serve my purpose.
 
i would go for the astk as well. the mall is usually a bit lighter (as far as i know) but the added chopping ability is worth the trade off
 
I would agree on the ASTK-V but I would also be sure to speak directly with Yangdu and be sure to get a very hard blade and go with a villager finish. As you are aware, some of the Texas scrub has very twisted nasty hard wood that will chip all but the hardest blades. It would be a complete waste of time getting a polished blade and as you can see on this forum, many of the polished blades will require some work to remove the softer metal that is produced during the polishing process.

Personally I would go with the shorter Bonecutter model for that job because it is easier to swing in the thicker brush, it is easier to carry than most large chopper kukri and it has one of the strongest [if not "the" strongest] edge bevels of any model. Like the ASTK-V, the Bonecutter is not made for the display shelf so in both cases blade hardness is the kami's top concern.

I have seen no consistency with the production, type or form of the Malla and to me personally, it wouldn't even make the top 20 list of consideration for such as job. For me it would be in this order and only in villager (satin finish) blade;
  • Bonecutter
  • Ganga Ram (16-18 inch version)
  • ASTK-V
  • CAK (standard and *** only if you have big hands)
  • Ang Khola (16-18 inch overall)
  • M43 with villager blade (probably have to be a special order or wait until you see one on a dotd special)
  • WWII (not my favorite but some like them)
  • BAS (especially if you will have it on your hip alot. Less power than the big choppers but it is also not like carrying a baby around on your hip either!)
Good luck...
 
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The ASTK is a great all around khuk. It has a nice thin edge for biting deep and a super thick spine for durability. It's quickly moved up my list as one of my most trusted khuks. The 15" version is very versatile.
 
Thanks all who replied I am resurrecting an old thread because I have now come full circle. I own a HI 18 chitlange, 18 sirupate, and a tarwar. The sirupate is the closest in weight and feel to what I am looking for in a khukuri but its not warranted for field use. I am scratching the Malla choice and am still sticking with the ASTK as my primary and now including the dui chirra as that blade shape has just been calling to me something fierce for quite sometime. I am thinking between 16-20 inches with a weight of 24-29 ounces. One of these will be my next purchase but I wanted to get input from other users.
 
I'm a big fan of the Dui Chirra. i bought one for my brother in the 32 oz range and was severely tempted to keep it for myself. it felt very solid and capable, but what struck me the most about it was how light it felt because of its natural balance. in fact, i have a 28 oz astk that feels heavier because of its weight forward design. Don't discount the way design affects the feel of these khuks. i used to think ounces were ounces, but if you want something that feels lighter and quicker in hand, consider a design with a less pronounced curvature, like the dui chirra or a tamang. but to back track a bit, i would still take the astk as the ultimate field khuk, but i would trust the dui chirra with my life as well.
 
jamaljahda said:
I live in Texas and this kukri will hang by my bedside 90 percent of the time, but the other 10 percent it will go camping in the wilds of west and south Texas. Between the ASTK and Malla which one would best serve my purpose.
Click to expand...

You could come in contact with these creatures, some hostile: Coyote, Bobcat, Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, Texas Coral Snake, Western Massasauga, and of course Man. Especially human females are the most dangerous.

Looking at the Texas weather/climate it is really varied. By Mexico it is a desert climate. In other places it's almost tropical during the long Texas summers. At your disposal are desert plants, hard and soft woods of many types.

big-bend-national-park-map-1.gifbig-bend-national-park.jpgBig Bend National Park in Texas.jpg
Above: Big Bend National Park in Texas

Your choices
Himalayan Imports Malla kukri:
"The khukuri is 19 inches, 2 inches wide, 7/16 thick and weighs about 2 & 1/4 pounds" from HI website.
Himalayan Imports ASTK 18":
This is Venice Will's ASTK
HI Amar Singh Thapa Knife (ASTK) by Vin Kami
20.5" length
15/32" thickness at spine
35oz. weight

jamaljahda stated needs:
Bedside 90 percent - Self protection = fighter = light weight = Neither works in this role. They are way too heavy.

The other 10 percent - Camp knife = heavy duty = light enough for carry = all round use = Neither both are too heavy for anything but chopping were a small axe would out perform them at the same weight. The axe is also two handed and wouldn't tire you out as fast.

In my opinion and in studying some historic/present examples you would be much better off picking a light weight (20 oz to 22 oz) Himalayan Imports WW2 or Sirupate for both your stated goals of use in the great State of Texas.
 
Of your two preferred choices i would recommend the ASTK.
The Dui Chirra would not be a bad choice either, but i feel that the ASTK would serve your needs better as a camp knife and it will eventually end up on the Field usage list and the website at some point in this cominig year.
 
If it were me I would look at the ASTK, but I would also consider the KLVUK. Im surprised no one has mentioned it yet. I love mine, the size, weight, blade thickness screams user. I have spent considerable time with my blades and I can tell you that the weight of the blade wears on you as you use it for a period of time. You give up a few ounces but it makes a world of difference. And the price is right for these especially if your on a budget. Just my humble opinion.
 
