I've been snooping around the wilderness/survival forum the past few weeks, and made a post this morning about thoughts on a Khukhri as a good outdoors knife. Met with lots of responses to send me here. I must admit, after all day looking at these amazing knives, I've decided that I must have one. At first I was drawn to the WWII model, but after seeing some pictures of the Dui Chirra, I am completely enamored. I suppose this is like throwing a kid into a candy shop, but what are everyone's thoughts on a Dui Chirra as my first one? Probably in the 18-20 inch range around 24-32 ounces? This would be used for hunting/camping which would involve all the down and dirty stuff that goes with.
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Looking for my first Khukhri
- Thread starter Darteres
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- May 9, 2002
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Welcome
You've come to the right place!
I personally. love the way the DC looks. However, as an all around user, I find it really hard to beat the pure function of an 18" WWII model. The DC would probably be more than adequate for your needs, but the WWII IMHO is just straight utility.
I have well over 40 HI products and have handled a dozen or so more. The WWII was my third khuk. It was my go-to khuk for several years and still gets a good amount of abuse. Actually, it was only in the last couple of years that the 18" YCS special run that it was knocked off its throne. That YCS is a great all 'rounder as well...and looks dang fine doing it.
The best part of buying an HI khuk...aside from the iron-clad warranty and fast shipping is that you can't go wrong. Also, most people can't stop at just one. So pick out whatever suits your fancy...just be ready to pick up another and another and another and...
You've come to the right place!I personally. love the way the DC looks. However, as an all around user, I find it really hard to beat the pure function of an 18" WWII model. The DC would probably be more than adequate for your needs, but the WWII IMHO is just straight utility.
I have well over 40 HI products and have handled a dozen or so more. The WWII was my third khuk. It was my go-to khuk for several years and still gets a good amount of abuse. Actually, it was only in the last couple of years that the 18" YCS special run that it was knocked off its throne. That YCS is a great all 'rounder as well...and looks dang fine doing it.
The best part of buying an HI khuk...aside from the iron-clad warranty and fast shipping is that you can't go wrong. Also, most people can't stop at just one. So pick out whatever suits your fancy...just be ready to pick up another and another and another and...
Oh, I can already see that I'm going to buy a few. My girlfriend is probably going to kill me if I don't order her one on the first run. Course, if she does, she'll have mine and all will be settled. I do like the WWII for what looks to be a 'this one can do it all' blade, but the DC is just so beautiful.
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Hello Darteres,
My personal experience with khuks end at 18" right now. That being said, while different styles have strong points, my 18" ang khola chops the best, My 18" kobra is my fastest blade, my daughters 15" sirupati is very similar to the kobra, yet has a sturdier blade. My wifes 12" Ang Knola sees the most work around the property,( she builds natural fencing with hard, hard driftwood from the lake). And yet my first khukuri, a 17" WW II is my favorite, because, it is , to me, a blade of all trades, it can do most of what the others can, and well, just not as perfect as them.
Have Fun and Be Well,
mark
My personal experience with khuks end at 18" right now. That being said, while different styles have strong points, my 18" ang khola chops the best, My 18" kobra is my fastest blade, my daughters 15" sirupati is very similar to the kobra, yet has a sturdier blade. My wifes 12" Ang Knola sees the most work around the property,( she builds natural fencing with hard, hard driftwood from the lake). And yet my first khukuri, a 17" WW II is my favorite, because, it is , to me, a blade of all trades, it can do most of what the others can, and well, just not as perfect as them.
Have Fun and Be Well,
mark
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I'm more into the bigger choppers, my 20" Chiruwa Ang Khola being my favorite.
IMO, the best "do it all blades" would be the 16.5" Chiruwa Ang Khola or an 18" WWII.
But really, buy the one that calls your name. They'll all pretty much outperform any other non-kukri their size (or even larger). Plus, you'll eventually buy the others anyway. . .
IMO, the best "do it all blades" would be the 16.5" Chiruwa Ang Khola or an 18" WWII.
But really, buy the one that calls your name. They'll all pretty much outperform any other non-kukri their size (or even larger). Plus, you'll eventually buy the others anyway. . .
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Oh, one thing to keep in mind in case you didn't know:
The length mentioned for kukris is from the pommel to the tip of the blade, not the blade length. So the 16.5" Chiruwa, really has about 11-12" of blade. That's how I ended up ordering a 20" Ang Khola -- I wanted 15" of blade.
Also, the handle size is not consistant. Smaller kukris have smaller handles, and the larger ones have larger handles, so if you have real big hands, the smaller kukris might not be that great, or if you have small hands, a huge kukri probably isn't what you want.
Hence my recommendations for the 16.5" Chiruwa or 18" WWII, they are of good lengths and handle sizes to be jacks of all trades, and to give you an idea of where you want to go with your next ones.
last it of advice: keep checking these forums for the deals of the day. You may find a great starter for less $$ than you'd normally pay.
