My 'Famous' M43 Kukri

jdk1 said:
At the risk of opening a can of worms (again) HI needs to make their original M43 again. Short handle and less than 25 oz. as an addition to the new model, which is much more dedicated chopper, it could only increase khukuri sales👍🏻
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I agree, H.I. Should make more of their old style M43's. I had one of the first ones made back in the day and it was a different animal to the ones made now.
 
wildmanh said:
I agree, H.I. Should make more of their old style M43's. I had one of the first ones made back in the day and it was a different animal to the ones made now.
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Well.....it seems all it would take would be a show of hands to see if demand sufficient for introducing yet another model and that demand be sustained to make it worth extra time/expense to bring back.

I DO see a danger in a smaller company trying to cater to every taste and buyers also losing focus and interest on core product. But it is a small company and can also turn on a dime compared to lumbering behemoths of large makers, and could be a showcase display of flexibility...

All after the disaster recovery where folk we know by name are lucky to be alive...
 
Thanks JD.
Not to be excessively carrying on about the one here, but I'm trying to see where it fits in.

With 4 1/4 inch wood, a 7/8-inch bolster (top to bottom), and a 10 inch blade, it appears to be a non-standard size, I'm understanding.

The handle is maybe the same as an older model? Close?
The blade is definitely shorter than the older or current average M-43.

At 27 ounces, it's heavier than an older version?

Reason I'm trying to pin it down is because I'm quite liking the one I have, I'd like to pick up one or two more of the same dimensions.

If this is turning out to be a Genuine Fluke Model, though, my chances of getting any more just like it are probably not good. :)

The handle's fine for my hand, and if I can get Heber to build me a good baldric rig for motorized carry, a longer blade might be a bit TOO long.
I need to carry under-arm, and too much blade could still get in the way.

Disclaimer: I'm not advocating anything for anybody else, or criticizing any other choice, or suggesting Yangdu alter anything in the product line, just trying to work out the best tool for my situation. :)

If I do have a Genuine Fluke Model, under normal circumstances & when things are back up to speed in Nepal is there a possibility of special orders to get another Genuine Fluke Model?
Denis
 
I don't think what you describe would be considered a Genuine Fluke Model. They show from time to time.

Once things are semi back to normal in Nepal, (if they ever are) I'm sure auntie could get some made for you.

I'd not hesitate to email Auntie and describe what you want, she may in fact have some on hand now that she'd be happy to sell you and you'd be happy to receive. She's full of surprises, got me more than a few time myself.
 
Thanks.
I've blown my totally unexpected khukuri money (I knew it was a mistake to wander through this forum again :) ) for the moment on two inside a month, so can't divert any more cash to Reno for a bit.

I'll have to wait till after Heber wipes me out further on leather for this one & it'll probably be later in the summer.
No hurry now.
Just trying to get a sense of what I have & if I can duplicate it when the time comes.

If she can take a special order by then, probably what I'll need to do.

You get my PM?
Denis
 
DPris, I agree with Bawanna. Many of the HI khuks you see are non-catalog, for lack of a better term. The kamis will produce something, and if sells well, then it can become a regular item. What you have is just a shortened version of the HI M43 model. It seems like HI has sold quite a few and they were popular from the beginning. Who can say what will be produced in the future, but when BirGorkha is humming along, a special order is just an email away.

In case you're wondering, there was a short M43 made during WWII, but it was not just a shortened M43 (though it shared enough characteristics to get the M43 moniker). It had a different blade profile, similar to an HI Pen Knife. It's sometimes called an "Aircrew" khukuri as there are some photos around showing WWII pilots with them. I guess the theory being that a shortened khuk would be handier for use in aircraft. FWIW, my Aircrew is 14.75" OAL, 16 oz., with a 10.5" blade, and a handle length of 3.75" (a wee bit small:D).

Sometimes a short blade can be just the ticket. It's all about what suits your fancy and your needs. I wouldn't worry about the model disappearing.
 
I know there can be a wide variation in just about everything. :)
Glad I lucked into this one & I'll try to duplicate it later in the year.

Too many other directions the cash has to travel first.

Also putting a project together for late summer & the next blade from HI will have to be a Kobra or a Sirupati. Still undecided on which.
Denis
 
Naw, can't do both. :)

The shorter 15-17 inch khukuris I have & intend to buy as gifts later on are workers.
The longer 25-incher would be a representative sample of a longer type only.

