little help to an HI newbie?

SkaerE · Oct 14, 2005

had a Cold Steel Khukuri at one point (shaped a lot like the M43), but i've moved about 6 times since then and cant find it now, plus that damn rubber handle would give you blisters in about 3 swings.

anyhow, looking for another good all around khukuri, and it seems HI is the place

been looking at the 16.5'' and 18'' WWII's and the same sized AK's. for all around "survival use". they all seem pretty close but the WWII's blade looks a little slimmer and the grip is angled a bit off the spine (as opposed to being inline)

its doubtful the Kuk will see any "self defence" but in the case it does i'd like something not too unwieldy as well.

opinions? 16.5'' vs the 18'' WWII's? WWII's vs the AK's?

also, how do you determine whether you will get a wood handled one or horn handled?

thanks guys

Spectre · Oct 14, 2005

My favorite kuk is the 16.5" WWII. It was also my favorite knife for a long time, though Shane's Soldier's Knife is vying for 1st now...dunno.

Anyway, the WWII hit powerfully, but changes directions easily enough. Also light enough to be fast, but not too "whippy". John like.

AK are good, but more towards the bulldozer end of the spectrum. Sirupatis towards the Fast Attack Vehicle side. WWII 16.5's about towards the HMVW/LMTV part of the spectrum. 18" WWII= FMTV.

Willys Jeep
HMVW
LMTV
FMTV
Bradley
Bulldozer/tank

TomFetter · Oct 14, 2005

I've got a 16 1/2" WWII, and couldn't be happier. Big enough to hit with authority, small enough to actually take with me when I go camping, do yard work on trees/branches etc. Not an ax, but it's replaced the (very good) hatchet I'd used for years before. While some prefer the 18" version, I'm a relatively small guy (5'9"), and wonder if the 18 might be just long/heavy enough to tire me into clumsiness after using it for a while, and get me into trouble.

The khuk itself is versatile as all get out, but I still carry a small knife for whittling, cutting up apples for my kids etc. While a good karda could presumably do this, the karda in my set is too thick to be much use for many small knife tasks. I might at some point make a replacement, which would work better for my needs. But I really think that instead, I'll just try to shark a Sarge knife and have done with it.

Tom.

Shann · Oct 14, 2005

Well, nobody will be surprised by my choice, my first Khuk was an 18" WWII, recommended by Uncle Bill. When he talked about khukris, you listened!

Its still the best all around khuk I've used. The AKs will supposedly chop more and the BAS is definately lighter. One caveat, I've not carried any of my khuks for any length of time.

munk · Oct 14, 2005

I don't like the 16's = too short. The real power and leverage arrives with 18" for me. I'm about 5'11" The WWll's are the all around khuk. The AK orientated more for strictly chopping wood. Not as fast as a WWll. Both will chop wood well.

munk

Aardvark · Oct 14, 2005

Welcome to the cantina, Skaere.

The smaller WWII is an excellent choice, if you're going to be carrying it a lot. As has been said, it's a very versatile chopper, and does well for anything that you'd think about tackling with a hand tool. The 18" is a whole different story, even though the are both called 'WWIIs'. All of my mine (3) feel massive, and chop great, but I wouldn't want to have them on my waist for any length of time.

Another khuk to consider is the BGRS, especial as a villager. Weight and length are about the same, but the balance is a little more towards the tip.

AKs are very nice and I have umm, several. Reliable workhorses, never had a problem with them. Just like the WWIIs better.

Another suggestion (and I'm certainly going to be in the minority here) is the UBE (Uncle Bill Especial). A little more pricey than the other options, but an awesome blade. Especially if you get a custom scabbard for it. The one that come standard causes you to spend about 18.3 minutes of your life, every time you re-sheath it, to avoid putting the tip through the leather. Ok, that was a bit of an exaggeration. No more that 17 minutes. The UBE is VERY intimidating, and is one heck of a chopper.

