My first Kukri - The Waiting...

Wood Splitter

Wood Splitter

Joined
Jul 16, 2011
Messages
993
The waiting is killing me, and I only ordered it this afternoon! :p

Yangdu confirmed my first Kukri, a 15" Ang Khola with a wooden handle will be shipping out tomorrow via International Express. I can't wait!

I was hoping some of you might have some pictures of 15" AKs to help me cope with the wait?

I've been an axe guy my whole (rather short) life, but having moved to Vancouver Island two years back, and recently joining SAR, I've quickly realized the need for a change of tools.

Normally I don't get too impatient waiting for a new blade, or any parcel for that matter, but this one feels different. I have high hopes.:)
 
I know your pain, the waiting is tough! Here's my first one, from this spring. It's a Chiruwa Ang Khola, with the riveted full tang. I'd love to pick up a traditional Ang Khola as well some time. This one is actually 17" overall.

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Congrats on the AK!!.. I'm sure your gonna love it.
I don't have any pics of my AK on hand now,, but I would be surprised if some of the other guys didn't have some readily available.
 
Like in the song ANTICIPATION....heck with that. It's killing you to wait. I know how it is. You selected a good khuk and it'll last your life time. Trouble is about to start, though. A feller cain't buy just ONE! Good luck with your new best friend.
 
T. C. Weston said:
I know your pain, the waiting is tough! Here's my first one, from this spring. It's a Chiruwa Ang Khola, with the riveted full tang. I'd love to pick up a traditional Ang Khola as well some time. This one is actually 17" overall.

r9eB8B6l.jpg
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That is one gorgeous blade sir... I was having trouble deciding between the 15" and the Chiruwa. Ultimately I decided on the 15" for it's lighter weight and shorter length, as I need to be able to carry it in my pack.
 
Bookie said:
Like in the song ANTICIPATION....heck with that. It's killing you to wait. I know how it is. You selected a good khuk and it'll last your life time. Trouble is about to start, though. A feller cain't buy just ONE! Good luck with your new best friend.
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I hear ya on that one, I've caught the bug many 'O times before. I might just have to buy myself a Chiruwa or a Sirupati for my birthday in a couple months.
 
Here's a 15" OAL 23oz AK by Kumar with a horn handle.

View attachment 581508

And a 15" 20oz OAL AK by Kumar with silver fittings and carved handle.

View attachment 581509

Those are too nice to be users. For most purposes I would turn to something like this:

It's a KLVUK (Keshar Lal Villager Utility Knife), 16.5" OAL, 22oz by Keshar Lal with the forging scales left on.

View attachment 581510
 
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David, that is some damn fine steel. Thanks for the pics!

Might I ask how one might acquire a KLVUK? Is it a luck of the draw sort of thing?
 
Auntie usually has some in stock. I picked one up last week for a friend, and I know she had at least one more. The one I ended up getting was actually from the Labor Day Special lot, which was a while ago now. It'll probably run you somewhere around $60+/-, before shipping, which is dangerously affordable.. They don't usually come with sheaths though, just so you know.

I have a 21oz 15" BAS, which is pretty similar to an AK. I love the knife. It feels very personal when compared to a 17-18" blade, and has plenty of power for chopping and splitting. But, while it outperforms the KLVUK in raw chopping and splitting strength, I will give you one word of caution, bearing in mind this may just be my opinion on the matter. The BAS, and likely AK of similar length and weight, does start to feel heavy after a couple hours of use, and gets quite tiring after a half day. The KLVUK on the other hand, being 15" 17oz, feels much lighter in hand, and can easily be used all day.

Now, not to muddy the water more, but I do have one more suggestion to look into: I just picked up a Tamang, it it has rocketed itself to the top of my user list. I don't have hard specs on it, but it's about 16.5" and by feel, I'd guess in the 20-22oz range. It feels heavier than the KLVUK but lighter than the BAS, even though it very well may be as much or more than the BAS. Performance wise, I would describe it as a "Super KLVUK." It far out-chops Keshar, and is just as easy to handle as the BAS. Something about the blade shape is working miracles for me; not too curved, not too straight, but just right :) That one cost a bit more than a KLVUK, but every HI knife is worth at least double what's on the price tag.

No matter what you end up with, I'm sure you'll love it, or them. Like Bookie said, you can't buy just one! My condolences to you and your wallet :D Enjoy the wonderful new blade!
 
Grats WS! I think you made a fine choice! For SAR having a thick strong blade could come in handy for a lifetime. Theres not a lot of difference in the feel of the CAK or AK if each is done right and with the Kamis HI keeps have confidence they will. The AK may be desirable in the cold weather because your hand will be insulated from the cold steel by the wood. Theres no exposed steel on the handle like the CAK and it translates less shock to your hand. Its a trade off though. The CAK can take more lateral force hence its warranty as a prybar which could come in handy with SAR but also the added weight as you mentioned would have to be managed.

My AK collection (L to R):
20"AK Lachhu
20" Super AK- Bhakta
18" AK -Bura
17" CAK -Bura
16" CAK (w/black forge scale) -Kumar
12" Uncle Bill Convention AK -Bura
10" Baby CAK -Loc?
Loc is the fish Kami right fellas? Looking closer at this marking I noticed it was not an eyeball like Dhan Bahadur uses. Its definitely a fish. I just noticed this a few days ago and dont remember Loc making these? Hmmm? Ill look into it.

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snowwolf said:
Thanks for the trailer - But you are such a tease :p
I wanna see the full length feature - ie the entire collection!!!
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Uhhh... Thats way too dangerous right now. We have to wait till my wife leaves for the weekend or something. I aint makin that mistake again.
 
^ ok... fair enough.

I took good note of how you display them.
Putting the kuk on top of the scabbard makes it obvious. No more trial and error to match them back.
 
I finally went through and finished tagging all my sheaths and knives. I store the sheaths in a plastic tote and I thought I'd never be able to match them up again but it wasn't that bad really.
Now as long as the tag don't get torn off I'm good to go.
 
Well that's smart. I should of done that form the start. But if someone would have told me while holding my first kuk I was going to buy so many. I would of call him crazy.

Correct me if I'm wrong, I kind of remember your tags also include the name of the blade, specs and the Kami who made it.

Bawanna said:
I finally went through and finished tagging all my sheaths and knives. I store the sheaths in a plastic tote and I thought I'd never be able to match them up again but it wasn't that bad really.
Now as long as the tag don't get torn off I'm good to go.
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Unfortunately for me, my Kukri has been held by Canadian Customs since the 6th... Of the countless parcels I've sent and received over the years, I've only had that happen once or twice. It's almost always caused by improper or missing paperwork.
 
Wood Splitter said:
Unfortunately for me, my Kukri has been held by Canadian Customs since the 6th... Of the countless parcels I've sent and received over the years, I've only had that happen once or twice. It's almost always caused by improper or missing paperwork.
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Are you able to get in touch with them? I can imagine how the waiting goes...
 
Wood Splitter said:
Unfortunately for me, my Kukri has been held by Canadian Customs since the 6th... Of the countless parcels I've sent and received over the years, I've only had that happen once or twice. It's almost always caused by improper or missing paperwork.
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My wife was born on Vancouver Island. Wish I was a bit further north, you could get em shipped to me and I could meet you somewhere this side of the border and hand off. It's a 2 to 2 1/2 hour trip to the border for me though.
Have a nephew in Bellingham that would be a little closer.
 
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