M-43 Size Comparision

[hdwrlover]

Since the M-43 is the first HI Kukuri I bought, I didn't realize what size it really was sitting next to all the other specials that UB posts. Here is a pic with other knives that are essentially the largest production models from those manufacturers. M-43 at the top followed by Bark River Evolution 1, Busse EU17, Busse Terror Monkey Battle Mistress size, and Becker Brute. Yes, Bark River, Busse, and Becker do make larger knives but then they are machetes or swords.

 

[cognitivefun]

Great photo. What do you think about the handling qualities of the M43 versus these other superb knives?

 

[Thomas Linton]

As several here have noted before, "small" khukuris are big knives in the "regular" knife world -- long, thick, heavy and heavy-duty.



------------------------------------
Learn to listen. Opportunity often knocks very softly.

 

[JR42]

Those are some great blades! I'm also interested in some comparisons, especially with respect to handle comfort.

Jeremy

 

[Josh Muller]

had to show that one again since theres a terror monkey in there

hi really does change ones perspective of what "big" means as far as knives are concerned...

(43" gelbu special style blade is from (i think) khukuri house)

 

[hdwrlover]

There's no comparison as far as weight, balance, and I suspect chopping ability of the M-43 to any of the other knives. The M-43 is the heaviest by a good margin, balance is the most foward, and so along with its curved cutting geometry is most likely to outchop any of the others. I say most likely because I have no actual experience in this area.

Not that the others are bad when compared to one another - not including the M-43. The heft of the M-43 would deter me from carrying it on a hiking trip. Also its far foward balance, for me, would not make it good for a defensive knife.

I like the handles on all of them except the Becker Brute, which is too slippery. I know people rough it up or change it out, but I'll probably sell that one someday. The only 2 things I wished were different on the M-43 would be for a slightly longer handle(my glove size is L) and a lanyard hole for more security when chopping.

I like the fact that the M-43 is full tang and pinned. Anyway, it has become my baseline for future Kukuris.

 

[olpappy]

This has been previously mentioned in forums and elsewhere, it is not a good idea to use a lanyard in the butt of a chopping tool because if you lose your grip on the tool, the lanyard will pull it back towards you and possibly inflict a nasty wound.

 

[hdwrlover]

OK, I see that point of view. However, I witnessed the contest among ABS mastersmiths at the last Blade and their knives were required to have lanyards. One contest was chopping through 2 x 4s. The lanyard may have been to make it safe for others around.

I know there is a similar opposing view among mountain climbers who use ice axes and other tools. There is the school that believes it is safer to lose the tool in a fall. Then there is the school that believes that a lanyard prevents you from losing your grip, and if you should lose your tool you will most likely die. I belong to this school.

 

[Ad Astra]

Seth, that pic... no words. Congrats.

(DANG... four o' those khuks dwarfed the Kat. It can't be!)


Ad Astra

 

[Yvsa]

The lanyard may have been to make it safe for others around.

Yep, that's what it is for.

Then there is the school that believes that a lanyard prevents you from losing your grip, and if you should lose your tool you will most likely die. I belong to this school.

I can see this and relate to it and if you were in a position where losing your khuk would be a life and death situation, would probably subscribe to it.

But in most everyday use a life or death situation isn't at hand. I have had khuks with overly large handles go flying out of my hand. A lanyard wouldn't have helped.
I'm most certainly glad they weren't connected to me in any way as a loose khuk on the end of a lanyard flopping wildly would more than likely get you more than once and could be deadly serious.
So using a lanyard on a khuk is possibly inviting a life and death situation where one didn't exist before.

 

[Rusty]

In Extremis, I think I'd want an extention of the buttplate with a hole or slot you could snap something thru. Stick the lanyard ( long rawhide bootlaces? ) in with the karda and chakma.