M43 and Chiruwa Ang Khola

TheQuest said:
Robust covers a lot.

CAK - You're going to be able to chop anything with it. Dedicated tool. Heavy. You'll tire out quicker.

M-43 - Still going to chop...pretty much anything. The edge profile and blade shape make up for the lesser weight. Straddles the line between multi-tool and weapon well, leans a bit towards the weapon side. Still thick enough to stand up to anything you throw at it. WildMike used his while building a couple log cabins.

The M-43, with its curved spine....well, mine feels like an extension of my arm. The balance and the flow is just right, easy to aim, etc. But when I'm using the CAK, it's like swinging an axe. For me, it's a little ungainly, and thus don't use it as much.

If you're between the CAK and M43, pick the M43. (Keep the BAS in mind though. It's a wonderful little jack of all trades knife. M43 just beats it because of size and weight, means it has better chopping performance. BAS could do cleanup jobs round the yard just fine.)

Now...if you're looking for something that goes through vines and thin wood, you've got a whole different set of models to look at. Sirupati, Gelbu Special, Chainpuri, Chitlangi, etc.
Click to expand...
I totally agree TheQuest! If you swing the CAK, make sure it makes contact.
 
I also must add, I have M43's as heavy as CAK's.
You decide......be sure to talk to Yangdu about your intents.
Blessings
 
A lot of using a khukri is using it correctly. Letting it do the work so you don't have to work as hard.
As a small old short armed derelict I can tell you that if you swing one enough it will get easier.
This being said you don't want to over do and get dangerous. Bad things happen when your tired.
Bad things happen when you try to swing harder to get something done quicker. It's not a Stihl chainsaw but certainly the next best thing.

It will get accustomed to you and you will get accustomed to it. My biggest difficulty in swinging khuks is getting at stuff to chop, cut, mutilate. If I had a couple working lower appendages I'd probably get me a magnum and a blue ox and cut me a path to someplace, not sure where.
 
Mr Bawanna: rest assured, I will a) attempt to curb my newfound enthusiasm for these all-too-addictive tools/weapons b) practice those swings, ensuring I actually connect to a target and not myself!
 
I'm gonna back off Amko. These guys can definitely direct you. I'm the new, enthusiast kid on this block! You remind me of ME! You'll end up with what you really want. You'll always be in quest of "that perfect, do everything Khukri"!
Let me add, being almost 62, all these guys are continuing to buy because we love them all! We are all on "that quest"!
Just speaking from my years of experience in life!
Let me know when you find it!
 
Thanks Mr Azar. But at 50 I'm no spring chicken myself ;) that said will message you shortly with an idea that just struck me!
 
Amko said:
Thanks Mr Azar. But at 50 I'm no spring chicken myself ;) that said will message you shortly with an idea that just struck me!
Click to expand...
Yes sir. I'll try my best. I'm not the user like many of these guys. Did you read wildmikes post on the M43?
There are a lot of Chiruwas that aren't so heavy if you really want a Chiruwa style.
 
Aw to be 50 again. I'm past 62 as well. You can sit back and say I'm used up or you can say Bring IT!

Just keep swinging, even if it's in front of your khukri hutch choppin air.

I too am not the user many of these fellas are. Bring the forest to me and I'll chop it, I go to it when and as far as I can but sometimes that's not too far.

I envy the wildmike stories and life style, I was a bit of a wild mike in my younger pre chair days. Certainly no where near the level he's been but in the woods very deep and often.
 
Bawanna said:
Aw to be 50 again. I'm past 62 as well. You can sit back and say I'm used up or you can say Bring IT!

Just keep swinging, even if it's in front of your khukri hutch choppin air.

I too am not the user many of these fellas are. Bring the forest to me and I'll chop it, I go to it when and as far as I can but sometimes that's not too far.

I envy the wildmike stories and life style, I was a bit of a wild mike in my younger pre chair days. Certainly no where near the level he's been but in the woods very deep and often.
Click to expand...
I really admire you Bawanna.
Just saying! Thanks for all you do for this community. You've certainly made me feel at home!
 
