Review M43 is soooo tough...

George Azar said:
.... Your opinion....light weight i.e. 25-28oz or heavy weight....anything over 30oz? .... I’ve got 2 type, 2 Kumar slightly over 27oz @ 18” and one approx 31oz. I really love the light weights. My opinion.
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I have yet to see a lightweight M43 from HI. The lightest I can recall was 28 oz. Maybe there was a 27 oz M43, but if so it was unusual.

Rumor is that some lightweight M43s are coming, but I'll be pleasantly surprised to see one at 25 oz. Bookie might disagree, but if I'm not mistaken he's a guy who often spends hours pounding hot steel with a heavy blacksmith hammer, so it's not surprising that he likes a heavier M43.

The most readily available lightweight M43s are the true vintage (military-issue) blades that can be found at auctions, often for reasonable prices. They usually run around 24 oz, give or take a couple of ounces, and are very nice blades if in good condition. They couldn't compete with an HI M43 for heavy chopping, but they are well made and solid. I wouldn't make one of those vintage blades a user, but they're great in a collection. Also, if you get one of those it can give you a pretty good idea of how you like that weight. Here are a couple that weigh in at 24 oz each.

WWII-17-Ebay24oz-01.jpg WWII-18-PacificTheater-EbayWWoz-01.JPG WWII-18-PacificTheater-EbayWWoz-03.JPG
 
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davidf99 said:
I have yet to see a lightweight M43 from HI. The lightest I can recall was 28 oz. Maybe there was a 27 oz M43, but if so it was unusual.

Rumor is that some lightweight M43s are coming, but I'll be pleasantly surprised to see one at 25 oz. Bookie might disagree, but if I'm not mistaken he's a guy who often spends hours pounding hot steel with a heavy blacksmith hammer, so it's not surprising that he likes a heavier M43.

The most readily available lightweight M43s are the true vintage (military-issue) blades that can be found at auctions, often for reasonable prices. They usually run around 24 oz, give or take a couple of ounces, and are very nice blades if in good condition. They couldn't compete with an HI M43 for heavy chopping, but they are well made and solid. I wouldn't make one of those vintage blades a user, but they're great in a collection. Also, if you get one of those it can give you a pretty good idea of how you like that weight. Here are a couple that weigh in at 24 oz each.

View attachment 809827 View attachment 809829 View attachment 809833
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I’ve got 2 18” Kumar M43’s a tad over 27oz. I’ll try to post photos on scales showing their weight
 
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8F7963BC-187A-4F5B-96F5-B10971CA735E.jpeg 8980DAE0-8F31-47E6-9179-CAF12100FDF5.jpeg At 27.05 oz, it feels featherweight like flinging your hand in the air! Hope everyone scores one!
 
George:

There's a typo in your post. It says 10", but the photo shows 19" on the tape measure.

That's a great weight for such a large M43, and you have two of them. Was this a special order? I haven't seen anything like this on a DOTD.
 
davidf99 said:
George:

There's a typo in your post. It says 10", but the photo shows 19" on the tape measure.

That's a great weight for such a large M43, and you have two of them. Was this a special order? I haven't seen anything like this on a DOTD.
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Thanks for bringing that to my attention. Yes it’s a little over 18”! Sorry
 
davidf99 said:
George:

There's a typo in your post. It says 10", but the photo shows 19" on the tape measure.

That's a great weight for such a large M43, and you have two of them. Was this a special order? I haven't seen anything like this on a DOTD.
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David

It wasn’t a special order, I was at the right place at the right time! I really really love these! I would highly recommend! I’ve got both weights. Until you actually handle a lightweight, no one could actually say it’s not good. I actually think it would penetrate deeper because it’s thinner!
 
davidf99 said:
Bookie might disagree, but if I'm not mistaken he's a guy who often spends hours pounding hot steel with a heavy blacksmith hammer, so it's not surprising that he likes a heavier M43
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When I first handled my Purna CAK I was amazed at the weight and build quality. I have been doing regular Khukuri drills (Royal Gorkha drill exercises) with the 32 Oz CAK, aimed at building up strength and agility. I actually prefer the weightier khukuris now. The 31 oz. M43 presented no issues personally. I have a Paanch Chirra (5 fuller) from another Khukuri house at 45 Oz. and 20".
 
There is a series of photos I will post. 2 M43’s are lightweights made by Kumar and the 3rd one is made by either Anil or Ram Kumar. Not sure about the leaf. Also I’ll post the spine comparison of the heavyweight with a lightweight. Just showing both can be made. All 3 are 18+” in length.
 
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George Azar said:
There is a series of photos I will post. 2 M43’s are lightweights made by Kumar and the 3rd one is made by either Anil or Ram Kumar. Not sure about the leaf. Also I’ll post the spine comparison of the heavyweight with a lightweight. Just showing both can be made. All 3 are 18+” in length.
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Steve Tall said:
Based on ndog's deciphering for another kami (below), I'd surmise that the kami name starts with "Ra" which would be Ram Kumar in this case.
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Thank you Mr Tall. I should have compared inscriptions with others I knew were made by Ram Kumar. I’ll know to do that next time. Again, thank you sir!
 
davidf99 said:
I have yet to see a lightweight M43 from HI. The lightest I can recall was 28 oz. Maybe there was a 27 oz M43, but if so it was unusual.

Rumor is that some lightweight M43s are coming, but I'll be pleasantly surprised to see one at 25 oz. Bookie might disagree, but if I'm not mistaken he's a guy who often spends hours pounding hot steel with a heavy blacksmith hammer, so it's not surprising that he likes a heavier M43.

The most readily available lightweight M43s are the true vintage (military-issue) blades that can be found at auctions, often for reasonable prices. They usually run around 24 oz, give or take a couple of ounces, and are very nice blades if in good condition. They couldn't compete with an HI M43 for heavy chopping, but they are well made and solid. I wouldn't make one of those vintage blades a user, but they're great in a collection. Also, if you get one of those it can give you a pretty good idea of how you like that weight. Here are a couple that weigh in at 24 oz each.

View attachment 809827 View attachment 809829 View attachment 809833
Click to expand...
I love those guys in the picture. I would like this post three times if I could.
edit: George, I love the Kumar M43! That piece is FIRRE hot.
 
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