M 43 experience...

T

thalion

Joined
Oct 12, 2009
Messages
31
Hi all!
I am new to the forum and the HI khukuri world... I'm writing from Croatia and am thinking about ordering an M43 model which is, in my opinion, the best looking khukuri out there. It was a tough call since I also liked the large WW2 and a CAK model but thanks to very kind help from Yangdu, I got my mind straight on an M43.

What I would like to know, how does it perform in the field? I am thinking about using it for light to medium chopping chores at my cottage, trekking and camping and similar. I would very much appreciate if you could tell me your experiences with it. Actual use I mean as I am not looking to put this beauty on a shelf but do real work with it and it doesn't hurt if it looks good while at it, right? :)

Most of all, is there really that much difference in chopping power between an M43 and an CAK khuk? I am thinking firewood log splitting and such, can the M43 do it with ease? Nobody here has any kind of HI khuk and there is no way for me to learn first hand so I am asking for your help and experience. Any input or suggestion at all would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
 
IMO, comparing items of the same length, I think the M43 will chop as well, if not better than the CAK. I can't say for sure as my smallest CAK is 20" and my M43 is 18", and the CAK outchops it, but is also heavier.

IMO in this case, look at the two. One will attract you more than the other. Buy that one first. Both will do the job you want to do, just fine.
 
The M-43 will do anything and everything you ask of it in the field. Not only that but it will do it so well that you will never want to put it down.

Mine served me through several years of extreme survival use. It served excellently in making many small shelters, as well as two trapper style log cabins. It will easily outcut any blade its size due to its pronounced forward curve combined with the slight downward curve of the handle. The edge of the M-43 is also thinner providing a bstter shearing edge. When all these factores are combined you have a tremendous shearing and chopping force.

It is lighter thaan the CAK's and outchops them as well. Corp. has a 20" AK that he says outchoped his brothers M-43, but that is at 1/3 more weight. Which would leave the user much more fatigued at the end f the day. The M-43's blade speed is much greater resulting in greater cutting power.

The M-43 excells as well as a drawknife for peeling logs, again the design of the blade and its thin edge allow it to excel in this area. All kukris will perform this task, but the M-43's aforementioned design elements allow it to excel.

It's weight distribution and handling characteristics, and balance make it very controllble and lend it to being used as a carving hatchet. This allowed me to easily improvise hunting and trapping components and gear.

You really naeed to handle the M-43 to appreciate it. They dance in the hand.

I chose the M-43 because of technical information shared by Daniel Koster in Kukri Faq's on the website. I chose it because of all the kuk's it had the most pronounced blade drop. Yet due to the dropped handle it also allowed a straight thrust with the hand in the natural position. This allows this fine blade to eet the weapon requirements even better than most other kukri's as well.

My M-43 enabled me not only to survive during some very difficult times ait allowed me to thrive.

I now have other kukri's as well (can't help myself I'm stuck on these things), But the M-43 remains my go to blade every time I go into the hills camping backpacking etc. The blade not only outperformed axes but I carry it instead of one in the wilderne

As to the CAK. they are slower in hand and tip speed with a thiker more axelike edge. Still a stout capable knife though.
 
Hey wildmike, I was so convinced I wanted my next khukuri to be a chiruwa; but I've been reading your posts and you've bout got me to buy an M43. It's chopping and handling ability sounds awesome. Not that I don't love my 15" Ang Khola, but you know how it is, hehe. I do have one technical question I wanted to ask you, if I may, that I haven't been able to find in the description or FAQ. Maybe I haven't been looking close enough, I dunno. I noticed in the pic in the HI shop that the M43 has what appear to be pins or rivets in the handle; so my question is : is the M43 a full tang model similar to the Chiruwa Ang Khola.
 
Wolfenhawk. I have a 15" Ang Khola as well. There is absolutely no comparison between it and an M-43 in terms of handling and cutting ability.

And as to your question Yes indeed the M-43 does have the same type handle construction as the CAK as far as the tang goes. Other than that the handles are very different since the M-43 handle drops down as well allowing a much more natural hand position.

Personaly I would love to see an M-43 with a traditional style handle, but all other design criteria the same.

I encourage you to get one.
 
