Little khuks

J

Josh Wilson

Joined
Aug 3, 2000
Messages
232
I noticed that most of the talk on this forum is about the big khuks (Ak WW2 Sirupati etc). What is you opinion on the smaller khuks (9" Dhankuta for example)?

Bill, do you often see khuks this small being used in Nepal or are they more of a decorative/curiosity item?
 
I may be blowing hot air here, but here goes... I don't think that "little khukris" i.e. those with an overall length of 12 inches or less, are really all that useful. The 12 inch sirupati is considered by many to be a great martial arts weapon, and possibly has some kitchen use as well. No argument there. But considering that in Nepal and the surrounding area, they use khukris for EVERYTHING, you can see where something that small isn't going to be too practical.

Small, of course, is relative. But a khukri has that unique bend in the midsection that, while giving tremendous power to the larger blades, seems like it would get in the way of the smaller ones. I don't own a 12" sirupati, but I have seen one. As a utility knife, I just can't picture what it's good for. There isn't enough uniterrupted blade edge to really get you anywhere. Imagine you're out camping. Try carving a roast with it, dicing vegetables, or cutting up some tinder for the fire. Can opener, sure, but otherwise...? I think (personal opinion only) that the khukri has some inherent design features that just make it impractical below a certain size. If you need a knife with an overall length of 8-10 inches, get a Spyderco. if you need a serious working survival blade to build shelters, take out shrubs and other gardening, "remodel" you kitchen, etc., then get a khukri.

You'll be glad you did.

Tom
(wha has never tried to take out a fence post with a spyderco).
 
Just remember that the little CBKC "nominal" nine inch often turns out to have a greater than 5 1/2" blade by an eigth or quarter inch, making it illegal to carry OPENLY in Texas.
 
Maybe the Kumar Karda, a straight knife, is the direction the "downsize" Nepali knife tradition will go in.

KumarKardas-0800-medium.jpg



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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001
 
Mr. M and Bill, I got a chance to check out the K Karda. Nice knife but I think it would be better with a drop point and finger groove IMHO.

Any opinions on that?

 
Bill and Tom,
You made me step to the closet and retrieve a 12" sirupati, an 18" Kobra and "ugly stick," a 15" AK blem. Also had to look at a custom camp/fighter, which has been used often enough for opinion. I guess the best benefit of any small blade may be that it is always with you. A Lapplander may have a 14" leuku nearby yet the 31/2" puuko is always on the belt. A Nepali farmer may use the 18" utility or AK constantly, but the little karda is in the sheath for a reason. Last summer I had to BBQ prep a salmon about the size of uncle's Kobra shipping carton (open) with a Mini-Buck pocketknife. Not neat but the job got done. I have also found the fabled "Kabar" to be miserable for either slicing food or trimming kindling. Though in a category (fighting) that includes screwdrivers, can openers and broken bottles, as well as small khukuris, it is superb. The best solution may be as I understand modern ghorkas to employ - in addition to the khukuri there may be found the SAK. Personally, I like all of my khukuris and will consider size in relation to uniqueness rather than potential ability in the field. In the end, ability will have a lot to do with the wielder's skill. I have known "old timer" types who didn't need more than their pocketknife to dress game with, and I have known otherwise bright people who should not legally be allowed near a pop-top. Given the spare change and lack of debt, both of which I seem to rarely see lately, I would be just as quick to grab a Janawar Katne ( what about those Bill?) as a sirupati. All are fun.
Best regards to both of you,
Leo
 
Drop point, finger groove ... Some of the Scandinavian/Finnish outfits have added finger grooves and/or guards, sometimes gracefully and sometimes as afterthoughts, to their traditional designs, for the American market - as in this picture. And there's a good argument to be made for guards - they help keep your fingers off the edge. But both the Subarctic Europeean and Nepali cutlery traditions seem to emphasize cutting down and cutting back, but not cutting forward unless part of your hand is wrapped around the butt-end for safety.

The mind wanders ... After we cross-breed the Kumar Karda with a Lappland Leuku, and set off a cultural fusion reaction with the Everest Katana and another one with the Himalayan Puukko and/or Gurkha Viking (now there's a formidable character to imagine!) knives, anybody for sending the kamis a Loveless style drop point hunter? [big evil grin!


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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001
 
The reason I ask about the usefulness of the little khuks is I find that a lot of the other <9" knives I own dont have a large enough belly for a lot of slicing tasks. I often find that I use the tip of the knife for everything and the rest of the blade is never used (especially if Im cutting from an akward angle).

So Im interested in a knife that has a fat enough belly to make it useful for slicing. Obviously the little khuks wouldnt be used for heavy duty choping but I think that the shape might still be useful for smaller tasks.
 
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