Wood or horn? A religious debate. No clear winner (participants in the debate will disagree). Some things to consider: where you live (horn tends to crack in very dry climate, though there are people who have had wood split under the same circumstances), whether you like to tinker with your knives (wood has more refinishing possibilities).

Nice website.

namaarie · Oct 14, 2005

My first post on this forum was almost exactly like this. And I got similar responses, which I found very helpful.

I ended up getting the 18" WWII by Bura with wood handle. I love that thing, man! It has enough wieght to do serious work, but its profile makes it light and nimble enough to be relatively quick. And as people asked when I joined, what do you intend to do with it most? Of course, my reply was basically all-around use, chopping, some brush, some wood, some rebuilding society after the nuclear apocalypse, some self-defense against zombies, some everything. The general. And to this task, my 18" WWII is well-suited.

Unless you're going to be doing mostly chopping, I'd probably go for a WWII over an AK. Those are pretty much wood-killers by design, but maybe a bit much for some lighter stuff.

I think that the difference between 18- and 16-inch WWII is probably a matter of preference. How big are you? Are you comfortable with a really big knife, or just a kinda really big knife? IMO, you can't go wrong either way.

Of course, what people neglected to tell me when I joined, is that it really doesn't matter so much what you choose now, because this probably won't be your last.

Really, the HIKV sets in and you're hooked. Once you've gone HI, there's no looking back. They really are that good.

Enjoy whatever you get, ask any questions you like, and stay a while. The people here are great, and always happy to answer a question.

Good luck,

Nam

Edit: BTW, I like wood because it feels nice and if you decide to reprofile the handle, you probably are more familiar with working with wood. But, then again, I don't have any horn, so I can't really compare.

Daniel Koster · Oct 14, 2005

A 16.5" Chiruwa AK can be quite a beast! Capable of chopping like an 18 incher. Unless you are He-Man, that's plenty enough blade to get the job done and easy enough to carry around. A BAS is even more of an all-around khukuri.

My advice? Buy your khukuris to be task-specific and collect the ones you like best. Seems like common sense...but....

ddean · Oct 14, 2005

> THEY call me 'Dean'

-fYI-fWiW-iIRC-JMO-M2C-YMMV-TiA-YW-GL-HH-HBd-IBSCUtWS-theWotBGUaDUaDUaD
<> Noobee <> Tips <> Baha'i Prayers Links --A--T--H--D

Svashtar · Oct 14, 2005

munk said:
I don't like the 16's = too short. The real power and leverage arrives with 18" for me. I'm about 5'11" The WWll's are the all around khuk. The AK orientated more for strictly chopping wood. Not as fast as a WWll. Both will chop wood well.

munk

I agree with Munk. I sold my 16.5" and regular 18" WWII and just kept a great Sher 18" Villager WWII with the unfinished horn handle. This particular one has a thinner (less wide) blade, and is long and slender, and cuts like a damned chainsaw. It was sharp right out of the scabbard, as are most Villagers, and is heavy enough to do a huge amount of work, but light enough to be carried.

If there is one all-round khukuri this one is arguably it, unless maybe it's the BGRS. (?)

Norm

cndrm · Oct 14, 2005

I've got a 17.5" BGRS, and it's a chopping monster. I've repeatedly fed it 8" maple branches, and it just eats them up. I've yet to sharpen it, but there is no difference between it's edge now, and when I took it out of the box almost a month ago. It weighs the same as my FF, but look out, this thing loves wood. Like was said earlier, your first kuk will most likely not be your last.

mike

SASSAS · Oct 15, 2005

The 16.5" WWII Villager is the one that's in my SHTF kit.

Yvsa · Oct 15, 2005

cndrm said:
I've got a 17.5" BGRS, and it's a chopping monster.

