Need Machete substuite

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PhiberOptik

Joined
Apr 14, 2005
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3
I am a land survayor in westren washingtion state (USA). Frequently I have to clear brush lines and line of sight to get my work done. The vegitation varies greatly. there can be temprate area trees and brush to green soft vines and blackberry bushes (many areas are VERY thick with both). I find that a normal machette is whoely inadquate for choping tree limbs and very tireing. a machete is amoust useless aginst large dead treelimbs as they are somewhat hard. I thought a Khukuri looked like a good solution. Does anyone have similiar experience or sugestions on a make of khukuri. I need somthing i can use for extended peorides as well as similiar length of a machette 20 inches or more yet light enough to be comfterable for extended use. it has to be durable i dont care what it looks like only that it chops good, is comfterable and can take a beating.
 
Welcome to HI forum, PhiberOptik. An 18 or 20" AK sounds right for the bigger stuff. btw; I notice your forum name is spelled in such a way the word Fiber is actually sounding like fibber, or liar. A 'Y' would straighten that out. Just a thought. Welcome again.


munk
 
Welcome! Which would you use it for most? Thick brush or wood? This will make a difference in what kind of knife you get. From your description, though, sounds like a khuk is definately in your future!

Nam
 
You'll find a khuk much more portable and aesthetically interesting than any machete. It will also take care of any agressive rottweilers you encounter during your working day. Are you cutting mostly thin, green vegetation, or dead tree branches? A sirupati would be good for the thick, green masses of stuff, while an Ang Khola would be best for the dead wood.
 
I'd recommend the 21" Gelbu Special (GS) or 20 Sirupati. They're both light enough for machete work but can take on larger tasks without causing great fatique.

mrd74, that would fulfill his needs, but the company doesn't ship to the U.S.

Bob
 
~21" Chitlangi

yhst-7333098713883_1801_2161599


Feels lighter for the size
big pommel-bulge to retain grip better
good reach
good chopper up to about 5" diameter wood

thicker wood than that you need a blade with a more curved belly
to act more like an axe
like a 18" AngKhola
yhst-7333098713883_1801_324296


or other big-belly khuk at 18-20"

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<>they call me 'Dean' :)-FYI-FWIW-IIRC-JMO-M2C-YMMV-TIA-YW-GL-HH-HBD-IBSCUTWS-tWotBGUaDUaDUaD
<> Tips <> Baha'i Prayers Links --A--T--H--D
 
Get a decent machete for the vines and such--even the lighter khukuris are going to be too tiring for extended whacking at light vegetation, at least in my opinion. take a small bastard file with you to keep the machete sharp. For the dead branches and such, I'd reccomend an 18-20" AK. Both are chopping monsters. Just keep it on your belt until you need it, and use the machete for the light stuff.
 
Ahhhh...western WA representing. Welcome, Phiber.

I used to use a 25" Kobra for busting brush and a 16.5" Ang Khola for the heavier stuff. I've since found that a 20" Sirupati performs both tasks admirably. As for handles, horn gets the nod for rain resistance but wood will work if you paint on enough sealant. I have a 20" Ang Khola that's seen some use for knocking down trees and such but it's completely inefficient for clearing brush. I now use it for splitting firewood.

Don't sweat the surface rust...just scrub it off at the end of the day with steel wool or a green scrubby pad. There's enough steel there that surface rust won't be an issue during your lifetime.

If you're going to be chopping for a few hours, you may want to round off the "tip" of the handle where it rides against the palm of your hand. A file or hoof rasp does the job nicely.
 
My good friend Yerik always says, "If you hunt moose and squirrel on same trip, you need more than one gun." I think it applies here.
 
Good link, mrd. Thanks.

As for Josh's point: "Hmmmm. It gives one paws."
 
I'd try to get one of the 17" 23 or 24 oz Ganga Ram models. I have an 18" AK and while it's great for splitting wood, it is too heavy to swing as much as you would need. The Ganga Ram is light enough to chop brush and heavy enough to chop thicker stuff. However if you have to chop a lot of stuff in the 6" and over go for the AK. I use my khukuris for trail clearing a lot and maybe I'm a weenie, but I have a lot of problems with the larger khukuris being too heavy to use for several hours. Under like 28 oz I'm usually ok but the 2 lb models I'd rather use an axe.
 
I'm another one that takes two khuks when i have to deal with both heavier logs and lighter brush. I usually take a 20" Kobra for the really light stuff and a 22" GRS for the big stuff. The Kobra is a "weaker" blade, but IMHO if you treat it like a machette it'll last a lifetime. I've beating the heck out of mine for over a year and a half with no signs of wear. I like this combo so much i sent a set to my uncle down in n'awlins. He uses them both all the time on the cypress trees and vines that choke his property;)

Jake
 
While I'm certainly a khukuri fan, you might also look into one of the Valiant Survival Goloks for your brush-and-branch needs. ...of course, you'll still need to get a khuk...or three...
 
Welcome to the Cantina PhiberOptic!
For what you describe, either a 20" Gelbu Special or a 21" Chitlange would serve you greatly. Both are very strong and their fullers lighten them up enough to make your work not too tough. Both will chop well and still whip away the light vegetation. The GS would most likely be my choice. I love the feel and balance of it! :cool:
 
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