Need help!

R

R.J.Jones

Joined
Mar 8, 2011
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14
I want/need to purchase a Khukuri for my brother, he is 28 years old, 5' 8", and 180 Lbs strong, with abnormally large hands. He is a die hard martial artist, not sure exactly which form of Karate he has a black belt in, but he is currently working on earning the next degree. He is also a very skilled Jujitsu fighter, and has "lightly" studied in the art of ninjutsu. He always says that the mind is the most important weapon to master, no exceptions. He has always wanted a hand to hand weapon he could train with, as well as use as a survival tool/daily tool. I have searched for him a long, long, time before finding the Khukuri, and I must know which one to give to him. He will use it as a daily chopping tool I am positive of that, also he will want to learn everything about it including how to properly use it as a weapon. He is a very passionate "Survivalist" and always encourages me to come up to his cabin (which he built by hand) and spend a week roughing it, the way man was intended live. He is my little brother, and I must make sure I am getting him the proper Khukuri. I know for a fact that he will enjoy an 18"+ Khukuri, anything shorter and I am afraid he might not see it as the survival all-in-one weapon/tool he has always wanted. I would really appreciate your helping hands with my purchase. Also, money is of no issue, I would go to the ends of the earth for my brother. So buying him a quality hand made Khukuri that he will positively use for the rest of his life is my main concern. I am set on purchasing from Himalayan Imports

Thank You
R.J.
 
The M43 is the best balance of weapon and tool, IMO.

It is a bit heavy and it doesn't do well being whipped about twirling like one sees on martial arts videos. The Sirupate/Gelbu Special, Chainuri and Tamang are lighter, but end up a bit light in the heavy tool department.

Pic of the M43 I used to have:
100_0204.jpg
 
For the ninja-useful category, I recommend the HI jungle knife.
For sheer fighting khukuri, the gelbu special or teardrop sirupati.
 
all of HI knives have full tangs, the M43's tang pictured above is a bit overkill, but it helps some in making the balance nuetral and the knife incredibly durable

knives with hidden tangs are a bit more weight forward, makes for good chopping
 
Thank you all so much!

Now to locate an M43 with the "overkill" tang for the balance and extra durability.
 
A Gelbu Special or WWII model would be the best choice for a tool/weapon combination khukuri. They'll both chop and are light enough for everyday carry and nimble enough for just about anything else. You might also look into a baldric for carrying over the shoulder for whatever model you choose. Please read the Safety Sticky and copy it and give him a copy with the khukuri that you give him. Have a good time picking one out and feel free to ask any questions that you have. Lastly, Welcome to the Forum R.J.Jones. Glad to have you aboard.

Peace

Rick
 
Welcome to the Forums:)

I would lean towards the 18" WWII model. It's plenty strong to handle the toughest chores, has enough beef in the blade to chop really well, and has a nice long handle to choke up or down to get a different swing.

If you're really wanting the strongest configuration, you might order one with a chiruwa tang (basically a slab tang with the grips pinned on the sides). The Chiruwa AKs are tough to beat. However, they don't lend themselves to much martial application. I'd still look at something like the WWII in the 18" flavor with or without a chiruwa tang.
 
From the martial arts perspective - you might want to look at a karambit for him as well.
 
R.J.Jones said:
Does the M43 have a strong durable tang?
Click to expand...

Here is the tang on my M-43. The photo is a "before and after" from when I customized the handle. You can see for yourself and decide:).

M43griptop1-1.jpg


The WWII is also an awesome khuk, but it sounds like you want a chiruwa (non-hidden tang) for bomb-proof construction, along with general purpose abilities and weapon like handling. I think the M-43 would be a great gift for your brother. Mine is 19" and a hair less than 32 ounces. Very capable. Take care.

Note: the lanyard hole is non-standard on this model, but Auntyie can have the kamis make whatever you desire.
 
R.J.Jones said:
Does the M43 have a strong Tang?
Click to expand...
Absolutely, the Chiruwa style tang is the strongest you can get. But to be honest, even the hidden tang models are stronger than a person -- you'd probably break the handle before the tang broke.

R.J.Jones said:
Thank you all so much!

Now to locate an M43 with the "overkill" tang for the balance and extra durability.
Click to expand...

As far as I know, all M43s have a Chiruwa handle. One thing I would recommend, and the only thing that bothered my about my M43, is I'd special order one with the standard type of kukri handle with the retention ring in the handle like this:

100_0187.jpg


The smooth handle of the M43 didn't feel as secure in hand as one with a retention ring, and the retention ring never bothered me in terms of using different grips.


One other thing, I also used to have a WWII. IMO, the M43 vastly outperforms it. It chops better (with equal weight and length, the M43 will probably outchop even an Ang Khola), and has a much pointier tip -- better for martial application, and some woods chores.

If you can stand to wait, think hard on special ordering a custom M43 with the retention ring, and a 3/8" spine, instead of the usual 1/2" spine, 18-18.5" long. Don't worry, it'll still be a fairly heavy brute, but lighter and easier to control than a 1/2" thick spine and smooth handle. In the end, if he hates the retention ring, a few minutes on a belt sander can remove it.

In fact, the above specs are one of the special orders I want to put in to Auntie when I get the funds together.
 
Last edited:
Thank you Cpl for all of your wonderful information. I will use your suggested specs. if I end up ordering a special made Khukuri for my brother. I am so thrilled to have found such an amazingly informative forum, finally.
 
Personally I think the WWII in 16.5" is the best choice for your brother if he wants a workhorse that is also good for martial arts; but they do make an 18" if you're sure that he needs it.
 
RJ,

Don't worry about the tangs, the smallest stick (rat tailed) tangs are still stronger than virtually any other knife you will get. Only very recently do you see so many full tang kukris and it is only because the full tang is the "new black" and all the rage! But it is nonesense.

There is also another aspect to the full tang. When planned for and figured into the equation, the full tang kukri can still be balanced, although usually heavier. But when a model that has a stick tang or partial tang is just changed over to a full tang for the sake of a trend, it usually (always) turns into an unbalanced heavy clunky monster. I like to call them sharpened lawn mower blades.

One of the more popular full tang blades is the already mentioned M43. The M43 is a design that is over a hundred years old, time and battle tested and it is done right. To compensate for the weight of the full tang, the blade is a long 13 inches. This is important because as you bring the balance and weight back into the handle you increase vibration dramatically, decrease chopping power and the blade is no longer nimble in the hand. All bad!

The longer blade of the M43, medium sized handle with tapered tang, thin mid-section, and big belly bring the weight back out to the belly which makes the blade come alive in your hand and chop like a chain saw. It would make a very nice gift!

All that being said, to answer your question properly, you may need to get him two blades. For martial arts a nice Sirupate or similar blade is the ticket. They have long slim blades and almost always have a stick or partial tang making them light and nimble. But this thin blade is not what you would call a typical survival or camp kukri. They are too long and lack the heavier chopping power of the dedicated "working" kukris such as the Ganga Ram, Bonecutter, Ang Kholas and even the M43. I'm not saying the Sirupate cannot do the work, just that they don't do the work as well as a kukri designed for the chopping/camp tasks.

Unless he plans to take a class that will specifically use a kukri, you would probably be better to get him something like an M43 that is half combat blade and half utility blade. I highly doubt you can find a person that is unhappy with an M43, for any task!

Good Luck,
Bill
Virginia
 
I would favor the ASTK for both applications. It has the profile and pointiness of sirupatis, gelbu specials and chitlangis, but the beefy spine and chiruwa handles of the heavier workhorse choppers.
 
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