Karda said:
Of your two preferred choices i would recommend the ASTK.
The Dui Chirra would not be a bad choice either, but i feel that the ASTK would serve your needs better as a camp knife and it will eventually end up on the Field usage list and the website at some point in this cominig year.
Click to expand...

The ASTK is already on the warranty list for field usage (#10), according to the sticky on this forum.
 
pugs75 said:
... I would also consider the KLVUK. Im surprised no one has mentioned it yet. I love mine, the size, weight, blade thickness screams user. I have spent considerable time with my blades and I can tell you that the weight of the blade wears on you as you use it for a period of time. You give up a few ounces but it makes a world of difference. And the price is right for these especially if your on a budget. Just my humble opinion.
Click to expand...
+1
Pugs is on the right track for what jamaljahda has asked for. Weight is a very critical consideration for this thread. Himalayan Imports Kukris are known for toughness but most are overbuild (on purpose to be the best).

This problem is the same, with for example, for gun owners. Many consider the full size 1911 platform the best pistol for self-defense. But after lugging the monster around all day most people sooner or latter opt for a smaller lighter pistol or revolver like a G26 or a small frame revolver. They are not better ballistically but the gun gets the job done. So like the smaller, lighter firearm the Himalayan Imports more traditional KLVUK will be carried more and be more of a utility tool as in it's name.

Below: picture by pyro. KLVUKs in middle and just right of middle
KLVUK middle.jpg
One thing to add, if you do get the KLVUK jamaljahda make sure you get the longest one (17 overall length) to help in self protection.
 
UPDATE: Today's after Christmas sale on the forum has the KLVUKs I'm talking about.

- 16.5 inch 21 ounce Lok villager Knife by Lok Kami. Satisal wood handle. Field sharp LVK A at $55.

- 16.5 inch 22 ounce Lok villager Knife by Lok Kami. satisal wood handle. Field sharp LVK B at $55.

KLVUK After XMas.jpg
 
Thanks everyone for the input. The rational concerning the weight makes all the since in the world. I probably already have what I need saying that my sirupate is just about right where I want it weight and lenght wise. I just got all hung up on making sure it was a field use model and I just love the shape of the dui chirra. So with all that said I should probably just continue using my siru for the said purposes and just decide between the two based off aestetics and desire. With that being said I will be contacting auntie for a ASTK in January for my next purchase. Oh by the way are those Malla specs correct? 18 inches at 2.5 lbs? If so that is massively heavy even moreso than an ang khola. Any history or reasoning for such a weight on a shape that is in my opinion only that of a fighter or weapon style blade.
 
jamaljahda said:
Oh by the way are those Malla specs correct? 18 inches at 2.5 lbs? If so that is massively heavy even moreso than an ang khola. Any history or reasoning for such a weight on a shape that is in my opinion only that of a fighter or weapon style blade.
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That is the way it was made by the kami. Some users do prefer a heavier blade and H.I. allows variation for user preference.
A larger person may happen to like a more weighty or forward weighted khukuri while a smaller user will find them unwieldy and more cumbersome. As with choosing a khukuri according to what it will be used for, users should choose their khukuri according to their weight preference and their endurance level. A strong powerful person will enjoy and find more useful an overbuilt khukuri while a person whom is not as powerful will find them virtually unusable. I myself like a midweight khukuri in the 18" range, as i feel that the weight lends itself better to the tasks that i will use it for, which is mainly wood chopping and simple batonning. If i am looking for a khukuri as a sidearm, then i choose a slimmer, lighter model.
 
jamaljahda said:
Thanks everyone for the input. The rational concerning the weight makes all the since in the world. I probably already have what I need saying that my sirupate is just about right where I want it weight and lenght wise. I just got all hung up on making sure it was a field use model and I just love the shape of the dui chirra. So with all that said I should probably just continue using my siru for the said purposes and just decide between the two based off aestetics and desire. With that being said I will be contacting auntie for a ASTK in January for my next purchase.....
Click to expand...

A lot depends on what kind of camping you do. A Sirupate might work for most purposes, as long as you exercise common sense. I wouldn't worry too much about the warranty in this case, since HI blades tend to be overbuilt. The warranty protects the customer against getting a lemon, and it protects HI against the occasional unscrupulous customer who might abuse a blade and then expect a replacement. If your sirupate breaks in off-warranty usage, chalk it up to experience and buy a heavier blade next time, but it probably won't happen. Of course you should follow the safety recommendations in its use. See the sticky post on safety in this forum.

Since you are planning to get an ASTK, be aware that there seem to be two versions. The older versions had a very thick tang which made them relatively heavy. The ones that we've seen more recently in DOTDs on this forum run lighter, some of them in the 27-29 oz range for an 18" overall length. This is still a massive knife. Most of the weight savings are in the tang, which is plenty strong -- similar to the tang on a CAK.

-- Dave
 
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