Thanks for the info wildmike. Thats exactly what I was wanting to know. Either this coming paycheck or the next will see me getting an M43. I've just come in from chopping seasoned hardwood limbs with my 15" AK. And I admit when I first tested it, it was so beautiful that I didn't really give it much of a workout. But today I went after a pile of limbs for set aside for my smoker and was amazed again at it's chopping ability and how well it maintains an edge. So after reading how much the M43 excells in chopping ability, even when compared to other HI Khukuris; yeh I gotta get one now.:thumbup:
I'm sure I'm still gonna get me a CAK. But I may wait and see about getting a super CAK after all the good things I've been hearing.
Again thanks for the answer wildmike, and for all the other helpful info you've been posting on other threads as well.
wolfenhawk
 
FWIW, for all those who've seen me go on and on about my CAK, I'll say the M43 is fast becoming my new favorite -- much as I hate to admit it.
 
Awww Corp. Welcome to the dark side.

In all reality though I even use my M-43 for a chefs knife.

Me and a friend had to remaove a blown down tree from accross a jeep trail. He was utterly amazed at how quickly the M-43 cut through it and the size of the chips it threw. He is a dedicated axe man and he has never seen anything chop that well.
 
Many thanks to all of you and esp wildmike!

If I had any doubts, my mind is at ease now... From what I read, the M43 is the ultimate mix of the beauty and the beast! I am definitely getting it as soon as possible and can't wait to put it to real use... I am planing to cut down a large patch of brush and saplings after winter and I hope I will have a field test report on how it performed!

Thanks!
 
I don't own a M43 but I do own a couple of pre-WWII kurkris which the M43 closely resemble and I will say that that blade design is probably the best weapon/tool design you can have..
 
I would point out two things for our new friends:

A) It isn't just a matter of how well it cuts, but how well it fits. My decision to get an M-43 was determined, to a large degree, by its curved handle design, which I felt would be more comfortable.

B) Make sure that you know if you're looking for a tool, a weapon, or a combination. The M43, like the other "military" blades, is categorized as a combination tool/weapon, a "jack of all trades" design. By contrast, Ang Kholas (Kholae?) and CAKs are almost pure tools.
 
The grip on the M-43 is indeed more comfortable than the Ang Khola handles, and as I stated above this is due mainly to the grip angle which keeps the hand in a more natural position.
 
Anyone have a WWII and M-43? Yangdu says the WWII is a favorite among the Martial Artists (which would be good for me). I'm wondering how the M-43 is going to fair too. Right now while I wait on a backorder, I might as well get another one too.

So as a "combat knife" which do you think is better?
 
The M43 is a weapon/tool, the WWII is a tool/weapon I would say the M43 hands down but that"s purely my opinion from the design stand point.
I personally am a Kobra lover but that"s a whole other conversation.
 
John the M-43's handling is far superior to the WWII froma martial arts point of view. Remember the M-43 was designed as a superior replacement for the WWII model. Its handle alignment was improved to msake it more instinctual in use as well as to improve its thrusting abilities. The blade drop was accentuated to lengthen the sweet spot and improve it chopping performance (which was already considerable) while allowing it to be lighter weight which makes it easier to carry and faster in the hand. The M-43 was designed to be what it is the perfect blend of weapon and tool.

You really need to handle one in order to experience what I mean. Get an M-43 and it will spoil you for anything else.

I have a chitlangi and it does not chop nor handle anywhere as fluidly as the M-43. My 15" Ang Khola weighs the same as my Sher made M-43.and neither handles nor chops as well as the M-43.

If you get an M-43 mine were made by Bura and Sher (the Tiger) Both Kami's do great work from personal experience.
 
HARPERSGRACE said:
The M43 is a weapon/tool, the WWII is a tool/weapon I would say the M43 hands down but that"s purely my opinion from the design stand point.
I personally am a Kobra lover but that"s a whole other conversation.
Click to expand...

I have a WWII -- also an 18 inch, like my M43.
The M43 is far superior as a tool and weapon.
IMO I'd pick an Ang Khola over the WWII as a weapon. I really don't like that model much, although some love it. To each his own.
 
Wildmike...


What handle is on the M-43 you carried while in the woods? My Sher-made M-43 is the only khukuri I own, but it's pretty much everything I'd looked for in a khukuri.

M-43kukhuri007.jpg



M-43kukhuri006.jpg



M-43kukhuri001.jpg


The last one is of my rig in a Sarki Shop Sasquatch Special. The OD cover keeps me from dinging the rather soft leather Terry uses, and is held on by the frog.


Yes, I know I have the frog installed backwards!! It just works out better for me, a left-handed M-43 user, that way.
 
Ironhandjohn said:
... My Sher-made M-43 is the only khukuri I own, but it's pretty much everything I'd looked for in a khukuri.
Click to expand...

I hope thalion is as lucky and happy with a M-43 as you and Wildmike so obviously are ... it took me seven Khuk's before I found 'the one' but when one finds it, you know immediately.:D
 
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