The length mentioned for kukris is from the pommel to the tip of the blade, not the blade length. So the 16.5" Chiruwa, really has about 11-12" of blade. That's how I ended up ordering a 20" Ang Khola -- I wanted 15" of blade.
Also, the handle size is not consistant. Smaller kukris have smaller handles, and the larger ones have larger handles, so if you have real big hands, the smaller kukris might not be that great, or if you have small hands, a huge kukri probably isn't what you want.
Hence my recommendations for the 16.5" Chiruwa or 18" WWII, they are of good lengths and handle sizes to be jacks of all trades, and to give you an idea of where you want to go with your next ones.
last it of advice: keep checking these forums for the deals of the day. You may find a great starter for less $$ than you'd normally pay.
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I have both of those and can only agree that the AK is a great chopper while the WW2 is the best all around.
I also have a 14" Dui Chirra which was my first HI khuk.
Another thing to consider is if you like the full tang or hidden tang handles. I find the hidden tang to be more comfortable. I also have a preference for wood handles. Horn is too slippery for me.
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The AK and the WWII are both great khuks, good for just about anything. I would recommend 15-18", hidden tang. IMO, the hidden tang models are plenty strong, and I think that they feel better in the hand and chop better because they put more weight in the blade.
Andy
Andy
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There's no appreciable weight distribution difference between the hidden and Chiruwa tanged AKs -- at least not in the 18"ers (the only size I have both handle styles in). I also don't see the difference in "feel" -- they're the same handle profile (you might have to file some metal as the wood does shrink a bit). I agree the hidden tangs are plenty strong.
All that to say, pick what you like, I doubt you'll notice much, if any, difference, and either way, the kukri will probably outlive your grandchildren.
All that to say, pick what you like, I doubt you'll notice much, if any, difference, and either way, the kukri will probably outlive your grandchildren.
Thanks for all the great information guys (and girls?)! I'm going to take my time and watch the DOTD and go from there. I believe I've narrowed it down to either a WWII, a BAS or a Dui Chirra (which I still love the look of). I want the full tang and if possible, a villager model. Keeping my eyes open and learning as much as I can from you all.
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Welcome Steve
Check out the Sarki
Shop. Terry is a great guy.
What kind of sheath are you looking for? Have you ever thought about making one yourself? I make mine all the time. Ugly as all get out, but very functional.
Check out the Sarki
Shop. Terry is a great guy.
What kind of sheath are you looking for? Have you ever thought about making one yourself? I make mine all the time. Ugly as all get out, but very functional.
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2003
- Messages
- 13,182
Terry Sisco makes truly amazing khukuri sheaths.
Also Dan Koster made Me a really nice kydex one.:thumbup:
How about a little more help from some of you more knowledgeable guys out there? I believe I've narrowed my decision down a good bit. I have 4 runner-ups. I like the 18 in M43, the 18 in Salyan, the 16.5 in CAK and the 21 in Berkley Special. Am I correct in believing that the Berkley Special and the Dui Chirra are the same blade? If not, please correct me. How about some thoughts/comparisons/experience with either of these blades? This is going to be an all purpose camp/survival knife, but also a display piece that will be used. I believe that the marks of use make the piece more interesting, and I'd like to be able to say, "yes, this was the knife i used when i went on that two week camping trip etc etc etc."
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I would probably lean toward the M-43 or the CAK. Both are going to look very "exotic" to the average observer. However, I really think that you'll get the most function out of them.
The DC and Berk Special are both BEAUTIFUL, but are really show pieces that will absolutely work than work pieces that can be shown
If I had to pick one of the four as a first khuk based on what I know now, I would go with the CAK. The knife is incredibly strong and gives you a good "feel" for how HI khuks are going to handle. The M-43, while one of my favorites, is a totally different animal in the handling department. It has a lot of curve and a lot of weight forward. The handle is also sort of in what I would call a "fixed" position. Unlike the other knives with a little more straightness to the handle for different grips, the M-43 really only works being held one way. Comfortable, but limited. Like I said, I love mine, but I don't know if I would have been so in love with it had I not handled other khuks before it. The M-43 was probably Khuk # 15 for me
You really can't go wrong with a CAK, IMHO.
The DC and Berk Special are both BEAUTIFUL, but are really show pieces that will absolutely work than work pieces that can be shown
If I had to pick one of the four as a first khuk based on what I know now, I would go with the CAK. The knife is incredibly strong and gives you a good "feel" for how HI khuks are going to handle. The M-43, while one of my favorites, is a totally different animal in the handling department. It has a lot of curve and a lot of weight forward. The handle is also sort of in what I would call a "fixed" position. Unlike the other knives with a little more straightness to the handle for different grips, the M-43 really only works being held one way. Comfortable, but limited. Like I said, I love mine, but I don't know if I would have been so in love with it had I not handled other khuks before it. The M-43 was probably Khuk # 15 for me
You really can't go wrong with a CAK, IMHO.