m43?

[Warriorofsteel]

how do you guys like the m43 model?im liking it alot from what i see how thick is the blade anyone have experience with it?

also what handle style offers good shock absorption yet is sturdy?

 

[killa_concept]

I have a horn handled 18"/34oz m43 by young Sher. The spine is a tad thinner than my 15" AK and 18" Vojpure, which both come in at 1/2"... I would say the m43 is about 7/16" thick? That said, it's a great chopper, though I haven't really had a chance to hack down anything above 5" in diameter with it. When compared to my Vojpure that I've used more extensively, the m43 feels much lighter though the difference is only 3oz. The chiruwa handle makes the khukri much less tip heavy and a lot better balanced IMO: I can recover from a swing with the m43 much faster than I can with the Vojpure (and can probably chop with it for longer too). The disadvantage though is that the shock absorption is not as good on the chiruwa style (IMO), especially if the slabs shrink and the exposed tang is slightly raised past it...

All that said, the m43 is definitely an amazing design - hard hitting but quite agile. The only issue I've had with mine was with the horn slabs which shrunk and got a tad loose (though this was easily remedied by filling the gaps with two part epoxy). The horn also slips around more if your palms have a tendency to get sweaty like mine. In all honesty, I probably would have been happier with wooden handles, so you might want to consider that during your purchase

 

[Nicholas]

Oooo! Quoting stats! This is something I haven't tried yet!

My M43 (named "Rufus," for no particular reason), is a 32 oz. piece by Get kami, measuring 18-5/8" overall. We have a 2-pin, handle of 5-7/16", and a blade of 12-13/16" The handle is rosewood (or satisal, in Nepali/HI parlance). It started out polished, but that didn't last long.

To start with, let me say that it's awfully tough. Sharpening the edge requires some elbow grease (especially if you do it by hand, like I do), but the edge really will stand up to some pretty hard use. I remember, the first time I used it, I accidentally "dinged" a small rock, and it didn't do SQUAT in the way of damage!

Second, I'll second the report of the handle's weight. (Ha-ha.) While that makes for some noticeable heft (my father, handling the khuk, quipped, "It weighs a ton!"), it is indeed not drastically forward-weighted. It also has another advantage: the pommel makes an effective garlic hammer, and would probably survive emergency use with nails.

I have not been able to take it up to its maximum degree of sharpness yet, probably for want of fine enough sandpaper. This is important, since it affects performance on particularly "Stringy" vegetation. Nonetheless, I've also used it in the kitchen, as I've said above. Just to shake things up, let me say that the large belly works almost as well for chopping in a wooden bowl as my long-used "Ulu" knife, and while the thick blade makes slicing carrots tricky, a huge batch of okra didn't seem to have the same problem:

Overall, no complaints here.:thumbup

 

[Steely_Gunz]

The M-43 is one of my favorite khuks.

Generally speaking, the M-43 is going to come in just a tad thinner in the spine than a comparable AK. An 18" AK will probably measure around 1/2" at the base of the spine near the bolster while the M-43 might measure closer to 3/8".

As far as handling goes, the M-43 is a whole different animal compared to an AK. While the AK is a formidable weapon to be sure, it has more of a neutral "tool choppiness" to its swing...if that makes sense The AK is a bit straighter in profile so it really allows you to chop with different parts of the blade a little easier. Also, the natural point of impact (POI) is right at the broadest part of the "sweet spot" (the hardest area of the blade edge starting usually about 2" from the tip and running back 4-6" toward the grip).

The M-43 is a very curvaceous khuk. From tip to buttcap, it is usually (more or less) one continuous angle. What this does is two things: First, the grip tends to be a little more singular in nature. Sure you can still choke up or down a bit, but not to the extent of an AK and certainly not as much as an 18" WWII. However, the grip angle really locks your hand in. There is no need for the grip rings that usually need to be altered a bit to fit the users individual hand. The second thing the angle does is make this a very tip heavy and give it a more "martial choppiness". The natural swing pattern tends to drive the straight down in an arch rather than a natural contact at the sweet spot.

You can certainly still chop acres of wood with the M-43. It'll do the job quite well Just keep in mind that this is a representation of a khuk carried by the Gurkhas in WWII where the khuk was used not only as a tool, but as a fierce hand to hand combat blade. It needed to be functional enough to build a shelter, but it also had to have a natural POI that would offer a killing blow. I have no doubt in my mind that a quality M-43-like khuk in the hands of skilled Gurkha could have easily penetrated a steel helmet of the time.

We've all seen the trench spike of WWI trench warfare. Imagine what 2lbs of curved steel could do when it collided headlong into an enemy

Personally, I just really like the way the M-43 points. It chops well for me. I even used mine to cut the brush and wood my groomsmen and I used for our bonfire the night before my wedding. I keep mine by my bedside these days. Makes a great partner for Mr. .45 sleeping in the drawer. It even used to ride around as my truck khuk until I picked up a Boomerang AK a couple years ago. The Boomerang is a khuk that pops up on the Deal of the day sometimes. Think of a 15" version of a love child between an AK and an M-43. Chops well, comfy, and compact enough to just stash under the seat:thumbup:

Edit to add that MY version of the M-43 is quite a bit curvier than Nicolas' fine example That's the beauty of HI khuks, you could get 20 of the "same" model and every one of them would be worlds of difference from the others....yet they'd all be good

 

[Nicholas]

Edit to add that MY version of the M-43 is quite a bit curvier than Nicolas' fine example

Amen to THAT! I was expecting a real "boomerang" of a forward-curving khukuri, when I ordered Rufus, based on the pictures on the site. But it proved to be much straighter.....which is probably why I can use it in the kitchen.

 

[wildmanh]

I love the M-43, specially the old school ones with the really curvy handles. I used to have one of the first ones that HI did and it was perfect!! One of these days I'll get another one with a curved handle. :thumbup: BTW I never used mine so I can't comment on that, but it sure did feel good in my hand.

Heber

 

[GUN SNOB]

Mine just cut up kindling for the fire place. Yesterday it was cutting brush and vines in the woods collecting firewood. Day before that I used it to bust up some old 2x4 batter boards and bracing in the yard. I like it.

The angles of the blade and handle took a little getting use to. Seems like the blade gets there fast and the power on target callused me to over chop if I was not careful. (watch that leg) Once I got the feel for it it was not a problem but it did seem to have a learning curve to it. Way different than the WWII I had or anything else I have chopped with.


Like the few other HIs I have it gets wicked sharp and holds a edge well.


The wife, who is seldom impressed with my tool/toys used it yesterday to clear a path while we were cutting fire wood. When we got done I asked her what she thought of it.

"That joker will cut!" High praise from her.

I have cut a lot of vines with it ranging from thin, green, free hanging to thick as my wrist, dry and hard as Hell. The arch/Angle of the blade lets me chop with the sweet spot or 'hook and slice' with the length of the cutting edge in a circular motion. (sort of like a sickle?) A big advantage to the extra curve in the blade. I hate to think how it would work as a weapon.

The shape and balance lends it self well to short, snappy, controlled chops with a wrist flick and still delivers quite a bit of power with out a lot of extra effort.

I am a fan.

 

[wildmike]

My favorite kuk. Mine has been used to build a couple log cabins and numerous other more primitive shelters. As well as chopping wood, building traps and much too much more to mention.

Once you use it for a cpouple days of hard use you will really come to realize how agile and quick it is in the hand.

Due to its design it has a far better shearing cut than the Ang Kholas and due tokits increased tip speed it penetrates better than comparable axes and kuk's in the same size range.

You made n excellent choice and rest assured it will serve you well under extreme conditions.