long vs. heavy?

SilverFoxKnows

SilverFoxKnows

Joined
Sep 25, 2002
Messages
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In my head I'm already spending my tax returns on khuk number two. Now I've seen comparisons of the best choppers or fastest khuk but has anyone chopped with, let's say, a 20"AK and a 25"suri? Does the length make up for the weight? I want something that chops better than the big WWII but can still be used with one hand by an average sized guy. Any observations? Thanks.

Frank
 
You'll be hard pressed to find something that chops better than a big WWII. I can't speak for the 25" sirupati, but the 20" AK, to me, is a different animal altogether than the 18" WWII or AK. Those 18 inchers are in my "all-purpose" category, while the 20" AK to me is a heavy-duty log splitter.

Don't get me wrong, splitting logs with a 20" AK is a blast, but IMO it's not as versatile as an 18" WWII.

I know there are others here who can provide more enlightenment on the 25" blades, hopefully they will weigh in here. Tom Holt has written many accolades on the 25" Kobra, and I think some recent ones on the 25" sirupati as well.
 
I think one important thing to keep in mind is how much variation in weight there can be within one type of khuk. My 20" AK weighs 3lbs, but others here have some that are much heavier and much lighter. I'd judge a blade's handling by a combination of style and Rusty's observation of weight per inch being an important factor in handling. For fighting blades figure about 1 oz/inch--not sure what the ideal ratio for choppers would be..pretty subjective stuff all of it really.

At 3lbs my 20"AK is a very useful for tree felling and log splitting, but too heavy for much light branch lopping (at least any above waist height;) ).

In my experience Sirupatis can vary widely in their weight per inch scale! I have a 20" Siru that is HEAVY and I have a 15" Siru. that is comparatively very light and quick. A 25" made like my 20 would be wayy to heavy to be of much use to me, but it really depends on the kami and the user's strength.

Tom Holt will be by I'm sure with his glowing testimonial for 25" sirupatis:D For me, I'd only get one for the fun of having a big impressive looking khuk, but Tom really did everything with his and loved it. Again, very subjective stuff--sorry.
 
As far as chopping goes I found that chopping dry 2x4's the Ang Khola and CS are matched. In real chopping the CS seems to penetrate better but often gets stuck. The Ang Khola will easily accomplish a chopping task faster than the CS because it does not get stuck. The Ang Khola removes more wood than the CS unless you twist the blade with the CS (this takes considerable time, about 2 chops worth). The WWII model performance is between the Ang Khola and CS in chopping. It gets stuck the odd time. Note, the Ang Khola is only 15" in overall length, it is the baby of the 3, yet the proved to be the most efficient chopper.
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http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/knives/hi_tusk.html#customer knife review

Moving on to chopping I first sectioned the first few pieces in the normal way by just chopping them as they lay horizontal on a chopping block. No surprises, performance : 20" Ang Khola, 15" Ang Khola, 20" Sirupati,
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It seems that it has more to do with were the weight is than how heavy it is.

I would think the 20" Ang Khola would out chop the 25" Sirupati very easy.
 
If you really look at the blades on the Ang Khola and the Sirupati you can see were the weight is on the blades. The Ang Khola's are ment to be choppers with alot of weight forward in the belly, were it needs to be for a chopper.

The Sirupati's are alot slimmer with the weight more even along the blade, weighing less overall. While this would make them easier to handle for fighting, they wouldn't be very good choppers compared to the Ang Khola's.
 
I want something that chops better than the big WWII but can still be used with one hand by an average sized guy. Any observations? Thanks.
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You just described an 18" Ang Khola.:D

Want to chop trees, battle orcs, and rescue fair maidens? Get a Tarwar, they're simply amazing. Swung two handed they chop with such ferocity as to cause nightmares.:eek:

Greg
 
I think my 20" sirupati was about equal to my 16.5" Chiruwa AK. The sirupati took a bit more style to use, though. You have to have pretty good form to hit where you want and put in the power. The AK did more of the work by itself.

(I'd give you weight specs for comparison, but neither knife is in my posession right now)
 
I have a 36 oz 25" sirupati, and for me it's often a one and a half hand blade. The 26 oz 20" sirupati is a one hander with a decent reach, good for limbing with enough oomph to chop thick stuff, but the greater weight and velocity of the 25" one makes a big difference to true chopping. But my 19" 22 oz chitlangi is thinner, slightly lighter, and aimed properly often outchops the 20" sirupati. And it's easier to aim the chitlangi and I prefer its balance. I guess I'd say to go for the sirupati if you want a longer, slender blade that seems more indestructable and costs less, too. A 21" chitlangi is on my wish-list, I think one will out-do the 20" sirupati by a decent margin.

My 15" AK is about equal or maybe better than the 20" sirupati for dedicated chopping of hard wood. The AK is easier to use if reach isn't an issue. I think the greater reach of of the 20" sirupati is the only advantage between the two, and I'd thus prefer the sirupati or chitlangi for limbing or felling smaller trees.

But my 19", 3lb GRS totally outclasses everything else for true chopping, and is about as much as I can handle one handed when I'm NOT tired, and working below waist height. It is often easier for me to control than the 25" sirupati. So I think a 18" AK is on my list too. I also have a 19" WWII style HI villager (seems slightly less belly than a WWII), and it seems to be a good, easy to handle all-rounder, but going by my 15" AK, an 18" AK would definately outchop it. But I think I'd prefer the WWII-like village model for working thinner stuff above wist height over the AK (I think a chitlangi would be better than either for that though)

It really seems like if the $ are available, going for the costlier models with the fullers is well worth it.

Sizewise, I'm 5' 10', 165 lb, and in slightly better than couch-potatoe shape (used to weigh 130). Hope this helps you decide.
 
My carry khukuri was a 20"village sirupati for a long time. I have had 3 20" sirupatis and they are still my favorite style of khukuri.
I wish I didn't sell them. You guys no how it goes when you want a new toy though.
I used the 20" for just about everything and it worked great. You can't cut down a full size tree but it did clear bush , cut walking sticks and make a excellent fighting knife(if needed).
I'm gonna pick one up again soon.
God Bless.
Terry
 
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