Kukri recommendation

When you mention Micarta...will this apply to the stick tang knives as well, or only the full-tang ones?

Have no idea how thick you can get it.
 
You can definitely get Micarta think enough...I had a CS Kukri rehandled with a micarta block. It can be hard to find though.
 
Another recommendation for Himalayan Imports here on BF https://www.bladeforums.com/forums/himalayan-imports.739/ • Very well crafted in the traditional manner in Nepal • super fast service from the US based importer • exceptional care and service of customers • excellent pricing (most often includes a traditional sheath) • a truly diverse variety of product • these Khuks can really work!

Ray
 
Hermit,

Now that HI seems to be the brand you will be in for a treasure! It will end up being much more than just a knife, you will find yourself sitting around holding it and running your fingers over the hammer marks and all the hand made "imperfections."

Have you narrowed down a model yet? I love my HI BAS, Bonecutter, ASTK, and M43 but usually recommend the BAS as a first kukri. Good luck!
 
shortwinger said:
Hermit,

Now that HI seems to be the brand you will be in for a treasure! It will end up being much more than just a knife, you will find yourself sitting around holding it and running your fingers over the hammer marks and all the hand made "imperfections."

Have you narrowed down a model yet? I love my HI BAS, Bonecutter, ASTK, and M43 but usually recommend the BAS as a first kukri. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Hey mate I’ve been looking at all the models but I think I’ll go with the bone cutter I just really like the look of it no doubt this will turn into another addiction!
 
Check out the near daily specials posted by Yangdu on the HI forum page. There are some very excellent deals there. If you see one you want you just send her an email. AND - just so you know, there is a give away going on in the Cantina (sub forum of HI seen below the title bar). Two weeks more to go - you just need to participate a few time in the HI forum to become eligible.

Ray
 
"[...] no doubt this will turn into another addiction!"

Sigh...no one took enough pity on you to shout a fair warning beforehand? :)
 
The HI VUK's (Village Utility Knife) are a user grade all around smaller size blade that is a typical of a Nepali work knife. I use mine around the house all the time and it's not too big to carry in a back pack even for a day hike. Mine is 20" 19 oz iirc, and great compromise between a hatchet and a big knife if you can get one.-- KV
 
Any good Kukri pictures? I have one but don’t know where it came from. Wood sheath wrapped in leather with two smaller knives that are carried in it.
 
Agent_H said:
Any good Kukri pictures? I have one but don’t know where it came from. Wood sheath wrapped in leather with two smaller knives that are carried in it.
Click to expand...

This is an HI blemish tin chirra, basically an ang kola with a bunch of fullers. This is when it was newer, it's a lot dirtier now that I've found it splits well and not to use it to chop (very thick edge).
YCZyWl7l.jpg
 
Agent_H said:
I don't know enough about them to spot maker or really gauge quality of them.
Click to expand...

That looks like a pretty good quality one. That type is known as Chiruwa Ang Khola (the Ang Khola typically has the depressions at the back of the blade, and "chiruwa" refers to the full tang option).

I prefer the non-chiruwa tang (a full length, sturdy "stick tang") because the handle tends to absorb vibrations better and the weight distribution tends to be more forward for chopping. Himalayan Imports "Villager Utility Knife" is a favorite of mine, it usually has a wider bevel (with a thinner edge profile), it's not too heavy for my preferences (as some can be), and the cost is lower since the finish is more utilitarian. This one is about 16" overall length and 19 ounces:

KLVUKkukri2.jpg

Photo by Sparrow92
 
I cannot believe how good these look I thought I could just get a tai pan and a Spartan v-14 for the year and not spend any more but I need some of these Himalayan kukris!!! I blame you all haha.
 
Agent_H said:
I don't know enough about them to spot maker or really gauge quality of them. This has been sitting in the back of my gunsafe for several years.


Kukri by Agent Hierarchy


Kukri by Agent Hierarchy


Kukri by Agent Hierarchy
Click to expand...

I'm going to guess that, that's a kukri house or GK & Co kukri. From what I've seen, all HI kuks have a makers mark, even the blems. The full tang is also something more common with the GK & Co where most kuks are rat tail from HI.

Part of the blem with mine was that it got some bad rust transporting from Nepal but you can still see the Maker's mark in this awful picture from my phone.
OLfuHaYl.jpg
 
bikerector said:
I'm going to guess that, that's a kukri house or GK & Co kukri. From what I've seen, all HI kuks have a makers mark, even the blems. The full tang is also something more common with the GK & Co where most kuks are rat tail from HI.

Part of the blem with mine was that it got some bad rust transporting from Nepal but you can still see the Maker's mark in this awful picture from my phone.
OLfuHaYl.jpg
Click to expand...

The earliest HI ones didn't have any mark either, as far as I recall. Shortwinger or Steve Tall could confirm or infirm what I'm mumbling here :). And, of course, before Bill's passing, they weren't marked with "U.B." either.

Even today, you may find, not too often, one unmarked at a deep discount (kami rushing etc.). But Yangdu will most likely know who forged it.
 
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Oh, and, FWIW, 5 fullers are rather meant to "show off" the skill of the kami (not easy to pull those off), than serve any real practical purpose. (1 to 3 it's another story, as is hollow forging.)

I'm not debating whether they are gorgeous or not. It's just not a traditional feature, where functionality was emphasized, but an impressive one nonetheless.

Those KLVUKs are the bomb, though.
 
Steve Tall said:
That looks like a pretty good quality one. That type is known as Chiruwa Ang Khola (the Ang Khola typically has the depressions at the back of the blade, and "chiruwa" refers to the full tang option).

I prefer the non-chiruwa tang (a full length, sturdy "stick tang") because the handle tends to absorb vibrations better and the weight distribution tends to be more forward for chopping. Himalayan Imports "Villager Utility Knife" is a favorite of mine, it usually has a wider bevel (with a thinner edge profile), it's not too heavy for my preferences (as some can be), and the cost is lower since the finish is more utilitarian. This one is about 16" overall length and 19 ounces:

Photo by Sparrow92
Click to expand...

Another unsung quality of these handles is the fact that not being stabilized, shrinking or contracting wood won't (generally) bother your hands; while wooden slabs exposing the full tang or extending past it can cause discomfort in use. Those old guys knew what they were doing, well before the British introduced the full-tang concept.
 
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