Need a khukuri for clearing trails

M

Minjin

Joined
Sep 29, 2002
Messages
521
Hi guys,

I just got back tonight from riding on 4 wheelers with some buddies of mine. We just got permission to ride on 300 acres of fields and woods so we were riding around exploring. However, there were several times during the ride when I wished I had some sort of large cutting tool to chop up logs and cut down small trees and vines. When I got back, I thought about it and figured I'd give a khukuri a try since I've heard that they are great at that kind of thing. Besides, the expression on the other guys' faces will be priceless if I show up with one. So here I am asking for some advice as to which one I want. I've read the FAQ and poured over the entire HI website but there are just too many to choose from. I'm hoping for some personal experience to help me.

As said above, this will be for small (and maybe large depending on how desperate) logs, small trees, and vines. It won't be so much for brush clearing as we just ride over and through that kind of stuff. I'm 5'8", 150lbs, with a medium build and smaller than medium sized hands. So, obviously I don't want or need some big crazy knife. I'm looking for good performance without wearing me out and not so large and heavy that it is a pain to carry around.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Mark
 
First off, welcome to the Cantina Mark. I've used my khuks almost exclusively for just the kind of thing you describe, you're right they're excellent for that sort of thing. My personal favorite right now is my chiruwa handle 18" Ang Khola. If you haven't read my review yet it's right here. I think it gives a good idea of what I think of it overall. I'm about the same size as you, just about an inch shorter and 5 lbs lighter, and I find this one to be a very comfortable size. But as Gonzo said in his review I'm a little nuts, so YMMV
nut.gif
. I haven't used it for extended periods though, so I may change my mind on that in the future. Another good choice would be the 16.5" WWII. Gonzo Beyondo recently posted an excellent review here. Also, the pass-around on that particular khukuri still has slots open, if you would like to try it once chrisbrogden is finished. I think it would suit your needs rather well. It has a definite chopping and reach advantage over the BAS and the 15" Sirupati, yet it's still pretty lightweight for a khukuri. Send me an e-mail if you'd like in on the pass-around, and if not, good luck with whichever one you choose. As Uncle Bill says, they always seem to find their way into the right hands one way or another.
 
Welcome, You might like a 15" AK or perhaps a Word War 2 model or a BAS, all of them should be able to handle the cutting you described without being two much of beast to carry. Sorry to put three but that is down from the five that I started to suggest. I am fond of the 18 AK" myself for logs and small trees, but may be somewhat larger then you would like. Pick one and go with it I am sure that no matter what it won't be the last one that you get.:)
 
The Ang Khola is the master chopper; 15" is a good size.
The BAS and WW2 also chop very well. I like the 18" WW2 very much. I also think the WW2 and M43 are better for brush than the AK because they are slightly slimmer.
It's really hard to go wrong; the Kobra and smaller Chitlangi are more suited to martial arts than chopping, but any khukuri will chop. I really like the 21" Gelbu for chopping, but you may want something a little more compact. The Chiruwa AK (16.5") is a very good size, a nice medium between the 15" and 18".
 
Originally posted by Minjin
chop up logs and cut down small trees and vines.
Click to expand...
Welcome.

Logs & trees would best be dispatched with an 18" chopper such as the Ang Khola (AK).

Vines would be better served with a much lighter 18-20" Kobra
(or similar) that lets you put more speed into slicing.

Take a look at this thread:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=196879&highlight=chopping+vines

then;
Click search button on top right corner of page.
keyword = vines
forum = Himalayan Imports Forum
Click Search button.
Lots of good info.
 
If you will be chopping solid wood and not too much brush, some flavor of AK would be perfect. The 15" will work well but is a bit on the short side for larger logs. The 18"-ers really make the chips fly, and the 16.5" Chiruwa AK is about the same thing in a bit handier package. If you are going to carry it on the ATV, you may want to get out a tape measure and check out where you want to stick it and how much length you can accomodate.
 
Mark, welcome to the cantina. You are in the right place to ask questions. These are some nice people who never hesitate to help. I don't have as much experience as some, but I have used several different khuks. My favorite for all-around, going into the woods kind of khuk would have to be the 18" AK. (I prefer the wood handle species.) The main reason for my choice is that it can do the work of a lighter khuk (vines, etc.) if it has to but will really tear into the heavier work. Branches, reasonably sized trees (you don't want to have your arm fall off), and the like can be taken care with this khuk. The 18" Sirupati may be a good compromise for you. It is thinner and will work the trail material well and it's got enough beef to be a good, usable chopper.

I am leaning towards the Siru. Let's see what the other forumites have to say. Let us know which one you decide to get. ;)
 
Welcome to the khuk house Mark! .02 cents from this guy with no sense is a 16.5" WWII. Lighter than most of the AK, but can do more work than the Sirupatis. The WWII is my go-to khuk out of the ones I have. For light use I use a 15" Chainpuri with a full convex grind/edge ~ the thing is a vine and light brush eating demon! I only wish I had one that was 18" long too! Adios, stevo
 
Everybody says:"Hi." One guy offers you the chance to use a khuk free of charge in a pass-around, and the OWNER OF THE JOINT, Bill Martino tells you he has something "special" for you to consider ! Pretty cool, eh?

Don't worry about entanglement with buying something if you communicate with Bill Martino, he truly WILL give his best deal and best advice...it's just that kind of place. He may have a cosmetic "blem" on hand at a discount. Nice man.

So far, no one has given you any advice I'd disagree with. My only additional thought is that if you need more than the 15 AK, you probably ought to drive around.

Be well and safe.
 
"small trees"? - 18 " AK or BGRS I would say. The 16.5 Chiruwa AK is OK for it too but I like the extra chopping power of the 18-inchers.

Andreas
 
Mark, Welcome to the Cantina.:D I think either an Ang Khola, WWII or BGRS would fit the bill nicely. I have a 16.5" WWII and 15" AK for heavy work and a 20" Sirupati for lighter brush.

Good luck desiding which you will get first.;):D
 
I second the use of a 20" Sirupati. I just finished a job I had to cut a 1/4 mile through Florida brush. My 20" Sirupati is what I had in my tool box. I thought what would be better for the 3 hours I was hacking and chopping, but.........they would all do the job. I like a longer blade so my hands / arm would not get too deep in the brush where the snakes where.:)
 
Wow...great info guys. But you haven't narrowed it down for me very much. ;)

Seriously though, I'm leaning towards the 16.5in Chiruwa AK. This seems like a good compromise that shouldn't be too hard to carry and yet should be able to go through the stuff pretty good.

Although, I must admit, those larger thinner khuks sound pretty neat too. Perhaps I'll pick up a 20in+ later on for cutting the thinner brush...

I guess I'll keep an eye out for a week or so for any specials. Thanks alot for the advice guys.

Mark
 
Welcome to the Cantina. I use my khuks every chance I get and there is certainlly enough work to do around my house. I use the heaviest khuks for the heaviest work and things like brush and vines I take care of most of the time with the 18" and 20" Sirupati. I find that the 20" by Bura does a fine job with the grape vines and Johnson grass I am forever fighting. The 18" by Kumar is a bit heavy for a Siru of that length but it does a fair job of chopping with that extra weight.

Btice was right about the Siru's being very surprising. An 18" siru was the third Khuk that I ever had and am glad that I have one again. If the brush you are talking about is really wild stuff like is along my creek behind the house I wouldn't recommend any thing shorter than 18 inches. Just what works for me.:)
 
I think the most compact major chopper is the 16.5" Chiruwa AK.
You won't be disappointed. If you can carry something larger, the 18" WW2 model is a hard worker.
 
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