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npetrie

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Apr 21, 2009
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Hi there, i have been humming and buzzing around the internet all night just researching a good all around tool for backpacking, and my search has landed me here, i was looking at tomahawks, machetes, hatchetes, a smatchete, bowie knives, just a tool that could in general do A lot in terms of being outdoors with it as well as defend myself and something that was unique, that i could feel kind of attached to, or want to hand down to future generations, also something that was durable and low maintence and could survive the years and it seems like a khukri fits the bill for the most part and it seems like people like the khukris they get from here, so i guess i'm wondering what's a good khukri that can take a beating and has the most utility overall, anyways it seems like you guys have a good thing going on here, sorry if i posted in the wrong place or anything like that as well

p.s i like the ww2 and the 18' ang khola ones so far, hoping to keep it under 200$ as well, any help, info, opinions is appreciated
 
Welcome to the Forum, npetrie!
You are Most Welcome here, both to look around and Learn, and You will find much Superb information available here about how to best meet Your needs for a Blade.
I am a Relative Newcomer to the Most Fascinating Field of Nepalese Blades, but My Husband has done some research into the various types of steels used in Blade Forging and from what He can ascertain, the 5160 Spring Steel that Himalayan Imports uses ( And HAS used for many years) seems to be one of the Best materials available for blades.
Some of the Other makers of Sword Blades have started to offer a line made with a very similar steel, and from what He can see and read, people are Very Happy with the 5160 type(s) of steel.
However, I will defer to my Most Learned Colleagues as to which Khukri Model would be the Best for Your needs, 'tho I Can say that I very much Like the Sirupati Model as far as "Looks and Feel" in the Hand goes...But, there are Friends here who have "gone-a-Field" with Their Khukries, and can supply You with Plethora of Excellent info!!

Welcome, and With Best Regards,
Willow
 
Welcome:)

About 7 years ago, I was in the same boat as you. At the time, I needed a simple tool that could do just about anything I asked of it. Being a poor college kid, I scraped together enough pennies to land a 15" HI villager model (it's a lot like the Ang Khola but does not have the fuller along the spine).

Now, years later, I still reach for that first khuk often. It's been used, abused, beaten upon, chopped through metal to rescue some kittens, and used as a pry bar. It's a good one. They're all good ones:D

For a general camping/hiking knife, I think a 15" Ang Khola would work just fine. If you want a little more umph, check out the Chiruwa version. Personally, I like the handles on either model about the same.

You mentioned the 18" WWII. That is another favorite of mine:D (I have more khuks than I have fingers and toes, so I have lots of favorites). My WWII was my third khuk, right behind a used AK that I bought after the Villager model. It has been my go-to camp SITE khuk for years. Plenty of heft to chop wood, not too long as to take up a ton of room, and tough as nails. I love the simple lines of that one.

At any rate, welcome:) If there is any other questions you need answered, just ask away! Oh, and check out Yangdu's deals of the day. A couple times a week she tends to post up some fantastic deals at discount prices for the forumites. These usually are just slightly blemished. Maybe a spot of rust here or missing one of the accessory knives, etc. Nothing that affects the khuk at all, but the prices can't be beat:):thumbup:
 
Welcome! My favorite has been the M-43 model. Great knives with tremendous chopping power that move like a dream in the hand.

My priorities with that knife were heavy duty survival plain and simple, and it has served me extremely well.

You may also check out the R-10 by H.I. as well. It is a great all purpose knife.
 
Uncle Bill (the founder of HI) thought the WWII to be the best all-rounder.
I seem to like the Ang Kholas above all the rest, my 20" being my favorite.
 
You missed some great buys yesterday..but keep your eyes open not a week goes by that there aren't a couple items that come up that I wish I had snapped up..
 
Cpl Punishment said:
Uncle Bill (the founder of HI) thought the WWII to be the best all-rounder.
Click to expand...

Also popular is the M43 (which I've got my eye on) which is basically a WWII with a different handle design. But of course, I was directed to it by Uncle Bill's comments, which the good Corporal paraphrased above.

