M43 goodness

[stickfred]

Wolf_1989,
Those fullers in the SCAK-are they both continuous down the blade or is one of them restricted to the top like in the AK? It is hard to tell about fullers the from photos. I was pleasantly surprised to find two fullers running down the blade toward the ricasso on my Hanuman AK, as I had no idea it even had fullers.

The hardened zone is larger on the SCAK compared to the M43? I'll have to get a file out and check my M43.

And you have a Sgt. Khadka SCAK-I am almost envious. Did it come with any markings on it? I was able to find a CAK by him and there isn't a mark on the blade. Doesn't bother me, though, 'cause its a real nice khukuri.

 

[Wolf_1989]

Wolf_1989,
Those fullers in the SCAK-are they both continuous down the blade or is one of them restricted to the top like in the AK? It is hard to tell about fullers the from photos. I was pleasantly surprised to find two fullers running down the blade toward the ricasso on my Hanuman AK, as I had no idea it even had fullers.

Super CAK:

One is at the back of the blade, like an Ang Khola. The other fuller runs from the tip to the bolster.

The hardened zone is larger on the SCAK compared to the M43? I'll have to get a file out and check my M43.

Yes the Super CAK has a longer hardened area, by about an inch.

And you have a Sgt. Khadka SCAK-I am almost envious. Did it come with any markings on it? I was able to find a CAK by him and there isn't a mark on the blade. Doesn't bother me, though, 'cause its a real nice khukuri.

No markings. Sgt Khadka's khukuris don't even need them I reckon. You can just tell my looking at one that he made it. His style is very distinctive.

 

[Wolf_1989]

Cutting results:

This heavy M43 cuts like nothing else. The extra bit of weight on this 20" longer handled version helps it cleave wood like a magical blade from a role playing game.

My #1 work khukuri all this time - 20" AK by Kumar - has been officially replaced by this M43. There is no comparison.


However I'm not quite ready to give it full props over the Super CAK. This M43 did outperform it at chopping, but at a cost of about 6 extra ounces. This means that while the M43 was a better chopper, the Super CAK is still lighter, faster, better balanced, more agile, and recovers better after the cut... making it better in the role of weapon.

Now if this same chopping power was still obtainable in a 20"/ 35oz M43, I would certainly say the M43 might just well be the ultimate khukuri.

I will say the new version of the M43 - 20" overall length with a longer handle is perfect. I have a hard time using my brother's M43 with the old stubby handle. The new handle length is just right.:thumbup:

 

[b.c.molin]

However I'm not quite ready to give it full props over the Super CAK.

...the Super CAK is still lighter, faster, better balanced, more agile, and recovers better after the cut... making it better in the role of weapon.

Thanks for your comparisons. Reading your very definitive results, I was sure glad to get to the third paragraph as I thought the Super CAK had been vanquished as well, rather out performed in one area.

Not that any conformation is needed, but I have come to similar conclusions after I finally received my 17 inch 28 ounce M43 by Sher 3 days before Christmas but waited until Xmas Day to open it. In the pure chopper role seems better suited than my 15inch/25ounce BAS by Vim, and is only challenged by my 17inch/23ounce Foxy Folly in its curved weight forward feel. The thing I did find unexpected about the M-43 is the non-traditional ringed grip. Like many, when I first got into Khuk's this aspect was far from appealing. Almost 18 months and over a dozen khuk's later it feels normal.

As some may recall, I have a smaller sibling to your Super CAK made by Sgt Khardka, which I call a Chiruwa Dui Chira. At 18.25inch/31ounces with a traditional curved ring grip, it still like your Super CAK retains number 1 spot for being more secure and "faster, better balanced, more agile, and recovers better after the cut... making it better in the role of weapon."

We are both very fortunate to have our respective Sgt. Khardka Khuk's, even if they spoil us so much towards other Khuk's but your suggestion for a 20inch/35 ounce M-43 could be the contender for the ultimate HI chopping Khuk, especially for young and strong folks blessed with big hands.

 

[Wolf_1989]

b.c.molin, yeah, I think had this M43 been much lighter yet still with that sort of incredible cutting power, the lighter weight would have edged it better (no pun intended) towards the weapon role. As I evaluate khukuris, I assess them as tool vs weapon by varying degrees. If one is a better wood cutter, that's fine; it doesn't make it a lesser khukuri, just a khukuri better for its role as a tool. If one is really light and quick, it's better as a weapon.

BUT as I evaluate them for the title of Ultimate Khukuri, BOTH factors must be considered. The Ultimate Khukuri must be equally weapon and tool. It must be the khukuri, THE khukuri you can rely on to get you through WW3, alien invasions, zombie outbreaks, natural disasters, or any other catastrophic scenario. It must be able to do it all; anything you need it to do, without fail. But it must also be more than just a large knife, it must also be a short sword. It must be lightweight yet tough, quick yet not weak, agile yet powerful, plenty of reach yet not too long & awkward. So far the only one I have which meets the requirements is the Super CAK.

I think that a 20" M43 with the exact weight of the 20" Super CAK (34.45oz) would be almost identical in performance. I think it would be really too close to call.


One additional item to note:

If you look at my pics of the Super CAK, you will observe that the edge bevels are short. Well... they are. BUT I took a close look at those edge bevels and compared them to my M43. The geometry of both are virtually the same; too similar to observe a real difference in the angles. The reason the Super CAK's edge bevels are short is because Sgt Khadka forged REALLY deep fullers into that blade and thus the blade gets thin as it approached the edge bevels (seems to be about 0.5cm!) and that's about as thin as he could forge the edge bevels without making them non-existant. This is what makes the Super CAK so special. Sgt Khadka was able to make a large khukuri as light as possible while still maintaining its strength. It's a BIG khukuri which chops like a CAK but handles more like a sirupati. It will be hard to beat, but I still think a 20" 35oz M43 might come really close, and maybe might just do it.