It weighs the same as my FF, but look out, this thing loves wood. Like was said earlier, your first kuk will most likely not be your last.

mike

The 16" - 18" BGRS is just damned hard to beat no matter which khuk you're putting it up against.
Mine has been residing in the safe lately so I can't get it out and compare it to the new 23-1/2 ounce Foxy Folly I got today.
It's going to be interesting to try them both out head to head in a few months

What will be really interesting is comparing the heavier Foxy Folly prototype to the lighter as ordered model and the BGRS.
I'm expecting somewhat similar results between them all but I may be wrong as the longer handle on the latest Foxy Folly over the original 4-1/2" handle as ordered and on the prototype may result in quite a difference in balance.
The prototype does seem considerably more blade heavy and so may be a better chopper all in all.

I do like the way the new one sings when being burnished with a full hard chakmak.:thumbup:

But then the prototype sings as well I found out, just not as loudly or as bright.

SkaerE · Oct 15, 2005

wow, thanks for all the info!

i do have a couple more questions. (im not quite up on all of the abreviations y'all been using.)

what makes a WWII or other khukuri a Villager?
what do the BGRS and others mean? is it a model?
can i specify a wooden grip?

thanks again.

Astrodada · Oct 15, 2005

Since no experienced formites are around now to answer the questions, I shall try my best to make a go at it.

A villager is essentially a khukri that has a satin finish to it, as opposed to the regular HI products that have a highly polished mirror finish. Actually a lot of the forumites prefers this satin finish because it is easier to maintain (they are users of the khuk). It retains protective oils better and usually villagers come out of the box sharper.

BGRS....baby ganga ram special. A smaller version of the Ganga Ram Special. Comes in at about 17-17.5 "maybe 23-25oz and is reportedly an excellent chopper.

You can order wood handle of course. But you can aslo look into Yangdu's DOTD.....Deal of the day which usually comes up at about 2:30pm.

Hope this helps.

SASSAS · Oct 15, 2005

SkaerE said:
wow, thanks for all the info!

what makes a WWII or other khukuri a Villager?

thanks again.

I have pics of a villager close up with a few standard models here... This one is the best looking one of the three villagers I have as far as handle. The other two have handle blemishes (surface scuffing on horn and a very small hole (like a nail or critter hole) through the hill walnut handle on the other. But most of what I see on the deal of the day posts seem like the one in the pictures.

Satin finish may be a bit of an overstatement in regard to this one... It has more of a wire-brushed steel look.

http://khukuri.net/Carved Handles.html user:hicantina pass: hicantina

SkaerE · Oct 15, 2005

that picture requires a password and username.

thanks for the help fellas!

SASSAS · Oct 15, 2005

SkaerE said:
that picture requires a password and username.

thanks for the help fellas!

It's in the original post - user: hicantina pass: hicantina

Scott

Carter Leffen · Oct 16, 2005

SkaerE,

I'm "new" to this forum, and to the disease designated HIKV... I've a new Chiruwa Ang Khola 16.5", and arriving within the next day or so, an 18" Chitlangi, with a JKM-1 in train... I'll be ordering a Gelbu Special 21" next week as well... I've already received two Khukuri House equivilants to the Ang Khola 16.5", though not nearly as polished as it's H-I brother...

Why am I telling you all this? A friend of mine, Jerry Spencer Mings, convinced me that the Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri, with Concealex scabbard, was a "Khukuri Like Object." Huh??? Because it had no cho... Technically, he was right... By strict definition, it wasn't exactly a Khukuri... HOWEVER, it did everything I ever asked of it, and did those tasks extremely well... For NOT being a Khukuri, by accepted definition, it did all things "Khukuri" with no problem...

Now, as to size, weight, and ease of use are concerned, as compared to the Cold Steel, the above posters are correct.

The World War II in 16.5" is the better blade, versus the the Cold Steel... Yes, the handle is MUCH better than the Cold Steel. Frankly, the Cold Steel's Kraton handle would be best utilized in a slaughterhouse environment... Less chance to drop it... Gloves would certainly be more comfortable with the CS, but why bother?

Get the 16.5" WWII- you won't be disappointed...

Take care, stay safe, and have fun...

Carter

P.S. THERE IS NO CURE FOR HIKV...

little help to an HI newbie?

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