To further "pass it along," here's how many people here seem to divide it up:

Some khukuris are better suited as weaposn than tools, like the Sirupatis.

Some are better tools than weapons, including the Ang Khola, the Chitlangi, and, I think, the Gelbu Special(?). The Ang Kholas are the most popular, and the most generously warrantied.

The military blades are considered the best "compromise" blades: the BAS, the WWIIs, and the M43.
 
Hey again guys, i have been reading stuff left and right on your forums, and i must say its a neat little place, very much unlike most online communities based around anything really lol, and i think it's very cool how these blades seem very individualized and almost seem to have a story of thier own, and the story of the Kami's make it even more endearing, i almost want to buy a blade just for one of them now, lol. But as i looked around more, i saw a lot more options, one of the ones i saw was the Wicked looking bowie knife, i believed called the cherokee rose or something like that, very cool looking i must say and i was wondering if there is merit to a blade like that or is it more ornamental,since i am fairly inexperienced about blades, pretty much limited to craftsman tool, pocket knives, and playing with my bro's hand and a half sword lol. But that knife i like is a little more, so unless someone manages to magick me into thinking that that's the blade i need for my purposes that i will stick with one of the khukris, as of right now i'm leaning towards the WW2 version 18" since it seems to possess the qualities i'm searching for, although the ang kholas sound so brutish in terms of endurance that i'm a little torn. I do want something that will hopefully last me a lifetime, is versatile in the field and needs low maintenance i.e sharpening-cleaning, but also carries well as far as weight and shape go since it will most likely be used on my backpacking trips as well as any other outdoors trips i might take, anyways i hope this helps you help me :), again thanks so far for all the helpful replies, and also i'm sure you guys covered it somewhere but i can't find out what exactly the little knives are that seem to come with the khukris, what are they exactly and could be they be used in fish preparation, they look small and thin, perfect little blades to do what the big one can't
 
Chitlangi.

Almost as quick & agile as a Sirupati.

Almost as powerful as an Ang Khola.

It's the best of both worlds.

HPIM0895.jpg
 
npetrie said:
i can't find out what exactly the little knives are that seem to come with the khukris, what are they exactly and could be they be used in fish preparation, they look small and thin, perfect little blades to do what the big one can't
Click to expand...

The Karda (small sharp knife) Is used for small jobs that the khukri cant do, like skinning,slicing food cutting up small objects etc... and is also used as a knife/fork combo in the field.

The Chakma(small blunt knife) is used to straighten and burnish the edge of the blade in the field.

Khukuri terminology and answers to some of your questions can be found here:
http://www.himalayan-imports.com/faq/
http://www.himalayan-imports.com/faq/Construction.html


Some Required reading:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=269016

Some suggested Reading:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198282

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=601448

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=273576
 
Unless you are going to do mostly heavy chopping, you don't really NEED an Ang Khola.

Also, the others aren't weak blades so much, they just won't do the heavy chopping as fast as an Ang Khola will.

For general purpose use, the WWII, BAS, M43, Chitlangi, Dui Chirra, etc will all do fine. Pick the one that "speaks" to you and go from there. I don't know anyone that stops at one kukri, so the first one will show you where you want to go with the next.
 
Allright guys, again thank you for all the info and help, i am pretty settled on the m43 and plan on placing my order, hopefully they are in and if not the Fox's Folly caught my eye but might be too big, as well as the ww2 18" and the ang khola 18"
 
A Khukri he will have,and many more get he will. yes hmmmm.

 
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Lol, from the usage, and the pic, i take it hikv means i will like my khukri alot. Thank-you for the welcome Yangdu, i use to live near Reno in Susanville, beautiful area there, and wanted to say you guys have an interesting story here. I placed my order through the store yesterday, and can't wait for the M43 to come.
 
HIKV - Himalayan Imports Khukuri Virus

Once you chop, you can't stop on the Home Chopping Network.


You'll love the M43. It is a solid no-nonsense design.

:thumbup:
 
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