Those Wildmike stories are truly the stuff of legend!

Mr Azar: How do I send you a private message? A little new here, so slightly unsure as to how I can do that...
 
Amko said:
Those Wildmike stories are truly the stuff of legend!

Mr Azar: How do I send you a private message? A little new here, so slightly unsure as to how I can do that...
Click to expand...
I don't really know myself? If there is no other way, I'll give my email address, sir.
Can anyone help if you can send private messages?
Thank you
 
My email ID is amko1967 at gmail dot com. I will respond ASAP to your message!
 
Gentlemen....and I use that term loosely, I have found one area where the M43's performance suffers a little bit. That is in splitting and chopping out pitch wood for firestarting. The M43's edge is a little thin and slicey for that work, becoming prone to distortion of the blow doesn't land just right. In the cases where that has happened I just tapped the edge back into shape with a rock.

The CAL is thicker behind the edge and less prone to such damage. Not a real problem but something to be aware of. It just depends on what your use is. The M43 is a tremendous all arounder.
 
Splitting wood is definitely one of the things I'm currently grappling with so your input is timely, Wildmike. Thanks!
 
If your splitting wood then Id recommend the 20" AK or 16" if 20" is too heavy. It was one of my first HI blades and nothing but nothing can do it better than an AK! My opinion of course but I stand by it with experience. I fed a wood stove for years with nothing else but my ax for outside splitting but when I needed to split inside to break things down a bit more Id use my AK on my living room stump! I know most wives wont have it but mine had no choice. She didnt complain cause she was warm. Cant speak of the M43 cause i dont have one. Guess that needs to change:D
 
Actually as it happens I do own a 20" AK from another brand (not saying who, but certainly not a tourist grade co.) but currently find it heavy at 45 oz. I don't want to compromise efficiency but could use a slightly lighter AK. From this link: http://yhst-7333098713883.stores.yahoo.net/18inchangkhola.html, the 18" weighs between 2 and 2.5 lbs, depending on kami.

I'm thinking an 18" CAK should be about right!
 
I have a 20" Gelbu Special, 17" Tin Chirra, 18" M43.. and I still want a 15 or 16" AK. (and a CAK).
The Balance difference of the GS verses the chiruwa m43 is a primary reason that I want a traditional handle AK...
M43 feels like swinging an estwing hammer. solid steel and awesome.
The traditional handle feels more lively.
The TC feels like Im swinging a full sized axe.



The M43 is awesome, outstanding. I cut and split my firewood all winter.
My primary go-to-destruction kuk, I've been cutting hardwood 2x6's with it.....
to clarify wildmike said specifically tinder gathering of pine sapwood.. not regular log cutting, splitting , processing.... it excels at chopping trees and logs and the particular handle style really makes my western hands happy. the palm swell and smooth handle don't give me crazy blisters like the rings.

18" CAK sounds like it would cut through a boreal forest. I'm a young whippersnapper but the more I swing the 18" m43 around the more I want a 16" chopper.
But I really need to try an 18" ak and cak before I'll be fully able to give an opinion.
 
Now I do have an 18" Rajkumar Gelbu Special. I really like the lightness of it. Id rather have a 20" Gelbu Special. The GS has the same edge profile as the AK and is really an awesome design. I have an 18" Bura AK now as well and its my daily go to lately. Its getting harder and harder to decide what to use when I need to chop something. That's a terrible disease to have aint it?
 
ndoghouse said:
Now I do have an 18" Rajkumar Gelbu Special. I really like the lightness of it. Id rather have a 20" Gelbu Special. The GS has the same edge profile as the AK and is really an awesome design. I have an 18" Bura AK now as well and its my daily go to lately. Its getting harder and harder to decide what to use when I need to chop something. That's a terrible disease to have aint it?
Click to expand...
ok DD 18" bura ak 20" gelbu special swap :D
 
Nicely played stwm! Wish I'd thought of that. Man can't have enough Bura.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top