- Joined
- Jul 28, 2006
- Messages
- 253
Who here owns a M43, and ranks is in the top 3 Kuks they own as an all purpose user? My latest from HI is a 17" M43 by Vim, horn handle and silver fittings. Weight 28-30oz. I have quickly come to realise that for me, this Kuk is symbolic of the limit for size/weight to practicality in a packable field tool.
After about an hour of inspection and getting a feel for balance, I began to get the feeling that this blade has an eagerness to do damage. I think it's saying, Don't even think about drawing me out unless you want the target destroyed. This blade demands respect. No "neutral" feeling spirit. I get a clear signal from this one.
After initial lite duty testing (no choping yet),it currently is tied with my highly prised 15" Balance by the Sgt. It would be first if not for the fact that it is definately less tollerant of poor tecnique. With proper follow trough and focus, this M43 zips through 1-2" green limbs and saplings with almost boring regularity.
This is probably to be expected, yet how it handles the thin stuff is where I was really suprised. For cutting stuff heavier than high grass,(like thin hanging vines, reeds and other similar vegitation) this blade acts ALOT like a machete or Siru for me, not exactly, but close.
I hope the weather holds out so i can spend some more quality time with this one. I feel there is much more potiential for me to realise with this design.
But as it stands, the M43 ranks waaayyyy up there in power and practicality as long as on one spends the time to get to know it.
At this point i would like to say this and this may be stating the obvious, but any way.
It has been said before that the M43 should not be consitered a first or beginner Kuk. I agree. This Kuk is not very tollerant of half ass technique or partial focus on the objective.
I am sure i left out a few other points of intrest, i'll add them in next time.
I will do more extensive field testing(choping cured oak/hard woods) to test temper and edge strenght soon with some pics.
After about an hour of inspection and getting a feel for balance, I began to get the feeling that this blade has an eagerness to do damage. I think it's saying, Don't even think about drawing me out unless you want the target destroyed. This blade demands respect. No "neutral" feeling spirit. I get a clear signal from this one.
After initial lite duty testing (no choping yet),it currently is tied with my highly prised 15" Balance by the Sgt. It would be first if not for the fact that it is definately less tollerant of poor tecnique. With proper follow trough and focus, this M43 zips through 1-2" green limbs and saplings with almost boring regularity.
This is probably to be expected, yet how it handles the thin stuff is where I was really suprised. For cutting stuff heavier than high grass,(like thin hanging vines, reeds and other similar vegitation) this blade acts ALOT like a machete or Siru for me, not exactly, but close.
I hope the weather holds out so i can spend some more quality time with this one. I feel there is much more potiential for me to realise with this design.
But as it stands, the M43 ranks waaayyyy up there in power and practicality as long as on one spends the time to get to know it.
At this point i would like to say this and this may be stating the obvious, but any way.
It has been said before that the M43 should not be consitered a first or beginner Kuk. I agree. This Kuk is not very tollerant of half ass technique or partial focus on the objective.
I am sure i left out a few other points of intrest, i'll add them in next time.
I will do more extensive field testing(choping cured oak/hard woods) to test temper and edge strenght soon with some pics.