If wishes were dollars.... :)

You get my PM asking for info on your Mower Carry Model?
Denis
 
Baw,
Disregard my repetitivosity re the PM.
Keep forgetting where responses from this site go.
Found you in a spot I seldom look. :)
Thanks.
Denis
 
That's where I hang out, where people seldom look. Sort of stealth bawanna mode.

I've said Naw can't do both many many many times. I need a larger knife rack. If wishes are strong enough the dollars will take care of themselves or so I tell my wife all the time usually unsuccessfully followed by a beating of varying degree or a push from the top of the stairs on the front porch.
 
That's what you get when you combine a pissed-off wife & high porch stairs. Bad combo.

Too late in life to be acquiring a khukuri collection just for collecting & admiring, much as I'd like to.
I'll need a long blade example specifically for the project when I can get to it, and I'll have to include (PUT THE GUN DOWN!) products from other makers, some of which will be loaners but a couple I'll have to put my own cash on, so no possibility of both Kobra AND Sirupati there.
Can't get too carried away with production costs. :)

Denis
 
Whatever you ended up with, i bet there are more since they ARE looked over hard prior to shipment and on arrival and should be no surprise at this end...

And it sounds extremely useful....i am ordering a BAS for a friend who might prefer a bit more compact than my WWII, and yours definitely sounds interesting and may be his second one after he plays with the first....

I have several high end users as well as great cheap stuff such as Moras, and old military of personal nature, but no displays or racks.....the high end stuff is mainly investment for resale 10yrs or so when a little extra cash wanted tax free and those stay wrapped new and in safe deposit boxes...

The WWII joins the essential users...and is THE one to grab when only one can go...the others are...well.....cute, in comparison.







 
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Hehe, Love those Randalls Mtngunr. But yeah they do seem a little unsubstantial in that particular comparison. Though I know they more than hold their own for the uses they are meant for.
 
I never been able to afford to own one, always wanted one. I did run into a fella at a sportsman show with a whole couple tables of nothing but Randall knives. I was there chatting with that man for a very long time.

I fell in love about 20 times over at that table.
 
Bawanna said:
I never been able to afford to own one, always wanted one. I did run into a fella at a sportsman show with a whole couple tables of nothing but Randall knives. I was there chatting with that man for a very long time.

I fell in love about 20 times over at that table.
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Anyone can afford one...it just takes saving...if one ordered direct from shop as many of mine have been since '71 or so, a flow develops after the initial (now 4 yr) wait.
..$50 down locks in price and $2 wk has the money in 4 yrs....for those who can save more, there are several dealers who sell with no markup over catalog price and will get you one in 3-6 mths currently.....

But if you are spending all available money on Himalayan Imports knives, it is money well spent and i cannot blame you....even the heaviest duty Randall is not up to what a khukuri from dear Yangdu can handle....the Randalls are going to be harder for more knife and less axe or sword duty....if i were still jumping out of airplanes with my hair on fire, i would take a knife from dear Yangdu....90% of our use was opening crates and prying anyhow.....you just HAD to own a Randall in some units or you simply were not "in" yet, back then.....

But today i would take a Himalayan Imports knife.....might/would resheath to something up to being immersed in a swamp all day and handle might end up being changed out like tires when needed, but the nearly unbreakable blade is perfect for clearing fields of fire and etc....

If any interest on other brand simply PM me......and now, back to our regularly scheduled programming.....
 
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mtngunr said:
Anyone can afford one...it just takes saving...if one ordered direct from shop as many of mine have been since '71 or so, a flow develops after the initial (now 4 yr) wait. ..$50 down locks in price and $2 wk has the money in 4 yrs....for those who can save more, there are several dealers who sell with no markup over catalog price and will get you one in 3-6 mths currently.....
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The virtue of patience is rare in these parts. One reads of people standing guard at the mailbox waiting for Yangdu's triangular box, ripping it open with bare hands and teeth, etc.

I consider myself a patient man. Sometimes I wait a day or two, or even a few days, before opening the box, because I enjoy the anticipation and want to open it at a time when nothing else is going on.

But four years? Or even 3-6 months? I envy those who have that much patience.

On a more serious note: Does anyone know what kind of steel is used by Randall Knives? And are they all hollow ground, which seems the case in all the photos I've seen?
 
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